Eating Out

Mounjaro Journey (Maintenance) – Week 50 (3.25 every 5 days)

flidfit Eating Out, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose

It’s been a very busy — but productive — week here.

On Monday morning, we made a trip to Bournemouth Airport to drop somebody off for a flight, but took the opportunity afterwards to visit nearby Mudeford, a small fishing quay on a river estuary, for a fish and chip lunch.

Although it was quite cold, it stayed dry and there was plenty going on to watch — fishermen, crabbers, a fresh fish stall doing brisk business, lots of dog walkers, and even some hardy people swimming in the sea!

We drove back home through the New Forest, where the ponies were out in force and the rhododendrons were looking absolutely beautiful in full flower. Best of all, we somehow managed to avoid any traffic hold-ups, which made the whole day feel pretty perfect.

It was a really lovely way to start the week.

One of the main things I’ve been working on recently, has been helping to plan and preparr an exhibition taking place at the start of June. The theme is a celebration of Christchurch Green — a small area close to where I live, centred around its much-loved parade of shops.

A huge amount of work has gone into it behind the scenes. We’ve been sorting through old photographs, newspaper cuttings and written memories that local people have shared with us, trying to curate everything into something that tells the story of the area and the people connected to it over many decades. It’s been fascinating, but also incredibly time-consuming, especially with looming deadlines to get everything over to the designer by Friday.

There was a lot of last-minute rejigging and, sadly, a few of my social plans had to be cancelled along the way. Still, it feels worthwhile seeing it all gradually come together. Once everything is live and available, I’ll share a link.

Over the weekend, we also spent two days enjoying the centenary celebrations for the University of Reading, which is practically on our doorstep.

Saturday was a big community festival. It was my first time attending – because in previous years I’ve always been away when it’s taken place. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The atmosphere was fantastic, with so many activities and organisations involved — drum workshops, circus skills, a children’s cycling course, live music, food stalls and countless community groups showcasing the support and services they offer locally. It was lovely to see so many people out in force to enjoy the event. I was there for well over four hours and could easily have stayed longer, although by late afternoon the temperature had dropped dramatically and I came home absolutely freezing!

Sunday couldn’t have been more different. The weather was beautiful — blue skies, sunshine and warm. We walked into town to watch the revived Rag Parade, originally organised by students around 50 years ago and brought back specially for the centenary celebrations. It was lovely seeing the procession make its way through the town centre before finishing in Forbury Gardens.

We took a packed lunch — something I was extremely grateful for after seeing the queues and prices at the food stalls! We spent several hours relaxing in the sunshine, watching Ukrainian dancers, listening to a steel band and chatting to all sorts of lovely people. One particularly moving conversation was with a young Afghan refugee who has lived in the UK for the past five years. He was only 23, yet shared with us the unimaginable atrocities he’d witnessed, losing members of his family and his experiences of coming to the UK five years previously. It was deeply humbling listening to his story and he has, and still is, making great progress in educating himself and becoming a fine young man.

You may recall the horrors of the knife attack which took place in the Forbury Gardens in June 2020, when three men lost their lives. One couldn’t help but recall the awful horror of what happened as families innocently enjoyed the day – just as we were.

I honestly can’t remember the last time I packed quite so much into a single weekend, but it was wonderful to spend so much time outdoors, to bump into friends and neighbours and to feel part of the community around me.

I’ve been enjoying some amazing salads this week — honestly, I could never get bored of salad!

Over the course of this week, I’m planning to share a couple of salad ideas and recipes, so watch this space.

For me, the perfect salad is all about variety, colour, flavour and texture — and when you can create something really satisfying without too many calories, even better!

We’ve also been enjoying regular visits from a small vixen who is clearly nursing cubs somewhere nearby.

On Saturday morning, we woke up to find her curled up asleep on the lawn, which was rather special. Poor thing looks absolutely shattered, so we’ve been leaving food out for her each evening, and she’s been returning to carry huge mouthfuls back to the den.

