Mounjaro Journey – Week 41 (4.25mg every 5 days)

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose

It all feels a little odd at the moment — in the nicest possible way.

For the past six weeks, I’ve been maintaining my weight, gently bouncing between 56kg and 55kg. Over the last four weeks, it has been even more consistent, sitting between 55.2kg and 55.7kg. That kind of stability is something I have never experienced before.

Usually when I reach my goal weight, I let the brakes off. Gradually, the old habits creep back in, and the weight follows. But this time, something feels different.

Of course, I still have a helping hand from my slowly reducing dose of Mounjaro. I’m also continuing to log my food as carefully as I can. Looking back through my diary, most days I’m actually eating over my calculated maintenance calories by 150-600 calories. That may not sound like much to some people, but when my daily allowance to maintain is around 1,172 calories, that’s quite a sizeable percentage.

Over the past four weeks, I estimate I’ve eaten around 800–900 calories above maintenance each week — yet my weight has simply held steady.

Body weight can never be truly linear. It’s impossible to remain at exactly the same weight day after day. As someone who weighs daily, I understand that perfectly well. There are always small fluctuations — hydration levels, food intake, hormones, salt, sleep — all of these things can nudge the scales slightly up or down.

But what I’m experiencing at the moment feels quite remarkable.

Being able to maintain my weight week after week within a 1kg (about 2lb) range is something I have never experienced during my entire weight-loss journey. The scales might move a little from one day to the next, but the overall pattern has been incredibly steady.

And I have to say… I’m loving it.

There’s something very reassuring about seeing that level of stability. It feels calm, predictable and sustainable — which is exactly what long-term maintenance should feel like.

It’s also been quite a social week.

On Monday, I went out for dinner with some girlfriends and enjoyed a delicious crispy beef salad. Later in the week, I hosted a small neighbourhood meeting at my house. Crisps and cheesy biscuit thins were on offer alongside wine. I’m not drinking alcohol at the moment — Mounjaro seems to have altered my taste buds quite dramatically, and alcohol simply doesn’t taste very nice anymore — but I have to confess to enjoying a few of the leftover crisps and biscuits afterwards.

On Thursday, I took my Mum and her live-in carer to visit my sister for the afternoon. The drive itself (about an hour) is always rather lovely, taking us over the Ridgeway through the Oxfordshire countryside. Normally, the views are quite stunning, stretching out across the landscape towards Oxford, but this time the murky skies meant they were a little obscured. Even so, it’s still a route I always enjoy — there’s something very calming about driving through open countryside. Mum enjoyed the journey too. It’s a drive she knows well, but one she hasn’t done for quite a while, so it felt familiar and comforting for her to travel that way again.

I made an apple crumble to take with us. Lunch itself was very healthy — chicken skewers, lots of vegetables and some rice — and the crumble portions were small as it wasn’t a large dish. We spent the afternoon playing simple card games, then a board game that Mum could join in with, supported by her carer.

We laughed a lot.

Activities like that are becoming increasingly important as Mum’s dementia progresses. Cognitive stimulation really matters. She is doing incredibly well — eight years after her initial diagnosis — and most importantly, she is still very much Mum. We can still enjoy one another’s company and share plenty of laughs.

Friday was my routine breast screening appointment. I know many women find these appointments uncomfortable or stressful, but personally, I’ve never had a problem with them. The staff are always extremely kind and helpful, particularly as I need assistance getting my clothing on and off. It’s one of those simple health checks that I’m always very happy to attend.

Food at home this week has included a particularly successful new dish: a “Marry Me” chicken with added cannellini beans in a creamy tomato, paprika, chipotle, garlic and mushroom sauce. It was absolutely delicious. I’m very grateful that I log my recipes and calories, because it means I can easily find and recreate dishes that work well.  I also made two hot cross buns in the air fryer with self-raising flour, Greek yoghurt, cinnamon and sultanas.  Ready in 10 minutes and perfect eaten still warm with a little butter.

I also made a batch of my raspberry, chia seed and yoghurt desserts, which I enjoy every single evening. They’ve become a bit of a staple for me now — simple, satisfying and exactly the sort of thing that hits the spot when you fancy something sweet after dinner.

I really must share the recipe for these at some point because they tick a lot of boxes. Each portion contains 6.8g of protein and 6.8g of fibre, which makes them perfect for that little sweet treat while also helping to keep me feeling pleasantly full for the rest of the evening.

