I went from a size 22 to a 6 and shed half my body weight WITHOUT resorting to fat jabs – 2 simple tricks are key
A WAITRESS lost a whopping eight stone with two simple tricks - after her "spirit was crushed" when a customer told her she'd "doubled in size".
Kaylin Gealy, 28, says she piled on pounds while working as a waitress at
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Kaylin Gealy, 28, before her weight loss
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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The waitress took advantage of free meals from the Italian restaurant she worked at, often eating family-sized pasta dishes
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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She lost a whopping eight stone with the help of simple tips
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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Kaylin ditched fizzy drinks and tried to stay active during her work breaks
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Kaylin went from 10.7 stone (150lbs) to almost 17 stone (237lbs) after indulging in rich pasta dishes daily.
The 28-year-old said she would take home "family-sized" dishes at the end of her shift and would eat them all by herself, accompanied by sides and desserts.
She hoped that
But Kaylin was reduced to tears when a customer turned round to her on shift one day in October 2019 and told her she had "doubled in size" - even going so far as to show her an image of herself from the year before.
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Kaylin says she was left "shocked" by the comment and knew in that moment she need to make some changes.
The 28-year-old had also been told by her doctor she was obese.
She used the hurtful comment as ammunition to start her weight loss journey.
Kaylin switched to an office job to keep away from the temptation of free meals and vowed to make healthier food choices.
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Most read in Diet & Nutrition
She also
"I'd been working everyday at the restaurant so I was eating seven Italian dishes throughout the week," she said.
I lost 98lb on Mounjaro but it's surprise side benefit that's been life-changing
"Usually at lunch time I would have a sandwich or a burger but then at the end of the night I would also get a family-sized meal.
"The restaurant had dishes on the menu that were pasta-for-two and I would get the meal that was made for two people and I would bring it home and eat it all to myself.
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"I might get a soup or a salad with it, extra garlic bread, and if there was a good cake in the dessert cooler then I might bring a cake home with me too.
"I wouldn't get home until 11pm so I was eating so much food right before bed - and it wasn't healthy food.
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Kaylin was shocked by a comment made by customer about her weight
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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She switched jobs soon afterwards to avoid the constant temptation
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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She shed five stone in the first year
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"I wasn't thinking about nutrition - I was just thinking about the fact that the food looked delicious and I just wanted all of it."
The lifestyle change resulted in Kaylin losing a whopping 8.2 stone (116lbs) in the space of two years - with five stone (70lbs) of the weight loss shed within the first 12 months.
Kaylin's weight dropped from 17 stone (237lbs) to 8.6 stone (121lbs) at her lowest.
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Kaylin - who now works as an asset management specialist - now maintains her weight at around 9.2 stone (130lbs) and says she "feels like a whole new person".
Kaylin, from Greenville, South Carolina, recalled the hurtful incident that kicked off her journey: "One of my regulars who would come in everyday for lunch asked me if I was taking any medication.
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...
Don't skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry.
Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.
Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone.
Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need.
Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.
Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.
Don't ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance.
Don't stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
"I told her that I wasn't and she told me that I'd doubled in size from the year before.
"When she told me that she pulled up her phone and had a picture of me from the year before - she was trying to show me visual proof of how much weight I'd gained which wasn't very
nice
.
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"That was the moment where it crushed my spirit and I decided to make a change.
"I was so sad. It felt like all of the music and all of the sounds around me stopped. I was very shocked.
"The
next
week I left my waitress job and got a job in an office setting because I knew that I needed to not be around food the whole day."
Start small
Kaylin overhauled her lifestyle and started calorie counting, made healthier food choices, swapped fizzy drinks for water and used her breaks in
the office
to go for a walk.
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After shedding 100lbs, Kaylin dropped from a size 22 to a size six in jeans - from an 18 to a two in American sizing - and from a size XL to small in tops.
Kaylin said: "I feel like a whole new person.
"Instead of wanting to stay in and watch movies and eat takeaways, I'm always wanting to go explore.
"I love being active and it's amazing how much
energy
I have now - I didn't think it was possible.
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Just do one little thing each week. Maybe the first week you stop eating the cookies and the next week you add in a walk
Kaylin Gealy
"It's also so much easier to shop. I enjoy shopping - I'm not scared about going to try things on and them not fitting.
