Dear readers, the weight loss injection is currently a hot topic – everywhere in the media, there are photos and reports of celebrities who have quickly lost a lot of weight thanks to the injection. On our Instagram account, we asked if anyone in our community has also lost weight using the injection.
There were some critical responses, with people saying they didn’t feel well at all with the injection. Here, however, our reader Svea shares her positive story. For years, she tried unsuccessfully to lose weight – and now, thanks to the injection, she has shed several pounds. Here’s her story:
Dear Svea, you are currently using a weight loss injection. Tell us, how long have you been overweight?
I’m 45 years old, and I’ve been slightly overweight for about 25 years (due to medications – I have an anxiety disorder and PTSD, lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, etc.). I really gained weight during my pregnancy in 2013 and couldn’t lose it afterward. My highest weight was 105 kg (231 lbs) at a height of 1.76 m (5’9”). Additionally, I’m a very emotional eater, and my thoughts have always revolved around the next meal or snack. This constant preoccupation with food is called „food noise,“ and it was always there.
Tell us more about your eating and exercise habits.
I would say I have a disordered relationship with food. On one hand, I focus on a balanced and healthy diet – lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, minimal sugar, and no meat. On the other hand, I go through phases where I binge on junk food like chips, chocolate, gummy bears, pizza, and McDonald’s. I don’t do any sports, but I ride my bike, go for walks, or swim in the summer.
You must have tried many things to lose weight before the injection. What have you tried, and how successful were you?
I’ve tried everything – from diets like Glyx, Weight Watchers, and „Eat Half“ (FDH) to excessive gym workouts. With Weight Watchers and exercise, I managed to lose 10 kg (22 lbs) once, but it was tough because the constant point-counting stressed me out. I was still hungry all the time. And when the cravings hit and I started eating randomly again, the weight came back quickly. I couldn’t maintain the 10 kg loss for long.
It’s a vicious cycle. You get frustrated and deeply disappointed in yourself because others seem to manage it. Since around 2015, my weight has fluctuated between 95 and 105 kg (209–231 lbs). Eventually, even Weight Watchers stopped working for me.
How and why did you decide to try the weight loss injection?
I decided on Mounjaro when I realized I couldn’t go on like this. Diets weren’t working, and I was afraid of developing serious health issues like diabetes, stroke, or heart attack. When I was diagnosed with insulin resistance in 2024, it became clear why losing weight was so hard for me and why I kept experiencing intense cravings.
I was also physically unfit – climbing stairs left me breathless and with a racing heart, which scared me. The fact that insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes frightened me even more. After seeing the first results with my friend, I knew I wanted to try it too.
How does it work exactly?
My general practitioner referred me to a diabetologist. They took a lot of time to explain the options, the different active ingredients, and the pros and cons. Since my BMI was very high and I had insulin resistance, we decided on Mounjaro with the active ingredient Tirzepatide. Since I (fortunately) don’t have diabetes, I have to pay for the injection myself. For diabetes patients, it’s covered by insurance.
At my current dosage of 10 mg, it costs about €400 per month. The injection contains four doses and is administered once a week. You start with 2.5 mg, which is much cheaper.
How long have you been using the injection, and what has changed since then?
I’ve been using the injection since mid-October last year, and I’ve lost 18 kg (40 lbs) since then. For the first time in my life, I would describe my eating habits as „normal.“ The food noise is gone, and I’m rarely hungry.
I can control myself well and finally understand how „normal“ people must feel. I enjoy food without guilt. I stop eating when I’m full, and I actually prefer healthy food now. Fatty or sugary foods make me feel sick. I can eat three gummy bears or a handful of chips and be satisfied – something that was unimaginable before.
Many people are critical of the injection because it’s actually a diabetes medication. What’s your take on that?
I understand the criticism, but people should educate themselves. Ozempic is the most prescribed medication for diabetes. And we „overweight people“ aren’t taking it away from anyone. Wegovy and Mounjaro are approved medications for obesity and diabetes. Obesity is a recognized disease. Why shouldn’t we have the right to use these medications if they are beneficial for our health? My diabetologist recently said he’s just waiting for the patents to expire so that insurance will cover it for everyone – because it simply works.
Has your body image changed yet?
For a long time, I didn’t see that I had lost weight. As an overweight person, you have a distorted perception of yourself. Just as I didn’t see how overweight I had become, I didn’t see for a long time that I had lost weight.
Now, however, many of my pants are too big, and clothes I kept for „someday when I lose weight“ finally fit – and are actually too big. I’ve bought new clothes and had a bit of a glow-up. Gradually, people around me started noticing and commenting on how great I look and asking if I’ve lost weight.
At first, I found it nice, but now I find it uncomfortable. I don’t like it when people comment on others’ bodies. I didn’t like it when people told me I had gained weight, and I don’t like it when they say I look great because I’m slimmer. I’m still the same person and deserve to be liked and loved regardless of my weight. 🙂
Do you see any risks with the weight loss injection?
Absolutely. You need to be aware that the injection has side effects. For me, the active ingredient affects my mental health – I only read after six months that Mounjaro can worsen mental health conditions. There’s also nausea, constipation, heartburn, and more. You need to weigh these risks against the potential health benefits, like avoiding diabetes.
You should get good advice from a doctor and not just quickly get the injection prescribed online. I also find it problematic that social media often describes rapid weight loss with the injection. For a long time, I thought my progress was slow because others seemed to lose twice as much in the same time. But after consulting my diabetologist, I realized my weight loss is appropriate for the time frame.
What’s your goal weight, and how long do you think you’ll need the injection?
I currently weigh 82 kg (181 lbs) and would like to lose another 10 to 15 kg (22–33 lbs). I don’t know how long that will take – maybe another nine months. I could increase the dosage, but I’m doing well with my current dose, and the cost is also a factor. At a higher dose, I’d be paying around €500 per month, which is just too expensive.