She’s obviously at the stage of trying to wean the cubs, and I can only imagine how exhausting it must be trying to feed both herself and a hungry family at the same time. Nature can be both beautiful and incredibly hard work!

Food-wise, I’ve been doing my best, although with such a hectic schedule, fish and chips and ice cream – it hasn’t been the easiest week. Weight-wise… here are my scores!

Weight this week: 54.7kg (8st 8lbs)
Last week: 55.15kg (about 8st 9.5lbs)
Weekly loss/gain: -0.5kg (1.1lbs)
100% – 3 months, 5 days in weight maintenance range (54-56kg or 8st 8lb – 8st 11lbs)

Mounjaro Journey (Maintenance) – Week 46 (3.5mg every 5 days)

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Sorry, not very many pictures this week, I’m slacking!  I don’t really like photographing meals when dining out or when we have company…

We’ve just returned from a lovely weekend away in Loughborough, where we attended the annual Thalidomide Society AGM and conference.

This year’s event was held at Burleigh Court Conference Centre, set within the beautiful grounds of Loughborough University. Before heading to the conference, we made a little detour to visit a friend who lives nearby. It was such a lovely way to break up the journey — a cup of tea, a wander around her garden, and the chance to catch up properly. It had been years since I’d last seen her daughters, who are now all grown up, and it was especially nice for Mike to meet her for the first time.

The conference itself, as always, was both interesting and reassuring. There’s something quite special about being in a room full of people who share similar life experiences. It’s a chance to reconnect, hear how everyone is doing, and swap snippets of family news that you just don’t get in day-to-day life.

That said… the hotel stay was a little more “memorable” than restful.

Our room was comfortable enough, though compact – and the bed was a double — but not the king-size we’re used to at home.  The mattress was just a little too firm.  The real challenge, though, was the duvet. It was incredibly heavy and far too warm. Add to that the steady soundtrack of doors slamming closed and voices echoing along the corridors, and sleep didn’t come easily.

I’m still taking things gently following my recent fall, and Mike had been up since 5 am, so we were both more than ready for an early night. Unfortunately, a good night’s sleep had other ideas. I battled on under the duvet for as long as I could before finally admitting defeat sometime around 2 am. In the end, I swapped it out for a rather makeshift combination of a bath towel and my jacket — not exactly luxury, but infinitely more bearable!

Needless to say, I wasn’t feeling my best the following morning.

Thankfully, the hotel staff came to the rescue and provided us with two single duvets for the second night, which made all the difference. We both slept so much better — proof, if ever it were needed, that sometimes it’s the simplest things that matter most.

On the food front, it’s been a week of simple, fresh, and very satisfying meals. Earlier in the week, I’d prepared a spread for a friend visiting for lunch — lots of fresh salads alongside a delicious savoury cake made with grated courgette, feta, peas, and mint. It’s one of those dishes that feels both light and indulgent at the same time.  It’s also very filling and to be honest, we didn’t need much more for our evening meal.

For our journey up on Friday, I’d put together some pitta breads filled with coronation chicken, which turned out to be the perfect travel food. We pulled into a service station en route, made use of the facilities, and then sat in the car enjoying a late lunch in the warmth of the sunshine — one of those simple little moments that somehow feels just right.

All in all, a weekend of connection, conversation, and (eventually) a bit of sleep — and now, back home, where my own bed has never felt more inviting.

In terms of my Mounjaro dosage, I’ve reduced it again slightly — down by 0.25mg — so I’m now taking 3.5mg every five days.

So far, it’s been a smooth adjustment. I haven’t felt particularly hungry, which is always reassuring when making a reduction. That said, I was quite mindful over the weekend that lunch options at the conference were likely to be more carb-heavy (and I wasn’t wrong — sandwiches featured quite prominently!). With that in mind, I made a conscious decision to enjoy a more substantial (cooked) breakfast, and it paid off.