"I can typically find more cute options as well. It's just easier to find clothes now."
Kaylin urges anyone else at the start of their weight loss journey to start with small swaps and stay consistent.
Kaylin said: "I would say just start with small changes and let them accumulate.
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"Be as persistent as you can. You don't have to go in full force at the beginning. Every little change will add up to a big change.
Read more on the Irish Sun
"Just do one little thing each week. Maybe the first week you stop eating the cookies and the
next
week you add in a walk.
"Stay consistent - you can definitely do it."
9
Kaylin advised others to start small
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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9
'Stay consistent - you can definitely do it,' she added
Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch my ozempic bum shake like the clappers in £250 treatment better than BBL – it fixed my droopy rear after fat jabs
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While I'm not expecting to be able to balance a glass of champers on my rump – like Kim did when she broke the internet with THAT famous photoshoot for Paper Magazine in 2014 – after just one session I could see a difference. My bottom appeared rounder and more shapely and even my partner Tom, who normally wouldn't notice if I dyed my hair black, noticed it too. Tweakment Trials NON-SURGICAL cosmetic procedures – dubbed tweakments - are experiencing a surge in the UK. A recent survey revealed a 28 per cent increase in consumer spending on procedures such as Botox, fillers and skin rejuvenation in the past two years alone, highlighting a shift towards less invasive, safer enhancements. Researchers at University College London predict that the UK injectables market will be worth a staggering £11.7bn by next year, thanks to the treatments being available everywhere from high-end clinics to local hair salons. Today we launch a brand new series, The Tweakment Trials, which lifts the lid on the UK's most popular and emerging non-surgical We will explore their benefits – and potential pitfalls – and provide guidance on how to undergo these enhancements responsibly and safely. Government-approved organisation Save Face warns it is vital consumers use only accredited professionals, which is why they maintain a register of qualified practitioners who have been through rigorous assessments. 'Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can cause serious complications,' says Ashton Collins, director of Save Face, which provides a register of qualified practitioners. 'It is important that your practitioner is competent to identify and manage any complication should it occur. "Research your chosen practitioner, visit their website to check testimonials and see examples of their work. And don't be afraid to walk away If you do not feel comfortable." And incredibly, there wasn't even an ounce of discomfort the following day – despite my mother's fear that I'd end up 'walking like John Wayne'. Advertisement In fact, the whole process was painless, which is remarkable when you think the machine has put my glutes through the equivalent of 24,000 squats in under an hour. After finishing my four sessions, my bottom is far plumper than before I started taking Mounjaro – and I am genuinely impressed Ellie Henman Katie, who performed my treatments, explained: 'The EmSculpt machine taps out the lactic acid during the treatment. 'So that aching feeling you get after doing squats at the gym isn't there. It's very clever.' I'd agree – after each of my four treatments, I never had an issue with muscle ache or discomfort. For exercise-phobics like me, this treatment is ideal. And in terms of the cost, in comparison to what you'd pay for a BBL, you'd be laughing all the way to the bank. 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Advertisement 10 EmSculpt costs £1,000 for four sessions and the results last for 12 months 10 She now feels much more confident in her 'rarely used workout gear' Credit: David Cummings 10 The whole process was painless for Ellie and didn't leave her 'walking like John Wayne' Credit: David Cummings For more information about EmSculpt, visit Watch The Tweakment Trials on Youtube by scanning this QR code or visiting WEBSITE
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
