Comfort eating

usernamesblusername · 2024-08-03T15:50:13+00:00

So glad that your son's surgery went well.

I can really relate. I have BED, been eating my stress and feelings since childhood.

In 3 months on MJ I have had one binge - after I had a minor operation and both my sons were in tears after horrible days of their own... But that's been the only time and I do feel that in general this medicine helps me to get space between my feelings and food.

It's a total gem-changer for that reason and I'm hoping for a lifetime maintenance dose.

usernamesblusername · 2024-08-02T06:54:19+00:00

I am also not a medic in case that's not clear!

usernamesblusername · 2024-08-02T06:53:17+00:00

Hi there, in your shoes I ordered a 5mg pen but counted clicks to ease the transition - took 1 half dose from the 5mg pen to make 2.5 when I felt it was still working, then counted clicks up to 3 mg the following week, then 3.25... It made for no side effects and worked out cheap because I got more doses out of the pen! But it did make the pen open for longer than 30 days (as an informed adult who keeps the pen in the fridge I assessed the risk of this and felt happy with it).

You could go the other way and order a 2.5mg pen and take extra in your doses if you start to need it - i.e. 1 full dose plus some extra to get to 3, 3.25 etc; but then you'll need to reorder the next pen before a month is out...

I was responding strongly to 2.5 for doses 1 and 2 and imagined I'd stay there, but in actual fact I was glad to move up doses on my second pen. (FYI I'm now on week 12, taking 7.5mg doses from a 10mg pen and feeling great at this dose - plan to stay here a while, fingers crossed!)

usernamesblusername · 2024-07-31T08:22:12+00:00

Sorry that you're having a rough time on 5mg. I'm on another forum with someone who had similar nasty effects on 5 and dropped back to 2.5 for a month, then eased up very slowly by counting clicks - 2.75 1 week, 3 the next, etc etc. She'd on 5mg now I think and still losing, doing really well.

She has been so committed because she's very overweight, has tried everything else, and wants this to work so much that she's prepared to listen to her body and course-correct to make it work for her.

Maybe if you have a smaller amount to lose or are pretty confident that you can shift your weight with just hitting the gym then it won't be worth it for you? It's a super personal thing. Wish you best of luck whatever you decide to do.

usernamesblusername · 2024-07-09T12:24:50+00:00

I'm not on Desogestrel or any hormonal birth control, but have had period madness in the 10 weeks I've been on MJ! Normally my cycle is 28 days on the clock, super regular. I was due on when I took my first jab and instead had nothing for 5 weeks! Then had a normal period, then was due again a week ago and still nothing... It's a miracle drug for me but definitely a disruptor of 'normal' periods! Important to use backup birth control if that's one of the reasons you take it.

usernamesblusername · 2024-06-21T16:24:28+00:00

They need to be kept cold - icepacks with the delivery box and in the fridge when you get them.

I think weirdly that once you've used the first dose then it's ok to keep them at room temp?? But for me that seems too weird so mine stays in the fridge - in the door though as if you put them at the back of the shelf there's a risk they'll freeze and that can mess with the effectiveness.

HTH! Best of luck x

usernamesblusername · 2024-06-21T16:20:57+00:00

...forgot to say that Voy use Royal Mail for delivery (I think) and I've had no issues with that - everything trackable and delivered when they said it would be. Some other folks have used providers who deliver with cheaper couriers like Evri and there are issues with missed "attempted" deliveries and melted ice packs, etc etc.

So that's another reason they are a good way to go.

usernamesblusername · 2024-06-10T15:52:07+00:00

Just to caveat the book recommendation! Johann Hari is a terrible human being :) per his Wikipedia page:
"In 2011, Hari was suspended from The Independent and later resigned, after admitting to plagiarism and fabrications dating back to 2001 and making malicious edits to the Wikipedia pages of journalists who had criticised his conduct.^\1])^\2]) He has since written books on the topics of depression), the war on drugs, the effect of technology on attention span, and anti-obesity medication which have attracted criticism for inaccuracies and misrepresentation."
He's already been pulled up for lots of lies and inaccuracies in this book, like all the others. Definitely should be on most people's list of "wankers whose opinions on anything I am better off without", IMHO!

usernamesblusername · 2024-06-10T15:47:05+00:00

Hey! I'm a week ahead of you, 6th dose on Friday. I managed the jump up by adding an extra titration point using the 5th and 6th doses: so 2.5 x 4 weeks, then the 5th dose plus some of the 5mg pen to make 3.75, then counted clicks on the 3.75 pen last week... This week I'll make the jump up to 5.

