August 2026 starters (Thread 2!)

[chocolatecoveredpretzels]

Hi everyone and thanks for the bestowed honour of starting the new thread, Puzzled!

It’s so lovely to have all of you along for the ride on here. Thanks for keeping me company! I love reading how things are going for you and being able to ask questions or share things.

Yesterday, I tried on a fleece top I bought last year. It fit me so snugly last year, I looked like a burst sausage in its casing. Now it’s actually loose. My rings are starting to feel a bit loose too- I wear my mum’s engagement and eternity rings and on the cold mornings, they’re starting to slip down my fingers.

I’m down 1.9kg this week and, although I’m still feeling hungry, it’s not an all-consuming hunger that leads to binging. I’ve actually needed to add more food as what I’ve eaten today and yesterday ended up being 1300 calories and 1100 calories. Given that my watch is still estimating approx 3000 calories burned on a typical day at school, I know I need at least 1600 to have enough oomph. Is anyone else finding the same?

I’ll link this thread in the old one so everyone can find their way here.

Thanks for creating a new thread, now to figure out how to pin it! I can never remember!

Click on “Watch Thread” immediately underneath the last post in the thread. Although you’ll probably find that, by commenting, MN has done that for you automatically.

This thread is fascinating ! and shows how things are influenced by social media . I began my journey in April 2024. At 115 kg However there was little info at the time and the only side effect I could find in the leaflet was mild nausea and sickness (common) and (pancreatitis and thyroid problems (very rare) for people predisposed to these issues if they lied about it in the screening. There was no automatic assumption that anyone would suffer side effects, which seems to contradict these threads as most posters seem to assume an increased dose brings guaranteed side effects which makes them reluctant to increase the dose every 4 weeks as the patient leaflet advises.

This hasn’t been my experience nor the experience of any friends who started the same time as me. In my immediate circle of friends and family who are on it, no one seems to have experienced anything besides a little nausea at the beginning - but not enough to put them off and mild constipation when changing doses for the first couple of days. It makes me wonder where all this talk of side.effects has come from. I have my suspicions…

In my experience it worked exactly as it said in the leaflet. I started at 2.5 which as explained was just a therapeutic dose. Then increased to 5mg which really only lasted a couple of weeks until I was ravenous again, so lost 3 kg and put 1.8 back on. Then up to 7.5 for 4 weeks and lost 3kg, then to 10mg and whoosh .. real suppression arrived but the leaflet says increase so I did. All the way up to 15mg. Where I stayed for 7 months until target of BMI 22.5 was achieved at 63 kg. So I really only lost substantially between July24-March 25 despite starting in April.
Total loss 48kg in 9 months. - Titrated down to 7.5mg where I have remained for 17 months.

I guess my thoughts on this are.. I’m suspicious of all the scaremongering. The worry put into people’s heads that they are almost certainly going to get horrendous side effects. Especially on higher doses. Which is preventing them from getting the most from this miraculous drug within a reasonable time scale and of course , managing the cost.

It’s not just the sickness/nausea issues that are taken as a given. It’s the other insinuations such as ‘Ozempic face’ and ‘you’ll lose all your muscle mass’ that seem to be taken as guaranteed rather than any logic applied. I am sure people do lose muscle mass but those who were smart enough to read the research from reputable medical journals rather than ticktock, would already know to begin weight resistance exercises as soon as their bodies were comfortable doing so. Same goes for the face comments, if you are silly enough to abuse the drug to the extent that your weight slips below a healthy BMI - then that’s on you. It’s not a given.

Why do I feel the need to comment on this thread ? I just read through a number of posts here and felt (perhaps wrongly) that there has been so much negativity in the media especially SM that some posters seem quite scared to be taking the drug or increasing doses.

That is just not the lived reality of so many of us whose lives are transformed from sick, depressed, old before our time women, to happy extremely healthy humans with a new lease of life - and there seems (to me) that there are a cohort of commentators out there that do not like the fat girls getting slim. They think it’s unfair and cheating. So perpetuate and blow up potential side effects to a point where people assume they are guaranteed. They regard it as cheating 🙄

.. yes I ‘cheated myself out of diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and osteoarthritis.. bring it on !