On Sunday, before setting off for the drive home, I treated myself once again to a proper cooked breakfast, included with our accommodation. Not being a regular breakfast eater, a cooked breakfast always feels like a bit of a luxury — and even more so when it’s prepared by someone else. It kept me going comfortably all the way through until our evening meal. Moments like that really do remind me how helpful it is to plan ahead and work with my appetite, rather than against it.

Weight-wise, I fully expected the scales to creep up a little on Monday. A weekend spent mostly sitting — whether in conference sessions or in the car — combined with a touch more indulgence than usual, would normally point in that direction. Less movement, different food choices… it all adds up.

As always, the scales tell their own story… and these are the results. I really am not too concerned with the gain as I know it is the result of my weekends overindulgence. I’m confident most (if not all) of it will be gone by next weeks post.

Weight this week: 55.85kg (about 8st 11lb)
Last week: 54.75kg (about 8st 8½lb)
Weekly loss/gain:  +1kg (about 2½lb)

100% – 2 months, 9 days in weight maintenance range (54-56kg or 8st 7lb – 8st 11lb)

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

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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

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)

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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 36 (5mg every 5 days)

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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 32 (7.5mg every 5 days)

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I did it. I reached my goal weight.  It’s taken me just over 7 months (32 weeks) but I did it!

And if I’m being completely honest, it felt a little underwhelming.

Not disappointing — just quieter than I expected. No fireworks, no sudden sense of arrival. Just a number on the scale and the realisation that life carries on much the same as before.

That in itself has been an important insight. For so long, the focus has been on “getting there”, as though everything would somehow feel different once I arrived. Instead, it’s made me think more about what happens next and how I want this to feel long term. I’ve decided to lower my target weight slightly and aim to lose a further couple of kilos, not as a push for perfection, but to give myself some breathing space and flexibility as my body settles.

I don’t have any immediate plans to reduce my Mounjaro dosage, but I’m confident that will happen in the coming weeks and months. There’s no rush. Right now, this feels like a period of consolidation rather than change.

It’s been a good, steady week. Things have returned to their usual rhythm, and I’ve had the headspace to catch up on all the small jobs that get pushed aside with Christmas and New Year. I even found comfort in simple, practical routines — cooking a large lasagne and portioning it up for the freezer (six portions) felt quietly satisfying.

Less about control, more about care.

I’ve been spending some time sketching out outline plans for a series of YouTube videos — a way to share the behaviours and changes I’ve gradually incorporated into my life over the last 14 years that have made my weight loss not only possible but sustainable. When I step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s quite astonishing. Since starting my journey in February 2012, I’ve now lost a total of 5 stone. I currently weigh just under nine stone, and for the first time in my life, I’m in the “8’s”.

What feels even more significant than the number is how I’m living now. I’m eating more healthily than ever, genuinely enjoying my daily exercise, and — thanks to Mounjaro — I’m able to focus on nutrition rather than being consumed by calories. That mental shift has been quietly transformative.

I’m creating outlines for about 10–15 short videos, each covering a different aspect of weight loss and the importance of mindset for long-term success. Topics include why medication isn’t enough, developing a maintenance mindset early, managing emotional eating, making healthy habits enjoyable, exercise, portion control, setting realistic expectations, and food planning. This process has highlighted how much I’ve learned and how my perspective on weight loss has evolved.

One thing that’s become very clear is that I am my own greatest cheerleader — although “sergeant major” might be a more accurate description. I do hold myself to account, but not in a harsh or performative way. It’s all internal. A quiet but firm reminder that I do these things because they help me feel better, stay healthier, and preserve my independence as I grow older.

This week includes a few social commitments: a lunchtime meal out with two close friends; an evening meeting I’m hosting where wine is usually involved — although those who would usually partake have already sent their apologies, so I’ll declare it a “Dry January” evening, with non-alcoholic drinks and a few nibbles instead; and later in the week, a social dinner with fellow trustees from the charity I’m involved with.  I’m really looking forward to that, as meetings usually don’t offer us much of an opportunity to chat with one another.

