February 2026 starters - thread 2

[Crossfitgirl]

A new thread for those starting WLI in Feb 2026.
Most of us are on roughly month 5 - how is everyone getting on?

Open to any newcomers too, who may have missed the boat on the first thread!

If you keep doing what you are doing I’m sure you will. I also gave up drinking which has had a massive impact for me as I was rubbish at not eating crap when I had a drink.
I suppose I think of food as fuel now rather than something to be enjoyed for its own sake. Luckily I don’t really have a ‘going out for dinner’ lifestyle so I’ve managed it, but if I’d gone back to a ‘a little of what you fancy, have a treat’ mindset I’d have put that stone back on quicker than I lost it. For me, the magic of WLI was showing me what I could survive on and turning the hunger pangs off long enough for me to start seeing results, which then motivated me to continue. I know I’m an all or nothing person; so for me it has to be nothing when it comes to treats. And I mean nothing, ever.

@Nocameltoeleggingsplease , thank-you for your post. This is really helpful and inspiring.
I think most of us worry about coming off MJ and gaining the weight back.

Can i ask why you are not enjoying food? Is it the strict calorie monitoring? Did you enjoy food while on MJ?

I wish you continued success. Cheering you on to 9st 7lbs!!!

@Nocameltoeleggingsplease I write this post yesterday about 15mins after you posted yours. For some reason it didn't post. I really appreciated your post.

Reading your subsequent post, i see you mentioned how you think of food differently and now view food as fuel. Is that what why you do not enjoy food?

I think so yes. I just want to eat as little as possible. It does mean I am choosing well because I can’t afford anything that won’t give me protein, etc but yes I suppose it’s just about efficiency rather than enjoyment at the moment at least.

I’m continuing to lurch slowly downwards at glacial speed 😀. 12.2 this morning so won’t break into the 11s before my holiday but hoping to be 12.1 by then. I’m feeling quite good although went up to 3.5 on Friday (having done 3mg/3.25/3.33 for about 10 weeks). I was exhausted all weekend again, had several power naps on top of a couple of excellent nights of sleep and a bit windy but no other side effects. I will probably stay at this level while I’m away just to be safe. A friend (who doesn’t know I’m on it and keeps encouraging me to try it) started at the more or less same weight as me, three days after I started. She’s now on 15mg and has lost 5 stone, so more than twice what I have. I do sometimes wonder if I’m just being a wuss messing about at low doses but I was so miserable at the beginning, and so scared of serious side effects. You pay your money and make your choice, I guess.

@RedApplePie , I have come to realise everyone's journey on Mj is quite individual. I may be a bit partial because I always planned to lose slowly but i feel your glacial speed is a positive.

It reduces risk of hair loss, muscle loss, pancreatitis, saggy skin and gives the body time to adjust it's metabolism so hopefully chances of putting it all back are reduced.

You are right to be careful of side effects... we have seen posts of users who have stopped WLIs because they couldn't bear the side effects. Your weight loss may be at glacial speed but it is consistent, i think it's good. I do not think you are a wuss.
Well done on your losses so far.

Yes, I was utterly terrified of pancreatitis, so my motivation for low and slow was always high. Also, probably like most of us, I’ve had multiple failed weight loss attempts in the past where I lost fast (and regained faster🙄). It was as if my brain couldn’t keep up at some points and I became quite dysmorphic about the changes in the mirror. This time I sort of feel there’s no big change at all, it’s all happening under the radar so I feel a lot less stressed and anxious. I don’t find myself getting upset or grabbing at loose skin and hating myself. I’ve had to get smaller clothes from the loft (and rescue stuff that I’d put in the vinted pile), so I know I’m getting smaller but it doesn’t seem to come with pressure and angst. Increasingly though I wonder if I’m going to be a lifer. It’s changed something inside me that I don’t want ever to feel again. Even if I didn’t lose another ounce the peace is worth it.

Absolutely.
I could have written this.

Hello everyone,

It has been quite some time since I posted. Hope everyone is still doing well. I haven't had a chance to catch up properly.

Well, since returning from my holiday mid-May, I have lost a grand total of 1lb!? I've been taking 1.7mg of Wegovy for 13 weeks now and have come to the conclusion that 1.7mg will be my maintenance dose.

I have lost a total of 1st 10lb since starting at the very end of January which is great but this plateau is frustrating (not to mention expensive!)

I have opted to move up to 2.4mg for my next dose, that arrives next week. I may clixk count and do 2mg first, see how I feel.

I have been walking as much as possible and keeping protein up. Will hold my hands up to having some beers and snacks bit keep to my 1400 cals for the majority of the time.

