March 26 starters thread 2 - still going strong!

[MoneyJo]

Hello all, didn't want us to get to the end of the first thread without a link to a sequel. Looking forward to seeing where we all get to in the life span of this thread.

I would love a book club @SmallTreeDeepRoots !

I've finished Part 1 today and it's answered a question of mine about potentially having multiple set points (you can). It's also given me an explanation of why I likely had gestational diabetes. Really fascinating stuff.

@MoneyJo will definitely keep talking about it as it all seems so relevant. So far it's only spoken about bariatric surgery rather than WLI - did the book pre-date wli? So I took a look at the author's views (he is a WL surgeon at UCLH) and he says that alongside GLP1s we need to alter our subconscious brain's set points, which basically the (heavy) weight at which our body strives to be in order to avoid starvation. I haven't got on to 'how' you go about doing that yet. The next section is about the fact that we live in obese-centric society.

Although it's science heavy - it's an easy listen/ read given the journey we are all on.

In other news still feel awful which is annoying but I made this soup today. Used less olive oil than the recipe gave. It's really tasty and high protein and gives off 'comfort food' vibes, so I thought I'd share.

https://www.ocado.com/recipes/lemon-cumin-and-coriander-lentil-soup/7E7ql97jnxGdeGy9RjJpqH

Seemed to have stalled on 7.5 and not moved much. Went upto to 8.75 last week and that seemed to have done the trick with the food noise again

Soup looks amazing @taratill
It's interesting that a microdose can have such an impact, isn't it @Usernameismyname01 ? Hope that works for a while now.
I went up a pound but have lost two pounds in the last 24 hours - not for any good reasons sadly. I have had the runs, pretty sure related to my dairy intolerance but it must be some other food triggering me because I avoid dairy pretty well. Anyway I am now 1lb off losing 5stone since I started cutting sugar, and 3stone 11 since MJ.

Thank you for this recipe, I made it this week and it’s delicious 😊.

Morning all, 0.5kg off for me total of 22kg since I started in March. In the last month I've lost 2kg which is not terrible, but feels very slow compared to previously. Isn't it odd - in the past I'd have been thrilled with 2kg off and the fact that I can now comfortably fit into size 14 tops and 16 bottoms, but Mounjaro has raised my expectations so much.
I need to order another pen and have decided to try 7.5, weirdly I have had a much better week in terms of side effects since injecting in my thigh instead of my stomach, still had side effects, but nowhere near as bad. Logically I think it's a coincidence and it's because I've finally started tolerating the drug a bit better, I have seen some comments online that changing the jab location can help. I am sceptical though.
Well done @Usernameismyname01 glad to hear you've kick started your losses again and congrats @MoneyJo a major milestone coming up for you!

Sorry @MoneyJo I meant to also add that I'm sorry your recent weight loss is due to tummy troubles, hope you feel better soon. One of my friends suffers from intolerances and it can be a minefield, so you have my sympathies.

Wrote a post on Sunday, got distracted, never finished and so I'm starting again!

Lost 0.9kg at weekend weigh in which I was very happy with having been stuck for over a month. I had increased my eating for a few weeks which gratifyingly didn't increase my weight, but dropping back down to my plan has triggered a bit of movement. I also jigged my exercise schedule around - tried some new classes and moved some of my exercise to early morning instead of lunchtime. Will see how it goes.

I've been re-listening to Why We Eat (Too Much). It really spoke to me when I read it a few years ago. I found myself nodding along to the parts about weight regain after dieting, what I regarded as self-sabotage after a measure of diet success which is actually the body trying to protect itself. The section about why different diets tend to not be successful is really interesting. The omega 3 v omega 6 topic is really fascinating - I am definitely going to try to cut down on seed oils. It has made me more determined to lose slowly and to eat better on the way down. I really expect to be on MJ for life. This isn't a problem as I love how I feel on it - mentally clear and positive, blood pressure lower etc. But cost does trouble me, particularly if I have to maintain on a high dose. So my vague plan is to reach a point I am happy with, maintain for a year and then to slowly decrease dose amount and frequency to a point I am happy (physically and financially) to carry on with indefinitely.

I had a mini target to get to 92kg by start of term which I reached and then got stuck on. I chose 92 as it was a weight I was between kids and remembered it. I am now wondering g whether I got stuck on it BECAUSE it was an old set point. Next mini target is 85 by Christmas - another historic set point for me!

Morning all!

I'm on my longest stall ever. I've been the same now for around 4 weeks so I do think I need to increase dose. I wanted to see if it would pass, tried increasing calories to try to kick start metabolism but that's actually been counter productive for me as my old 'fat habits' have just creeped up and up. I took 7.5 yesterday and think I might take another 1.25 today to see if that makes a difference as it's worked for @Usernameismyname01 !

I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe @Plumetti . I've got the ingredients for this coming today, as I saw it on another WLI thread, so going to give it a go later https://www.mynewroots.org/2013/02/the-life-changing-loaf-of-bread/

How's it going @MoneyJo? I sense you are feeling similar frustrations to me, have you reached the amazing 5 stone milestone yet? You're so close now!