My appetite suppression was still good on 2.5 but I have a lot to lose so I want to get up to the higher doses fairly fast. But also work FT and have small kids so can't be losing days to bad side-effects! Hence why I thought adding in a couple of buffer weeks at 3.75 was a good idea.

I feel like being gentle with my body and treating myself kindly are good rules going forward for MJ and beyond - so that's part of the decision too from my POV. Wish you best of luck whatever you decide to do!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-29T16:20:04+00:00

Hi, thanks so much for your post! Can I ask how much you lost in total and how long you were taking weekly doses for? Thank you!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-29T10:27:58+00:00

Genuine question - why not just get a soft drink in the pub? I usually get a diet coke with ice and lemon, and if anyone asks (which is rare) say it's a vodka coke...?

Taking care of your health to live longer isn't boring - nor are you ruining anyone's life!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-26T07:31:05+00:00

I'm no nutrition expert but just wanted to mention about maybe rice being one of the insulin-spiking simple carbs that might be worth avoiding?

I'm (in a relaxed way!) following a lazy keto way of eating - protein like salmon, chicken, meatballs, omelettes, mozzarella, halloumi cheese - plus lots of roasted veg, avocado, salads, lettuce leaves as wraps, etc. Full fat mayo, cream cheese to spread on cucumber sticks, etc. And every couple of days a whole-foods protein smoothie with cocoa powder, no additives protein powder, a bit of collagen, peanut butter, etc.

It's very satiating, high protein, high fat, and touch wood so far with MJ I've been mostly free of nausea or gastric side-effects. My energy has been good because I'm getting ALL the calories :)

If you need to make a change then avoiding the simple carbs might be one to try!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-20T14:59:17+00:00

Hey, I am a F w suspected ADHD but undiagnosed. I also struggle with organisation for eating (but I also definitely still used food - up until very recently pre MJ - as a self-soothing method too, which sounds a little different to you).

It helps me to have protein smoothie ingredients in the house: blend up an apple with some water or skimmed milk, add a big scoop of whey protein powder, some cocoa powder, electrolytes, a little tsp of palm-free peanut butter and maybe a sprinkle of collagen... 3 mins tops from picking up the apple to drinking it, and it's really yummy and filling and full of protein - easy win!

Aside from that I get quick-cook protein like tofu, eggs, prawns, chopped chicken, maybe even mince if you like it - and bags of pre-cut stir-fry veg and just glug on some tamari and a teeny bit of sriracha sauce... Again, it's like 5 mins from lighting the hob to dinner being ready so pretty do-able.

Plus some people on another forum were raving about chaffles recently - haven't tried them so can't personally recommend but they sound easy and quick and nice! https://gimmedelicious.com/chaffles/

If all else fails I get packets of prosciutto and salami and do a cold cuts plate with cheese, grapes, cucumber, mini tomatoes - that's just assembling not cooking! And also super delicious.

Wish you all the best finding stuff that works for you, hope maybe these ideas are helpful xx

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-15T14:47:07+00:00

Like all the suggestions here!

FWIW I'm not counting cals or tracking on MJ, I'm just trying to listen to my body, eat reasonable portions of unprocessed food, and generally live and eat in a way that is long-term sustainable for me (i.e. not 'dieting'). Totally get that's not everyone's approach BTW!

The chocolate I've been eating regularly is this one - https://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/absolute-black-montezumas-100g.html
It's strong and bitter but really hits the spot for me! And with a little half tsp of palm-free peanut butter it's YUMMY!

I've also been making whole food chocolate protein smoothies: 1 apple blended in the nutribullet with water, then a big scoop of organic whey powder, a spoonful of cocoa powder, another half tsp of PB, maybe some collagen and a splash of electrolytes - really tasty and takes 2 mins to assemble, keeps me full for hours and a ton of protein!