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Shannon explained: 'The last week or so has been like I have been an addict. My brain has been like, I need it, I need to order it. 'I'm eating far too much. I've got this severe, sickening worry that I'm gonna put weight on, checking the scales all of the time.' Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Exclusive Shannon said she thinks her issues come from her feeling like she was 'big' her whole life. She said that she's been really worried about putting on a single pound and caved about bought more of the weight loss jab, although the decision left her "disappointed in myself." I was depressed and exhausted before Mounjaro - I've lost 4 stone but have had FOUL side effects, including eggy burps RELIANT FOR LIFE? And it's not just her who finds the weight loss method 'addictive.' She explained: 'And friends do the same as well, where they've come off it, lost so much weight, and then they're just like, 'I need— I need it back.'' Advertisement Due to her reliance on the controversial weight loss jab, she wondered if she will now be reliant on it 'for life'. She continued: 'Is it a life thing? It's not sustainable financially for life. 'I feel like this isn't talked about enough, and how we are supposed to manage the weight loss after— and the food noise—it's a real struggle." 4 More and more people buying Mounjaro through online pharmacies, without sufficient checks Credit: Alamy Advertisement JAB WARNING Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - which can have But access to the weight loss jab through the NHS has gradually been rolled out. Is it a life thing? It's not sustainable financially for life Shannon By activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer and reducing appetite. This can lead to eating less food overall. Advertisement In addition to nasty side effects, those debating whether to begin using Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. The injections are licensed for patients with They are also available to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Advertisement The drugs, which have been widely regarded as 'fat jabs', can be prescribed by a practitioner - such as a doctor, nurse or a pharmacist-independent prescriber. But increasingly, we are seeing more and more people buying them through online pharmacies, without sufficient checks. Not only this, but recently, figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revealed that 4 Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer Credit: Alamy Advertisement
The Irish Sun
21 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I lost 3st on fat jabs but still can't wear a bikini thanks to side effect… and my waist wasn't the only thing to shrink
PACKING for her holidays Ann Howard wonders whether to put her bikini into her suitcase. She might have shed three stone after taking fat jabs but she knows deep down that the idea of wearing a Advertisement 7 Ann Howard was desperate to lose weight after it crept up over the years 7 She is now her dream weight after taking Mounjaro - but has been left with unwanted side effects Ann, 38, has fallen victim to an unwanted side effect as a result of taking the weight loss job Mounjaro. 'I dropped three stone but I've ended up with a four-inch muffin-top,' says the mum-of-two. "Even though I have bought my first bikini in a decade, flaunting it on the beach this summer is a worry due to my new wobbly stomach.' Advertisement Mental health support worker Ann, 38, lives in Norfolk, East Anglia with her husband, Dan, 41 an IT manager and their two children aged 16 and five and says her muffin-top is not the only She claims using the weight loss jabs not only took inches from her waist but also an inch from her height. 'I used to be 5ft and I have always felt like the smallest person in the room,' she says. 'Now I am 4ft 11. I shrunk an inch in height using the jabs. 'When you are short like me and only five feet tall you need every inch you can get.' Advertisement Height loss is not a common side effect of weight loss injectables but can occur because the body is losing fat and muscle quickly, especially in the core and back. National Library of Medicine research reveals rapid fat and muscle loss can lead to a small loss of height because of the way a person stands. I'm so happy with my Mounjaro body after dropping 4 stone but there's a side effect I hate & trolls say I 'cheated' If fat is lost from the feet, it can also impact a person's height. 'I now have to hit the gym and do more resistance and weight training to make myself stand taller or grow back an inch,' Ann adds. Growing up Ann says she was always an average size. Advertisement 'It wasn't until I moved out at 18 and started shopping and cooking for myself did the weight pile on,' she says. 'I went from a size 14 to a size 18 in just eighteen months.' Ann met her husband through work and the pair started dating when Ann was 18. 'Our daughter, now 16, was born in May 2009 and I was a size 22,' Ann says. 'I couldn't shift the baby weight no matter what diet I tried.' Advertisement 7 Ann has been left with a four-inch muffin-top after taking Mounjaro 7 The mum-of-two says she felt like 'she had failed' on her wedding day when she wore a size 20 gown 7 Ann sticks to baggier clothes to hide her muffin-top since her weight loss 7 Ann recently bought her first bikini in a decade - but won't be wearing it in the UK WHY A BELLY CAN BE HARDEST TO SHIFT Dr Bryony Henderson, a GP, obesity management expert and medical director at 'Years of overeating can dull the brain's response to leptin, the 'I'm full' hormone, so appetite remains higher than it should be. 'Plus, poor sleep or constant stress raises cortisol, a survival hormone that tells the body to store spare energy around the waist. 