And finally, the weekly weigh-in:

Weight this week: 55.2kg (about 8st 9.4lb)
Last week: 55.2kg (about 8st 9.6lb)
Weekly change: -0.15kg (0.2lbs)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

For now, everything feels calm, steady and sustainable — which is perhaps the most encouraging sign of all.

If other Mounjaro users are titrating down after reaching their goal weight, you might find it helpful to see how I’ve been managing this. I achieved my initial goal weight (57kg) on 9th January 2026.  I’m being guided by my hunger, appetite suppression and the ability to maintain my weight.

9th Jan: 45 clicks – 7.5mg

14th Jan: 30 clicks – 5mg>5mg>5mg>5mg>5mg>5mg>5mg

19th Feb: 29 clicks – 4.5mg>4.5mg>4.5mg>4.5mg>4.5mg

16th March:  26 clicks – 4.25mg

Chasing the perfect body shape

flidfit Uncategorized

One of the things that has helped me most on my weight-loss journey might sound a little surprising: I’ve never been chasing a particular body shape or clothing size.

For many people, weight loss is framed around reaching a certain look — fitting into a particular dress size, having a flat stomach, or achieving a body that resembles the images we see in magazines or on social media. But that was never really my goal.

My focus has always been much simpler: to be as healthy as I can be within the physical limitations I live with.

Because of my disability, my body was never going to look like the so-called “ideal” body that often gets presented as the standard. I use a wheelchair outside the house and my mobility is limited. There are exercises I will never be able to do, and certain physical changes that simply aren’t realistic. Once I accepted that, something quite powerful happened — I stopped trying to force my body to become something it wasn’t meant to be.

Instead, I began to work with it.

For me, that has meant focusing on health, strength where possible, and maintaining a weight that supports my overall wellbeing. Over the years I’ve learned to make small, sustainable changes — adjusting portion sizes, being mindful about calories, cooking most of my meals at home, and paying attention to how different foods make me feel.

The result hasn’t been dramatic or fast. In fact, it’s been the opposite: slow, steady and sustainable.

Back in 2012 I weighed 14 stone. Over two and a half years I lost four and a half stone through calorie counting and gradually changing my habits. Over the years since then, I’ve lost a little more and now maintain around 8 stone 9 pounds. It has taken more than a decade to reach this point, which probably tells you everything you need to know about my approach.

There have been no crash diets. No punishment. No hatred of my body.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

I’ve always tried to treat my body with a degree of respect and appreciation. After all, this body has carried me through life, adapted to disability, allowed me to travel, work, raise a daughter, build friendships and care for family. It may not be perfect, but it has done an extraordinary amount for me.

Part of that mindset goes right back to my childhood. My mum always encouraged me to accept myself exactly as I was and never to live in fear of other people staring at me. She was very clear about that. People might look — sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes simply because something is different — but that should never stop me from living my life fully.

That message stayed with me as I grew up. I was never short of confidence; in fact, I was probably over-confident.  That sense of confidence and self-acceptance has been incredibly valuable as an adult. Rather than worrying about how my body compares to anyone else’s, I’ve learned to focus on what it allows me to do and how I can look after it.

When you approach weight loss from that perspective — from appreciation rather than criticism — the whole experience feels different.

You’re not trying to “fix” yourself. You’re simply trying to look after yourself.

And I think that mindset makes a huge difference. When you’re not chasing a particular appearance, there’s less pressure and less disappointment. Progress becomes about how you feel: your energy levels, your health markers, your mobility, your ability to live the life you want.

For me, that has been the real goal all along.

I’m not trying to look like anyone else. I’m not trying to fit a particular mould. I’m simply aiming to be the healthiest version of myself that I can be.

And in many ways, that feels far more empowering than chasing an ideal that was never realistic in the first place.

Mounjaro Journey – Week 40 (4. 5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Emotional well being, Exercise, Maintenance, Mounjaro

It’s been a week full of socialising — something I always enjoy, although it does mean the days seem to fly by.

On Monday, I drove to Oxfordshire to visit my sister, who lives about an hour away. The weather was perfect — wall-to-wall sunshine and bright blue skies. After lunch, we decided to do a gentle circular “walk” to the neighbouring village along a nearby bridleway. I say “walk” in inverted commas because I was, of course, in my powered wheelchair. It was one of those simple outings that turn out to be rather special: big open skies, countryside views stretching into the distance, the sound of birds, and the occasional stop to chat to other people also out enjoying the day.

Naturally, I took plenty of photographs.

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I’ve always been someone who takes pictures — nothing particularly artistic, just documenting moments and experiences. Long before the digital age, when cameras had film that you had to send away to be developed, or those wonderful disposable cameras with the little cube flash that clipped on the top. One of the lovely results of that lifetime of “snapping” is that I now have two large crates in my loft absolutely full of photographs.

