Starting Mounjaro: My Honest but Hopefully Helpful Diary

Like a lot of people, I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my adult life. It’s been a cycle of losing, gaining, feeling good for a while, then slipping back into old habits. In the last few years, things have got worse, and I’ve put on quite a bit of weight… Just over three stone to be precise.

Back in 2020, during lockdown, I managed to lose just over two stone, going from around 14 to just over 12. At that time, I felt incredible. I had more energy, I liked how I looked in photos, and I was finally starting to feel comfortable in my own skin. Unfortunately, life got stressful again. Work, family things, and the general chaos of the post-lockdown years slowly pushed me back into comfort eating and late-night snacks. Before I knew it, I had gained back everything I’d lost, and a bit more besides.

Wanting to lose weight isn’t just about vanity or how I look in clothes (though, I will admit, that is part of it). Lately, I’ve felt awful both physically and mentally. I’m always tired, my sleep isn’t great, I avoid mirrors, and I hate having my picture taken. My confidence has taken a hit, and even simple things like getting dressed in the morning can feel so disheartening. I know I’m not alone in how I feel, but that doesn’t make it any easier to live with.

So, I’ve decided it’s time to make a real change again, but this time I want it to stick. Over the years, I’ve tried pretty much everything you can imagine. Calorie counting. Cabbage soup. Slimming World. Keto. Every single one has worked for a while, and then, slowly but surely, the results fade away. Something always pulls me back into old patterns, whether it’s lack of progress, loss of focus, stress, or a combination of the three.

Since joining Elite Meds, I’ve learned so much about the world of prescription and pharmacy medicines, including the so-called “skinny jabs” like Wegovy and Mounjaro. I’ll be completely honest: before working here, I thought they were just another passing fad. You know the sort of thing I’m talking about, those products that promise miracles and deliver nothing but disappointment (and most of the time, massive credit card bills). I was convinced they were just expensive gimmicks dressed up as science.

But as I’ve learned more about how these medicines actually work and spoken with people who’ve had genuine success, my opinion has shifted. Mounjaro isn’t some magic wand that’ll turn you into Margot Robbie overnight, but the science behind it is real. It helps regulate appetite by mimicking natural hormones that signal how full you feel after eating. When used correctly and in combination with lifestyle changes, it can be a powerful tool for weight management.

After seeing so many positive results, I decided that maybe it was time to stop being sceptical and give it a try myself. I thought, if nothing else, I could share my honest experience here (the good, the bad, and the ugly) to help anyone else who’s curious about what it’s actually like to start Mounjaro.

So, let’s dive right in, shall we?

Day Zero: The Consultation and the Final Pizza

Day Zero was my last day before starting. I had a consultation with one of our pharmacists at Elite Meds, during which we discussed my goals, medical history, and whether Mounjaro was right for me. We also discussed the possible side effects, which, if I’m being honest, did make me a bit nervous.

Some of the more common ones include nausea, constipation, and tiredness, none of which sound pleasant, but they’re generally mild and manageable for most people. There are also a few rarer but more serious risks, such as pancreatitis, which is something that definitely made me stop and think. In the end, though, I reminded myself that I’m (relatively) young and in pretty good health, all medicines have potential side effects, and I’d be monitored along the way.

After deciding to go ahead, I was prescribed the 2.5mg starter pen, which came with a box of needles and a sharps bin for safe disposal. Holding the box in my hands felt strangely momentous, like the start of something big. Is this how runners feel when they start a marathon? I don’t know, and being totally transparent, I probably never will.

Then, naturally, I did what almost everyone does before starting a new diet. I ordered a big old pizza (stuffed crust, of course) and opened a bottle of wine. After all, I probably won’t get the chance for a while…

Day One: My First Jab

The next morning, it was time for the first dose, and I’ve got to admit, I was pretty nervous. I’ve never had to inject myself with anything before. I’m not scared of needles at all (the myriad tattoos and piercings are probably proof of that), but it’s really quite different when you’re the one holding the needle.

Thankfully, the needles that come with the Mounjaro pen are absolutely tiny, less than a millimetre thick, and the process itself is surprisingly straightforward once you’ve seen it done. I watched a YouTube tutorial that explained it step-by-step, and within five minutes, I was ready to go.

Here’s what I did:

I washed my hands, cleaned the injection site (my thigh) with an alcohol wipe, attached the needle, primed the pen, turned the dial until a “1” appeared in the window, pressed the pen against my skin, and pushed the button to inject. That was it. The needle was so small I barely felt a light scratch, and once I was done, I safely removed it and popped it into my sharps bin.

All in all, it was much easier and less scary than I expected.

As I’m writing this, it’s nearly lunchtime on my first day. Breakfast was an Actimel drink, some fruit and nuts, and a cup of tea with skimmed milk. Usually, I’d be starving by now, but I actually feel okay. I’m not sure if that’s the jab working already or just me psyching myself out, but either way, I’ll take it.

Side effects so far: none worth mentioning. I feel slightly queasy, but I also get acid reflux sometimes, so that’s not unusual. I’m also a bit sleepy, although to be honest, that’s also pretty standard for me as the end of the week draws near.

So far, so good.

What Happens Next

I plan to keep updating this blog every few days with how I’m getting on, and I want to be completely honest about what it’s really like to be on Mounjaro, not just the highlights. If I lose a few pounds, then great. But if I don’t, that’s part of the story too, and it’s important for me to share it.

Right now, I feel cautiously optimistic. I know Mounjaro isn’t a quick fix. It’s not going to melt the weight away while I sit around and eat crisps on the sofa. It’s a tool that helps you manage your appetite and build better habits, and that’s precisely what I’m hoping for. I’ve spent so long feeling like my appetite was in charge of me, so I’m really hoping this helps me take back some control.

However, I’m also trying to be realistic. I know I’ll probably have off days. I’ll miss takeaways. I’ll definitely miss wine. And I’ll probably get frustrated if I’m not losing weight as quickly as I’d like to. But if I can stay consistent, even when progress feels slow, I’ll count that as a win.

Why I’m Sharing This

I decided to write about this journey partly to keep myself accountable and partly because there’s so much misinformation out there about these injections. When I first started learning about them, I saw many people calling them dangerous or fake, and others treating them like a miracle cure. The truth, like most things, is somewhere in the middle.

If my experience helps even one person feel a bit less confused or overwhelmed, it’ll be worth sharing. And if it helps someone feel a little less alone in their struggle with weight, even better.

Final Thoughts for Now

So that’s where I’m at on Day One. I’ve got my pen, my sharps bin, my slightly nervous excitement, and about fifty-eight pounds to lose. I have no idea how this will go, but for the first time in a while, I feel hopeful.

If you’re reading this because you’re curious about Mounjaro or are on a similar journey, I’d love for you to follow along. I’ll be back soon with an update, hopefully with a few small wins to share.

For now, though, I’m just proud I took the first step. Because oftentimes, that’s the hardest part.

Quick Note

This blog is based on my personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. If you’re considering Mounjaro or any other prescription weight loss treatment, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.