'Secret eater' lost 11st on Mounjaro - now she feels 'uncomfortable'
Emilly Murray said it was not all positive
Emilly Murray weighed 22st 1.5lbs at her heaviest
(Image: Emilly Murray/SWNS)
A self-confessed "secret eater" who lost 11st using Mounjaro reveals how it's left her "uncomfortable" as she can now "feel her bones" while sitting in the bath. Emilly Murray, 35, weighed 22st 1.5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 30 at her heaviest.
She lost more than six stone in a year through a calorie deficit and exercise before beginning the weight loss jab in December 2024. Emilly has lost a further five stone since and says it has helped stop the "constant obsession and thinking about food".
Slimming to a svelte 10st 9.5lbs and dropping to a size eight, former "binge eater" Emilly now doesn't recognise herself. Despite her amazing transformation, Emilly has found a number of negatives to using Mounjaro – including not being able to shave her armpits properly due to them being hollow, people commenting on her weight, and not recognising herself in the mirror.
Mum-of-three Emilly, a stay-at-home mum from Liverpool, said: "It feels amazing, but it's very surreal. I look in the mirror and I still don't see what other people see.
"It's really hard to not feel like the old me. Your brain just doesn't catch up. Lying in the bath is not comfy.
"Obviously I'm not used to feeling all these bones. When I was on holiday I was so uncomfortable on the chairs and the sunbed.
Article continues below
'My coccyx hurt the most. I was obviously that fat they [her bones] didn't touch much.
'I didn't roll over in bed and feel hip bones and now I do and I'm like, 'Oh'. It really is uncomfortable.
"On my armpits I've never had a gap there, it's always been flat. Now there's a big gaping hole.
"I've constantly got cuts because I'm not used to being able to shave my armpits now they are hollow. It's strange, I think I might have to get laser."
Emilly Murray before she lost weight
(Image: Emilly Murray/SWNS)
After losing six stone on her own, Emilly found she was struggling to "lose any more weight".
She said: "I've got disordered eating, I'm a bit of a binge eater. I was binge eating over the weekend and restricting my calories during the week. I wasn't addressing the issues I had with food."
Usually only eating one 2,000 calorie meal a day, Emilly would go to the shop on an evening and buy Doritos, a share bar of chocolate and a bag of sweets and "eat them all". After researching the weight loss jab, she purchased her first Mounjaro pen for £105 from a private pharmacy and started using it in December 2024.
She said: "I've never looked back, it's the best thing I've ever done. I've never not struggled so much because I've not got that constant obsession of thinking about food every minute of every day.
"People talk about 'food noise'. I've got friends who are like 'oh I forgot to eat today'. When you take Mounjaro and that stops, it's like mental clarity. You literally just eat for fuel and I hate to say 'normal people', but that's what normal people do."
With her goal weight of 9st 7lbs fast approaching, Emilly's next step will be loose skin removal.
Emilly Murray after she lost weight
(Image: Emilly Murray/SWNS)
She said: "Because my brain has not caught up it's hard to be like 'this is enough now' because I've got loose skin. I've got it everywhere and it's quite bad.
"The top negative I would say is other people's opinions. I must get hundreds of comments through the week saying 'just eat less and move more'.
"People don't see obesity as a disease. I haven't lived my life, I've always hid away and I've been miserable.
"When you've got people who don't struggle with their weight giving their opinions saying you were 'cheating' using medication is one of the most negative things. The risks of obesity are far worse to me than the risk of Mounjaro, but when you start Mounjaro everyone wants to say how dangerous it is.
"Now as I've lost weight people are telling me I need to stop, or I've gone too far. Where were these people when I was 22 stone?"
As well as having to "acclimatise" to being able to feel her bones now she has lost weight, Emilly struggles to shave her armpits properly due to newly found hollows in her skin. She still finds buying new clothes "weird" and will often pick out a bigger size.
Emilly said: "I was able to go to Zara and buy clothes. I always remember every winter trying to find a coat that fit me and it was so difficult, there were no options.
'It's always been such a negative experience. It's so nice now that it can be a nice experience. I actually stood in the changing room and cried."
Putting her previous diet down to emotional eating, Emilly said "things got worse" when her daughter was in hospital after being born prematurely and with a rare birth defect.
Emilly Murray lost more than 11st
(Image: Emilly Murray/SWNS)
She said: "It would trigger me to binge, I'd secret-eat. I own my own house, but I'd still hide wrappers in the bin. I wouldn't have breakfast and sometimes skip dinner.
