‘I ditched takeaways to fund my skinny jabs - now I'm saving money'
She lost 7st and gained £250 each month
Natalie Strange has faced a lifelong struggle with her weight, tipping the scales at 19st or 120kg. After years of unsuccessful attempts with various programmes like WeightWatchers, Natalie encountered Mounjaro.
The innovative weight loss and type 2 diabetes treatment has been making waves globally for its impressive outcomes. Despite its cost, she found it balanced out by putting the £250 a month she spent on takeaways into funding her weight loss jabs instead.
Natalie, 36, from Norwich, shared with NeedtoKnow: "I felt disgusted by my body and avoided travelling with my husband because I felt like an embarrassment. I didn't even really enjoy eating takeaways. It just left me feeling guilty and bloated. People used to tell me I looked unhealthy, or severely bloated."
The turning point came when doctors highlighted the severe condition of her physical health: "It really got me down and I was desperate to find a way out of this never-ending cycle. When doctors told me how poor my physical health was, though, that was the moment I knew something had to change."
Her journey with Mounjaro began in March 2024, and the results were quickly visible. Natalie recounted: "In the first week, I lost 10lbs and then in less than a month, I went down by two stone.
"I never felt full before and was constantly craving junk food; but not anymore. Now I feel like a new person. I'm struggling to find my new style though, as I'm unsure what to wear now since none of my clothes fit me."
Before embarking on her weight loss journey with medication, Natalie's diet was far from ideal. She would often start her day with three bowls of cereal, pastries or a full English breakfast. Lunchtime meant a trip to McDonald's for a Big Mac meal, an extra cheeseburger, apple pie, and a milkshake.
Come evening, dinner was typically a takeaway, with choices ranging from Chinese dishes to kebabs, while snacking on chocolates and sweets throughout the day was the norm. This costly and unhealthy eating habit had consequences for her health.
Nowadays, Natalie opts for a healthier start with a protein shake or berries and Greek yoghurt. Lunch is a more balanced affair with a jacket potato and baked beans or a protein bagel with ham and cream cheese.
For dinner, she enjoys chicken with vegetables or a high-protein, low-calorie ready meal, and she has cut down on snacking, choosing fruit when she needs something between meals.
Natalie's transformation has seen her drop an incredible 12 dress sizes and she's been sharing her progress and challenges on Instagram, attracting thousands of followers. Alongside her weight loss, she's discovered a surge in energy, which she channels into yoga, strength training, and running.
However, the journey hasn't been without its difficulties. The stay-at-home mum has faced side effects of the medication, such as nausea, stomach cramps, and frequent headaches.
Stopping her takeaway habit allowed Natalie to pocket around £250 each month. While close to £200 of that is now spent on her Mounjaro injections, she has plans to stop this year as she's currently on a maintenance dose of 5mg.
Natalie said: "I think there is a general thinking that using medication for weight loss is cheating. I feel like it's just levelling the playing field.
"My desperate need to overindulge was a health problem, not a willpower issue. The skinny jabs have just made me normal."
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The 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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'It is important to note that everybody's body is different, so results will vary depending on the individual.' 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. 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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. What are Brazilian Butt Lifts and why are they so popular? Buttock enlargement surgery - known as a Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) - is used to make the bum look bigger, rounded and lifted. Surgeons transfer fat, inject filler or insert silicone-filled implants. It is the fastest growing cosmetic procedure but also one of the most dangerous, according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Many patients are travelling to the likes of Turkey or seeking out unregistered surgeons in the UK and are not given full information on the risks. BBLs carry the highest risk of all cosmetic surgeries - with more than one death occurring per 4,000 procedures. Due to celebrities undergoing such ops, many women are hoping to emulate their looks. 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And results can last for up to 12 months with a healthy and active lifestyle.' The horror stories I've read about BBL surgery have put me off for life, but with EmSculpt, I could see myself coming back for more. After finishing my four sessions, my bottom is far plumper than before I started taking Mounjaro – and I am genuinely impressed. The humiliation I first felt when pulling down my trousers to show off my drained derriere has now vanished – and putting on my rarely used workout gear, I genuinely felt so confident. The cost wouldn't put me off either, as I could pay for a yearly course of EmSculpt just by giving up my £4.20-a-day large Costa Coffee latte. Not only would my waistline thank me for it, but my bum would be shouting it from the rooftops. 10 Watch The Tweakment Trials on Youtube by scanning this QR code or visiting WEBSITE
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I went from 18st to 8.5st on Mounjaro, there's a dark side coming off no-one talks about – I've gone back on it 3 times
Plus, the financial worries that come with being on the jab JAB SNAG I went from 18st to 8.5st on Mounjaro, there's a dark side coming off no-one talks about – I've gone back on it 3 times A WOMAN has shared how she lost a staggering 9.5 stone being on Mounjaro, but said there was a dark side that no one talks about when you come off. Shannon revealed she went from 18 stone to 8.5 stone on the popular weight loss jab, and she's been on it three times after 'failing' to ditch it. Advertisement 4 Shannon went from 18 stone to 8.5 stone on weight loss jab Mounjaro Credit: TikTok/@shanmacxo 4 She now feels more confident, but claims the jab is 'addictive' Credit: TikTok/@shanmacxo On her @shanmacxo account, she insisted that it was 'genuinely the best thing I ever did for myself' and said 'it will change your life.' However, coming off the injections is extremely tough - and she claims she is now an 'addict' of its effects. In a video that has 85,000 views, she shared: 'I've been taking Mounjaro now for 16 months. I have gone from 18 stone, and I weigh 8 stone 5 now." She shared how she had come off the weight loss jab three times 'cold turkey' and each time has 'completely failed and got back on it.' Advertisement Shannon said she'd been on a maintenance dose of 7.5 and had been injecting herself every week or every other week. But when it came to stopping, she faced a big obstacle. 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 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 negative side effects for some users - became available in the UK in February 2024, primarily for private use. 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 Mounjaro should know that it can also have fatal consequences. 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 type 2 diabetes and are administered every seven days. They are also available to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). 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 fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK. 4 Mounjaro slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer Credit: Alamy
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
I went from 18st to 8.5st on Mounjaro, there's a dark side coming off no-one talks about – I've gone back on it 3 times
A WOMAN has shared how she lost a staggering 9.5 stone being on Mounjaro, but said there was a dark side that no one talks about when you come off. Shannon revealed she went from 18 stone to 8.5 stone on the popular weight loss jab, and she's been on it three times after 'failing' to ditch it. 4 On her @shanmacxo account, she insisted that it was 'genuinely the best thing I ever did for myself' and said 'it will change your life.' However, coming off the injections is extremely tough - and she claims she is now an 'addict' of its effects. In a video that has 85,000 views, she shared: 'I've been taking Mounjaro now for 16 months. I have gone from 18 stone, and I weigh 8 stone 5 now." She shared how she had come off the weight loss jab three times 'cold turkey' and each time has 'completely failed and got back on it.' Shannon said she'd been on a maintenance dose of 7.5 and had been injecting herself every week or every other week. But when it came to stopping, she faced a big obstacle. 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.' 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." 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.'' 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." JAB WARNING Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - which can have negative side effects for some users - became available in the UK in February 2024, primarily for private use. But access to the weight loss jab through the NHS has gradually been rolled out. 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. In addition to nasty side effects, those debating whether to begin using Mounjaro should know that it can also have fatal consequences. 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 type 2 diabetes and are administered every seven days. They are also available to assist those who are clinically obese (with a Body Mass Index of 30 or over). 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 fat jabs had been linked to 82 deaths across the UK. 4
