It’s time to Spring into the maintainers thread 4, where we don’t eat all the Easter eggs and undo all our good work!

[MargoLivebetter]

Welcome to our 4th thread of continuing all the good work we’ve done, believing in ourselves and recognising all we’ve already achieved.

Don’t be hard on yourself @MummyInTheNecropolis you have lost an Amazing amount of weight

im still on 7.5. I will drop to 5 after my holiday and see how I go. I stay in my ballpark of 3lbs 99% of the time

if I’m 4lbs I’m very good for a week or two to shift it

yes I do feel a bit meh I’m still on it as it’s a struggle to pay for it and part of me thinks I should be able to do this on my own

the other part of me due to losing weight 20yrs ago and then putting it all back on and another 2s is to scared to not take it

I know I have issues with my weight - I know I need to keep a needy eye on it and I know I shouldn’t feel bad taking it as if it was medication needed to bp - diabetics - asthma etc I wouldn’t think anything of it but it’s not …..

Hi everyone. Good to hear everyone's updates, it's really interesting how some of us are doing well on tiny or no doses at all, and others are finding it much more challenging.

I'd been a few lbs over my ideal weight for months, but had also been titrating down and started HRT so I figured not gaining was still an achievement.

I finally managed to get back into my ideal weight bracket for the first time in months, then went away camping for a couple of days, ate crap food and bam, gained half a stone. Over a week later it and it still hasn't shifted.

I still struggle with food noise and eat too much. I long for the discipline of the early days - but it wasn't really discipline, it was the Mounjaro working. Now I am slimmer and accustomed to it, it's back to the same old battles and wondering how to get this half stone off (and keep it off).

@MummyInTheNecropolis agree with @Blondeshavemorefun - don't be hard on yourself. Keep reminding yourself of how much you lost and how much you have kept off and believe in the amazing person you are to have done that! I say that in all seriousness, not to try and puff you up or put a positive spin on anything. We need to all do much more acknowledging of our success and believe that we have got this.

@OneThirdLess I suspect it is always going to be a struggle (for most of us), but that doesn't mean that you can't do it - because you know that you can - because you've done it! It is salad season, so stuff your face with leaves and some tasty dressing and it will come off.

@Blondeshavemorefun being in your ballpark 99% of the time is fantastic. Have you got lots of lovely holiday clothes lined up to look fabulous in?

I was so busy on Saturday, I completely forgot to jab, so I'm going to see how this week goes without ....... Going to try not to think about it, so I don't get all up in my head and start sending myself nuts - which is not hard!!!!!

Yes I have lots of size 10-12 dresses

some that I got last year but have also bought more this year

Thanks @Blondeshavemorefun and @MargoLivebetter I’m having a better week this week, slightly derailed by my mum’s birthday barbecue yesterday, but I didn’t go too mad, ate a normal amount I think. Today has been a struggle, I stayed up for the football last night then was at work for 8am so been knackered all day and just wanting to comfort eat. I haven’t though, I resisted the urge, ate normally and will be heading to bed shortly!

Hope everyone else is having a good week.

Hello all, I came off MJ at the end of February this year. Ive been happily maintaining since, but the food noise is so intense. I didnt have a problem with hungar, managed that well. But over the last few weeks although I've been maintaining, with just 3-4lbs on, my diet is deteriorating.
So I ordered a wegovy pen. The thinking is its cheaper, its not really about losing weight now, I just need a break from the food noise and a bit of a reset for my diet.
So im thinking 1-2 mths and ill see how it goes.
Hadn't ordered from simple online pharmacy since August last year. They had photos and queried my HRT prescription and feel that was the reason they could give me it at BMI 26. Surprised at thus but happy to accept obviously!
Although I lost 4 stone on MJ my lowest BMI was just under 25.

@Hangryfastjo I really struggled with the food noise too when I came off. Will be really interested to see what you think of Wegovy. Let us know how it goes.

Good luck @Hangryfastjo! Sounds like a very sensible approach. Will be useful to hear how it works for you.

Good evening! I am still on a dose of 10mg and not going down until I get back to my realistic goal of 8 stone 7 pounds. Previously stayed at 8 st 5 pounds for 5 months but it was big struggle Currently at 9 stone after a shocking 7 pound gain after holidays - was already over my 8 stone 7 target when I went on holiday, so the gain put me up to 9 st 4 pounds. Managed to lose 4 pounds of that. Lots of reasons to not count calories..holidays, my 70th birthday on Monday, meals out etc.

To lose weight when near to target I need to be on 1000 calories but that's a bit too low really for various health reasons.

On days I calorie count I am aiming for 1250 but i really struggle. Do you think the jab diminishes it's effect after long term use? It's nearly two years now since I started. Reached my goal last August and maintained for 6 months then Christmas, holidays and celebrations meant slowly crept up to over 9 stone after my recent holiday. Just a bit disheartened that I haven't managed to reduce to 5 as I had planned. Also as I said not feeling the same reduction in appetite as i used to have, although food noise is still reduced. So scared of regaing and also feeling bad that I can't stick to calorie deficit to lose the 7 pounds I am desperate to lose. Some reassurance badly needed please.

I was shocked to see a big whoosh on the scales this morning which takes me back to target 🎉

I’m at the top end so would still like to lose another 2-3lbs if I can, but I’m delighted!

@Azuresky68 When I felt the effects of the MJ were wearing off and it just didn’t seem to be working for me, I did a total reset. Came off it completely for a month, during which I did have a gain. I then restarted on 2.5 and felt the effects so much more. Not quite as effective as the first time around, but it’s definitely working and I am losing weight again on 2.5 (I was on 5mg when I stopped, having weaned down from 10). Might be worth a try.

