Mounjaro - starting tips?

[Honeysucklelane]

Hi,

I have ordered my first prescription for Mounjaro, before it arrives I’d love some tips!

I’m 5”4 and weigh 13.8 -13.12, which doesn’t sound excessive, but my BMI is 32 and I have high tricyclerides. I’m not aiming to be really slim, would just love to get back to 11.7. I feel carrying less weight will help my bad back and dodgy knees.

I eat a fairly healthy diet, I walk (6 miles yesterday!) and I tend to do 6,000-12,000 steps a day. My problem is a complete lack of willpower, I’ll easily truffle through a packet of crisps and a kitkat absentmindedly.

I know MJ isn’t a miracle drug and I will have to put in the effort too, but I’ve been trying to lose weight on my own for years. I don’t want to look back in another year and be ashamed of myself for not losing weight and letting more time slip by.

Thanks!

Just like any other diet drink lots of water and track calories. Make sure you’re getting enough protein (BHF has a formula on their website), also enough calcium, have some rennies and immodium in just in case. It has a half life of 5 days so often second dose of each new dosage with have the most impact on appetite supression and side effects. Think carefully before you tell people as people don’t always react the way you may expect.

Up your protein and drink enough water. Good luck

Thank you! I’ve only told one close friend and my husband - I was going to mention it to him tbh but I got paranoid and thought if I collapse or something it’s best someone knows! Yes, my thought processes are very over anxious.

Focus on protein and green veg. Avoid fatty foods and carbs and drink lots of water

@Honeysucklelanethere is a WLI board on MN with lots of posters taking Mounjaro, might be worth reporting your post and asking for it to be moved.

Prioritise protein and fibre. Drinks lots of water. And do some strength exercises/training to minimise muscle loss. It doesn’t have to be heavy weights at the gym but do some resistance/body weight exercises.

I am your height (an inch taller) and started at your weight with my highest being 14st but losing half a stone before starting MJ. My progress has been slow compared to some because I micro dose - that is take non standard doses lower than the planned regime, due to side effects. Obviously this is against standard dosing but for me it worked, finding the sweet point between efficacy and minimal sides. So 6 months in (after a bad start and a break as initial dose just to high for me) I am currently 11st 9lb. I would say prioritise good quality food especially protein, mimimise crap food, and drink plenty. I want to lose another stone but am very happy with my progress and in for the long haul.

Use a medical wipe at injection site

i didn’t used to and always got an itch around that site with irritation for days

used a wipe last few times and not had that issue

That’s amazing! I’d love to get back to under 12 stone. I was 14.3 at the start of 2024 and 14 at the start of 2025. I’ve been hovering at 13.8-13.12 all year. I lose a few lbs then go back up again, although not gone back past 14 so that’s a win,

You sound similar to me. I’ve had a lifetime of trying various diets with varying success. I had the best results before with meal replacement but it doesn’t teach good habits and isn’t sustainable long term. MJ has been a revelation for me. Because of side effects I suffered with my first attempt of 2.5mg for 3 weeks, I restarted on a 1.25mg dose. I had no sides at that level but good suppression. And I gradually increased when I noticed the suppression wasn’t so good. I had a couple of weeks when I tried to increase too much and suffered diarrhoea and sulphur burps. I could cope with the actual symptoms but I also felt washed out and fatigued which I couldn’t cope with, so wound back the dose. I’m currently on 3.75mg at 6 months, but going to increase again slightly with my next dose. I suppose my take from this is it depends how invested you are into wanting the process to work, and willing to be adaptable depending upon how you respond to it.