I don’t look at them often, but when I do they are a treasure trove.

After my first husband’s sudden death — my daughter’s father, aged just 61 — in 2022, I started looking through some old photographs. They brought back vivid memories of the early days of our relationship and why I fell in love with him in the first place. He was handsome, kind, and above all, a wonderful father. Even after our divorce, we always remained on good terms. Those photographs are packed with memories of happy times and shared experiences.

These days, of course, most photographs exist digitally. With a large 27-inch screen, it’s a pleasure to scroll through them — trips around the world, people who have passed through my life, and moments that might otherwise have been forgotten.

Tuesday was a quite different day. I made a rare visit into Reading town centre to attend the AGM of Reading Voluntary Action, the charity where I serve as a Trustee. There was a fantastic turnout, and it was genuinely inspiring to hear about the work RVA supports across the town — from grassroots community projects to voluntary groups doing extraordinary things with very modest resources.

Later, I had lunch with a friend at a Thai restaurant. We’ve known each other since primary school, so the company was great — but unfortunately, the food was terrible. The service wasn’t much better either. Since it was my first time there and I had high expectations, it was a bit disappointing. However, the good conversation made up for the experience.

This week, I also coordinated a leaflet drop for a small neighbourhood group I am involved with. The local university kindly printed 250 copies of our letter, and my role was to organise volunteers to deliver them around the nearby streets. I enjoy a bit of practical coordination. About six neighbours came to my house to collect their bundles, and each let me know when their round was finished. It’s always satisfying when a simple plan comes together.

Friday was dominated by a rather less exciting household event: a new boiler installation. Not terribly interesting to write about — other than the fact it was a fairly expensive exercise and I was relieved that the weather was mild while the heating was off.

Food at home this week has been a mixture of comforting and practical: homemade cottage pie, a slow-cooker beef bhuna, a fresh loaf from the bread machine, shop-bought chicken kievs, and a large bowl of porridge — which is actually quite unusual for me as I rarely eat breakfast.

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That porridge came about after a rather strange night. On Saturday morning, I woke at 2am and simply couldn’t get back to sleep. I’m wondering if it might be related to my Mounjaro injection, as it happened within about 24 hours of taking it. I felt oddly energised rather than tired.

So I decided to make good use of the time. By 8am, I had done a load of laundry and hung it out to dry, sliced my homemade loaf, tidied the cupboard where the boiler sits, emptied the dishwasher, and drunk several cups of tea. By that point, I definitely needed something more substantial to eat, so porridge it was — with vanilla protein powder and a banana. The rest of the day’s eating ended up being rather out of sync, though!

Regarding Mounjaro, I’ve continued to slowly reduce my dose. I can definitely notice the difference now. My appetite is slightly stronger, my sweet tooth is returning, and my portion sizes have increased marginally. Interestingly, even though I’ve been regularly eating over my daily 1172 calorie allocation by around 200–600 calories — I’m still maintaining very comfortably. I should add that I exercise for around an hour every day – which earns me an additional 330-350 calories.

In fact, the scales are still nudging downwards.

Weight this week: 55.2kg (about 8st 9½lb)
Last week: 55.4kg (about 8st 10lb)
Weekly change: −0.2kg (about ¼lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

Overall, it’s been a busy week filled with people, projects, sunshine, and good home cooking — with the scales still behaving themselves nicely. And that, I think, is a pretty good place to be.

Mounjaro Journey, Week 39 (4.75mg every 5 days)

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Recipes, Sweet Treats, Travel

Can you believe it’s March already? I know February is the shortest month, but this one seems to have raced past at extraordinary speed.

It has been one of those weeks where everything that needed to be done… was done. My recruitment advertisement has gone live. There has been a little interest – early days, but encouraging. Alongside that, I’ve been working on documenting the care framework we’ve gradually developed over the past six or seven years for Mum. Setting it all out on paper – how my sisters and I work together, who oversees what, how decisions are made – has been something of an eye-opener.

When you’re in the middle of “doing”, you don’t always stop to notice the structure holding it all together. Writing it down made me realise how fortunate I am. I have an exceptional relationship with my two sisters. We communicate openly, we each play to our strengths, and we all share the same priority: Mum’s wellbeing. She tells us often how happy she is with the support she receives – and that, more than anything, makes the effort worthwhile.

The week ended on a rather special high.

