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

flidfit Disability, Eating Out, Eating Out, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose

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 (Maintenance) – Week 45 (3.75mg every 5 days)

flidfit Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Pain, Sweet Treats, Titrating dose

A Quiet Week (and a Healing One)

This week has been a quiet one—and I’ve appreciated every single moment of it.

After my rather dramatic tumble, it turns out that peace and quiet have been exactly what I needed. Recovery is happening… slowly. There isn’t a part of my body that doesn’t ache. Both ankles, one knee, one shoulder, the rather impressive bruise on my head.  Thankfully, the black eyes are gradually subsiding, fading a little more each day.

That said, the standout discomfort has been in the top of my shoulder. I suspect it’s around where the brachial plexus nerve exits into the arm, as that familiar burning, aching sensation has been making itself known. It’s not my first experience of this, so I know it’s a case of patience—something I’m not always brilliant at, but currently have little choice.

We were treated to some lovely weather during the week—one day reaching a very respectable 24 degrees. I did make it outside to sit in the sunshine and eat my lunch, which felt like a small but significant victory… although that, it turns out, was quite enough excitement for one day.

More than anything, my body has needed sleep—and I’ve listened.

By Thursday, it became clear that I needed something a little stronger to manage the pain, so the doctor prescribed me Amitriptyline. It doesn’t take the pain away completely, but it has made a huge difference in one very important way—it allows me to sleep through it.

And sleep, at the moment, feels precious.

Before starting it, I was waking two or three times a night in quite excruciating discomfort, unable to settle no matter how I positioned myself. Now, being able to go to bed and sleep through the night has made everything feel just that little bit more manageable.

I did have to re-enter the outside world on Friday for my regular chiropractic appointment. I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure whether to go ahead with it or postpone. I’d already warned the clinic what to expect—sending over a photo along with a description of my injuries and the various aches and pains I was dealing with.

The chiropractor suggested I come in—and I’m glad I did.

He was incredibly gentle, took the time to listen properly, and treated me with real care. He worked on my right side, where I seem to have twisted and pulled my intercostal muscles (the ones between the ribs), and also gently treated my neck. I was given a few exercises and some light traction work—all very moderate, all very considered.

It was exactly what I needed… although it completely wiped me out for the rest of the day.

Aside from that small excursion, I’ve mostly stayed close to home—and, perhaps predictably, found my way back into the kitchen. It’s still the place I enjoy most, even if it’s currently accompanied by a few winces and the occasional reminder that I probably shouldn’t be overdoing things.

That hasn’t stopped me from producing some lovely, nourishing food, though. A crustless quiche with ham hock and grated courgette made an appearance, along with a comforting meatball pasta bake—simple, hearty meals that feel like a small act of normality in an otherwise slowed-down week.  I also made use of some bread that was past its best by making us a small bread and butter pudding!  It was heavenly, comforting, and worth every one of the 400 calories for a teeny-tiny portion.

Hey-ho… these things are sent to try us—and this has certainly been a bit of a trial. But I do feel like I’m over the worst of it now, which is just as well, as the coming week looks a little busier, with quite a few social engagements, trips out in the car and a lengthy drive and weekend away next weekend.

Let’s see how that goes… gently does it!

Weight this week: 54.75kg (about 8st 8½lb)
Last week: 54.8kg (about 8st 8½lb)
Weekly loss/gain:  -0.05kg (about ¼lb)

100% – 2 months, 1 day in weight maintenance range (54-56kg or 8st 7lb – 8st 11lb)

Mounjaro Journey (Maintenance) – Week 44 (3.75mg every 5 days)

flidfit Disability, Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Pain, Titrating dose , , ,

An Unexpected Turn to the Easter Weekend

I had been quietly looking forward to the Easter weekend. Nothing too busy or demanding — just a simple family get-together planned, hosting a roast lamb dinner for my partner’s grandson, son and daughter-in-law. The kind of weekend that feels easy, familiar, and comforting.  We were looking forward to seeing the baby, who is just about walking now!

Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan.

