It Was Never About Discipline
Stuck at 60
I used to be 53kg. Then, slowly, I was 61.
For a very long time I hovered around 60. I tried intermittent fasting. I tried working out. On my best weeks, I got to 59. Never lower.
I run a company. My sleep is inconsistent. My work hours are inconsistent. I eat like a Malaysian, which means nasi lemak is never far away and every meeting comes with kuih.
And it wore on me. Nothing looked good anymore. I’d stand in front of the mirror, change three times, and leave in whatever bothered me least.
Then one day I picked up a size L. I freaked out.
I told myself the problem was me. I simply didn’t have the discipline.
One injection a week
Then a really good friend of mine started her Mounjaro journey and told me about it.
She’s my beauty-tips person. The last time we travelled together, we got Botox together. So when she said she was doing this, I didn’t hesitate. I said, yes, let’s do it.
I went to a doctor, and my doctor administered it.
It’s one injection, once a week. What it does for me is simple: it turns the hunger down.
I’m not thinking about food all day anymore. And when I do eat, I get full fast. A few bites in, I’m done. Over time, my appetite just shrank.
For the first time, I wasn’t fighting myself at every meal.
What actually happened
I lost 4kg in the first two to three weeks. Faster than anything I’d tried in years.
It wasn’t all smooth. Some days I felt nauseous. On day one I was cranky, though honestly, that might have been my period. And I lost a lot of hair. Looking back, I think that’s because I wasn’t eating enough protein at the start.
Other than that? No real changes.
After seven injections, I took a break. First I caught influenza. Then I travelled to China, and I wasn’t going to go all that way and not enjoy the food.
Today I’m at 55kg, with half a pen left out of the two I bought.
How I’m doing it
I’m going to continue. But not casually.
This is a well-researched medication, and I treat it that way. I see a doctor. I follow my doctor’s advice. I keep track of how my body responds.
And because I’m eating less, I’m careful about what I do eat:
- A protein shake, so I get enough protein (lesson learned from the hair)
- Lots of water
- Enough fruit and vegetables to keep the micronutrients coming in
Eating less only works if what you eat still feeds you.
The funny thing is, eating is more fun now than it was before. I eat less, so I eat better. A good steak. Steamed chicken I cook myself. Really good, really clean food, and no food coma afterwards.
The questions people ask me
How fast did I lose weight on Mounjaro?
Fast. 4kg in the first two to three weeks, and 5kg after seven injections.
Everybody noticed. I could wear my old clothes again, and people saw the difference before I said a word.
The catch with losing weight that quickly is that my body didn’t quite keep up. My arms feel a little flabby around the triceps now. So weights are going back into my week. Getting lighter is one thing. Staying strong is another.
What were the side effects?
Mostly nausea. I found it was better when I consciously ate a little something along the way, instead of waiting until I felt hungry. On Mounjaro, that moment might never come.
I also get a small rash where I inject. It gets itchy, but it’s gone in a day or two.
Why did I lose hair, and did it grow back?
I think it was protein. I wasn’t eating enough of it at the start, so I added a protein shake.
Then I just kind of waited. Now I can see baby hair growing back.
What is fasting during puasa like on Mounjaro?
I’m not Muslim, but I fasted for a few days during Ramadan to be supportive. Without Mounjaro, the thirst was unbearable. With it, I didn’t even realise I was thirsty.
That sounds like a win, but it’s also a warning. Not feeling thirsty doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need water. If you’re fasting on Mounjaro, drink plenty at sahur and buka, and talk to your doctor before you start.
Do I need a doctor to take Mounjaro?
Yes. Please consult a doctor.
All of our bodies are different. What worked for me might not be right for you, and a doctor is the one who can tell.
Lighter, in more ways than one
I don’t have a goal weight. That’s not really the point anymore.
What I notice most is how I feel. I’m less bloated. I don’t get the food coma after lunch, so my afternoons are mine again. And I feel much more confident in my own skin. I get dressed in the morning and I like what I see. I’d forgotten what that felt like.
I believe in medical technology. Starting Mounjaro is one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s not for everyone, and it’s not something to start on your own. But if you’ve been stuck where I was, it’s worth a conversation with your doctor.
For years I thought I was losing a battle of willpower. It turns out I just needed the right help. That’s not weakness. That’s knowing when to stop fighting alone.