The Saxenda Sisterhood

[Saxendastarter]

Hi all,

As the last thread is filling up I thought I'd start a new one so we don't get lost.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/4788207-im-starting-saxenda-this-week

This is the follow up from "I'm starting Saxenda this week" I'm personally journaling my way to a hopefully healthier and happier life. I'm journaling what I'm eating, the weight I'm losing (and gaining) and trying to see the positives outweigh the negatives on a daily basis. I'm joined on this thread and journey by many amazing women who are all very supportive and who are also sharing as much or as little as they like.

I'm finding I'm opening this thread instead of opening the cupboards, the fridge and the food delivery app on my phone and feeling less in my struggles and frustration and writing about my days makes me realize my life isn't all bad.

I'm thankful for all the voices in this thread and feel supported by the sisterhood of women from all over facing the same body struggles as I am.

I post some pictures and photos and I really like it when others do too.

If you're new please join us if you want to and let us know how you're getting on with your Saxenda journey. Come here for compliments when you deserve them and commiseration when you need some. You're welcome whatever your age, wherever you are and if you have 1kg or 10 stone to loose.

I've been on Saxenda for 10 weeks and lost 9.2kg (1st 6.2lbs) so far. I started at over 96kg and am now 87 and a bit. I have at least another 20kg to go to be happy with how I look - but knowing that the Saxenda sisterhood is here makes the journey seem less intimidating.

I’m in central Scotland

I'm in NW England.

Weigh in this week was 2.5lb off for week 14. 14st 12.5. Total loss 2st 0.5lb. Hoorah!

This weekend has been my biggest hurdle yet with not reverting to old bad habits.
We had terrible news on Saturday. My childrens headteacher passed away. She was far too young (42) and a mother of a 4 and 3 year old. It is absolutely heartbreaking. She was a very fit, healthy woman. She went to sleep Friday night, and just didn't wake up Saturday morning. The woman was bloody incredible, in her short life she packed in a hell of a lot! She was a swimmer, and took part in the 2000 Olympics. She was a Euphonium player in a brilliant brass band. As well as a fantastic headteacher and mother. I don't know how she did it all. And now she has been cruelly taken away. She is currently on the front pages of the nationals in fact.
One of my main goals for weight loss is to make sure I am in the best position to be fit and healthy enough to see my children grow up. Yet it doesn't even seem like that is enough to keep the bastard reaper away.
I'm not giving up, I don't need emotional crutches from food. This is going to be a kick in the face to live each day to the fullest I can.
This weekend we are going as a family to enjoy a swim in honor of Mrs Smart, who was so passionate about the children at school achieving in their lives, that she managed to get my terrified autistic and adhd 10 year old to finally conquer his fear just 4 short weeks ago and swim in water out of his depth. He finally managed to get his 25m badge thanks to her! As a teen I also swam, I swam for the local town until I gave up. I'm only 3 years younger than her. Maybe this is my time to get my ass in that pool and do what I know I can (I can still swim very well despite my fatness!).

I am sorry to hear about your headteacher's loss @ThisMustBeMyDream . One of the main reasons for trying to lose weight is to be more healthy than look better. I am only 35 years old and I too fear for my health and want to see my children grow up. There no avoiding death, but it does help to know we are doing everything we can to reduce our risk. Don't give up, keep going strong and more motivated!

One pen available at https://rightangled.com/products/saxenda 🤗

Got an order in, thank you!

I think they have more than one but only selling one per person but could be wrong!

I saw this in the news! I'm so sorry for everyone involved. 😞

I am in Switzerland, but originally from North East UK.

Has been really hard to stay on track mentally this week, with my looming return to work. I am so lethargic this week (mad heat doesn't help). It's too tempting to just live on crap, where I have spent the last few months really nourishing my body.

I am going to have to be super disciplined from next week and do meal preps etc, as my schedule is really very very full.
have noticed that instead of sleeping, I stay up late and eat crap. Then tired next day etc etc.

ThisMustBeMyDream So sorry for your loss. That is devastating. She was way too young. That sounds nice to get back into swimming. Such a great exercise.

Well I finished Week 1 and lost 5.2 lbs. So happy. Now on to week 2 at 1.2 dose for full week. This drug is so subtle. I hardly know I am on it. It really does keep me away from snacking.

Just catching up with the thread, a warm welcome to everyone.

I'm based in North West England too, moved about a little with work, but always come back.

@ThisMustBeMyDream I was reading about your headteacher, how devastating. What an amazing inspirational woman, such a loss to her family & community. With best wishes & sympathy to you and the school community.

@Saxendastarter Onwards and upwards for you now, keep on going.

@justsaxy I'm sure you will be fine & straight back into the swing of things. Your photos look beautiful.

Chuffed to have nabbed another pen this week, though prices have shot up. I also feel much better for a good hair cut and colour- I'm slowly getting back to my old self. Tomorrow I'm off walking with friends, just need to not get tempted by the cake!