We drove up to London to see Cirque de Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall. The journey was blissfully smooth (rare words when speaking about London traffic). We found one of our usual parking spots on Carriage Driveway in Hyde Park and walked through the park towards Kensington. The skies were grey, Kensington Palace was shrouded in scaffolding and protected with plastic sheeting, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Sunken Garden was looking rather bleak without its usual Summer colours. We spotted a Mandarin duck, which added a welcome splash of colour to an otherwise monochrome day.

Lunch was at The Ivy, Kensington – only my second time dining at The Ivy (the first being in Manchester with my daughter). I have to say, the experience restored my faith in being able to enjoy a reasonably priced meal in beautiful surroundings with attentive, polished service.

We arrived slightly early for our midday booking, which turned out to be a good thing. Within half an hour the restaurant was full. We started with coffee while we waited and then chose from the “Special 2 Course” menu – two courses for £19.17.

We both made exactly the same choices.

The Ivy Classic Shepherd’s Pie – slow-braised lamb and beef with Cheddar mash, rosemary and red wine sauce.

Followed by Flambéed Crème Brûlée – flamed tableside, silky vanilla custard with a perfectly caramelised sugar crust.

It was all beautifully cooked. Comfort food, elevated.

I opted for a non-alcoholic mocktail – Wild Mojito – mint, pear and citrus topped with Wild Idol sparkling wine. Light, fresh and celebratory without the alcohol.

After lunch we wandered back towards the Royal Albert Hall, stopping en route at Whole Foods Market on Kensington High Street. It is one of those places where you feel you could happily browse for hours. I was particularly impressed by the Steenburgs range of herbs and spices. I’ve previously ordered their tamarind paste and sumac online – not cheap, but exceptional quality. I once bought a much cheaper tamarind paste from a supermarket and ended up throwing it away. Sometimes you truly do get what you pay for.

And then… Cirque de Soleil OVO.

Wow. Just wow.

An enormous egg dominated the stage as the show began. The theme was insects and flowers – but what unfolded was an extraordinary blend of acrobatics, aerial artistry, dance, costume, lighting and music. Trampolines, strength, balance, precision… and artistry woven through it all. I’d seen Cirque years ago, but this was my partner’s first time and he absolutely loved it.

We had wonderful seats – not inexpensive, but worth every penny. And thankfully, I receive a complimentary accompanying carer ticket, which makes experiences like this far more accessible.

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A perfect London day.

Back at home, the week’s food highlights were just as satisfying in their own way: a mini upside-down pineapple cake, homemade pizza using a simple Greek yoghurt and flour base, a spelt and white flour loaf in the bread machine, creamy tomato and harissa chicken, and a chicken bhuna.

Yes, The Ivy was lovely. But truthfully? I’m just as happy with what’s on offer in my own kitchen.

And that, perhaps, is the quiet theme of this week. Gratitude. For sisters. For Mum’s contentment. For accessible days out. For good food – whether in Kensington or at my own dining table.

As I slowly lower my Mounjaro dosage, I’ve been paying close attention to how things feel. The appetite suppression is still there. It’s gentler perhaps, but definitely present. And interestingly, when I do notice hunger, it feels manageable. Not urgent. Not demanding. Just information.

That’s quite a shift.

Even with a lovely lunch out in London and an ice cream during the interval at Cirque, I tracked everything. No drama. No guilt. Just data. And the result? I’m maintaining successfully.

For me, that’s the real win.

It isn’t about never enjoying shepherd’s pie at The Ivy or crème brûlée flambéed at the table. It isn’t about avoiding ice cream in the theatre interval. It’s about being able to include those moments consciously, account for them, and carry on as normal afterwards.

Mounjaro has never been magic. It’s been a tool. And as I reduce the dose, I’m reassured to discover that the habits built over the past 14 years are still firmly in place. The tracking, the portion awareness, the calm decision-making — they’re mine. Not the medication’s.

That feels steady. Sustainable. Grown-up.

Maintenance, for someone with a TDEE as low as mine, will always require close attention. But this week has shown me that I can enjoy a special day out, a restaurant meal, even ice cream — and still remain in control.

Slowly lowering. Still steady. Still maintaining.

And that’s exactly where I want to be.

March has arrived at speed… but I feel ready for it.

Weight this week: 55.4kg (about 8st 10lb)
Last week: 55.7kg (about 8st 11lb)
Weekly loss:  0.3kg (about 1/4lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

Mounjaro Journey – Week 38 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Uncategorized

A good week — although it began with no heating. Not because the boiler had broken down, but because we were having a new “jumbo” radiator installed in our large open-plan kitchen/dining room. The room has never been properly warm. When we had our new sliding doors fitted last autumn, we removed two under-window radiators and knew we’d probably need to upgrade the heating.

