I shed 3st on fat jabs but when my body began ‘shutting down' I had to make a drastic change
A YOUNG mum has shared a raw account of the hidden dangers of weight loss jabs after her body began shutting down.
Miranda Edmonds, 30, was so depressed about her weight she would cry in dressing rooms, hide behind baggy clothes and avoid going out.
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But it was when she realised that the extra pounds were slowly killing her that she decided life had to change.
'I was pre- diabetic and inflamed, constantly tired, and my doctor warned me I was heading for fatty liver disease,' Miranda says.
'As a mum that terrified me. I needed to make a change, not just for me but for my family.'
At 15st (95kg), Miranda began reading up on GLP-1 medications, a class of weight-loss jabs which suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.
She eventually decided to give it a go.
'I was nervous at first,' she admits.
'It was a big investment, and I wasn't sure it would work. But I was desperate. I'd tried everything - calorie counting, gym memberships, obsessive dieting - and nothing ever stuck.'
Miranda initially thought she was doing everything right. Her meals were small, she felt full, and the weight was dropping off. But there was an unexpected side to the appetite suppressants.
'I started feeling weak,' she says.
'I was tired, cranky, nauseous. I'd go to bed by 7pm because I was absolutely drained.'
I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects
Along with total exhaustion and irritability, the mum-of-two, from Knoxville, Tennessee, noticed that her hair was thinning.
But it wasn't until she posted a 'What I Eat in a Day' video on TikTok and did the calorie math that the truth hit her hard.
'I realised I was eating about 900 calories a day, that's less than what I feed my toddlers!' she laughs now - although at the time it wasn't funny.
'I felt full, but my body was starving. I'm a whole grown woman, working out and chasing kids. I can't survive on 900 calories.
'When I first started my GLP-1, no one talked about the risk of undereating.
"So now I share everything - the wins, the mistakes, the good days and the hard ones. Because someone out there needs to hear it.'
When I first started my GLP-1, no one talked about the risk of undereating
Miranda Edmonds
Miranda reintroduced structured snacks and protein-packed meals to help get her back on track.
' Protein is everything,' she says.
'I have a shake in the morning, beef sticks, protein bars, even when I'm not hungry. I set alarms to eat. Not because I'm obsessed - but because my body needs fuel.'
Despite her success, calorie tracking is off the table.
'I used to obsessively count every calorie. If I didn't know the macros on a restaurant meal, I'd panic,' she says.
'It wrecked my mental health. I lost 10lbs (4.5kg) and gained it back every time. I just couldn't live like that again.'
Not just a physical transformation...
Miranda is now seven months in and says her husband Caleb and their two sons, aged 7 and 5, have been her biggest motivation.
Her transformation has not just been physical.
'Mentally, I'm the healthiest I've ever been,' she says.
'I've fallen in love with working out, I'm building muscle and, for the first time in my life, I actually love my body.'
She is honest about the loose skin and stretch marks, but also proud of everything she has achieved.
'This body grew two children,' she says.
I get messages saying using a GLP-1 is cheating. That I didn't earn it. That I took the easy way out. But there's nothing easy about this
Miranda Edmonds
'It's strong. It's powerful. And now it's finally nourished.'
Miranda has built a supportive online community who share their triumphs and struggles together. But not everyone is positive.
'I get messages saying using a GLP-1 is cheating,' she says.
'That I didn't earn it. That I took the easy way out. 'But there's nothing easy about this.
"It's still hard work. This medication is just one tool - not a magic wand.'
Miranda now weighs 11st 7lb (74kg), a drop of 46lbs (20.8kg) from her starting weight of 15st (95kg).
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She has dropped from a US size 18 to an 8 (UK size 22 to 12). And while she has a weight in mind, other things have become more important.
'My real goal is freedom,' she says.
'To be able to eat in moderation without guilt. To go out with my kids and not think about whether I'll fit in the seat or hate the photos. I want to live my life without my weight being a shadow over everything.
'My children are my biggest motivation. Being a healthy, present mum matters more to me than anything.'
She also has a message for the woman who used to dread shopping trips and cry in changing rooms.
'I'd tell her this isn't her fault,' Miranda says.
'She wasn't lazy or weak. She just needed help. And there's nothing wrong with that.'
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
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