On Thursday morning, I was heading out to take part in an organised litter pick (one that I had, somewhat ironically, organised myself) when I tripped and fell forward in my hallway. It all happened in a split second, but the outcome was rather dramatic — I managed to headbutt the front door, whacking my forehead and wrenching my neck backwards.

Let’s just say… the front door remains structurally sound.

Or at least, it came off better than I did. Thankfully, my skull seems to be made of fairly sturdy stuff too, but I was left with immediate pain in my neck and concern about what damage I might have done. Given the nature of the fall, an ambulance was called — the right decision, even if it all felt a little surreal at the time.

The mechanism of the fall itself isn’t unusual for me. About three years ago, while on holiday in Mallorca, I experienced something very similar. I tripped outside our hotel and fell forward, my head taking the impact, followed by that inevitable snapping back motion of my neck. Without arms to break a fall, my head and neck take the full force — not ideal, but very much my reality.  Thankfully, this time the paramedics and A&E staff were on the case – and spoke English, which made such a difference to my treatment.

What made a difficult situation so much more bearable, though, was the care and kindness of the people around me. Sam, who was with me when I fell, and my partner both did a truly sterling job of keeping me as warm and comfortable as possible while we waited — a rather lengthy 2.5 hours — for the ambulance to arrive. It’s in those moments, when you’re at your most vulnerable, that calm, capable company makes all the difference.  I was shivering, cold and very, very uncomfortable.

A&E was, as you might expect, very busy. I needed to be assessed and scanned before they’d take me off the spinal board and remove the neck blocks. Thankfully, it was deemed that there had been no serious damage to my spine and, after another four hours in a noisy and rather traumatic environment, I was discharged home with instructions to take regular painkillers and return if anything changed.

Not content with that, my body decided to add a few extra flourishes over the following days. My eyes gradually turned a rather impressive combination of purple and black — not quite the pastel tones one usually associates with Easter, but striking in their own way. It also looks as though my forehead is attempting to produce the only Easter egg I received this year… slightly larger than your average chocolate variety and considerably less welcome.

As if that wasn’t enough, I also seem to have irritated the main nerve pathway running from my spine into my arms — the brachial plexus. As I fell, my neck was wrenched backwards, which has resulted in a rather unwelcome mix of numbness, pins and needles, loss of feeling, weakness, and a burning sensation in both arms.

It’s a very odd experience — not quite pain as such, but certainly not comfortable either. The sort of thing that makes you very aware of just how much you rely on your arms doing exactly what they’re told.

The good news is that it is slowly improving day by day. The less good news (based on previous experience) is that nerves take their own sweet time to recover, so this is likely to be more of a marathon than a sprint.

It’s a sobering reminder of how quickly things can change. One moment you’re heading out the door with good intentions, and the next you’re horizontal, taking stock of your injuries and your weekend plans.

Needless to say, Easter has taken on a rather different shape than I had imagined. Plans have been paused, swapped instead for rest, recovery, and a slightly closer relationship with my bed — where I remained for two days.

On the plus side, I was allowed some respite from the kitchen and food preparation… though I suspect that may be short-lived!

There’s always a temptation in moments like this to feel frustrated — at the disruption, the disappointment, the inconvenience, the change of plans. But I’m also reminded of how important it is to listen to my body, to take injuries seriously, and to allow time to heal.

The litter pick can wait. Easter can be… rebranded.

For now, slowing down feels like exactly the right thing to do.

Weight this week: 54.8kg (about 8st 8½lb)
Last week: 55.2kg (about 8st 9½lb)
Weekly loss/gain:  -0.45kg (about 1lb)

100% -(1 month, 23 days) in weight maintenance range (54-56kg or 8st 7½lb – 8st 13½lb)

Mounjaro Journey – Week 43 (4mg every 5 days)

flidfit Disability, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose

A Quiet Week… With a Few Thoughts Along the Way

Not a huge amount to report this week, but sometimes those quieter weeks still bring moments worth sharing.

I took part in an online focus group looking at housing requirements for Thalidomiders as we age. We talked about whether our current homes still meet our needs, what works well, what doesn’t, and how we see things evolving in the future.

When asked which part of my home I value most, there was no hesitation — my kitchen.

