Since my journey with Mounjaro started on 2nd June 2025, I have lost a total of 5kg, just over 11lb (for those of you who are still imperial!)  I’m more than happy with that.

As per my Blog post last Monday, I was getting a little disheartened by the fact that I had hit a bit of a plateau, bobbing up and down 100g each way.  But I trusted in the process and I was rewarded with the loss I’d been working hard to achieve, just over a kilogram in a week (2lbs).  I continue to weigh and log everything that I eat and drink,  maintaining a calorie deficit.  A 3,000-calorie deficit should result in a 1lb weight loss.

This week, for the first time since I started on my Mounjaro journey, I experienced being properly hungry.  I don’t eat breakfast, and usually eat my lunch around 1-2 pm.  On this particular occasion, we’d left the house early to visit a garden centre.  1 pm came and went, I had a cappuccino in the cafe – but half an hour later, I was hit by a proper feeling of hunger.  I needed to get home and eat!  Thankfully, once home, lunch was swiftly in front of me (a salad), which I had prepped in the morning before we’d set off.

The feeling of proper hunger wasn’t one I’ve experienced in many weeks!  It demonstrated how beneficial the appetite suppression provided by Mounjaro is to my success or failure.  Lesson learned, if there is any chance my lunchtime may be delayed, I’ll take a quick protein snack out with me.

This is my final week on the 5ml dosage.  I am expecting my delivery of a 7.5ml which I’ll be using for the next four weeks.  It’ll be interesting to see how my body tolerates it.  So far, I’ve been free of any side effects, and the appetite suppression and reduction in “food noise” have been working well for me.  Some people on Mounjaro claim to feel no hunger at all – others even say they feel sick at the thought of food.  This hasn’t been my experience, thankfully.  I’m still enjoying a healthy relationship with my food, just reducing the size of my portions and ensuring I include plenty of protein.

This week has been quite strange in that my weight has plateaued. It didn’t go up or down; it stayed within 100 grams. 100 grams up, 100 grams down, stayed the same.  Repeat.  I lie, it did go down from 67.9kg to 67.6kg (300g) – just under a pound.

Since I weigh and log everything meticulously, I know I have been eating at a calorie deficit. I’m under my calorie limit by around 3,000 calories, which should typically result in a loss of about 1 pound (0.5 kg).

I’m not disheartened—having read several posts about others experiencing plateaus on 5mg, I’ve learned that this is a common occurrence. The main takeaway for me was to “trust the process.” I haven’t changed anything about my routine.  And 300grams is over the weight of a pack of butter.

In the early weeks, the body is adjusting, and I’m committed to persevering, just as I have for the past 13 years. I have to believe that things will start to move again soon.

In the meantime, I’ve been making courgette and cheese waffles, which consist of grated courgette, chopped onion, grated cheese, oats, and eggs. I can only manage half a waffle at a time, but they are both tasty and filling, just 157 calories for a whole waffle. I also had success with a courgette, lime, and pistachio cake. I cut and freeze it as soon as it cools, allowing me to enjoy a piece whenever I want. I’ve logged all my recipes, so I’m aware of the calories in each serving (214 calories for a slice of the cake).

Looking ahead, I have a fish and seafood week planned, featuring octopus, scallops, sea bass, and salmon—though not all at once!  Seafood and fish are great choices because they are high in protein and lower in calories.  And what’s more, I love them!

Hopefully we’ll see some movement on the scales by the time I check in next Monday….  In the meantime, my third weekly shot of 5mg of Mounjaro is due at lunchtime.

 

We all see and read in the media the stories of those individuals who have lost many stones/kilos whilst on their Mounjaro journey.  For me, Mounjaro is just another chapter in my weight loss journey which has been taken place over the past 13 years.

My aim is to lose 28lb (2 stone, or 15kg) to get back to my goal.  I’m more than happy with losing my weight at a slower pace, which appears to be an average of 1lb (500g) a week.  That suits me.  I’m already a quarter of the way there!

I’ve not needed to change what I eat or the quantities completely.  I don’t need to work on my relationship with food.  But for once, eating within my low-calorie allowance doesn’t leave me hungry and constantly thinking about food.  This will only resonate with you if, like me, you have a long-term weight issue.

The move up to the 5mg weekly dosage of Mounjaro has most definitely made a difference — most noticeably, in my appetite. It’s as if someone hit the “mute” button on my hunger cues. Subtle, but powerful.

