A WOMAN who shed nearly six stone and dropped a dress size every month has said food no longer “feels like an addiction” after using Mounjaro jabs.
Portia Devine, 35, a project manager from Ely, Cambridgeshire, reached her heaviest weight of 14st 7lbs (92.1kg) in 2022, feeling trapped in a cycle of emotional eating and low self-esteem.
Portia, who is 5ft 1in tall, confessed she used to “constantly” think about food, until she started taking Mounjaro, which leaves you feeling fuller for longer, in April 2025.
After starting the injections, she lost weight steadily and dropped a dress size each month.
It has also boosted her confidence and she now ventures out alone and doesn’t hide behind “baggy clothes.”
Now Portia weighs 8st 11lbs (55.8kg) and is a svelte size eight – but forks out £210 a month on the medication and check-ups.
However, she no longer goes to the gym as she can’t afford both.
Portia said: “Food used to feel like an addiction – I was always thinking about it and I’d be hungry straight after eating for no reason.
“Mounjaro has been the best decision I’ve ever made – food is still enjoyable but I view it as fuel now.
“It’s just changed my mindset, I used to use food as a reward.”
At her heaviest in 2022, Portia weighed 14st 7lbs (92.1kg), had a an obese body mass index (BMI) of 38.4 and wore a size 18.
She said: “I’ve been overweight since I was 10, when I had my first period, and I put weight on almost overnight.
“I think what led me to my highest weight, though, was I got into a new relationship, and we were eating out a lot.
“Then we broke up and I was quite miserable and was emotionally eating.”
When she was at her peak weight, she would typically skip breakfast, have a sandwich and crisps for lunch and eat a home-cooked dinner of stews containing “hidden calories”, such as high-fat mince and cream.
At the time, she said she went to the gym three times a week but did not “do many” steps each day because she worked in an office.
At her heaviest, Portia had a an obese body mass index (BMI) of 38.4[/caption]
She added: “I felt very low, my self-esteem was rock bottom.
“I have suffered from anxiety most of my life, and my weight and how I looked definitely added to that.
“I would try to hide myself with baggy clothes and I felt like I couldn’t really dress the way I wanted, because nothing looked good on me.
“I wouldn’t really go out on my own because I didn’t want people to notice me.”
Portia admitted that food felt like “an addiction” to her and she was constantly thinking about it.
Portia no longer hides behind baggy clothes and it has boosted her confidence[/caption]
“I felt like my body was telling me I was hungry even though I shouldn’t be – I felt like I was fighting my body,” she explained.
“I felt like I couldn’t think about anything else.”
She also revealed she had tried “every diet” over the years – from WeightWatchers to intense calorie counting – and that nothing “seemed to work”.
However, going to the gym and “watching what she ate” helped her lose some weight.
By 2025, she weighed 12st (76.2kg), with an obese BMI of 31.7, and wore a size 14.
Portia said she had tried every diet over the years but nothing ‘seemed to work’[/caption]
However, from there, she said her weight plateaued, despite increasing her exercise and decreasing her calorie intake.
So, in April 2025, she made the decision to try Mounjaro and said her food noise – the constant thoughts about food – “instantly” disappeared.
“It felt like a weight off my shoulders, to be honest, and just a huge relief,” Portia said.
“I stopped having anxiety about my weight and slowly felt more confident and happier.”
In her first week, she said she lost 5lbs (2.3kg), followed by 3lbs (1.4kg) in her second week, and since then she has lost an average of 2lbs (0.9kg) per week.
“I’ve consistently lost weight per week. Luckily, I haven’t had any plateaus,” she added.
“It’s changed my life – I can’t believe how well it has worked.”
Since taking the weight loss medication, she said she has often suffered with nausea but has managed to keep this at bay by using Sea-Band’s acupressure bands.
She said Sea-Band’s acupressure bands have been a game-changer for keeping nausea at bay[/caption]
She said: “They’ve been a lifesaver, and I don’t feel nauseous anymore, they’ve really made a difference.”
Portia said she has been prescribed Mounjaro through her local pharmacy and currently pays £210 a month for 7.5mg, along with a monthly check-up that includes blood pressure monitoring and discussions about her progress.