Since living independently, I’ve had two homes and I’m now on kitchen design Mark III. Each version has improved on the last, incorporating lessons learned and small adaptations that make a big difference. I spend a lot of time there, so it needs to be practical, accessible… and somewhere I genuinely enjoy being. It’s probably the one space in my home that feels completely “me”.  If you fancy seeing my kitchen, I filmed a little “tour” some years back (2020).

I was also due to attend a talk at our local museum about the history of Jackson’s Department Store — a place I remember well. It’s recently been sold and is now home to Rosa’s Thai restaurant (where I had that rather disappointing meal not long ago!).

My memories of Jackson’s are a little mixed. We mainly went there for school uniforms, and I vividly remember trying on skirts as a teenager and being told by a shop assistant, “Well, if you lost weight, you’d have more choice.”

Fourteen years old — and I’ve never forgotten it. Words stick.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the talk anyway. I received an email beforehand explaining that both lifts to the first floor were out of order, leaving only two flights of stairs. Not much use when you’re a wheelchair user.

Just one of those frustrating reminders that accessibility still isn’t where it needs to be.

On a more positive note, Saturday evening took us to our local gem — The Progress Theatre — for a comedy night.

It was… alright.

The compare (who openly admitted she’s actually a children’s author, not a comedian) was, somewhat ironically, the funniest part of the evening. The main act didn’t quite hit the mark.

That said, I’d booked a wheelchair space, which meant a free companion ticket — so I can’t complain too much. A slightly underwhelming show, but a perfectly acceptable price tag. A rare little win.

Sunday was a quieter, productive day at home. I shortened the sleeves on a cardigan and a bargain Rab fleece I picked up on Vinted.

I do love buying pre-loved clothes — even more so because I often end up cutting them up and adapting them anyway! Sewing is one of those skills I’ve picked up out of necessity, and while I wouldn’t call myself an expert, I’m definitely capable.

For someone with shorter arms, it’s not just useful — it’s essential.

Food this week has been wonderfully varied (and very enjoyable):

Homemade lasagne, tuna with chopped cornichons on toast, chicken noodle stir-fry with lemongrass, cheese and onion quiche with salad, southern fried chicken fillets, Thai chicken and salad, Cumberland chipolatas with mash and veg, cold sausage with cottage cheese salad, rump steak with spicy chips and greens, ham hock salad with pitta, pork stir-fry with plum hoisin, and cod with ratatouille, mash and green beans.

Definitely no complaints there.

I also took the opportunity this week to try out my new vlogging camera — the Osmo Pocket 3 — and I absolutely love it. It’s small, easy to use, and performs exceptionally well.

I used it to film my latest YouTube video, where I talk about how I’m titrating down my Mounjaro dosage now that I’ve reached my goal weight. If you fancy taking a look, I’d love to hear what you think.

A quieter week, perhaps — but still full of small moments, reflections, and reminders of what matters: a home that works for you, words that stay with you (for better or worse), and the simple pleasure of good food and practical skills.

Weight this week: 55.05kg (about 8st 9lb)

Last week: 54.7kg (about 8st 8½lb)

Weekly loss/gain:  +0.35kg (about +½lb)

Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

In case you’re interested, and thinking about slowly reducing your Mounjaro dosage, here’s my planned schedule.

Mounjaro tapering

 

Mounjaro Maintenance Journey – Week 42 (4.25mg every 5 days)

flidfit Disability, Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose, Travel & Holidays

A few weeks ago, I found myself watching some very old VHS footage from 1991 — my honeymoon in the Seychelles.

I was 29. Newly married. Happy with life… and, at the time, happy in my own skin.

Looking back now, I can see I was already carrying a lot of extra weight — but I don’t think I truly saw it then. Awareness is a funny thing like that.

Fast forward to this week, and a photo I took of myself really stopped me in my tracks. The weight I’ve carried for so long… gone. Hopefully for good.

1991
2026
I’m realistic — I’m not ruling out weight loss medication being part of my future in some way. But what I do know is that everything I’ve learned over the past 14 years has built something much more important than just weight loss.

This week has also reminded me of something else.

How much I rely on others — and how okay that is.