In place of the old single-panel radiator, we now have a three-panel version which kicks out over twice as much heat as its predecessor. We’re already enjoying the difference.

On Tuesday I hosted a planning meeting for a local exhibition taking place this summer, showcasing images and written memories of the small green and parade of shops just around the corner from me — Christchurch Green. We have a modest amount of funding, so careful planning is needed: how it will look, how it will flow, and how we gather old photographs and memories from residents. We’re hoping to include recorded interviews and an online presence so more people can access and enjoy it. I’ve already received some lovely images and stories, which is encouraging.

Wednesday was a wardrobe-clearance day. My sister came to work with me and we whizzed through rails and drawers, removing clothes that are now two sizes too big. It’s a lovely feeling. I know better than to keep things “just in case”. My top half is now a size 14, down from a 16/18, thanks to losing 2 stone 7lb (15.7kg). Tangible progress.

Thursday brought an eyesight test. No surprise that I need a stronger prescription. I’ve ordered new glasses for computer work and another pair with Reactolite/anti-glare lenses to help with night driving and the early cataracts that are developing. Getting older is not for the faint-hearted — and it’s certainly not cheap.

I was wide awake at 4am on Friday and eventually gave up trying to sleep. I crept downstairs and got on with household chores as quietly as possible so as not to wake my partner. The day felt incredibly long, but I achieved a lot. I’m currently gearing up — alongside my sisters — to recruit a new part-time carer for Mum. We’ve decided to bring everything forward by two weeks, so I had to rejig interview dates, advertisement timings and tweak the documentation. We’re now poised to go live on 27th February with the aim of having someone in post by mid-April.

Meals this week have included spaghetti and meatballs; sticky beef mince with sweet potato wedges, hot honey and soured cream; katsu chicken and rice; trout fillet with vegetables and baby potatoes; and stewed apple with cinnamon topped with a flapjack crumble and custard.

On the Mounjaro front, I’m aiming for 5mg every five days, although my last dose worked out at 4.5mg because my “golden dose” was just short. I’m definitely noticing increased hunger and less appetite suppression. There’s a slightly strange part of me hanging on, hoping it will settle and I’ll be able to titrate down further — but it’s a delicate balance.

I’m at my lowest weight ever. I’m not trying to lose more, but I most certainly don’t want it creeping back up. Maintenance, it seems, requires just as much awareness as loss.

Perhaps this week has really been about recalibration. A bigger radiator to warm the space properly. Clearing out clothes that no longer fit the life — or body — I inhabit now. Adjusting prescriptions, adjusting plans, adjusting medication doses. None of it dramatic, all of it quietly necessary. Maintenance, whether of a home, a body, or a family support system, isn’t glamorous — but it is what keeps everything steady. And steady, at this stage of life, feels like a quiet kind of success.

 

Weight this week: 55.7kg (about 8st 11lb)
Last week: 55.4kg (about 8st 10lb)
Weekly gain:  0.3kg (about 1lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

The Art of Maintenance

flidfit Disability, Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Pain
March 2025 75kg (11st 11lbs)

There’s a quiet stage of life that doesn’t get celebrated very much.

It’s not the dramatic beginning.
It’s not the triumphant transformation.
It’s not the crisis.

It’s maintenance.

This week alone has been full of it. A new, larger radiator installed so the kitchen is properly warm. Clearing wardrobes of clothes that are now two sizes too big. Adjusting my glasses prescription. Tweaking medication doses. Bringing forward recruitment plans for Mum’s care. None of it headline-grabbing. All of it necessary.

For years, my life felt like it was about change. Losing weight. Recovering from injury. Adapting to mobility challenges. Learning how to live well in a body shaped by Thalidomide. Those were visible milestones. They felt measurable. Applaudable.

But maintenance is different.

Maintenance is choosing not to keep the size 18 “just in case.”
It’s planning meals because appetite suppression isn’t quite what it was.
It’s stretching daily, even when nothing hurts too much.
It’s booking the eyesight test before things become a problem.
It’s upgrading the radiator instead of just putting on another jumper.

Maintenance is a decision to stay steady.

With Mounjaro, the early months were about loss — weight coming down, food noise quietening, habits tightening into place. Now I’m at my lowest weight ever. I’m not trying to lose more, but I am determined not to drift backwards. That requires awareness. Planning. Honesty about increased hunger. A willingness to adjust rather than pretend nothing has changed.