@ShebaQueen well done on the continued loss, even if smaller it's going the right way which is great. Interesting that the side effects are lower in the thigh. That's where I used to have to inject insulin when I had gestational diabetes. I prefer jabbing my ample tummy but if I had side effects I'd do the same. How are you finding the increased dose.

Well done at the 0.9 kg loss @SmallTreeDeepRoots. I'm glad the change up worked for you, I think that if I can kick the bad habits it may work for me but I seem to have lost all will power. I also finished listening to Why We Eat (Too Much). It was really interesting. Especially re. Set Point Theory. But my goodness, if we are to follow all of the 'rules' it would be really restrictive/ expensive. I'm thinking particularly about the only grass fed meat and the odd omega3/6 rules, I can't work out, for example, whether walnuts are good or not 😂. Generally speaking though the no UPF makes loads of sense and I'm on board with no calorie counting and good sleep! Food, quite literally, for thought!

Do you have any more recommendations?

@taratill Sorry you are still stuck! Hopefully an increased dose will help. I’m also on the 5 stone to lose thread which is very long running so lots of folks at different points in the journey. I really recommend it as people are often stuck for a while and then move downwards again. I find it very consoling to read and it gives me hope!

Glad you found the book interesting. His “rules” are interesting but difficult to follow in practice with a family and being in the world. But I am planning to swap seed oils for trad fats like olive oil and butter. I try to make lowER carb choices, but I’m thinking about focusing on reducing grains instead of spuds. I was unclear how he felt about rice - is it a grain? Is wholegrain rice ok? I was already reducing UPF and sugar. But mostly what I took from the book is the mechanics of the body, an explanation of why I have always struggled with dieting. That the body will want food/nutrition and will panic, and that this automatic need to eat can’t be avoided long term, like holding your breath.

Other books - I’m always up for a recommendation if you have any! I also enjoyed The Obesity Code by Jason Fung which influenced me to corral eating to set mealtimes and to skip breakfast and occasional other meals. He is flogging an online fasting support programme, but the book is still interesting. He had a new one earlier this year called the Hunger Code which I think was a response to GLP1 & food noise. I didn’t read it at the time as I had finally (after too long flip flopping) decided to sign up for MJ and didn’t want to be talked out of it. So thinking about listening at some point now I am 100% secure in my choice.

Afternoon all 🥰
I feel like I’ve missed loads since being in Turkey but I have read all the posts. Too many to respond individually but to summarise I’m still clicking 50 out of a 7.5 pen and still jabbing in my arms although I keep getting irritation sites, so I may start trying my thigh. Also it never used to hurt going in my arm but now I feel it a lot!
There’s definitely been a slowing down of loss in keeping with you all, which I guess we should take as normal really. I stalled for a while but then started losing again regularly. No idea why. However, Turkey has derailed me again as I came back 2lbs heavier even though I didn’t eat more than usual I felt and we did a lot of walking. I don’t drink much so only had a few drinks across the week.
Interesting info about the body set point.
Back to pre turkey weight today, 14st 6lbs. Also felt a lot hungrier since coming back.
DH had his first treatments, home with temporary teeth and he has to return in April for the permanent set. It’s a brutal process tho! Not for the faint hearted.

Hi @Beehivebabe hope you enjoyed Turkey and that DH isn't suffering too much with the teeth, having temporaries and having to go back sounds like a bit of a slog, but I'm sure it will be worth it!

@SmallTreeDeepRoots , wasn't it potatoes no good unless sweet potatoes?I'm not sure about rice, I think that white would definitely be out but wholemeal should be ok, surel? I'll down load the Obesity Code next, funnily enough that came up in recommendations (presumably because of Why we eat too much), I have posted on the over 5 stones a couple of times, will take another look.

I haven't really been one for reading diet books in the past, I've just found them depressing reading because diets don't work for me but my interest is now well and truly sparked.

I am currently listening to the Harry Potter series in full cast audio, which are fun and don't take too much concentration when cleaning/ driving! So nothing too high brow for me at the moment!

I went out last night with a 'skinny' friend. One who truly struggles to maintain weight, she asked me last night if I was on the jabs and I said I was. I don't want to lie if I'm asked directly! She was really interested as she has only ever seen food as fuel, has never eaten unless she is hungry and has never ever folloed any form of diet. She wasn't at all judgemental, it was a good conversation to have. I know some of my friends would judge.

I haven't jabbed the extra today. I'll give it another week and see what happens if I try to be good again.

Thanks @taratill I am still on 5 at the moment, one more dose left in my current pen and have ordered a 7.5. I'm glad your friend was interested rather than judgey. I have been open with everyone about being on Mounjaro and have experienced very little judgement - at least to my face!
I will have a look at that thread @SmallTreeDeepRoots, it does seem that we have all stalled or slowed right down now, plus the original enthusiasm has worn off (for me at least). I do like coming on here and find it helps a lot.
Welcome back @Beehivebabe that's really interesting that you've also had injection site reactions. I can literally trace the last 5 or 6 places I've jabbed. I jabbed in my opposite thigh yesterday and once again my side effects seem a bit more manageable, although as usual I have an angry red lump which is very itchy. I've felt a lot of suppression today too, the most I have felt in weeks, which is so odd.
I hope your husband is not in too much pain. Someone from work went to Turkey to have her teeth done and the results are amazing, but like you say it's a brutal process. She said that virtually everyone around the pool was there for either teeth or a hair transplant, so it's clearly very popular.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.