@PuzzledObserverthat worked, thanks

@Stopbeingsoridiculous

Interesting analysis, and I agree with much of it. So who do you think has a vested interest in preventing people from accessing the drugs? Can’t be (as I’ve seen suggested) the suppliers of statins, BP and other diabetes meds, because those are all dirt cheap, and there’s far more money in selling GLP-1’s than those.

Regarding the reluctance to go up a dose: I can only speak for me, of course, but it’s not concern about side effects. It’s the cost. Not so much that I can’t afford, because I could. It’s more that I don’t want to spend more than I need to…. I’d rather keep the money and spend it on experiences I could never have had or enjoyed when I was much bigger. Or clothes!

I’ve only just found the new thread….. thought the other one had gone a bit quiet. 🙃

Well done on all the losses and wins - if that makes sense. I can definitely notice a difference in the way my clothes fit and I think my face looks a bit thinner. Or rather a bit less fat. I’m still not doing anything like enough exercise but last week was just stupid busy, mostly with extra shifts

Jab 3 from 5mg tomorrow and suppression pretty much gone. Feeling VERY hungry right now.

Weigh in tomorrow too. 🤞

@Stopbeingsoridiculous “there seems (to me) that there are a cohort of commentators out there that do not like the fat girls getting slim.”

Not seen this on MN but I do think this attitude exists. It probably contributes to people keeping their WLI a complete secret, or only telling spouses/partners.

@Stopbeingsoridiculous - I get what you are saying. There is still a lot of negativity out there about people using a medication to treat a chronic condition. Even though it is life changing, it still requires hard work - it simply is not "cheating".

Everyone's body will respond differently though. I have had crap symptoms at times, but then other weeks when I have experienced nothing. I've lost 2 stone on the 2.5mg (50% of the way to my target weight) with days where I haven't wanted to eat a thing. I think some people react more strongly at lower doses, and some people less so.

I don't think it is wrong to come to a support thread for people taking the same journey as you, and... seek some support. So I would never discourage people from discussing what their own experience of a journey is.

Thanks everyone for your responses to my conspiracy theories 😂.. I’m pleased you don’t think me completely paranoid. It’s just so strange to have a drug on the market that literally changes people’s lives and yet instead of singing from the rooftops so many either feel guilty, or embarrassed to admit publicly that they are taking it. Which would not be the case for a life changing drug for any other life threatening condition. Weight gain and weight loss is such a weird phenomenon. When it comes to discussing it. The only time it seems acceptable to talk about it is if you have ‘suffered’ through diet and exercise… (which is just not sustainable)

@Stopbeingsoridiculous again I can only speak for myself. I have told a number of people I am taking it, but done so accompanied by a lot of explanation…. otherwise known as justification. Not one person has said anything negative or critical to me, but part of me expected them to, and was getting my retaliation in first.

I think what this means is that, at some level, I think I’m taking the easy way out, cheating etc. And that’s absolutely bonkers because, at the point at which I started MJ, I was more than 8 stone down from my all time high weight…. and more importantly, I was keeping it off. Statistically I am a rarity.

I have done the psychological work, the habit change, the mindset shifts. And the question which occurs to me is…. if I could do that, why could I not get the rest of the way without drugs? Am I being lazy, or vain, by using MJ to get my BMI from 30 to just under 25? Shouldn’t I be content with maintaining the loss, having gone from out of control diabetes on 2 meds to prediabetic without meds? What gives me the right to want to have a truly normal, healthy shape and weight?

I have internalised the anti-fat bias, the judgement, the assumption of being lazy and indisciplined which permeates so much of the public discourse around obesity,

I KNOW with every fibre of my being that “eat less, move more” is a stupid thing to say to someone who has a lifetime of obesity behind them. Yet part of me still reacts as if it’s true.

@Stopbeingsoridiculous interesting observations thanks. To be fair I haven’t heard anyone on this thread posting about ozempic face! I am one cautious of side effects given my experience on Wegovy - however will continue to move up as needed.My doctor actually showed me that the wording on the MJ leaflet has now changed - it says after 4 weeks move to 5mg then your doctor MAY move you up a dose to 7.5;10;12.5 or 15 as needed. Apparently it used to say move up every 4 weeks. I am in Australia so maybe the leaflets are different.

To me being on the GLPs isn't all that fun as media will make you belief. For most people, it does mean taking risks, managing side effects - it's not as quick fix and easy way our.