Maintenance isn’t passive. It’s active stewardship.

The same applies to Mum’s care. To charity work. To relationships. To our home. Things don’t hold themselves together. They require small, often invisible inputs of energy. Quiet decisions made early enough to prevent bigger problems later.

There is a certain satisfaction in this stage. A maturity to it. I am no longer constantly reinventing myself. I am tending.

And tending, I’ve realised, is a skill.

It takes discipline to stay at a healthy weight.
It takes humility to ask for help when needed.
It takes foresight to recruit before there’s a crisis.
It takes confidence to throw out the clothes that no longer fit.

Maintenance may not look dramatic from the outside, but from where I’m standing, it feels like strength.

Steady doesn’t mean stagnant.
It means cared for.

And at this stage of my life, that feels like success.

Mounjaro Journey – Week 37 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Disability, Exercise, Mounjaro, Pain, Recipes, Travel & Holidays

A nice quiet week, ahead of what promises to be a busy one.

The most exciting event was a visit to our chiropractor. We tend to go every couple of months for a “maintenance” appointment. I first started seeing him just under five years ago after a fall on holiday in Majorca, when I tripped, fell forwards headlong to the ground, hitting my head on a wall on the way down.  Because of my shortened arms, I wasn’t able to break my fall properly and sustained a severe whiplash injury.

Immediately afterwards, I had no sensation in my legs and intense pins and needles in both arms — like shards of glass embedded in my hands. I was whisked off to hospital by ambulance. Unfortunately, unlike in the UK, there didn’t seem to be any assessment of neck pain or altered sensation. I suspect quite a bit was lost in translation, and perhaps the paramedics didn’t fully grasp that I had effectively head-butted a wall.

Thankfully, the fall happened right outside our hotel, and the receptionist — who spoke excellent English — came out to interpret for the paramedics.  I had to request that they fit a neck brace before they moved me, as at that point, I knew I’d damaged my neck and potentially my cervical spine.

I was x-rayed, told my neck was fine, and sent back to the hotel in a taxi. I was in excruciating pain and hadn’t been offered any pain relief. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol, and the following day, attended a different hospital where I was properly examined and given stronger medication. The remainder of the holiday was slightly marred by pain. On returning home, my GP advised me to go straight to hospital to rule out a possible bleed on the brain.

Thankfully, there wasn’t one.

That episode led me to our wonderful chiropractor, whom I’ve been seeing ever since. Treatment involves consultation, manipulation, exercises, traction machines, and six-monthly progress reviews with x-rays and posture imaging. The visits keep me relatively pain-free and have made me much more disciplined about daily neck stretches and limiting too much time at the computer. The staff are lovely too — we always feel genuinely welcomed.

It looks like an instrument of torture, but this neck traction became part of my regular routine for a while!

The weather this week has been rain, rain and more rain — until Saturday, when we were treated to bright blue skies and sunshine. It was bitterly cold though. The log burner has been on all day, most days, and turned down low overnight.

On the Mounjaro front, I’ve definitely noticed an increase in appetite and a drop in appetite suppression. I’m mindful not to let that derail my efforts. I plan my meals carefully so they’re ready to go, which prevents me from reaching that point of ravenous hunger where anything in sight seems appealing. The 5mg dose still takes the edge off, thankfully, but it’s a reminder that the habits I’ve built over the past decade really matter.

Cooking has been simple and satisfying. I made a delicious tomato soup using tomatoes from last year’s harvest — pulp that had been cooked and frozen. A small bowl is incredibly satiating. We’ve also had salads, prawn stir-fry, sticky beef stir-fry, and steak with mushrooms and onions.

I dusted off the bread maker and made a couple of malt loaves — far superior to anything from the supermarket. Once cooled, I slice and freeze them in two portions so we can enjoy them over several weeks. We took one over to Mike’s grandson’s family on Sunday, which was very well received.

A quiet week perhaps — but the kind that quietly reinforces routines, resilience, and gratitude.  Time to appreciate home-cooked food and my love of cooking!

Weight this week: 55.4kg (about 8st 10lb)
Last week: 56.1kg (about 8st 11.5lb)
Weekly loss:  0.5kg (about 1lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

Mounjaro Journey – Week 36 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Air Fryer, Eating Out, Eating Out, Mounjaro, Recipes , , ,

An industrious week. I’ve caught up with friends, chatted to an online group about my weight loss using Mounjaro, organised a small “team” to carry out a floor repair, and rounded things off with a nice dinner out and a bit of pie purchasing — because balance is a crucial part of life.