@Azuresky68 sorry to hear that the pounds are not shifting. Good suggestion from @MummyInTheNecropolis to do a reset. That might help. I know myself that if I want to lose again, I have to be really disciplined and watch every calorie, which is very boring and tedious, particularly without the suppression. I find bulk eating really helpful, as it tricks me into thinking I've consumed more calories than I really have. Summer is helpful for that, as you can eat a giant bowl of salad with a bit of tasty dressing and some protein thrown in and the calorie content will be really low (appreciate you may well already be doing this, so ignore me if you are!).

Great news @MummyInTheNecropolis - I knew you could do it!!!! Really chuffed for you.

I've done one day shy of a week without jabbing, as I forgot last Saturday. I noticed a bit of an uptick in food noise yesterday, but I'm not sure if that was simply because I couldn't do all the jobs I wanted to because I was too hot and therefore was lurking around the kitchen too much. I'm trying not to overthink it and just take each day as it comes. If today is better, I will see if I can keep going without.

@MargoLivebetter @MummyInTheNecropolis thanks for your support and advice. Still stuck at 9 stone and away on Monday for 11 days. From my twenties onwards I would have been delighted to have been 9 stone and struggled to get there or stay there when I got there! Been doing the weight loss thing all my life - 'chubby' kid, got to 7 stone 12 pounds when I was 21 after going to slimming club, went up to 14 stone when I was 50, then settled between 11 stone and 9 st 7 after that..always worried and guilty about eating and drinking, looking for clothes to cover up. Now at 70 I am feeling bad about being 9 stone instead of 8 stone 5! Guess it's the fear of slowly creeping up.

@Azuresky68 I understand. I've followed the same path. It's no bad thing to want to be on it and get back to a weight you were happy with. I try to let it come from a good place now though, where I am taking care of myself and being a healthy weight. In the past, I was always doing it from self-hatred and punishment, which just makes me so sad now.

It is going to take a bit of time to get back to where you were, if you decide that is where you want to be - but you know you can do it and you can keep it off as well. I think that is the difference - you know you can succeed.

@MargoLivebetter thanks so much. Don't be sad..be proud and empowered. Honestly it's never too late. I am having an amazing life and making the most of every minute. Photo of me last month 😅

Love it!!!!! What an outfit 🤩

@Azuresky68 I've been maintaining for a year after losing over 9st 7lbs and have only recently gone done to 7.5mg from 10 which was as high as I went. I tried 12.5 but it was too much for me. I am finding 7.5 to be just as effective as 10 bearing in mind that I am trying to increase my calories and not actively lose weight. I have actually lost a few more pounds and have built muscle and toned up a lot in the last year.

I will say that it is fine to have to maintain on a higher dose. It's not a moral failing to need 7.5mg and not micro dose or come off entirely. I may be able to get down to 5mg but I may not and that's fine!

Congrats @MummyInTheNecropolis !

Love the outfit @Azuresky68

I'm 1.5 weeks back on 2.5mg and my weight is already down by 5.5lbs and 1lb off my lowest and back in my maintenance band.

Heading off on holiday on Tuesday, and will jab for a third time on Monday. So pleased - I keep on thinking I'm eating loads, then count up the cals in my head, and I realise I'm not.

@Thelittlestranger well done. Enjoy your holiday!

@DareDevil223 great feedback..thank you x

How are we all doing? Lots of people heading off for holidays - hopefully feeling happy to be in a swimsuit (or even a bikini) and have a great time.

Well, I still haven't felt the need to inject. That means I am heading into my 3rd week without MJ. I am noticeably more hungry and there is a slight uptick in food chatter, but so far it hasn't bounced back as much as it did last time I cold turkeyed. If is very reassuring to know that there is MJ in the fridge if I need it. I also know that summer is easier for me. I am a salad junkie and have traditionally always found it easier to eat less in the summer.

Being hungry I can hack. I think to myself that is a normal physiological thing and I can can easily acknowledge it and know that it will go when I eat, which I'll do when it is time to eat. The food chatter is like torture though. If that comes back I will have no hesitation in going back on the MJ.

Well done @MargoLivebetterthat sounds great!
All good here, jabbed 5mg 10 days ago and will jab in a couple of days. Busy and alcohol fuelled weekend so not weighing for a couple of days but I’m around 10 7 which I’ve been at since late last year. Off on holiday in 3 1/2 weeks but definitely no bikini here, the loose skin on my stomach is really disgusting. I do reformers 2-3 times a week but it doesn’t appear to be getting any better. Does anyone have any tips?!
enjoy your ( cooler!) weeks and hope everyone doing well.

@26inprogress thank you.

My loose skin has improved a bit since I hit goal in Jan 2025, but it is still noticeable. The older we get the slower it is to improve. I'm doing all the predictable stuff like eating enough protein, keep the skin well moisturised. Lots of people swear by collagen. I haven't found a way to ingest it in sufficient quantities without it making me want to boak. I'm all ears if anyone has any other suggestions, as when I do downward dog in my pants in the privacy of my own home, I am fairly horrified by what hangs down 😵.

Totally with you there on the downward dog horror! I was appalled the first time I tried it in shorts last summer.

I find a high waisted bikini works fine, though. Contains the wobbly tummy zone. More specifically, the Kythira Ruched Bikini Bottoms from Boden do the trick on me. I couldn’t possibly wear anything smaller, but those actually look good.

thanks both! I take collagen, I pop it in a decaf coffee in the smallest mug I have, top up with cold water and neck it, it’s unpleasant but it’s made a big difference to hair growth and nail strength, not seeing the skin bit yet!!
thanks for bikini bottom recs, will take a look!!