Wegovy Week 5 - Goodbye 12, Hello 11

Good evening all

I am absolutely chuffed to bits tonight because I’ve finally reached a milestone I honestly thought I might never see again before I started using weight loss jabs; I weigh 11 stone something! I can’t even remember the last time I was in the 11-stone bracket, but if I had to guess, it was probably about 25 years ago. That’s a whole quarter of a century and to be back here now feels surreal. It’s one of those moments where you stop and think, “Wow, I’ve actually done this.” It’s not just about the number on the scales, it’s about what it represents: persistence, resilience, and a lot of hard work.

Now, Wegovy isn’t exactly the same as Mounjaro, but it’s clearly doing something positive for me. Over the past five weeks, I’ve lost 3lbs, which is more than I was losing in the final stretch of my time on Mounjaro. That might not sound like a huge amount but, given I was concerned about whether Wegovy would work after using Mounjaro, even a few pounds feels like a breakthrough. That said, I’m still wrestling with food noise and hunger and it’s frustrating waiting for the suppression I previously had. I’ve got one dose of 1mg left before I move up to 1.7mg and I’m crossing my fingers that the higher dose will give me better appetite suppression. It’s always a bit of a balancing act—hoping the medication helps without too many side effects—but I’m optimistic.

Last week I mentioned that a Wegovy pill is expected to be available in the new year, though it’s likely to be just as expensive as the injection. That’s a bit of a disappointment, because accessibility and affordability are such big issues with these treatments. However, there are a couple of other tablets in development that might be more cost-effective. One that caught my attention is Synt-101, which is currently in trials. It’s designed to make you feel fuller for longer and works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors. Interestingly, it also temporarily mimics the effects of gastric bypass surgery, which sounds quite revolutionary. It’s taken daily, and although there’s no official release date yet, the trials are apparently going well. If it lives up to its promise, it could be a real game-changer for people who need support with appetite control but can’t access or afford injections.

Another pill in the pipeline is Orforglipron, developed by Eli Lilly. This one is also taken daily and is expected to be cheaper than the injectable options. The catch is that it doesn’t include GIP, which Mounjaro has, so it may not be quite as effective. And to be honest, I’m a bit wary of Eli Lilly after the sudden price hike they imposed on the UK market without much warning. It left a lot of people scrambling and trust is hard to rebuild once it’s been shaken. Still, Orforglipron is progressing through trials and could be available as early as next year. It’s encouraging to see more options emerging, even if we’ll have to wait and see how they pan out in practice.

On a completely different note, it’s been bitterly cold this past week, and I’ve been freezing. I’ve spent most of my days bundled up in my oodie, wearing fingerless gloves, wrapped in a blanket and with my feet firmly planted on a hot water bottle. Despite all that, I’ve still felt listless and tired, and getting out of bed in the mornings has been a real struggle. The downside of losing over 60lbs of fat is that you become much more sensitive to the cold. Fat is insulation, after all, and when it’s gone, you feel every icy draft.

The cold has also had another unwelcome effect; it’s increased my appetite. Apparently, there’s a scientific explanation for this. When the weather is cold, your body has to work harder to maintain its core temperature and eating generates internal heat. On top of that, reduced sunlight in winter lowers serotonin levels, which can increase appetite and reduce feelings of fullness. Put those factors together and you’ve got a recipe for cravings, especially for calorie-dense comfort foods. I’ve definitely noticed myself eating more often than usual, and I’m not exactly looking forward to next week’s weigh-in. But I’m trying to remind myself that this is just part of the journey and setbacks don’t define the overall progress.

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s important not to be too hard on yourself if you eat something you feel you shouldn’t, or if you eat more than usual. We’re all human and sometimes it’s good to treat yourself. The trick is not to let those treats become habits, because that’s when the weight starts creeping back on. I had a bit of a wobble emotionally this week, feeling low and frustrated, but then two lovely things happened. During a Teams meeting, a colleague commented that she could see I’d lost a lot of weight and that I was looking good. And today, my grandson told me I looked really slim. Honestly, there’s nothing like a few compliments to lift your spirits and keep you motivated. It’s a reminder that even when you’re feeling stuck or struggling, other people can see the progress you’ve made.

This weeks statistics:

Weight - 11st 13.5lb
BMI - 31.5
Total weight loss since 6th Jan 2025 - 4 stone 10.5lbs

Total loss - 3lb

Wegovy dose - 1mg

Total weight loss on Mounjaro - 3 stone 12.5lbs

So, while this week has had its challenges—cold weather, increased appetite, and less exercise—it’s also had its victories. I’m in the 11-stone bracket for the first time in decades, I’m learning to navigate the ups and downs of medication, and I’m receiving encouragement from the people around me. That combination of progress, science, and support is what keeps me moving forward.

Ta ta x