Talking about Mounjaro with people who have no experience of using it was interesting. Unsurprisingly, they wanted to hear about the reported side effects: gall bladder issues, pancreatitis, muscle loss, hair loss and even vision loss. As I tried to convey, these side effects are rare and are often linked to rapid weight loss rather than to the GLP-1 medication itself.

My own weight loss has been steady — around 500g to 1kg (1–2lb) a week — which is generally considered an ideal rate. I certainly haven’t experienced any of the more alarming side effects. Those I have had (tiredness and extreme thirst) were either short-lived or entirely manageable.

I do sometimes wonder why the media seems so focused on the negatives of GLP-1s. Presumably, headlines sell better than nuance. Among the GLP-1 users I interact with, the overwhelming narrative is positive — not just physically, but emotionally as well. People talk about enjoying appetite suppression, but more than that, the relief of being free from the constant food noise that used to dominate their thoughts.

On to my floor repair project.

As a Trustee for a charity, we’ve recently been given use of a neglected retail unit in a shopping mall until it’s repurposed (for apartments, I believe). The space is rent-free and we only pay utilities, so technically we could ignore the state of the floor — and the water dripping through the ceiling from the mall roof above. While I wasn’t prepared to investigate the roof leak (we’ve had a lot of rain recently), the floor felt like something we could tackle.

Previous tenants had ripped up joints between sections of laminate flooring, leaving a groove around 2cm wide and 1cm deep running almost the full length of the unit — about 25 metres in total. The charity staff had done their best to make the space welcoming, and that mattered because members of the public visit the unit for free NHS Health Checks and wellbeing support.

This is a partnership between the local health and voluntary sectors, aimed at people who are often harder to reach — those from different ethnic backgrounds, ex-military, ex-prisoners, people facing financial hardship. Alongside health checks, visitors can also get support with other aspects of life that impact their wellbeing.

The challenge was to create a repair that cost very little (there’s no budget) and would last until we eventually have to vacate the premises. I supplied the materials, tools, and food to keep morale high. My partner, my sister, and my personal assistant Sam worked solidly for five hours — with a break for a healthy lunch and a drink — and the results looked surprisingly good. Fingers crossed it holds up for the next three or four months.
The lunch out was in the company of two friends I’ve known — and kept in touch with — since secondary school, which always adds an extra layer of warmth to any meal. We ate at the Rising Sun, where I chose the pork escalope “schnitzel”, served with green beans, crème fraîche potatoes, brown butter, parsley and a lemon sauce. Once again, it was acceptable rather than amazing — perfectly fine, but not something I’d rush back for.

Thankfully, dessert redeemed the whole experience. A forced Yorkshire rhubarb crumble with rhubarb and elderflower ice cream was absolutely spot on, and as ever, the company was excellent — which really is the main event.

As we’d parked the car directly outside Sweeney & Todd’s Pie Shop,

it seemed positively churlish not to pop in and buy a few pies for the freezer. One pie will easily do both of us, so we chose three fillings between us: steak and ale, steak and mushroom, and lamb and mint.

The shop has been there forever. I distinctly remember visiting in my twenties — over forty years ago — and it hasn’t changed at all. But the pies are legendary, so why would it? Some things don’t need updating.

As for cooking this week, it’s been a good one: lovely trout fillets (so quick and easy they’ll definitely be repeated), blueberry air-fryer muffins (one bowl, 12 minutes), and a one-pan meal of red Thai curry chicken dumplings.

Video to follow.

Weight this week: 56.1kg (about 8st 11.5lb)
Last week: 55.9kg (about 8st 11.2lb)
Weekly loss/gain:  +0.2kg (about 0.25lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

Mounjaro Journey – Week 35 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Mounjaro, Recipes

This week has been all about experimenting in the kitchen and keeping things interesting. One highlight was a bavette steak marinated in tamarind and soy, loosely following a recipe by Nigella Lawson. It was quick, simple, and surprisingly good value – £5.50 for 300g of steak, which feels like a win given current beef prices. Bavette is a brilliant cut if you treat it kindly: flash pan fry in a really hot pan, a proper rest (around 10 minutes) and slicing finely against the grain make all the difference. The tamarind and soy not only help tenderise the meat but give it a deep, tangy savouriness that really delivers.  I served it alongside some “Vibes” (cross between chips and ridge cut crisps), firecracker chilli flavoured.

I also made a sticky spiced beef, adapted from the turkey mince recipe I shared a few weeks ago.

This time I added finely chopped red peppers and used oyster mushrooms, which worked beautifully and added extra texture and depth.

