STRUGGLING to keep up with her two young children and dreading her own reflection in the mirror, Emma Lasenby knew something had to change.
The 36-year-old mum-of-two from Kent found herself making excuses to avoid leaving the house or meeting friends, her confidence crushed by her weight.
Emma as a size 18 before using a weight-loss jabs[/caption]
The mum dropped three dress sizes[/caption]
But it wasn’t until she saw a photo of herself at her brother’s wedding that the turning point came.
Determined to take action, Emma decided to try weight loss jabs – a choice that has sparked both praise and criticism.
In less than a year, she shed over four stones and transformed her life.
Yet her journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
With 1 in 10 women in the UK now using weight loss medications, Emma is part of the 38% who feel they face judgement for opting for a medical solution rather than a more “natural” approach.
“I’ve been called lazy,” Emma admits. “But people don’t see the struggles behind the scenes.”
For Emma, the decision to use weight loss jabs wasn’t about taking an easy way out – it was about reclaiming her life and her confidence.
“There is so much judgement about people’s weight and size, and then again about people doing something about it,” the NHS infant feeding worker told What’s The Jam.
“I had been quite selective with who I told about using this medication, but I had already heard so many people talking about those who use it, such as myself, as lazy.
“Or that the weight loss doesn’t count, as it wasn’t done through exercise.
“Using weight loss medication is another tool to aid the process – it’s not a magic wand – but it does give people time and space to reset habits and replace those unhealthy relationships we have with food.
“I felt so confident and comfortable in what I had worn for my brother’s wedding, but when I saw the photo, I was shocked.
“In reality, I looked entirely different. We were due to go on holiday later that year and I was a bridesmaid.
“I refused to look or feel the same as I did that day.
“I’d tried so many diets and exercise programs that only kept the weight off in the short-term, I needed a sustainable way to lose weight.”
Emma had been trying to lose weight since she was a young adult, but this went to the back of her mind after giving birth to her second child.
I’ve never felt that ‘buzz’ after a workout, so this time, I’m building exercise into my routine and everyday tasks
Emma Lasenby, 36
At her heaviest, she weighed over 14st and her self-esteem took a huge toll.
She said: “I didn’t feel confident or accepted at my size.
“I learned to dress a certain way, to hide my body, and lost my sense of style and the way I liked to dress, as I worried about how it would make me feel – and how others would see me.
“Compliments always seemed to have a caveat.
“And didn’t have the energy to keep up with my children; I would be tired, have aches and a lack of energy.”
She went from a size 18 to a 12[/caption]
Emma has found that Mounjaro is the one thing that has worked for her[/caption]
She had tried various diets before, such as Slimming World, restricting her food intake and doing “gruelling” exercise routines, all which only worked in the short-term.
A lover of food, it was always on her mind and she’d often grab whatever, whenever, without a thought about how nutritional it was.
Emma, who was “fed up” with nothing working, did her research and came across Mounjaro.
The self-injectable medication is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but more recently, for weight loss purposes.
Getting out with the kids, multiple trips up and down the stairs or anything else where I can get moving
Emma Lasenby, 36
Emma accessed the medication through Juniper after checking her eligibility and discussing a plan with a prescriber.
A starting dose can begin at £180 and then go up depending on increases in dosage.
She said: “Before, when I had lost weight, it quickly crept back on faster than it came off whenever I stopped with the diet or exercising.
Now I’m more confident, wear what I like and feel like I’ve got my new, own style.
“I’m more energised and willing to do more things.”
Currently, she weighs 10st and has gone from a UK dress size 18 to 12.
Now she lives a healthy and balanced lifestyle[/caption]
She said: “I know how to balance my nutrition throughout the day and the importance of eating, as well as fuelling my body regularly.
“I make use of protein shakes, and lunch is something simple – balanced, with a focus on protein – and not eating loads of food for the sake of it.
“For dinner, we have a subscription service, which has been great for finding new recipes.
“I’ve never felt that ‘buzz’ after a workout, so this time, I’m building exercise into my routine and everyday tasks.
I had no contradictions, beside being mindful of the side effects, but I thought it was at least worth a go
Emma Lasenby, 36
“Getting out with the kids, multiple trips up and down the stairs or anything else where I can get moving.”
Emma is now on a maintenance dose of Mounjaro as she’s closer to her target weight goal.
For her, though, it’s not about getting to the smallest she can, but more about finding the point in which she feels happy to stop – and when her weight and size doesn’t impact her daily life.
She hopes sharing her story will encourage people to use weight loss medication if they feel it is right for them; but says it’s important to do your research first.
Emma added: “Decide what you want. No weight loss will stick if you aren’t willing to change your habits.
“I knew nothing about weight loss medication, but had seen an advert and thought it was worth looking into.
“I had no contradictions, beside being mindful of the side effects, but I thought it was at least worth a go.
“Now, I no longer worry about what people think about my looks – as they’ll always judge regardless – but what’s more important is my acceptance of how I look and feel.
“And that’s been a massive shift.”
Ozempic – an expert’s view
Dr Mitra Dutt, a GP from Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, says: “Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity and work to decrease food intake.”
Saxenda, which contains the active ingredient liraglutide, is another weight loss jab that’s been available on the NHS since 2020.
While Mounjaro is hailed as the “King Kong” fat jabs, a new weight loss drug dubbed “Godzilla” looks set to displace it.
Containing the active ingredient retatrutide, slimmers trying the drug lost up to 29 per cent of their weight in less than a year.
By comparison, trial results showed semaglutide, known as Ozempic, could lead to 15 per cent weight loss and tirzepatide, aka Mounjaro, to 23 per cent.
Retatrutide acts on three different receptors in the brain, “turbocharging” calorie burning while dulling hunger pangs.
Existing weight-loss jabs only suppress appetite, whereas the new treatment also speeds up metabolism.
The new drug is still undergoing clinical trials so it’s not yet known if it will be made available on the NHS.
