Starting Mounjaro for weight loss and feeling nervous about it

[Wishingstaars]

I have just ordered my first order of mounjaro. From Pharmacy 2U. Starting off on the 2.5mg for 5 weeks. Just waiting on the consultant reviewing my details. I'm 5ft 6 and approx 210 lbs so I think I am suitable for it. I've struggled with my weight for years since having children. I'm 41 now. Now that I've made the leap I'm a bit nervous. Does anyone have any advice or personal experience to share to set my mind at ease? Thank you x

It does feel scary on taking that first leap but well done on taking that step. It's a life changer.
One thing i clearly remember after I started was wondering, why did i worry so much.

• The needle is barely felt
• Be sure to drink lots of water, lots (MJ makes you dehydrated)
• Side effects are minimal for most people on 2.5mg.
• You have to make effort to eat and get your protein & calories in (that appetite suppression is a real thing)
• Appetite suppression can start pretty soon after your first dose, for others it may take going up the doses to 5mg, 7.5 mg etc
• If you have good appetite suppression, no food noise, minimal side effects and you are losing weight on 2.5mg, there is no need to hurry up to the next dose. Stay on whatever dose that is working for you for as long as it continues to work
• Shop around for your next pen to get discounts and keep costs down (not a must but just so you are aware. I have saved quite a bit this way)

https://monj.co.uk/discount-mounjaro-price-list/

• Increase your movement/activity and use the time on mounjaro to retrain yourself on your daily habits, eating habits etc.
• Be aware of possible negative comments from people if you tell them but you may also get very positive/supportive comments and even a couple of confessions.
• Read up all you can about people's lived experiences on Mounjaro. I cannot overemphasise how helpful this is. At the moment, users of Mj and Wegovy are the most knowledgeable about them.

Mounjaro has mostly been a very positive experience so far for me.
The absence of food noise, is like finding peace and quiet in my brain. I didn't realise my entire brain (okay not my entire brain) was focused on food, constantly fretting and thinking about that M&S maple & pecan cinnamon sticky bun that I haven't yet eaten! The bun is still in the shops!

I hope this helps. Others will be along soon with more tips/personal experiences.

@Onegramatatime has given some brilliant advice there, so I shall give my personal experience.

I have gone from 14 stone 4 to 8 stone 6. I started it the week it came out. I was on the OG thread in February 2024 where we were all clueless as it was new here!

MJ has changed my life. I now go to the gym 5 times a week. I’m very slim, very toned and MJ allowed me to lose and overhaul my eating.

I truly hope it gives you what it has given me.

Excellent post from @Onegramatatime

I've been on MJ for 5 weeks and I've lost 11lb. Slower than some but feels like a healthy pace to me. I've got another 6.5 stone to lose to get into the healthy BMI range but I feel very confident that it will happen. It's been nothing but positive so far - no hair loss, no side effects other than a bit constipated. My way of eating has radically changed.

Thank you so much. I've looked into it a lot, and I'm definitely not expecting a magic jab. I really want to improve my eating habits, cut down on sugar and increase my protein intake. I have struggled with food my whole life as my mum was extremely strict with food and I was hungry a lot of the time as a child then when I left home it was like a shock to my system that I was allowed to eat what I wanted, and since then my weight has fluctuated. After having kids my metabolism changed and I've put weight on with no success at losing it. It's not just about the weight though, I'm 41 and my youngest is just 6 so I want to be more active and be around longer. I think if it helps me not think about food all the time that will drastically change my life. The food noise is constant at the moment. And I would love to start exercising, but I feel so unfit that I'd be scared to go the gym, so maybe just start with walking. Thank you for your experiences shared, it really helps put my mind at ease and gives me confidence that I'll be alright and I can do this x

Don’t overthink. Just go for it. A few side effects at first (diarrhoea and a bit of fatigue) but that soon wore off.

I’ve gone from 14 stone to 8. Gradually went up from 2.5 to 10 and now back to 5 and hoping to get down to 2.5 soon. This has been over the last 15 months.

I have always exercised but it became increasingly difficult as I put on weight. Now at 50 I’m running as fast as I did 20 years ago and lifting heavier than I ever have.

That has been the best thing about this process…….it’s has revived my love of exercise.

Don’t be! I have not had reactions except the desired one: losing weight because my appetite is reduced. I already feel better 6 weeks in. I do find preparing the jab a bit stressful! I’ve no idea why. It’s bizarre because I’m competent and sensible! My DH does it - thank God I wasn’t a nurse! Jabbing it in has not been an issue though so my preparation nervousness is very odd. However it’s worth it!

I’d encourage you to get some hand weights and do some simple exercises at home, I follow someone who just does 15 mins a day, it really helps and I’ve gradually upping the weights I use and I can see a lot of improvement, I feel much stronger.

Agree with this. Sally Gunnell (former hurdler) is on instagram and shows easy and clear 15-20 minute weight workouts for if you’re new to lifting weights.

@Wishingstaars , you can do this. It does help with food noise.

If you are a gym person, don't let how you view your body hold you back. These days you see all shapes and sizes in the gym. Every gym i have gone too (gone as a guest) has had a friendly and supportive vibe - Virginactive, David Lloyds, Pure gym, The Gym group. My sister has a really high BMI but is greeted warmly at the gym by staff and fellow gymers. Always someone female or male coming over to say hi, or pair up for some equipment.. or ask to do a workout routine together. Her gym (virginactive) is really lovely.