Accepting help has always been part of my life. It’s not weakness. It’s not failure. It’s simply reality. And actually, there’s a real strength in accepting support.

As I get older, that support requirement will increase — as it will for many people. Our bodies change, energy fades, things take longer. For me, my energy is pretty much gone by 5pm — so using support wisely allows me to focus on what matters most.

Cooking from scratch. Keeping my home how I like it. Taking care of myself.

And speaking of cooking… what a week of food!
Salmon & asparagus quiche, cooked breakfasts, marinated tuna steaks, cassoulet, ham hock and leek potato topped pie, pan-fried mackerel (the smell lingered for days 😂), flapjack topped apple crumble… and, a long time favourite – spaghetti Bolognese ❤️

This isn’t a “diet”.
This is just life. Real food. Enjoyed.

And this week — with blue skies, sunshine, and a real sense of progress — has felt pretty wonderful.

Onwards 💛

Weight this week: 54.7kg (about 8st 8½lb)
Last week: 55.2kg (about 8st 9½lb)
Weekly loss:  0.5kg (about 1lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)

My dosage plan for reducing my Mounjaro dosage:

My Tapering Journey (Every 5 Days)

These doses are from a 10mg pen:

9th January – 45 clicks (7.5mg)

14th January – 30 clicks (5mg × 5 doses)

9th February – 29 clicks (4.75mg × 6 doses)

6th March – 27 clicks (4.5mg × 2 doses)

16th March – 26 clicks (4.25mg)

21st March – 24 clicks (4mg)

And now… I’m gradually stepping things down even further.

🔽 My Plan Going Forward

Dosing every 5 days, gradually reducing:

4mg → 3.75mg → 3.5mg → 3.25mg

3mg → 2.75mg → 2.5mg → 2.25mg

Then down to 2mg… and eventually 1.5mg

 

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

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Titrating dose

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

Chasing the perfect body shape

flidfit Uncategorized

One of the things that has helped me most on my weight-loss journey might sound a little surprising: I’ve never been chasing a particular body shape or clothing size.

For many people, weight loss is framed around reaching a certain look — fitting into a particular dress size, having a flat stomach, or achieving a body that resembles the images we see in magazines or on social media. But that was never really my goal.

My focus has always been much simpler: to be as healthy as I can be within the physical limitations I live with.

Because of my disability, my body was never going to look like the so-called “ideal” body that often gets presented as the standard. I use a wheelchair outside the house and my mobility is limited. There are exercises I will never be able to do, and certain physical changes that simply aren’t realistic. Once I accepted that, something quite powerful happened — I stopped trying to force my body to become something it wasn’t meant to be.

Instead, I began to work with it.

For me, that has meant focusing on health, strength where possible, and maintaining a weight that supports my overall wellbeing. Over the years I’ve learned to make small, sustainable changes — adjusting portion sizes, being mindful about calories, cooking most of my meals at home, and paying attention to how different foods make me feel.

The result hasn’t been dramatic or fast. In fact, it’s been the opposite: slow, steady and sustainable.

Back in 2012 I weighed 14 stone. Over two and a half years I lost four and a half stone through calorie counting and gradually changing my habits. Over the years since then, I’ve lost a little more and now maintain around 8 stone 9 pounds. It has taken more than a decade to reach this point, which probably tells you everything you need to know about my approach.

There have been no crash diets. No punishment. No hatred of my body.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

I’ve always tried to treat my body with a degree of respect and appreciation. After all, this body has carried me through life, adapted to disability, allowed me to travel, work, raise a daughter, build friendships and care for family. It may not be perfect, but it has done an extraordinary amount for me.

Part of that mindset goes right back to my childhood. My mum always encouraged me to accept myself exactly as I was and never to live in fear of other people staring at me. She was very clear about that. People might look — sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes simply because something is different — but that should never stop me from living my life fully.

That message stayed with me as I grew up. I was never short of confidence; in fact, I was probably over-confident.  That sense of confidence and self-acceptance has been incredibly valuable as an adult. Rather than worrying about how my body compares to anyone else’s, I’ve learned to focus on what it allows me to do and how I can look after it.