After my 6 week stall and last week’s 0.9kg loss, lost another 1.3 this week. So feeling good and positive about it all! And my weight is now in the 80s which I haven’t seen for a long time - pre kids so over 20 years ago.

@ShebaQueen nailed it - the enthusiasm does wear off, particularly when nothing happens. But feeling reinvigorated with the process and knuckling down to try and get to 85 by Christmas!

Morning. Thank you all!
@ShebaQueen everyone in the hotel was either having their teeth done or accompanying someone!
I never used to get site irritation, this is fairly new. But yes I can also see where I’ve jabbed, almost like a gnat bite lol.
@SmallTreeDeepRoots well done! Gives you a boost.
i weighed 14st 4lb today. I think holidays must really mess my system up!
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend 🥰

@taratill ooh that looks nice too, thanks for sharing!

@Beehivebabe I'm sure I've read somewhere that flying causes water retention which makes you weigh artificially high for a while on return.

Well done on losses 2 weeks in a row @SmallTreeDeepRoots , did you go up a dose or was that after raising calories to try to aid metabolism, I can't remember what you said?

No problem @Plumetti , I haven't actually made it yet, will report back when I do. I ended up caving and buying a loaf of seeded sourdough earlier so it won't be today now.

I'm feeling a bit cheesed off as I've just gone to pick up new prescription glasses and something must have gone wrong with the eye test as I can't see through them properly!! Back for another eye test next week. I'm now back to a house that needs cleaning so that's what I will mostly be doing today!

Have a good day everyone.

I increased mid September so that probably helped as well. Who knows! Also in the interests of scientific openness, I have a history of food insecurity and food issues from that. So maybe the intake increase worked (more) because of that. All fascinating.

Ah @taratill yes I share your frustration. Having said that, I had a tummy bug this week which was a bit grim but meant I did briefly hit 15st2 (back up a pound today) so that's 5st since I started cutting sugar, 3st8 since starting MJ.
Another 3st11 to target...

Oh no, hope you feel better @MoneyJo , well done on 5 stone loss! You're well over half way.

@SmallTreeDeepRoots food insecurities really resonate with me, I was made to feel 'bad' for not finishing everything on my plate, almost like leaving food or throwing it away was sinful. My mother was an awful cook so we were fed the wrong kind of foods and she constantly comments on weight, everyone is always too thin or too fat. I've tried not to do this with my children as I know what it does to you.

I'm just over half a pound down this morning. I've slowed down to an average of 0.5 pound loss per week from a 1.5 per week from the first few months. Just got to keep remembering that the scales are going down overall still!

@taratill Sorry about your mum. I too really try hard not to pass on my food issues. The book really resonated with me because my mum was pregnant with me during heavy food shortages (abroad) and then there was another set of food shortages during political upheaval in my teens, then I moved to UK with food everywhere. Had a breakdown in fruit/veg section of Asda. Never been in one since! Therapist would have a field day. I struggle to not clear my plate and have a not insubstantial horde of long life food hidden around the house. But probably stored most food safely in my massive belly! Trying to regard most available food as not actually food (like UPF book) which helps enormously. Watched horrific YouTube film about how ice cream is made, so that’s been really useful!

Sorry about your mum commenting on weight. These comments can really haunt, especially when repeated. Has she said anything about your new figure? Mine is thankfully pretty oblivious!

Afternoon all,
@taratill I too was made to finish my plate otherwise I couldn't leave the table. Interestingly that was my nan, and she always commented on people’s weight and mine. As if that made someone a better person. I look back and think I might have been large but I’ve never been unkind or rude. My mum is the complete opposite, she hasn’t even mentioned my weight loss haha. We lived with my nan and grandad so they were in charge!
@MoneyJo hope you’re feeling better. Well done on all your loss! You did so well even before you jabbed 🙌

@SmallTreeDeepRoots I’m the same with buying/hording food. (So is my mum actually but she has never had a weight problem). I’m realising, as I slowly clear the freezer and cupboards of food in readiness for our house move, that I buy a lot of food!! But never have anything to eat lol. Thats what my brain tells me anyway!!

I’m back on board & ready to refocus! Been on 2 holidays, put a pound on when I weighed on my return.
I did my dose review & the App recommended I went up to 10mg but I’ve resisted, as I want to see how I do with more exercise & better meal planning now I’m not at work!
i’m almost regretting that already & wish I’d gone with the increase in dose! ☹️
For some reason my App had reset in kilos - to see 14 kilos as my total loss actually made me feel really good.

I’ve been keeping up with your posts - looks like a lot of us are stalling! Well done though everyone!

@rockstarshoes welcome back and hope you had lovely holidays, only a lb on is fab. Good luck with the new routine!