On her feet eight hours every day; exercise was the last thing on Emily Carr’s mind. Not anymore…Your jab life unfiltered

Anna-Louise Dearden | Last update: 13th September 2025

Why did you decide to start slimming jabs – and what was your turning point?

(We love a lightbulb moment – big or small.)

I decided to start using Mounjaro because I wanted to lose weight and feel better about myself.

Unfortunately, just dieting and exercise didn’t work for me.

At the time I was cautious as I know there are side effects, but I thought if it makes me feel that unwell I won’t do it. Luckily for me, I don’t have any underlying health issues, so I stuck it out and it’s completely changed my life! I’m much more confident in myself and the clothes I wear, plus just being happier overall with my body.

What surprised you most when you started?

(Be honest. We’ve heard everything from burping air to crying over chips.)

It surprised me how quickly it started to work (as in weight wise on the scales), in my first week of Mounjaro I lost three pounds which I was super happy about.

What’s your jab routine like now – pen, time, tricks?

(Do you set an alarm, use a Post-it, or just wing it?)

My routine has stayed the same for the past few months.I was on 5mg but I came down to 3.75mg (45 clicks on your 5mg pen) as the full 5mg was starting to make me feel nauseous after everything I ate. I listened to my body and came back down again, and since doing that my weight loss has been a healthy rate.

Who has been the most supportive person in your WLD journey?

(Mum, bf, total strangers?)

My partner, friends and family have all been supportive. Also my customers; I’m a hairdresser so most of my customers know everything about me.

What’s your go-to comfort food now – and what’s out?

(Pasta forever? Chicken ick? We want it all.)

Everyone that knows me knows how much I love eating out and ordering takeaways. The takeaways stopped when I started taking Mounjaro as they are so greasy and oily. It’s no good for you anyway, but being on Mounjaro and eating that would make you feel so unwell. My thoughts and feelings towards food have definitely changed, and I know what to put in my body and what not to. In saying that, I do think takeaways will always have a special place in my heart, lol!

Best thing you’ve gained – besides weight loss?

(Confidence? Shoes you can finally lace up? Energy to argue with your partner again?)

I think the best thing I’ve gained is the energy to finally get back into exercise! About five weeks ago, I started with a personal trainer. Her name is Annabelle Weedall and she helps people who have had previous injuries get back into exercise and strengthen their bodies back up to their potential (I had a back injury that stopped me working for a while last year). Being on Mounjaro, the positives are you lose fat but you also lose muscle, so getting back into exercise will help me rebuild the muscles in my body and make it stronger.

Anything you wish someone had told you at the start?

(Newbies, take notes.)

Listen to your body!

Something I’ve picked up on along the way (whether this is true or not I don’t know), but I think the bigger you are the more of a milligram you need to be on, but as soon as you start having the side effects, that’s when you need to go back down again. As I mentioned, I started on 2.5mg for four weeks then went up to 5mg, I was on that for a few weeks then the side effects started to happen so I went down to 3.75mg. Touch wood, I’ve had zero side effects since, so the advice I’d give is listen to your body.

What’s your take on the whole easy way out chat – and have you adjusted your lifestyle too – fitness/nutrition etc.?

(Be honest. It helps our readers cope.)

At the end of the day it’s not an easy way out, it’s a push start for people who struggle to lose weight by exercising regularly and dieting. I’m on my feet all day with my job and not one part of me wants to go to the gym after standing up for eight hours. It’s a starting point for me and that has been my attitude towards it for the past five months I’ve been on it. I’ve always loved exercising and being active, but once you’ve got this excess weight on your body it becomes hard to do the moving. I go to my PT twice a week for one hour and I feel 1000 times better for it. She is also a nutritionist, and helps me understand what is good to fuel my body when I’m going to be doing these workouts with her.

What’s your next goal?

(Could be to run for a bus or dance at my daughter’s wedding – or come off the drugs and carry on with a lifestyle change – whatever matters to you.)

My next goal is to just be comfortable in my own skin and understand that everyone is different.

My goal weight loss was three stone and in five months I’ve lost two and a half; so only another half a stone and I’m there!

Finally – give us your one-liner SlimrChat wisdom?

(What would you write on a Post-it for the next person starting out?)

Listen to your body and don’t be too hard on yourself, you’re beautiful inside and out.

Did you find Emily’s story as motivating and inspirational as we did? Well, there’s more. Take a look at these amazing stories too – Louise, Robert, Katie, Jen and Laura.