Take care everyone, hope you're all OK 🙂

Week 25, and the scales say 12.7. Less than half a stone to lose to not be overweight. Best of all I ran a 10k PB yesterday in well under an hour. I’m so damn chuffed. I feel fantastic and I’m definitely making good and better choices and finding it easier. Kids left an open bag for sharing crisps on the kitchen table and I looked and them and though “nah”, last year I’d have scoffed them.

Morning all, I think I need some reassurance from a non-judgemental place, if you don’t mind?
I’m now exactly 50% to target at 26 weeks and 2 stone down. Long term weight gain and not been so light for 25 years, I’m 56, so it’s really really impressive and nothing else has ever worked so well. I’m a size 14? Still gave my boobs and only physical downside is wrinkly legs when they were previously very flabby.
I’ve just moved up to 3.75 mg having crept up over 2 months by 0.25 mg and the side effects and suppression is strong with burps, constipation, headaches and fatigue.
I’m just really tired of it all. I can see maintenance is going to be hard from the other threads but I’m just dreading a winter of being freezing cold again and feeling exhausted. I’m tired of being obsessed about everything I eat and tired of battling side effects and, for me, I do still constantly think about food…,. I do have a whole lot of stress outside of this and MH issues but lots of lovely things to look forward to, etc
I realise I do sound as bad as my very grumpy teens and as unreasonable.
Can anyone suggest anything that might give me a kick up the arse or change in routine that helps their weight loss or anything they do along this road?

Zu

@Saturnista congratulations on reaching half way already! Averaging 1.1lbs loss each week is great progress, as everything I read says this should give a better longterm outcome.

I find focusing on NSV to be motivating, as it takes the emphasis off the scales. My starting BMI was much higher than yours, so I have already changed my life for the better in so many ways.

I'm enjoying the heatwaves as I was also very cold earlier this year, something I was very much not used to. I'm hoping to invest in some cosy jumpers in autumn, hopefully in a lower size than now.

Week 24 weigh in was a day late as we were away for the week. I've managed to lose 0.2kg, which I'm extremely happy about, given I drank wine most evenings, had several takeouts, and didn't do as nearly as much walking as I would normally do while away.

SW 122.7 kg (19 st 4 lb)
CW 99.0 kg (15 st 8 lb)

My BMI is now 36.4, down from 45.1.

I dont really have advice but I do empathise (and sympathise!). Our journeys are pretty much tracking each other and I’m having a right cob this week. Fed up with it all really, even though I do actually feel much better. Need to go up (still on 3.5) but dreading. Creeping down so slowly. Trying to accept I’ll be a lifer but at the same time it’s all taking so much boring work and effort. I still end up thinking about food constantly only now I’m totting up calories, protein and fibre. I don’t really drink much but was longing for a sociable glass of wine the other night and was scared to have it. Bah humbug! (Summary - you are not alone!)

You are doing so well - congratulations! I hope you are feeling really proud of yourself - you should be.

Thanks @RedApplePie, I am really proud!

I've found the positive side effect of reduced inflammation to be the best unexpected outcome so far. No more general aches and pains, which happened well before any meaningful weight loss.

It's meant I've been able to better play with my kids and generally get more from each day. Previously I might take the kids out to the park, and that would be it for the day. Now I might take them swimming first thing, then a walk around town, then to the park for the afternoon.

I recognise your nervousness of having a glass of wine. For me, each time I break a barrier, it tends to open the floodgates! But then again, I've found it much easier to get back on track with MJ, compared to any other time.

Hi everyone, sorry I've been missing in action for a while! I've been so busy, work has been super stressful and we've just been on holiday.

I was about 2lbs off target, and decided to drop my Wegovy down from 0.75 to 0.5 again, and in addition I have spaced it out to about a week and a half, and then I've just missed a complete week while on holiday. I think I have about 2 doses left if I do 0.5 again. I've also not been to the gym for 2 weeks and I've eaten very badly!

I have got back and since I last weighed it looks like I've put on 3lbs, which to be honest I don't think is too bad at all considering! I am still able to stop when I'm full and manage my portion sizes, and I noticed how much less I was eating compared to the friends I was with on holiday who are very large.

I remain fairly confident I can get back to the 2lbs off target and maybe get to target now without the wegovy, so I will use up my remaining doses (spreading this last pen out loads!!) and go it alone.

I will try and read back newer posts tomorrow but wanted to pop on before I forget as I said I'd update on whether I manage to maintain once I stop! So watch this space!

I’ve found that the weight I put on on holiday ( a week in Cornwall and a week in Greece) has come off very quickly once I’m back home. I’ve also skipped two doses owing to timings. Welcome back!