I can only speak of myself, but I have pushed myself to make most out of being on the medication. I have had very very few UPFs, I go for hour walk every morning, apart from the week holiday and few days here and there I have done strength every morning. I bring food to work, I make sure I always have cooked protein, veggies and fruit ready for me. Yes, the medication is helping me as I was trying to do the same without and I wasn't able to stick with it. But it's me that takes the risk, pays for the meds, manages side effects, exercises, thinks ahead every single day to make sure the right food is ready for me. And even if not - most people that rely on meds only lose 10 to 15%. I already hit 10% in less then 8 weeks.

Meds are great but I feel most people have to do their part too.

I don't even mind it, I want to put the work, I want to develop the habits - I don't want to be healthy and fit only because I have no appetite. I want the healthy lifestyle.

And if anyone has issues with me getting the help I need, I am way too concern with my own journey to better health I can't take on worrying about their views.

But as other meds - you don't have to give everyone your full medical history.

I have been having zero motivation since back from holiday. Apart from one day that I felt nearly sick I did all my walks, I did my 8 tracks of strength for the week, I cooked, I ate healthy, I shopped. It was a proper drag to get myself off the bed and do the things. Yes, I am getting help but ultimately I still have to do the things. And I think I need to know it, and I need to give myself the credit when due, and for not giving up, and I need to drop any guilt.

Morning! Weigh in for me today and I seem to have had a whoosh!

Weighed in at 96.4 kg (15 st 2.5 lb) this morning! So down 1.7kg after two weeks at 98.1kg.

Total lost: 8.1 kg (17.9 lbs / 1 stone 4 lbs down!)
Officially completed Week 6 and taking jab 7 today to kick off Week 7.
Just 2.5 lbs to go until I break out of the 15s and hit the 14-stone bracket! 🎉💪

I am not seeing any difference in the mirror though which makes me feel this isn't quite real and I'm waiting for the scales to start going back up!

I will only tell my husband that I'm taking MJ - I've failed so many times before I'm now in the 'keep it quiet until it's done' category!

@MiaN
And if anyone has issues with me getting the help I need, I am way too concern with my own journey to better health I can't take on worrying about their views.

But as other meds - you don't have to give everyone your full medical history.
Exactly this!

@Stopbeingsoridiculous
Nice username there 🙄 Castigating and ridiculing people like you have in that first post is exactly why people don't discuss it. Thanks for coming in and dropping a boatload of judgement on the silly women who are doing it all wrong. FWIW - I don't see WLI-related content or comments on social media at all and have no interest in seeking it out. This group is lovely for having real people being supportive to each other, we're allowed to talk about our experiences and worries. Obese women typically carry enough shame already. Shutting us down for scaremongering when we're trying to improve our health is massively unhelpful.

@Stopbeingsoridiculous firstly congratulations on your weight loss success.
I agree that this is a fantastic drug with amazing health benefits for many and that anyone using it shouldn't feel ashamed or embarrassed for doing so. It isn't a cheat and hard work is still necessary for the best outcomes.

I don't agree with your comment around side effects and the reasons for them being shared, especially in this thread. That may be the case on some social media platforms and perhaps you are trying to start a debate around those. I'm not sure this specific thread is the right place.

We have been supporting each other through the highs and lows of the last couple of months. My side effects were most definitely not made up or exaggerated. I appreciated hearing from others about how they've managed, reduced doses, increased slowly and counted clicks.
Alongside my own research I've been able to make more informed decisions, considering all the information and sharing on here to help others.

Support rather than sabotage with information.
We all respond differently and everyones experiences are valid.

I'm glad that your side effects were minimal.
We make our own minds up and if anyone is influenced that much by social media then perhaps they should be doing more research from trusted sources and caring less about what others think.

I’ve weighed and I’ve had a little whoosh too! 3lb off which has brought me to a total one stone in six weeks. I’m really pleased with that.

I’m still find it hard not to be annoyed with myself for getting so heavy (again) - even with a stone off my BMI is well over 30 and won’t be below until I lose more than another stone. I need to focus on the fact that everything is going in the right direction at a sensible pace.

I’m on a similar trajectory to you @Mamatriesmounjaroin that we started at the same time and are dosing/losing at roughly the same rate. My 7th injection (3rd at 5mg) is tonight.

SW: 13st 2lb
CW: 12st 2lb
TW: 9st

Really keen to get that number to start with an 11 now!