It took a day or two to recalibrate. My first meal post-dose was smaller than usual, but even that left me feeling stuffed. Not just full… overly so. So, for my next meal, I reduced my portion size again. The plate looked tiny — positively bijou — but once I cleared it, I felt pleasantly full. Not bloated, not craving more.

Still, no snacking between meals, save for a slice of homemade gooseberry and orange cake (which I logged, of course, and was included within my daily calorie allowance).

Social Eating—The Curveball

This week also threw me my first social eating challenge: a neighbour’s 70th birthday celebration. My other half had been the one to get the (verbal) invitation. He remembered the time, date, and location — the garden just behind ours — but had missed one crucial detail: it was a lunch invitation.

So, as usual, we had lunch at 12:30. When we arrived at 2 pm, we were greeted by… a buffet. Surprise, second lunch! Luckily, it was a buffet, so I could choose wisely: poached salmon, some kidney bean salad, and a generous portion of rocket. Plenty of tempting options, but my small plate suited me perfectly.

Alcohol was flowing — freely and constantly. The host and hostess were clearly on a mission to keep everyone’s glass full. I managed to nurse a single flute of prosecco over five hours… It was flat and warm by the end, but mission accomplished. I also made sure I had a steady supply of tap water throughout.

Then came the desserts.

I couldn’t resist a portion of homemade trifle—though this wasn’t your standard jelly-and-custard affair. Think Amaretti chocolate chip biscuits soaked in Cointreau, strawberries, gooseberries, custard, and cream. Decadent and delicious. As for the chocolate birthday cake? Not usually my thing, but I did sneak a bite from my OH’s plate. One bite was plenty — rich and very chocolatey. He instantly regretted his massive slice but soldiered through like a champ.

Looking Ahead: Dining Out

Next week brings another social test — a pub lunch with friends. It’s a familiar spot with a varied menu, but I’m unsure how I’ll manage portion-wise. I’m considering ordering from the children’s menu. Maybe a beefburger, ask them to leave off the chips and give me extra salad. I do struggle with paying over £10 for a meal I know I’ll only eat a fraction of.  Getting together with friends is more important than the food element of the get-together.

I’m also on the fence about whether to share that I’m on Mounjaro with the friends I’m meeting. For now, I’m leaning toward keeping it to myself.  Except that I am posting about it here on my Blog – a very public space!  I don’t think they’ve found me here yet…..

 

I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are low in calories, offer a healthy balance of ingredients and – most importantly- taste delicious!  Anything that only requires one pot also wins my vote.

I’ve recently discovered Bold Beans and these beans have changed my opinion of butterbeans!  These come in a jar in the bean stock.  They also contain no sodium metabisulphite or other additives and are a little more expensive, but far cheaper than meat or fish!

I’ve decided to serve this alongside grilled Cumberland chipolatas.

 

Butterbean and Kale Stew – 150 calories per portion

 

Preparation Time:           30 mins

Cooking Time:                  30 mins

Serves:                                6

Calories per serving:        150

 

Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil                                      – 10ml

Brown Onions, Raw                                         – 100g

Carrots                                                                – 70g

Crushed frozen Garlic                                     – ½ Block cube /9g

Butter Beans, Queen, Bold Bean Co            – 1 Jar/570g

Smoked Paprika                                              – 1½ Tsps/7.5g

Ground Cumin                                                – 1 Tsp/5g

Dried Chilli Flakes                                         – 1 Tsp/3g

Tomato Puree                                                  – 1 Tbsp/15g

Cavolo Nero Cabbage                                    – ¾ Bag/150g

Lemon Juice                                                   – 2 Tsps/10ml

Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice         – 1 Can/400g

 

Preparation:

Peel and finely dice the onion and the carrot.  Thoroughly wash the Cavolo Nero, cut out the centre stalks and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Instructions:

Heat oil in a large pan, then add the onion and carrot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, before adding the minced garlic and cooking for another minute or two.

Add the tomato paste and seasonings, cooking them for a minute or two to release the flavours.

Add the chopped tomatoes, butter beans, and stock from the beans, stir everything together and then leave to simmer for 10 – 15 minutes.

Tip in the chopped kale and squeeze over the lemon juice, and then stir the kale into the butter bean stew until it’s wilted down.  It might speed things up if you place the lid on the pan at this point.

Remove the pan from the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Finish off the stew with a garnish of fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, more lemon juice, and a glug of extra virgin olive oil.