Quick question everyone: for those of you in the UK, what do you do when the sharps bin is full? My council needs a GP referral for clinical waste collection and I don't know what to do with the used needles and pens... Thanks!

@dontwanttostay for the empty pens themselves Boots have pencycle boxes that are pre-addressed and it sends them back to be recycled, in my boots they are just on the counter to take

Not sure about the sharps box sorry, mine isn’t full yet, not sure if asking at a pharmacy maybe?

Hello all!

@Saxendastarter WELL DONE on your achievement! I'm so glad you stuck with it and completed the walk, the photos were wonderful - especially the one about the crown!

Congratulations to @Footgoose on getting into the healthy weight bracket, that's amazing! I'm still some way off. I totally agree on your comparison to SW too, Saxenda takes all the overthinking out of it and means you don't obsess over food, it's so freeing. Well done to everyone else recording losses too!

@ThisMustBeMyDream It was a while ago now but I wanted to offer my deep empathy about your tooth - I had exactly the same thing (having to drill in to drain the pus) and they even had to leave the hole open to drain overnight at one point because it kept filling back up and my face was all swollen. I ended up having a full root canal done on it and because it's my top front tooth the option of just whipping it out isn't really there. It's all been very traumatic! I hope you're doing OK now. So sorry to hear about your children's Head as well, it's always shocking and sobering when someone young and healthy goes so suddenly like that xx

I can't remember who was reading the book (@justsaxy ?) - it sounds really interesting, would you say it's 'readable' though? My concentration span has been shot to pieces since lockdown.

I have been a bit MIA - last time I was here I mentioned that I'd been suffering with a blocked nose and I'd read that it can be a big side effect of Saxenda (sounds pathetic "a blocked nose", but honestly it was becoming unbearable, it was really affecting my ability to think straight at work, and when I tried to eat I felt like I was suffocating), so I discontinued the Sax because it just wasn't worth it for me. However 3-4 weeks later and my nose has just got worse and worse so I concluded it must be something else and finally saw a doctor this morning. She gave me a strong steroid nasal spray and <<touch wood>> it seems to have really helped so far. I have felt like a new woman at work this afternoon, flying through stuff!

I have 1.5 pens left so I'm going to start up the Sax again; I've just reordered from Boots and it's been approved for a store 40 minutes' drive away … remains to be seen whether they will fulfil the order though, fingers crossed. In the meantime, even though I sometimes felt like I was suffocating, I have been eating like a gannet - partly because I was down about how rubbish I was feeling but yes partly because I was feeling hungry/greedy again. I've put on about 2lb in 4 weeks I think so it could be worse. I've also been relying on convenience food and lots of white bread, so I'm going to take some time this weekend to batch cook some of my favourite healthy meals to try and fall in love with it again.

Sorry for the long update! Good vibes to all!

Weekly check-in to stay accountable.

Start Weight: 129.27kg
Today's Weight: 104.85kg
Weekly Loss/gain: -1.54kg (3.4lbs)

Next week's target is a 2.2lb loss.....Specific I know- but that will put me at total loss of 4 Stone. As always, any loss is good.

Had a bit of a reality check today- to be 'just' overweight and a BMI of 30- I pretty much need to loose the same again that I have already lost. Jeeze it's a slog.

@Radish12 yes it is very readable. I really enjoyed it and would recommend

@Glorfindels well done!!! I know, I am looking at it all thinking I want to lose 40k in total. It is such a lot. But am breaking it down into 5 and 10k blocks. I like a mini target. As my dad told me, 'it didn't gan on overnight, pet. It winnit come off overnight, either.' I try to remind myself of that a lot.

Today is DH's birthday, so I spent all day yesterday baking brioche bread buns for a bbq today. Was up at the crack of dawn making brownies. Filled my big freezer with ice as we are in a heatwave at the moment.
40 People arriving at 4. I am trying to make less horrific bbq options, so have popped a veg curry in the slow cooker and making appetizers that are not too bad.

Just sat down with a cuppa and opened my post...

*MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE APPROVED ME!!!!
*
Emailed the endocrinologist, to find out when she will give me a prescription, as I don't have an appointment with her for another month. And I want to get started!

Am so pleased... hurrah!

Just sat down with a cuppa

Whoops pressed send too quickly

@Saxendastarter how are you doing?

8/9/2023 Start Weight: 230 lbs.
8/19/2023 Weight: 222.6 lbs.

In my 2nd week so far no problem going from 0.6 to 1.2. It's making it easier for me to stay grounded. My ankles and legs have lost all that access water. Now on to burn fat, build muscle.