These are all situations that once would have felt slightly daunting, but now feel manageable and enjoyable.

I’m in the process of putting together a new YouTube video to share a lovely “Apple, oat and cottage cheese mug cake” (I’ll link here once it’s up), 270 calories and 16.2g of protein.  Lovely and filling, plus very tasty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And with that, here’s my weight loss report for the week.

Weight this week: 56.8kg (about 8st 13lbs)
Last week: 57.4kg (about 9st)
Loss: 0.6kg (about 1.3 pounds)
Goal weight: 57kg (+200g)

Mounjaro Journey – Weeks 28 & 29 (7.5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Eating Out, Mounjaro, Travel, Travel & Holidays

I’m back from my Winter sunshine break feeling very refreshed, relaxed, bronzed… and a little heavier!

As I explained, I didn’t expect to be able to continue losing weight whilst away from my routine of logging all my food, counting all my calories, and unable to do my 45-minute exercise routine. Plus, I am much (much) less active on holiday, being away from the household routine, enjoying sitting in the sunshine and reading my book.

I was also sleeping really well, usually 7-8 hours a night. The beds were comfortable, and it was very peaceful. Plus, we were opposite a piano bar that played live piano music each evening – very relaxing and conducive to sleep.

During the first week, my partner (Mike) was quite poorly, quite possibly man flu.  He spent most of the day and night coughing and spluttering, feeling quite under the weather and exhausted much of the time.  Whilst he coughed and spluttered, I sat in the sun on our sun terrace and enjoyed the sunshine and my Kindle.

We also experienced Storm Emilia, which brought torrential rain, high winds and huge waves to Puerto Mogan and Gran Canaria. Being on the sheltered south side of the island, we definitely got off lightly.  We had a whole day of torrential rain.  I occupied myself brushing up on my video editing skills!

The north of the island experienced high tides and floods. Tenerife even got snowfall in the Teide National Park and had to get their snow plough out! I was very surprised to learn they had one on the island.

Once Mike was fully recovered, we were back to enjoying evening meals out, the odd glass of alcohol (you should see the size of their gin measures!) and more sunshine.

The Mounjaro definitely made a difference. I was often unable to finish my plate of food. For the first week, not a single drop of alcohol passed my lips, and there was no snacking.

I always skip breakfast, lunches were self-catered (meats, tinned tuna, local cheese, pickles, tomato, salad, avocado and freshly baked bread. Dinner was taken at one of the local restaurants.

The first week I collected us takeaway foods – a Chinese and an Indian meal. But to be honest, the meals I enjoyed the most were the lunches taken at our apartment in the sunshine.

I had taken my Mounjaro pen with me and was taking a 7.5mg shot every 5 days. I weighed myself the first morning after my return and….. no surprise, there was a gain of 2kg (around 4lbs). I can take that!

A holiday like this in the past would have looked very different. Evenings would usually involve half-litre jugs of sangria, daily ice creams or desserts, and plenty of evening snacking on turrón and crisps. Two weeks away typically meant returning home 7–9lbs heavier. This trip felt a million miles away from that. The difference wasn’t about restriction or willpower — it was about genuinely different habits, a calmer relationship with food, and feeling in control without feeling deprived.

As from today, I’m straight back to logging food and calorie counting and sticking to my calorie deficit. I am confident that by Friday’s official weigh in, most of that 2kg will be gone.

Weight this week: 59.7kg (about 9st 5½lbs)

Two weeks ago, 57.7kgkg (about 9st 1lbs)

Gain: 2kg (about 4½ pounds)

To goal weight: 2.7kg (about 6lbs)

Mounjaro Journey, 27 weeks, 7.5mg

flidfit Eating Out, Mounjaro, Recipes
Peurto Mogan, Gran Canaria
Peurto Mogan, Gran Canaria
Playa Puerto Mogan, Gran Canaria

I’m writing this from sunny Gran Canaria, soaking up a bit of warmth and relaxation… not trying to make you jealous or anything. Well, maybe just a tiny bit.