'Together these hormonal shifts can slow or even stop fat loss in people who feel they are 'doing everything right'.' HIGH levels of the hormone oestrogen can cause women to store 'In men, low testosterone can lead to increased body fat, especially in the abdominal area,' she adds. 'This is partly due to the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen by fat cells, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances and fat storage.' You can combat this by boosting testosterone levels with a diet full of lean proteins (chicken, turkey), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado), complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as oats, brown rice), zinc (found in lean red meat, beans, nuts) magnesium (from dark green leafy vegetables) and vitamin D (in eggs, oily fish). 'Weight training, with a focus on multi-joint compound movements such as squats and lunges, can also stimulate testosterone production for men,' Karen adds. Dominika Blonska, a personal trainer, nutrition coach and founder of 'To help it out, limit alcohol, drink at least two litres of water per day and eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower. 'Improving your gut health will also help with oestrogen elimination. 'You can do this by avoiding inflammatory foods, such as processed products, sugar and seed oils, and eating fibre-rich food, like vegetables, chia and flax seeds.' Tuck into healthy fats too - think avocado, Ann and Dan married in April 2013 and Ann says she was an overweight bride. Advertisement 'I had to wear a size 20 'Everyone told me I looked amazing, but I felt like I had failed. 'After that I was always on diets. I lost some weight at Slimming World but then would regain it. 'I have tried At her heaviest Ann hit the scales at 17st 11 lbs and had a Advertisement The couple welcomed their second daughter in June 2019 with Ann vowing to find a way to lose weight that offered a permanent solution. 'I asked to be put on the NHS waiting list for free bariatric surgery but was told there was a waiting list of up to five years just to get an appointment with a consultant,' she says. So, in November 2023 Ann flew to Turkey for 'I lost three stone and then my weight plateaued, I was devastated,' she admits. Ann also started regaining weight and after a visit to her GP discovered she was suffering early menopause as a result of endometriosis. Advertisement 'At the time I was 36 suffering hot flushes, low energy levels and mood swings,' she says. 'I'd spent £5,000 on weight loss surgery, and I was actually putting on weight.' After speaking to a friend who had used weight loss injectables Ann started taking Mounjaro in March 2025. 'Within a day the food noise was gone - it was the first time in over 30 years,' she says. I won't be showing off my bikini on British beaches yet - my wobbling muffin top has put an end to that Ann Howard Ann lost almost three stone and is now 12st 03 lbs. Advertisement 'I am back to a size 12-14 and feel amazing,' she says. 'It's been life changing and it is the first time I feel in control of my body and weight.' However, Ann admits her rapid weight loss using the jabs has left her with a 'muffin top' or belly apron on her stomach. Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. 'My jelly belly has developed in the last year, I know it's due to rapid weight loss,' she says. 'No matter how many exercises or skin care products you use, I know not to expect your skin to ping back to its pre-fat tightness." Advertisement Ann's belly apron is four inches long and she admits she chooses clothes to hide its wobble. 'It bulks me out at the front. Until I have cosmetic surgery, I still have to wear loose clothes over my tummy,' she claims. Despite this, Ann is planning to debut her new bikini on holiday with her 'Mounjaro mates', a group of female friends who all lost weight using the jabs or from gastric sleeves. 'We are all going on a girls' holiday to "I won't be showing off my bikini on British beaches yet - my wobbling muffin top has put an end to that.' Advertisement The mum has also revealed her marriage got a Mounjaro makeover as well. We used to make love once a month, but now we're enjoying adult time once or twice a week Ann Howard 'Since I started using the jab my self esteem and body confidence has improved,' Ann says. 'I am not hiding my body all the time under black baggy clothes and our love life has improved dramatically. 'We used to make love once a month, but now we're enjoying adult time once or twice a week. 'I feel like a teenager again.' Advertisement Ann is now saving for her Mounjaro mummy makeover and wants to have a She is planning to renew her vows with Dan when they celebrate 20 years of marriage in 2033. 'I want to have the fun of being a slim bride,' she says. 'When we got married, I hated my body and didn't get to choose the dress I wanted. I had to choose a dress that was 'in my size' and was a hand-me-down. 'I want to have a hot wedding dress, some sexy underwear, and to have the experience of being the bride I have always dreamt of." Advertisement 7 Despite the side effects Ann is thrilled with her weight loss