I am not a Gym person, I enjoy working out at home. Currently, only getting in 10k minimum steps a day, though. Got some physical limitations at the moment. There are lots of helpful online gyms or YouTube workouts you can do, if you do not want the gym.

Sorry about your experiences with food growing up. I didn't have that but still went wild with food on moving out of my parents' home.
My problem is food is my best friend.. in times of happiness, sadness, anxiety, travelling, tough times, feeling scared, showing love, feeling adventurous, being spontaneous, celebrations etc... I turn to food. It is all centred around food.

@Wishingstaars

I have been feeling really scared about starting to take mounjaro too. I have a few tabs open from different businesses who are selling it, and I regularly revisit them to check the prices and to go through with supplying my information, but then I worry too much and don’t go through with it. You’re more brave than me for actually going through the correct processes to try and get a prescription!

This thread has really helped me, and @Onegramatatime your post is so thorough and reassuring that I think I will go ahead after all.

Great informative post from Onegramatatime. I was very anxious when I started in December 2024, but it has been fantastic, and unexpectedly life changing for me, once I settled into it. I’d recommend reading the threads on Mumsnet as there is so much useful real life experience to be gained. Any issues or queries pop into the WLI topic and someone will be able to offer advice, lived experience, and help with the issue. My tip would be don’t delay. I got my first pen and sat on it for weeks as I was so anxious about starting.

I started recently and have now taken 3 does. I've only lost 2 lb so far but I think it builds up in your system as I've noticed the last couple of days since my third dose I'm not so peckish all the time. Dh is 1 week ahead of me and lost 1lb first week. 3lb second week and 5 lb 3rd week. He's just taken his 4th dose. I think the 2.5 dose is really just supposed to get your body used to drug. People seem to start losing more on 5mg. The tiny needle really does not hurt and actually I don't even feel it due to it going into fat on stomach area. Drink plenty of water to keep constipation away. I'm with Pharmacy2u too. I think their prices are consistently among the lowest.

Sorry to jump in and ask more questions @Onegramatatimebut you sound really knowledgeable! I'm hoping to start next week and just wondered if there's any benefit to taking it in the morning or evening, or if it doesn't make a difference?

Go for it, best thing I’ve ever done. Started March 2025, at 114kg, now 59.5kg, total loss of 8st 9lbs. From a size 22 to an 8, I’m only short so I looked a mess before. Not to mention the health problems I had (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pre diabetes) have now resolved. I will stay on it for life as it’s truly been life changing. Only side effect I’ve ever had was a bit of heartburn in the first weeks.

@NeedSleepNowPls , thank-you though my knowledge is mostly from reading through other people's experiences.

I take mine in the evening, no experience of what it's like to take it in the morning. Some users claim taking it in the evening let's them sleep through the side effects.

I’m on week 10, lost 18lbs so far, about 30 more to go, age 58. I was terrified to begin with - in fact I originally ordered wegovy in the middle of last year and eventually threw the pen away as I felt such shame and anxiety about it. Anyway, in the time I was mithering about taking the wegovy I put on another 8 pounds so eventually started MJ. Was so worried I went to a local pharmacy that offers in-person weight loss support. It’s definitely a bit more expensive but it got me over the first hurdle with a bit of hand holding and the feeling that if I had any issues I could literally pop in to see someone on my lunch break. I’m probably feeling ready to fly solo with an online provider now. Still on 2.5mg, minimal side effects. I have a chronic pain condition that improved almost immediately, long before it could have been down to weight loss, and my IBS is greatly reduced. I need more sleep but that’s not a bad thing.

I was scared before I did that first jab too but honestly this is the start of the rest of your life, best thing I’ve ever done

You could join one of the monthly threads for more support as you go along @Wishingstaars
THIS is the April one.

Fantastic first post nailed it!

My only regret is not starting sooner. I left the pen in the fridge for weeks! Silly me. My only side effect is (manageable) constipation and I’ve lost over 4 stone since May.

Doing it for your 6 year old is a great incentive. How I regret all of the years I sat on the side of things during DCs childhood, too fat to join in. He is now 15 and very overweight and I know it’s my doing, from the role modelling I was poorly setting.

I had a lot of feelings when I started, but I think it was mostly realizing how much I wanted to lose weight. Suddenly there was an actual real chance of losing weight and I admitted to myself how much I hated being fat.

Anyway long story short, I lost 30 kilos over 8 months and have now been maintaining (still on a low dose of mj) for 8 months, during which time another 4 kilos have vanished.

It’s absolutely amazing. New lease of life. I gym and do other exercise and walk much more and faster and ski and EVERYTHING.

Remember water, protein, fibre, exercise. Within a month you’ll be feeling lighter and healthier. In a year you’ll be dancing.

Thanks so much @Onegramatatime! I was hoping for evening so I can get the most time possible taking it before my next day at work!

@Wishingstaarswell done for taking the first step, how exciting! Hope to see you on the April thread with some updates once you've started! I need to get moving and choose a supplier so I can start too

Lots of great advice here. If you’re going privately, you’re sure to be approved. I started at 196lb at 5’10” and was approved, BMI of 29+. I’m down from that to 145lb (90kg to 65kg/14 stone to 10ish), and it has honestly changed my life. Feel so much better, am fitter, healthy BMI, more energy, haven’t been ill since I started (last Jan), when before that I had 3 or 4 head colds and lingering chest infections a year, which I can only put down to being a better weight and eating better. Good luck. Go for it, you have nothing to lose except weight!