Alongside that, I batch-cooked three small chicken, leek and mushroom pies with puff pastry lids – perfect for low-effort and popped into the freezer to enjoy at a later date.  I love pie, but shop-bought ones are so calorific and usually very disappointing.  The pies worked out at 396 calories a portion and were packed with large chunks of tasty chicken thigh meat.

Looking ahead, this week’s planned meals include stir-fried vegetables in a Thai red curry tomato sauce with chickpeas and vegetable gyoza dumplings. I’ll share photos and verdicts once I’ve road-tested those.

On the Mounjaro front, I’m still on 5mg every five days, but I’m considering dropping slightly further to 4mg to see how that impacts my appetite suppression. I’ve also nudged my goal weight slightly down to 55kg (8st 9lb), giving myself a bit of breathing space and future flexibility – which, at this stage, feels like a sensible and kind move.

I’ve now cancelled my future monthly Mounjaro prescriptions. It does feel a little scary to take that step, but I also know I’m not jumping off a cliff without a parachute. I have two 10mg pens safely tucked away in the fridge, which should see me through the next four months, giving me time and space to taper gently, listen to my body, and build confidence in doing more of this under my own steam.

Weight this week: 56.2kg (about 8st 12lb)
Last week: 55.9kg (about 8st 12lb)
Weekly loss/gain:  +0.3kg (about 1/4 lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

Mounjaro Journey – Week 34 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Emotional well being, Healthy Swaps, Mounjaro, Recipes , , ,

My gradual reduction in my Mounjaro dose continues to go quietly and reassuringly well. I’m currently taking 5mg every five days and, so far, I’ve noticed no real drop in appetite suppression. I do get a small flicker of food noise in the late evenings, but I’m managing it — partly because I don’t keep snacks and nibbles in the house, and partly through a very conscious determination not to undo the good of a day’s thoughtful, nourishing choices. That feels like a small but meaningful shift in itself. And of course, I always have my faithful raspberry, chia seed and Greek yoghurt pudding to look forward to as my evening treat.

Last week we enjoyed a particularly lovely slow-cooker meal: a pork steak casserole. The pork steaks are marinated in a deeply flavoured mix of cumin, smoked paprika, olive oil, sriracha, chilli, fresh ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar and soy sauce, then slow-cooked until tender. As they cook, all those smoky, spicy, savoury flavours sink right into the meat. I added chopped mushrooms towards the end, along with a tin of black beans, letting them soak up all that flavour.  The recipe used to inspire this dish (which I adapted slightly) was this one:
BBQ Pork steaks in the Slow Cooker

Black beans are such a nutritional powerhouse. They’re an excellent source of plant protein, which supports muscle and tissue repair and, especially for those of us thinking about weight maintenance with GLP-1s, helps keep you feeling fuller for longer. When paired with meat, they provide a beautifully balanced amino-acid profile, making the whole meal more satisfying and nutritionally complete. They’re also very high in fibre, both soluble and insoluble, which supports digestion, feeds healthy gut bacteria, helps regulate blood sugar and slows the absorption of carbohydrates — meaning fewer energy dips and less hunger between meals. That steady, gentle digestion is particularly helpful when appetite is suppressed. On top of that, they provide magnesium, potassium and iron for energy, muscle and heart health, along with folate for cell renewal and zinc for immunity. Add in their polyphenols and antioxidants, and their naturally low glycaemic load, and it’s hard not to love them. I’ve already ordered another two tins in this week’s shop.

This is exactly the kind of food I want in my life now — not diet food, not deprivation, just deeply satisfying, nourishing meals that support the long game of maintenance and feeling well in my own body.

In other news, I treated myself to some new body scales.  These link to an App, which also appears to link to my Shotsy App which is handy.  I hop on every morning first thing and my weight is automatically entered into the App.  It’s this Renpho set

They also measure BMI, body fat, skeletal muscle, fat free masssubcutaneous fat, visceral fat, body water, muscle mass, bone mass, protein, BMR, and give me a metabolic age.  Not very impressed that my metabolic age is 67 (I’m 63)! I’m not particularly bothered by any of these figures. That’s not denial, it’s discernment. I understand my own body after living in it for 63 years and caring for it with discipline for 14.

What’s planned for this week? Another quiet week with plenty of time to cook and experiment in the kitchen.

Weight this week: 55.9kg (approx. 8st 12lb)
Last week: 56.8kg (about 8st 13lb)
Weekly loss:  0.9kg (about 1lb)
Goal weight: 57kg (about 8st 13lb) (-1.9kg / -2lb)