Travelling with my Mounjaro from the UK was completely hassle-free. I packed it in a small insulated travel pouch with a couple of mini ice packs, kept my prescription letter handy just in case, and breezed straight through customs. I didn’t even have to take the pouch out of my hand luggage. Just a quick word of advice if you’re planning to fly with Mounjaro: don’t put your pen in the hold where it can freeze. Keep it in your carry-on instead so the temperature stays stable.

I’ve taken two injections of 7.5 mg so far on this trip, five days apart, and I’m doing my best to keep my eating sensible. We’ve got cooking facilities and a fridge in our room, so we’ve been mostly self-catering and enjoying the gorgeous local produce — bananas, avocados, oranges, cheese. I even treated myself to some white asparagus spears and a jar of beetroot to brighten up my salad plates.

No alcohol so far (five days in!), apart from the single glass of Prosecco we had on arrival at the hotel.

Enjoying our meals in the sunshine on our terrace
Locally grown, perfectly ripe avocado
White asparagus spears and beetroot
Tuna, fresh tomatoes and cucumber
Manchego cheese and ham salad
Ham and tomato salad with fresh baguette
Vegetable noodles and crispy Szechuan beef

I’m under no illusion that I will come home a little heavier — I can’t track my numbers properly while I’m here — but my plan is simply to enjoy the holiday without going overboard on food or drink.

I’m far less active out here, as I’m moving around less and using my wheelchair more. That said, I’m making a point of spending a little time each day doing some gentle stretches and mindfulness, usually while listening to relaxing music in the sunshine. It’s been a lovely way to unwind and stay connected to my body without pushing myself. That’s the main purpose of this holiday after all.

And honestly? I’m thoroughly enjoying the break from meal-planning, cooking…. and the British weather.

Mounjaro Journey, 26 weeks, 7.5mg

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Mounjaro, Recipes

Yay! The correctly sized glazed units finally arrived and were fitted into the sliding doors, and we’ve finally got our view back into the garden. It feels so good to see outside again after weeks of looking at wooden panels. We then spent the next few days dusting, vacuuming and clearing the last of the building-work debris, before moving all the furniture, houseplants, lamps and ornaments back to where they lived before the chaos started. The house finally feels like home again.

Enjoying our lovely view out to the garden.

Just one meal out this week, taking Mum to meet her nursing friends. I was delighted to see “light bite” options on the menu – including fish and chips! I never choose it normally because portions are usually enormous, but this was absolutely perfect and came with peas and homemade tartar sauce. I swerved the desserts and enjoyed a cappuccino instead. Mum had a lovely time, and the journey there and back was easy in the winter sunshine.

It’s been a slightly frantic week, juggling a lot of time-critical tasks, the main one being sorting staffing payroll for November and December. As I’m off on holiday for two weeks and not back until 22nd December, I wanted everything set up and scheduled before we go. I also needed to find time to complete the second edition of my “13-Year Weight Loss Journey”, which took a fair few hours of editing, but it’s now done. Please do take a look and let me know what you think – I really appreciate the feedback.

Slow Cooker Camp Fire Stew

I’ve also managed to put together two cooking videos this week: a Slow Cooker Camp Fire Stew and High Protein Blueberry and Cottage Cheese Pancakes. The pancakes didn’t look perfect, but they tasted very good and kept me feeling full until dinner time, so that’s a win in my book.

We’re off on our winter sunshine holiday soon and I really can’t wait – both for the warmth and to see how Mounjaro works for me when I’m away from my usual routines and environment. It’s going to be interesting!

Weight this week:  58kg (about 9st 2lbs) Last week 58.3kg (about 9st 2½lbs)

Loss:  300g (about ½ pound)

To goal: 1kg (about 2lbs)

Weight loss over the past 6 months (whilst using Mounjaro)