Undoing YEARS of bad habits for successful three stone loss. Your jab life unfiltered
Anna-Louise Dearden | Last update: 26th August 2025
After years of yo-yo dieting, emotional eating and battling fibromyalgia, Gemma Gray reached her heaviest weight and dreaded every social event. Researching GLP-1s in 2024 gave the social media manager a new path – one that’s already brought her close to a three-stone loss, more confidence, and a clear future future with strength and balance
Why did you decide to start slimming jabs – and what was your turning point?
(We love a lightbulb moment – big or small.)
I have always had quite an unhealthy relationship with food. For years I had been a serial yo-yo dieter and emotional eater. In 2024, I hit my heaviest weight which I attribute to my struggles with anxiety, burnout from juggling a demanding work load and single-parenthood, as well as living with fibromyalgia and other medical challenges. I had been to seven weddings in 2023 and each time filled me with utter dread at the prospect of finding an outfit that I felt confident in. In a body I was completely out of my comfort zone with. Despite multiple attempts to regain control of my relationship with food, what had previously worked for me no longer did, and so I began my research into GLP-1 medications. I started in June 2024 but I had to take a break in February 2025 at which point I had lost just short of three stone. I have now restarted my journey so that I can achieve my ultimate goal.
What surprised you most when you started?
(Be honest. We’ve heard everything from burping air to crying over chips.)
It was how quickly I felt the benefits. I was fortunate in the early stages of my journey not to have suffered many adverse side effects. I quickly found myself feeling so empowered by the control I had regained after feeling like a slave to my hunger for so long.
What’s your jab routine like now – pen, time, tricks?
(Do you set an alarm, use a Post-it, or just wing it?)
I have found jabbing early evening works best. Once my doses started to increase I did begin to experience nausea and (at times) quite severe exhaustion for 24 hours after I jabbed. By jabbing early evening though, I have found I can the sleep through the worst of it.
Who has been the most supportive person in your WLD journey?
(Mum, bf, total strangers?)
To begin with I didn’t tell anyone close to me, something I found to be quite common amongst the weight loss drug community. I always find it so fascinating that no one has an opinion when you are shovelling four takeaways a week down your throat, but the second you mention you are embarking on any form of weight loss journey everyone becomes an expert nutritionist and has a lot to say. When I did eventually feel more confident to tell some of my close friends they were incredibly supportive. One mentioned that it was the healthiest approach she had ever seen me take to my diet and lifestyle. I wasn’t chasing unrealistic goals with unrealistic regimes. I was really able to address my relationship with food because I wasn’t battling the food noise and I lost the weight in a steady, healthy manner.
What’s your go-to comfort food now – and what’s out?
(Pasta forever? Chicken ick? We want it all.)
Go to snacks now has to be picky bits… carrot sticks, cucumber, ham and hummus. I wouldn’t say anything is completely out but I have certainly found I am far more sensitive to salty and fatty foods. For example I used to absolutely drench my crumpets in butter but I can’t hack that amount of butter now!
Best thing you’ve gained – besides weight loss?
(Confidence? Shoes you can finally lace up? Energy to argue with your partner again?)
The confidence is definitely on it’s way back, some days though my mind hasn’t quite caught up with the physical weight loss. I have also found my fibromyalgia symptoms have improved as a result of eating better and carrying less weight.
Anything you wish someone had told you at the start?
(Newbies, take notes.)
To do it sooner! I really wish I had rather than worrying what people may think.
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.)
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.)
Well I am still in the final stretch of my journey, I have a little more weight to lose so I can get back into the suitcases full of old clothes I can’t yet fit in. So getting to that weight is the imminent goal. Following that I want to start spending more time in the gym so I can feel even healthier and stronger – physically and mentally.
Finally – give us your one-liner SlimrChat wisdom?
(What would you write on a Post-it for the next person starting out?)
Ignore the negative opinions, especially from those that had nothing to say when you were smashing through multiple take-aways and bottles of wine a week!