Six months on max dose. I feel no different, have lost bugger all. Now what?

[ArdAz]

I have about 4 stone to lose. Mid 50s. Sedentary job but I'm active outside of that. My main issues are binge eating at night, too big portion sizes, but my brain tells me I'm still hungry if I try to cut these back too much.

I started MJ last year and have been on max dose for approx six months.

There's been a tiny reduction in my appetite. I recognise I am eating less than I usually do, but the desire to eat crap at night is still huge so it is all still a big battle that I'm losing.

I was so hopeful that MJ would be a magic bullet, but it just doesn't seem to be working on me to reduce the food noise sufficiently for me to be able to reduce my eating to affect my weight.

I am eating a bit less, and have lost a few pounds, but I thought it would be a few stone by now! I just can't see it happening if the MJ isn't quieting my brain.

Has anyone else been on max dose and not just not lost the weight, but not felt that MJ is really helping? Certainly not enough given how expensive it is, which is another issue!

Exercise is the key.

I'm afraid I've never seen exercise make a difference.

Some people, a substantial minority, have no reaction to the GLPs unfortunately.

But I thought exercise was only a tiny part of weight loss? I do an active hobby for 4 hrs a week, plus am busy cooking etc outside of my job.

It's the lack of impact on my head from MJ that has so disappointed me.

I didn't lose until 10mg which was about 5 months, but I switched from another drug thAt I was maxed out on. It doesn't work for everyone unfortunately. If you are exercising and in sufficient deficit then so ething else must be going on

It might be that you just don’t respond very well. Some people don’t. But I also wonder how significant the binge eating is for you and whether it was something that you had sought professional help for? It’s such a complex psychological desire that I’m not sure it’s something that the injections can always defeat on their own.

I was like you when I tried Ozempic- it did nothing for me, but Mounjaro has worked really well for me. Try a different drug (there’s new more powerful ones coming down the line too). Also, starting HRT really helped for as well. Keep trying and try not to get too disheartened xx

Boo! I feared that was the case, and I might be in that group. Just my effing luck.

In that case, has there been any research into what helps this non-responsive group?

Are you drinking plenty of water? I’ve found this has really helped me, I have a 1.5L bottle on my desk at work and make sure I get through it by the end of the day. Seems to really help

I have a friend who has a similar issue. And I’m not dying to say this to her but I might eventually if after a year MJ doesn’t work for her… could your reasons for over eating be psychological? She will eat til being uncomfortable and it’s not a deterrent.

I am a straightforward over eater raised by a diet obsessed looks fascist who weighs daily and talks about “earning” lunch or burning off breakfast when going for a stunning walk in the Peak District. I still don’t over eat on MJ as it’s bloody unpleasant. My friend who has serious issues round food will over eat anyway and say the discomfort is worth it. She needs therapy.

does the MJ make you uncomfortably full if you over eat in the evenings and do you drink 3L water a day?

studies have shown comprehensively that exercise has very little effect on weight loss. Great for health, cardio health and mental health but it won’t get you slim.

Thanks for your support.

I went to MJ, even though it was the priciest, becuase I thought it was meant to the most effective of the weightloss drugs.

I thought it as meant to help with food noise, and it just doesn't seem to.

Re the binge eating, I'm not sure if that is the right description tbh. I don't eat till I feel sick or anything, but I just have a strong compusion to snack on things from about 9pm onwards, and I go to bed around midnight, so that's a lot of time to be grazing on crisps, toast, cheese, nuts. I don't feel full up so can just keep going.

I thought MJ would help me stop that, and thought it might be an easier way that trying talking therapy the effects of which tends to wear off ime.

I have uppped my water intake, but I drink lot of water normally. It is def more than 3l a day.

I don't seem to feel full, no.

Do you eat a high protein and low carb diet? Carbs cause sugar spikes leaving you craving more. Protein keeps you fuller for longer. Give it a go, it really works.

Can you go to bed earlier? Even if you don't sleep. Listen to an audio book or podcast.

Eating late has been shown to impact metabolism and insulin resistance.

The simplest way to reduce it would seem to be to cut down the hours available for snacking.

@ArdAz its key as I believe WLI can make you hold water so it helps release water intake

Diet is fairly high protein. I do eat carbs, mainly bread, because I find that is most likely to make me feel like I am satiated iykwim?

I think going to bed earlier would help! But I need my time in the evening to myself. I'd get nothing done and have no time to myself if I went to bed at 10.30pm. I hoped the MJ would stop me snacking during this time but sadly not.

If I just jack in the MJ, what should I try next? Is there a new miracle on the horizon or should I just accept my body and brain want me to remain a chubster forever (sorry if that offends, it's just how I prefer to refer to myself)

Me too, not worked for me, lost a tiny bit

Have you tracked your calories? If you're still eating the wrong foods you won't lose.

Sorry to hear that @FlicaBonnyLittleStar
Do you have a plan for what to do next?

@wherearethesnacks that's the issue, I'm probably eating too much. But the MJ was meant to help me stop putting food in my face, and it just isn't!

Wegovy?
it's cheaper and I thought it worked great. Lost 4 stones before hitting a plateau.

Did you try that after MJ not working? Only I thought MJ worked on two receptors and Wegovy only on one, so if MJ doesn't work, then Wegovy won't either?

Have you tried brushing your teeth when the evening munchies comes around

It doesn’t work for everyone but when it does, works marvellously. Sorry this hasn’t worked for you, try counselling on the overeating?

No experience of WLI but from what you say evening snacking seems to be your biggest issue - and I think that's one problem area that a few lifestyle changes could help with a lot. I agree with @forgotmyusername1 that brushing teeth after evening meal works for me as a way to stop me eating any more before bed. If you tend to snack while watching TV then doing something to keep your hands/brain busy instead can help - colouring, knitting etc. Or if you can get out the house for a walk or to attend a hobby that's a good distraction too. And restricting where you eat all food to the dining table only - somehow I find this much easier to accept than telling myself I'm not allowed chocolate, crisps etc. So I can have crisps but I'd need to go and sit in the kitchen at the table...and that doesn't seem so attractive when I'm watching TV. Just some ideas, good luck OP, don't lose hope.

Generally, normal people (so non atheletes) will never out exercise their diet. It will help a bit but it really doesnt give you a huge amount of additional calories, plus most of the apps seriously over estimate what calories you burn.

I have found cutting out carbs mostly helps massively to not crave them, same with sugar. Eating more protein definitely helps with fullness for longer I find.

It is so much money to spend on the high dose if its not working well. The only way you will lose weight is if you're in a calorie deficit which long term is so tough without help hence MJ being so successful for the majority. I genuinely dont think I could overeat even if I wanted to. Even if you are eating too much is it worth tracking your calories/macros and see if there are some small changes you can make eg less carbs more protein, cut portions or even swap some higher calorie stuff, I swapped normal protein shakes for clear protein saving 150 cals.