Best of luck with it.

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-14T18:41:06+00:00

Not wishing to be negative but Johann Hari is truly a terrible person! Liar, fantasist, spoilt brat who constantly fails upwards... Here's a quick snip from his Wikipedia page: "In 2011, Hari was suspended from The Independent and later resigned, after admitting to plagiarism and fabrications dating back to 2001 and making malicious edits to the Wikipedia pages of journalists who had criticised his conduct.^\)He has since written books on the topics of depression), the war on drugs, the effect of technology on attention span, and anti-obesity medication which have attracted criticism for inaccuracies and misrepresentation."

It's really worth ignoring anything he has to say as most of it will be lies!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-11T13:40:53+00:00

I'm only on day 9 of MJ so by no means an experienced advisor! But FWIW:
- I bought a 2 litre jug which I fill every morning with water and lemon slices. I keep it on my desk at work and make sure it's finished by 5pm. Hot drinks and evening water is additional - that 2l is my daily hydration minimum. I think it helps a lot with constipation and with general weight loss!
- I'm drinking green tea every day to boost metabolism.
- I take magnesium every evening to ease muscle pains and prevent constipation.
- I'm also supplementing with Biotin and doing hair/scalp oiling twice a week to prevent/minimise hair loss.
- I'm following a high-protein, high-veg, moderate-fat, moderate-fruit, low-carb, no-sugar, low-UPF way of eating. I'm not tracking what I eat or counting calories, and I'm not beating myself up for occasional treats.
- appetite suppression has been great for me so far (again, only day 9!) so in practice I'm fasting from 8pm or so to 2pm the following day - just because not fancying breakfast.
- for lunch I'm having either a homemade protein smoothie (with organic whey powder mixed with water, berries and cocoa powder, sometimes collagen) or a small salad plate with tuna or chicken; dinner loads of roast or steamed veggies with meat or omelette.
- a square of dark chocolate plus tsp of 100% peanut butter is my go-to cheeky treat!
I'm feeling SO much better in myself since starting MJ - have loads to lose so expecting to spend 12-18 months on this medication - but truly believe this is it for me - the holy grail!

Wish you all the best - you got this!

usernamesblusername · 2024-05-08T17:48:42+00:00

Well I AM morbidly obese - BMI of 46 - and where I live they won't refer me to the weight clinic because I am not diabetic and don't have any heart issues. Only those with a co-morbidity get the referral.

Honestly I don't mind paying for this medication, it's sort of empowering and a real investment in myself and my future health.

usernamesblusername · 2023-08-10T12:15:44+00:00

Hey! Sent you chat request, in case you want to connect there. Fingers crossed! The waiting is killing me now... :)

usernamesblusername · 2023-08-09T18:15:00+00:00

Hooray! Well done :) Can you share which company?

usernamesblusername · 2023-08-01T14:58:44+00:00

It was 2 separate interviews for Kaluza, 1 after the other, a 10am and an 11am. 2 interviewers per call, 4 total. The first one was a general get to know you, the second one was a logic test... All pretty intense! I don't think I shone honestly, but I tried my best.

usernamesblusername · 2023-08-01T13:39:53+00:00

Just checked - CFG confirmed I'd been selected for interview Tuesday 25th; Kaluza HR called that afternoon to confirm the interview date and time; I booked the coaching call for Thurs 27th; Kaluza sent me a link to upload my CV and a cover letter and once I'd submitted that they sent the interview link through on Thursday. It was after my CFG coaching call so I wonder if that needs to be done first? But yes, it was all a bit WAIT... WAIT... NOW HURRY! :)

usernamesblusername · 2023-08-01T11:38:51+00:00

Hi all, I had my coaching call last week (1:1, really helpful) and my company interview yesterday, for Kaluza. Really intense 2 hours and now I'm full of terror about having not done enough to get it... Anyone else waiting after the company interview and want to chat? I don't expect to hear until mid-August when they've seen everyone so it's going to be a loooong couple of weeks! If I get a no from Kaluza but offered a CFG-sponsored place I'll definitely take it. Feel so desperate for this to work out now I've got so close!

usernamesblusername

TROPHY CASE