So big ‘I didn’t even recognise myself.’ Your jab life unfiltered

Anna-Louise Dearden | Last update: 6th 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’d struggled with my weight for years and had tried every diet going. I’d stick to it for a short while then lose interest, which led to more eating (in secret) and it got me into such a dark place. I really thought there was no way out; that I’d be like that forever. It was a vicious circle.

My turning point came when I realised I was starting to avoid things I loved doing and didn’t want to go out in public anymore. Simple things like going out with my partner, shopping for clothes, or having my photo taken. I hated it! 

The lightbulb moment was when I saw a picture of myself that my partner took and I didn’t even recognise myself. I was disgusted with how l looked. That was the moment I knew I couldn’t carry on like that. I’ve been on Mounjaro since August 15 2024 and my current dose is 12.5mg. I’ve lost 11 stone 7 lbs and it has completely changed my life and given me the chance to step back into the world with confidence. I’m so thankful.

What surprised you most when you started?

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

What surprised me most was how quickly my relationship with food changed!

I would think about food 24/7. Sat on the toilet, in the shower, on the way to work in my car – I’d think about what shop to go to, to get my “food fix”. Even at work sitting at my desk, I’d think about what fast food place I would go to during my lunch hour.

It was never ending. Within one day of starting,  it was like a switch going off in my head. I wasn’t thinking about food. AND I wasn’t hungry.

It was then I realised…this is it!! And I made a commitment to myself to be the best I can be, and here I am one year later, a brand new woman.

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

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

I take my jab every Thursday at 7am before I leave for work! It’s just part of my morning routine now. I always get so excited on a Wednesday night when I go to bed, knowing when I wake it it’s jab and weigh day!

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

(Mum, bf, total strangers?)

The most supportive person in my journey has definitely been my partner, Stephen. We’ve been together for nine years, and I even moved from Aberdeen to Liverpool to be with him, so he’s been by my side through everything.

I’m so thankful for his encouragement, patience, and love.

Whether it’s cheering me on through my milestones or simply asking if I need anything from the shop, he’s been there (although one time I asked for spring onions and he came back with asparagus – but it’s the thought that counts). I couldn’t have done this without him.

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

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

I don’t eat any of the foods I used to rely on before.

Those were the choices that pushed me to almost 27 stone, and they remind me of a really dark time in my life. Before I started, my diet was very carb-heavy and portion sizes were huge.

I’d eat lots of takeaway food (McDonalds and KFC were nearby), big bowls of pasta (my go to dish was creamy pesto pasta with bacon and garlic bread),  pizza, crisps (a tub of Pringles A DAY), items daily from LIDL Bakery such as croissants, cheese twists, yum yums…basically anything that didn’t need cooking and I could eat in my car. And my DAILY liquid intake was two  cans of Monster Energy Zero or Red Bull Zero AND four cans of Pepsi Max. I was addicted to fizzy drinks. 

I haven’t touched a fizzy drink since I started my journey on August 15, 2024. It was comforting at the time, but looking back, it was also what kept me stuck in that horrible cycle. Now I’ve completely changed my relationship with food and introduced lighter, fresher options and all I drink is water (three litres a day and my first litre is with electrolytes). I also have two cups of tea with oat milk at work.

I’ve introduced foods I never ate before, and now I actually love them.

One of my favourite snacks is chopped celery with apple and a Babybel… something simple but satisfying. And my new comfort food is sushi! It still feels like a treat, but it’s light, fresh, and fits perfectly with the way I live now. I never want to go back to where I was, so for me it was about completely changing my mindset around food and embracing a healthier lifestyle.

Best thing you’ve gained – besides weight loss?

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

The best thing I’ve gained is my life back!

I wasted 10 years in such a dark place and now I’m making up for lost time. I now believe in myself. A year ago I couldn’t imagine achieving this. Now I know I’m capable of so much more than I ever gave myself credit for. 

Anything you wish someone had told you at the start?

(Newbies, take notes.)

I wish someone had told me that it’s not a magic fix…it’s a tool.

The jab makes it easier, but you still have to put in the work with healthier choices, patience, and consistency!

I am so focused and dedicated to my journey. Celebrate the small wins! Every pound lost, every healthier choice, every bit of confidence gained all adds up.

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.)

I don’t believe there’s an “easy way out.” Living with obesity is incredibly hard, and so is making the choice to change. The jabs aren’t a magic wand… they’re a tool that gives you the chance to finally do the work without constantly fighting your own body.

For me, it meant completely changing my lifestyle and my attitude. I’ve had to rethink my nutrition, introduce new foods that I never ate before, watch my portions, and move more.

I’ve built healthier routines and stuck to them. That takes effort, commitment, dedication and consistency,  but the results are worth every bit of it! 

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 big goal is to ride a horse. I’ve always loved horses, but at my heaviest I was terrified that if I tried, the horse wouldn’t be able to carry me! To be able to sit on a horse with confidence, enjoy that experience, and not have that fear in the back of my mind, would be incredible! 

Another huge goal of mine is connected to my street art. I’ve been invited to paint at festivals all over the world, but in the past I never had the confidence to go. I was worried people would judge me for my size, and even the thought of fitting on a plane held me back. Now, those opportunities feel possible and it’s given me the confidence to finally step into the life I want to live!

Finally – give us your one-liner SlimrChat wisdom?

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

The more you drink, the more you shrink! Staying hydrated makes such a difference and it’s one of the simplest but most powerful things you can do to support your journey!

Want to share your weight loss drug journey? We’d love to hear from you, however big or small your loss; it’s the experience that counts. E mail [email protected]