Yes that does sound similar @TinDogTavern although your current weight is my goal weight 😂 so amazing that you have lost so well, I keep thinking its because I'm so heavy that it does seem to be coming off okay over the long term, rather than week to week.

I've stuck at 2.5 so far but going to go up to either 3.75 or 4 next pen in 3 weeks.

I have so many reasons to lose the weight that are nothing to do with how I look but the one that seems to really motivate me is knowing I'm maid of honour in a wedding first week of December and right now look like a sausage stuffed in a dress!! So I need to work on it and maybe start exercising!!

I had terrible side effects on Ozempic, at the end I felt being obese is better option. I am so glad so far, with slow titration I am ok on Mounjaro. I will do another 3.75 this week, and I may try to do 4 for a month after. Depending on how I get on.

I miss the steady loss, it's much slower now even though I am doing the same things. It make sense, but I admit it was motivating seeing the scale goes down very evenly at the start.

Morning all, Tuesday jab day for me, and just 0.4kg gone this week. Sigh, it doesn't feel like I've done much different to last week, but never mind. Although I'm a tad disappointed this week, I do still have a milestone - that's tipped me over the "1 stone lost" mark 🥳 Sometimes I'm horrified at how much I've let myself go, that I can lose that much and yet I'm still basically the same to look at 😬 At least we're going in the right direction.

This afternoon will be jab #7 (the third at 5mg). I'm not sure whether to do another month at 5mg or move up to 7.5mg - so far so good, and slow loss is preferable anyway, but at the same time I want to wave a magic wand 😂

Start: 97.8kg
Current: 91.2kg

(also I am ACHING this morning, Joe Wicks had me doing a gazillion squats yesterday and now my bum hurts 😂)

Morning all. Last night at choir, one person stopped me and asked if I had lost a lot more weight recently, and said I looked completely different to when I joined choir (3 years, and 6 stone ago).

It took me back a bit, because I wouldn’t say that the stone I’ve lost in the last 7 weeks is “a lot” compared to the previous 5….. but maybe because I had stayed about the same for a good long while, she had internalised me at that size, and now the difference compared to that is noticeable?

Anyhow, onward and downward. Someone asked me about Seasalt sizing, which prompted me to look their size chart up. I’m now below their measurements for size 16 on bust, waist and hips, which surprised me! I need 1cm off my bust, 2cm off my hips, but 4cm off my waist to get in a 14. Though as we all now, the gold standard in sizing is M&S, and those are slightly smaller.

Weighed myself a day early today because I’m heading to the US tomorrow. I’ve arranged one week’s break—this coming Saturday’s jab—so I don’t have to run the customs/TSA gauntlet at the other end with an unrefrigerated Mounjaro pen in my hand-luggage.

71.8 kg today, so only a small loss (0.3 kg), but extensive body recomposition: muscle up, fat down, metabolic age 48 rather than 51. I haven’t put a tape measure around my middle but my waist is very slim—I can tell from my jeans; snug or at least fitted around the bum and thighs, but I need a belt to keep them up. I think Mounjaro changes the way my body sheds fat compared to just regular exercise.

Oh I agree with you@AxisofEvelKnievel ! My waist is much smaller than it's ever been at this weight before! The saddle bags and c section pouch are definitely still there, but the waist is strange and pleasing, I'm getting my hourglass back even if it's a size 16 one.

@WombatCowgirl it is so strange! I’ve just measured my waist & it’s what it is when I’m 69 kg (probably another month or more away given a 10 day break in the USA). I’ve heard an argument that Wegovy & Mounjaro attack visceral fat, & I do have a male friend on MJ who “dakked” himself going through airport security when he had to take his belt off. He said the same thing—“I’m losing it around the waist”.

SW 97
W1-2.5kg
W2-2.4kg
W3-1.3kg
W4-0.9kg
W5-0.9kg
W6+0.2kg - holiday
W7-0.5kg
W8-0.9kg
CW 87.8kg

I need to get over that holiday showed me down with 2 weeks, and focus on the other 6 weeks I am making steady progress. I was lower weight over the weekend but I only record it Wednesday. I am going to jab in the morning today and that will be the end of my 2nd 2.5 pen, with the golden dose used to up last 2 doses

It's little insane it has only been 8 weeks, isn't it! Thanks to the group for keeping it supportive. It's helping hugely