"Throughout the day around 3pm I'd just grab a chocolate bar and a coffee on the way to the school run. When the kids had gone to bed I'd go to the Tesco at the end of my road and buy a big massive packet of family Doritos, a share bar of chocolate and a bag of sweets and eat them all.
"I was a secret eater. The one meal I had would be 2,000 calories - even though I was full I had to have something after.
"Now I'll have a clear whey yoghurt and fruit for breakfast and chicken thighs for dinner. I'll make, for example, a chicken tikka for dinner and have that, but it's all calorie-counted and portion-controlled."
Emilly plans to cut back on her doses and eventually stop taking the jab in the next six to twelve months.
She said: "It's literally changed my life. I wish I'd started it earlier. It's about rebuilding that relationship with food whilst you're on it. It's not even about losing the weight the most important thing about it is rebuilding that relationship."
Emilly's diet before weight loss
Breakfast: Nothing
Lunch: Nothing
Dinner: Air fryer food or takeaway
Snacks: Mid-afternoon chocolate bar and coffee, evening snacks like Doritos, chocolate and jelly sweets
Drinks: Fizzy pop
Emilly's diet now
Breakfast: Clear whey protein, yoghurt and fruit
Lunch: Chicken thighs with salad
Dinner: Chicken tikka
Article continues below
Snacks: Meat, cheeses, fruit
Drinks: Water or sugar-free juice
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: From side effects to max weight loss, how top fat jabs compare – as price hike looms
WITH the price of Mounjaro set to rise and concerns about long-term affordability and access, many may be looking to turn to alternative treatments, like Wegovy. But how do the two weight loss jabs compare in their success, side effects and price? 4 People paying privately for Mounjaro in the UK face a rise in the cost of treatment after manufacturer Eli Lilly announced on Thursday it was increasing the list price by as much as 170 per cent. The change means the suggested price for a month's supply of the highest dose of the medicine will increase from £122 to £330 (for the provider). While retailers who sell Mounjaro may be able to negotiate discounts, it's likely the price will increase at least somewhat for the estimated 1.5 million people on weight loss drugs in the UK. GP Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics, is one of a number of medics who predict the price change will influence patient choice over what and which weight loss treatment to opt for. Mounjaro and Wegovy are similar in that they both belong to a group of medications called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. But there are a host of differences between the two. Dr Perry says: "Wegovy has a longer track record for weight loss and might be seen as a safer, more established option, but if Mounjaro becomes significantly more expensive, some patients may opt for Wegovy to save money, even if Mounjaro could deliver slightly greater weight loss. Our experts share the main differences between Mounjaro and Wegovy to be aware of that may influence whether you make the switch. What are the main differences? While both Wegovy and Mounjaro are injectable weight loss medications, they work slightly differently. Professor Franklin Joseph, head of Dr Frank's weight loss clinic, explains: "Wegovy contains semaglutide, which mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that slows digestion, reduces appetite, and helps regulate blood sugar. "Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which mimics GLP-1 but also another hormone called GIP. "That dual action appears to be the mechanism that gives Mounjaro a slightly stronger effect on appetite control and weight loss.' Do you take different doses? Wegovy and Mounjaro are both weekly injections intended for long-term use, but have different dosing schedules. Wegovy starts at 0.25mg weekly and is gradually increased to a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg, while Mounjaro begins at 2.5 mg weekly and can be stepped up to a maximum of 15 mg. This does not necessarily mean Mounjaro users start and end on the highest dose. The dosages are not directly comparable because they are different ingredients. "Neither is designed as a short-term treatment," says Dr Perry. "They are ongoing therapies for managing weight and, in some cases, blood sugar. "As long as they remain effective and side effects are manageable, they can be taken for years under medical supervision. "Stopping the medication often makes it harder to maintain weight loss and blood sugar control." Which one can help you lose more weight? Studies so far suggest Mounjaro may be more effective than Wegovy for weight loss. In clinical trials called 'SURMOUNT', sponsored by Eli Lilly, people on Wegovy lost around 15 per cent of their body weight on average over about 68 weeks, while those on Mounjaro lost up to 21 per cent in a similar time frame. "This is likely because Mounjaro works on two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) instead of just one," says Dr Perry. But Professor Joseph adds: "Both are very effective compared to lifestyle measures alone, and the response can be very individual, with dramatic and life-changing weight loss occurring with both medications." For Toby Nicol, CEO of CheqUp, which provides weight loss injections, Mounjaro is the more effective medication. He says: "Both drugs are excellent for weight loss, but one way of looking at this is to consider that Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, but the alternative (diet and exercise) is a horse and cart.' How do side effects differ? 