NHS England says that, before prescribing Mounjaro, a healthcare professional will talk through the benefits and limitations, including any side effects.
If Mounjaro is recommended, individuals will need to eat a balanced, reduced calorie diet and take part in physical activity regularly whilst taking the medicine.
How to take Mounjaro safely
IF you’re thinking of starting Mounjaro, here’s everything you need to be aware of to ensure you use it safely.
Consult your doctor first
- Discuss your medical history with a GP, especially if you have: thyroid issues, pancreatitis history, gastrointestinal disorders and kidney or liver issues.
Start a low dose and increase slowly
- Starting dose is usually 2.5 mg once weekly, injected under the skin.
- Typical progression: 2.5 mg → 5 mg → 7.5 mg → up to 15 mg weekly (in 2.5 mg increments every four weeks, as tolerated).
Administer it properly
- Inject once a week, same day each week, with or without food.
- Inject subcutaneously in stomach, thigh, or upper arm and rotate injection sites weekly.
Watch for side effects
- Common side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, decreased appetite and fatigue.
- Seek medical help if you experience any of the following serious side effects: signs of pancreatitis (severe stomach pain), allergic reactions and kidney problems (low urine output, swelling).
Portia now “prioritises protein and fibre” in her daily diet, having yoghurt, flaxseeds and peanut butter for breakfast, homemade soup for lunch and a low-fat cottage pie for dinner.
She now also goes to Pilates classes and walks daily but she “can’t afford” a gym membership alongside paying for Mounjaro.
Portia has “dropped a dress size every month” and now enjoys shopping, though she is still adjusting to her new body.
She now weighs 8st 11lbs (55.8kg), with a healthy BMI of 23.2, wearing a size eight, and feels “so much more confident”.
Portia said: “I do more on my own now.
“I met my mum and dad the other day in a restaurant and I walked in on my own, which sounds silly, but I never would have done that before.
“I go to coffee shops and restaurants on my own and enjoy it.”
Looking ahead, she plans to join the gym and slowly wean herself off Mounjaro, with advice from her pharmacist, once she reaches her goal weight of 8st 7lb (53.9kg).
“I feel confident that I can keep the weight off – I think I’ve built up healthy habits and my whole mindset around food has changed,” she said.
To others wanting to lose weight, she said: “If I can do it, anyone can.
“I’d recommend the jabs – it changed my entire life.”
What to do if you lose too much weight too quickly whilst on Mounjaro
IF you’re losing too much weight too quickly while on Mounjaro, it’s important to take action to avoid potential health risks like muscle loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and fatigue. Here’s what you can do:
Evaluate Your Caloric Intake
Mounjaro reduces appetite, which can make it easy to eat too little. If you’re losing weight too fast (more than two to three lbs per week after the initial adjustment period), try:
- Tracking your food intake to ensure you’re eating enough calories (apps like MyFitnessPal can help).
- Increasing protein intake to preserve muscle mass (aim for 0.6–1g per pound of body weight).
- Adding healthy fats and complex carbs (e.g., avocados, nuts, whole grains) for balanced energy.
Adjust Your Dosage (With Doctor’s Approval)
If your weight loss is too rapid or causing side effects, your doctor may:
- Pause dose increases or lower your dosage.
- Adjust your treatment plan to stabilise your weight loss.
Strength Training & Exercise
To prevent muscle loss:
- Incorporate resistance training at least two to three times per week.
- Stay active with low-impact exercises like walking or yoga.
Hydrate & Manage Electrolytes
- Drink enough water (Mounjaro can reduce thirst).
- Electrolytes matter – Consider adding magnesium, sodium, and potassium if you feel weak or fatigued.
Monitor for Malnutrition & Deficiencies
Rapid weight loss can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and electrolytes). If you experience:
- Fatigue, hair loss, or dizziness, ask your doctor about supplements.
Consider Further Medical Guidance
If your weight loss is excessive or causing health concerns, speak with your healthcare provider.
They might adjust your dosage, diet, or exercise plan to help stabilise your weight loss.