When you approach weight loss from that perspective — from appreciation rather than criticism — the whole experience feels different.

You’re not trying to “fix” yourself. You’re simply trying to look after yourself.

And I think that mindset makes a huge difference. When you’re not chasing a particular appearance, there’s less pressure and less disappointment. Progress becomes about how you feel: your energy levels, your health markers, your mobility, your ability to live the life you want.

For me, that has been the real goal all along.

I’m not trying to look like anyone else. I’m not trying to fit a particular mould. I’m simply aiming to be the healthiest version of myself that I can be.

And in many ways, that feels far more empowering than chasing an ideal that was never realistic in the first place.

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)

flidfit Eating Out, Eating Out, Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Recipes, Sweet Treats, Travel

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 38 (5mg every 5 days)

flidfit Emotional well being, Maintenance, Mounjaro, Uncategorized

A good week — although it began with no heating. Not because the boiler had broken down, but because we were having a new “jumbo” radiator installed in our large open-plan kitchen/dining room. The room has never been properly warm. When we had our new sliding doors fitted last autumn, we removed two under-window radiators and knew we’d probably need to upgrade the heating.

In place of the old single-panel radiator, we now have a three-panel version which kicks out over twice as much heat as its predecessor. We’re already enjoying the difference.

On Tuesday I hosted a planning meeting for a local exhibition taking place this summer, showcasing images and written memories of the small green and parade of shops just around the corner from me — Christchurch Green. We have a modest amount of funding, so careful planning is needed: how it will look, how it will flow, and how we gather old photographs and memories from residents. We’re hoping to include recorded interviews and an online presence so more people can access and enjoy it. I’ve already received some lovely images and stories, which is encouraging.

Wednesday was a wardrobe-clearance day. My sister came to work with me and we whizzed through rails and drawers, removing clothes that are now two sizes too big. It’s a lovely feeling. I know better than to keep things “just in case”. My top half is now a size 14, down from a 16/18, thanks to losing 2 stone 7lb (15.7kg). Tangible progress.

Thursday brought an eyesight test. No surprise that I need a stronger prescription. I’ve ordered new glasses for computer work and another pair with Reactolite/anti-glare lenses to help with night driving and the early cataracts that are developing. Getting older is not for the faint-hearted — and it’s certainly not cheap.

I was wide awake at 4am on Friday and eventually gave up trying to sleep. I crept downstairs and got on with household chores as quietly as possible so as not to wake my partner. The day felt incredibly long, but I achieved a lot. I’m currently gearing up — alongside my sisters — to recruit a new part-time carer for Mum. We’ve decided to bring everything forward by two weeks, so I had to rejig interview dates, advertisement timings and tweak the documentation. We’re now poised to go live on 27th February with the aim of having someone in post by mid-April.

Meals this week have included spaghetti and meatballs; sticky beef mince with sweet potato wedges, hot honey and soured cream; katsu chicken and rice; trout fillet with vegetables and baby potatoes; and stewed apple with cinnamon topped with a flapjack crumble and custard.

On the Mounjaro front, I’m aiming for 5mg every five days, although my last dose worked out at 4.5mg because my “golden dose” was just short. I’m definitely noticing increased hunger and less appetite suppression. There’s a slightly strange part of me hanging on, hoping it will settle and I’ll be able to titrate down further — but it’s a delicate balance.

I’m at my lowest weight ever. I’m not trying to lose more, but I most certainly don’t want it creeping back up. Maintenance, it seems, requires just as much awareness as loss.

Perhaps this week has really been about recalibration. A bigger radiator to warm the space properly. Clearing out clothes that no longer fit the life — or body — I inhabit now. Adjusting prescriptions, adjusting plans, adjusting medication doses. None of it dramatic, all of it quietly necessary. Maintenance, whether of a home, a body, or a family support system, isn’t glamorous — but it is what keeps everything steady. And steady, at this stage of life, feels like a quiet kind of success.

 

Weight this week: 55.7kg (about 8st 11lb)
Last week: 55.4kg (about 8st 10lb)
Weekly gain:  0.3kg (about 1lb)
Goal weight: 55kg (about 8st 9lb)