Disgusted with what I look like.

[Keepingtimer]

I've just seen a video of myself and just honestly can't believe how awful I look.
Im four stones overweight with high cholesterol, high blood sugar , pre diabetes . I've had years and years of stress and it shows in my face and body.
I've had a underactive thyroid for over thirty years.

Im about to go on a low calorie shake diet through the NHS at the end of the month.

im just so upset and horrified by what I look like. I look like I'm dying.

if this shake diet doesn't work I don't know where there is to go. I can't seem to stick to a diet for more than about three weeks myself . I'm scared to take weight loss drugs.

I walk three or four miles several times a week and eat a healthy diet. It's just crept up on me over years.

Has anyone felt this desperate and turned it around?

You cannot exercise your way out of obesity. Exercise is fabulous for health and fitness..for building muscle. Once you are slimmer exercise becomes enjoyable because it doesn’t hurt to do it and if you are in your 50/60s it’s essential to protect your muscle mass. However, you cannot exercise enough to see any significant weight loss .

To lose 1lb of fat you need to have a calorie deficit of approximately 3500 per week, at 4 stone above healthy weight , this would require 30 minutes of very brisk exercise every day. However it would still take 3-4 weeks to lose a pound. That’s nearly 4 months for half a stone. Pretty impossible to maintain any focus at that rate.

FGS listen to all of us that have done ALL of the diets, fasting, Weight watchers, slimming world most of our adult lives.. only to lose and regain time after time.

In September 2026 consumer research reported 3.3 million households had at least one GLP-1 user. This includes use for diabetes . If there were any significant side effects then this would not be happening. I know perhaps 9 or 10 people personally who are taking it, with only 2 of them ever reporting a side effect of mild constipation at the very start or mild nausea. Both of which disappeared within a couple of weeks.

Just do the bloody drug and join us all feeling healthier and looking fab .

Then she needs to empower herself with knowledge. It’s the only way to deal with something that scares you. Do some proper research. Google or Ask AI to find you some official peer reviewed studies of Mounjaro published in reputable journals like the Lancet, New England journal of Medicine etc. Not anecdotal or scaremongering nonsense from TickTock.

Knowledge is power.

Thank you. I think of if I lose weight it will impact on all areas of my life. It has such an effect on my life. My confidence, self esteem, everything. I can't do yoga anymore, I can't easily walk five miles or more , I feel tired and lethargic and just ill nearly all the time. If I had more energy it would transform everything.

I weighed myself this morning and I'm the heaviest I have ever been. I walked for two hours yesterday and didn't eat much . The reduction of thyroxine is making me pile on weight to an alarming extent.

I feel I have run out of options and road now. So that's why I took the first jab last night. I don't have any side effects so far apart from a bit of burping.

It really is a disaster. I feel utterly awful and look dreadful. Having high cholesterol, diabetes and an under active thyroid with high blood pressure is serious.

I was like you a year ago. I couldn't walk without heart burn, blood pressure sky high and I looked awful.

I have used MJ to take control of my health and I now feel fantastic and look a whole lot better, blood pressure back under control, no pre- diabetes and no IBS or heart burn.

Occasionally I have a bit of constipation, I'd take that any day over all of the other issues.

As you have now taken a dose go over to the WLI boards and join the group for this month (or start one) and you'll find loads of support.

You've got this.

This is time for you to take control.

You haven't responded to those of us suggesting that, in addition to whatever you decide about methods of weight loss, you try to get referred to an endocrinologist. I'd stake a lot of money that your thyroid is not being properly treated.

I agree. I will try and get a GP appointment but it's like hens teeth. I get a trainee or a 'nurse practitioner' most of the time. The doctors when I do see them aren't much cop at all. I was referred to an endocrinologist about ten years ago when again I was told to reduce my dose but felt like I was dying. The endo told me to go back to my original dose. My bloods seemed to normalise eventually. I go through periods where I seem to be taking too much and then it levels out. I don't know what's going on but I agree, something isn't right .

Well done OP, I'm so pleased you've listened to those of us for whom WLI's have been life-changing. Things really and truly are going to get better for you now.

How on earth did you manage to prick your fingers until they were bleeding? Your fingers shouldn’t be anywhere near the needle. I genuinely can’t work out what you were doing

This did concern me too.

It's hard to begin with and you need to ensure you are not drinking anything which causes an insulin spike during the fast like milk in coffee or sweeteners. Really recommend you read the books I suggested before you start, honestly the best thing I've ever done.

Have a look at Thyroid UK, most people there will have gone through the same thing and they can help you be more proactive in your treatment.

You will need your blood test results.

Attention seeking and ramping up the drama?

@Keepingtimer your local authority will collect and replace the sharps bin once a year. You contact them to arrange.

You need an endocrinologist who also has an interest in women's midlife health. You will probably have to pay. They may want bloods but if youbare hard of funds they may be willing to wrote to yiur GP to request they order them. Endo apt and follow-up pribably about £450. Bloods - comprehensive, about £1000.

Thanks for that.

I don't know really, just getting stressed and not being careful enough.

This thread and seeing that video were the kick up the bum I needed I think.

I am going to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist and if that doesn't work I'm going to see a functional medicine specialist because things really don't feel right.

Well done OP on taking a positive step for your health.

Just another one adding to the pro-WLI gang. I have been on Mounjaro since May 2024 - so coming up for two and a half years, I had a bit of constipation to start with (easily remedied with regular Ryvita) and a bit of hair loss that stopped as quickly as it began. I lost 7 stone and have been a healthy weight for the first time in my adult life (I'm 56 now).

I cannot speak highly enough about this medicine.

Thank you.