Maintained this week. 14st 12.5. Was slightly disappointed, but the scales haven't really budged all week so not a surprise! I've been really bunged up down below 🙈 but finally had a good clear out tonight, so maybe that will help 🤣.
Also non scale victory tonight. I love pasta. Love love love it! Tonight's dinner was pasta and sauce. For the very first time in my life I served a small amount of pasta, with a side salad! I'd never ever do that usually. I add veg to the pasta, but would always have a decent serving of pasta. I know it doesn't sound much, but for me it was a big breakthrough in breaking a habit. I'm really pleased, and I was satisfied with the meal too! Happy days!
@Saxendastarter how are you doing?

Hi all,

I'm doing okay - I'm off Saxenda for a bit because I'm a bit down and not sure how it's affecting my mood. I'm back at 87.9kg but maintaining. I'm trying to focus on wrapping up at work as fast and best I can because I think that until I'm free of this job I won't be able to snap out of things. I do hope to be back to this thread more soon.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Hello all

1st post.....does anyone know if you need to take the full 3mg to really see some weight loss? I was on .6 for 8 days then the last 4wks at 1.2ml. My appetite is quite low. I'm eating nowhere near I was previously I have about 1300 cals a day logged.

Iv lost 9 lbs but 4lbs was the first week and NOTHING for the last 3 wks!! I'm absolutely gutted! I didn't want to increase the dose because of the expense, stock issues & fear of side effects (I have none now) but I'm SO fed up.

Do is there more to the medication than appetite reduction? Does it speed up/change metabolism or something else?

Just weighted in this morning and 0lbs down. I am hitting 10k steps a day and this week I also did tennis x 2 hours 1.5 hour yoga, 1.5hrs kayaking, iv been out in my bike twice fit 7/8km cycle. REALLY thought I'd see an improvement this week.

Any ideas?

Hi Jadetreesbringluck I just went up to 1.8 dose. I am getting worried too. I got an email on 8/17 from PlushCare about shortages and alternatives. It said
“Wegovy has shortages of 0.25mg, 0.5mg, and 1mg dosage pens into 2024. Saxenda comes in one strength and is expected to have a limited supply through 2023 and beyond.” I made an appointment with my doctor at the 3 week mark (next week) to see where I stand with Saxenda. My doctor did mention that she would like to switch over to Wegovy once I finish my Saxenda. Maybe that is because I can move over to a higher dose in that brand.

Hi Saxendastarter I hope you stay on the thread and let us know how you are doing since you are off. If you have any side effects are trouble maintaining. If not I wish you well, but keep in touch.

Hi ThisMustBeMyDream Maintaining is great because it means you have a grip on this with the weeks you have dedicated to it.

Hi @Glorfindels How are you still doing? You are doing great.

Trying to keep up with everyone in this thread. LOL

@Saxendastarter , sending good thoughts your way . You are a very inspirational person . I think I can safely say we all hope this difficult time passes quickly for you . x

Regarding dose .
I felt the full effect of Saxander on the 3ml dose . Rarely hungry, reduced alcohol craving . It really didn’t work at its full potential until the 3ml dose . Weight loss still wasn’t linear and felt slow at times but then when measured over a 10 day to 2 week interval was always a good 2 to 4 pound loss .

I’m reducing my dose back down as my BMI is below 24.7 . The hunger is back but I don’t need to eat that much to feel full . Sadly , the interest in alcohol is also back and wine consumption is creeping up .

Saxander , as far as I know doesn’t “ make you lose weight “ in the sense it speeds up metabolism . It still depends on all the boring factors that affect diet . Not preaching , I’m sure someone asked that question up thread .

Bow I have lost nearly 3 stone one thing that’s very different for me is how much more exercise I can do . Longer dog walks. Joined a gym and generally able to exercise without loathing it . Hopefully , without the saxander I can control my weight by being more active .

again , not wishing to preach but I did a bit of looking into potentially what my basal metabolism might be . My age , job and life style suggested likely to be way way under 2000 cals a day , it’s nearer 1400 . So my calorie deficit looked a bit drastic but the saxander meant I could stick to it .

i think the plan going forward will be a 5:2 / 3 fasting days style of eating as I want to enjoy food without sticking to 800 to 1000 cals a day forever .

since hitting my first goal of a healthy BMI 3 weeks ago I’ve lost another 1.5 pounds . I’m just hopefully going to see my weight ticking down slowly between now and when I reach my final goal . I feel fitter and better than I have for a long time . What’s mildly annoying is I still look a bit dumpy in photos. So for my own self esteem I will up the exercise and keep chipping away at it .

i read most days and really appreciate the time people take to share their thoughts, feelings and endeavours . It’s a lovely thing to be a part of , this Saxander Sisterhood .

@Footgoose , I agree. I really love this sisterhood!

@Saxendastarter prends soin de toi.

Hi all,

Thank you for your messages all - not Saxenda related but I have have just signed what's called a rupture-co here ... I'll be free of this job by the end of October and am leaving with a lump of 22 months salary + unemployment rights (which gives me 75% of my salary) for 2 years!

So relived