4 Wegovy and Mounjaro share most of the same side effects because they work in similar ways. These mainly affect digestion, says Dr Perry. Common issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain or bloating. "The main difference is Mounjaro's dual action can sometimes make these effects feel stronger, especially in the early stages or when doses are increased," Dr Perry explains. "Some people also notice greater appetite suppression or changes in taste with Mounjaro. "But serious side effects, such as gallbladder problems or pancreatitis, are rare but possible with both medications." Clinical trials have also shown that Wegovy has a higher rate of nausea. Dr Perry says: "Forty-four per cent of users experience it, but only about 12 per cent of Mounjaro users report nausea." Is one better suited to certain people than the other? 4 Wegovy and Mounjaro are both suitable for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with weight-related health problems, but there are some differences in how they're typically prescribed. Dr Perry explains: "Wegovy is widely approved specifically for weight management, so it's often the first choice for people without diabetes who want a proven option with a longer safety track record in weight loss. "It may also be preferred for patients who are sensitive to stronger appetite suppression or digestive side effects. "Mounjaro was first approved for type 2 diabetes, so it's often prescribed to people who have both obesity and diabetes or prediabetes, as it can offer powerful blood sugar control alongside weight loss. "It's newer for obesity treatment, but may be chosen for people who want the potential for greater weight loss or who haven't achieved enough results with a GLP-1–only drug like Wegovy." Prof Joseph adds: " In the end, the choice often comes down to cost, availability, side effect tolerance, and a discussion between doctor and patient.' As to whether Prof Joseph thinks patients will make the switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, he says: "Cost will definitely play a role. "These treatments are very expensive, and if Mounjaro becomes significantly pricier, many patients may switch to Wegovy, especially if their weight loss has been steady and they're tolerating it well. "For those who can afford it, Mounjaro's extra effectiveness may justify the higher price, but most patients are very cost-sensitive, so we're likely to see more people choosing Wegovy.' The Mounjaro announcement doesn't affect the price the NHS pays, as the service has negotiated a heavily discounted rate for those getting the drug on prescription. Find out if you could be eligible below...
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I've lost 5 stone on MJ & gained 8lbs trying to come off – I'm panicking about new cost but I'll rack up debt if need be
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN who's lost almost five stone on Mounjaro has admitted she's willing to get herself into debt to stay on it amid the upcoming price hike. The fat jab community was left panicked when GLP-1 supplier Eli Lilly announced they will be increasing their prices by up to 170% from 1st September. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Chloe-Lou was left in an "instant panic" after hearing the prices of Mounjaro are set to dramatically increase in September Credit: TikTok/@bamboowoolston 6 She's been on the GLP-1 drug for the past 14 months, and has lost 4st 11lbs to date Credit: TikTok/@bamboowoolston 6 She's now virtually unrecognisable from her former self Credit: TikTok/@bamboowoolston 6 Being on Mounjaro has also led to Chloe-Lou "reversing" her PCOS and getting a new lease of life Credit: TikTok/@bamboowoolston So the price of a 12.5mg Mounjaro pen is likely to go from £139 to a whopping £236 - leaving users terrified they'll be forced to come off the "miracle" drug. One person who went into an "instant panic" after hearing news of the upcoming price hike is 34-year-old Chloe-Lou, who has lost 4st 11lbs in 14 months on the jabs and has been documenting her journey on TikTok. To date, she hasn't struggled to afford the pens, as she's spending what she previously shelled out on junk food to be able to buy the Mounjaro. But come September, she and millions of other users will have to take a hard look at their financial situation to work out if they can afford to stay on the pens. Read more Mounjaro stories JABS UP Ultimate guide to beat Mounjaro price hike - from jab switch to getting FREE on NHS "When I heard about the price hikes I felt totally deflated," nail tech and mum Chloe-Lou, from Woolston, Southampton, told Fabulous Online. "I know things rise in cost all the time but hearing the price is set to rise by 170% put me in an instant panic." The situation is made doubly scary for Chloe-Lou, as she's previously tried "all sorts" of diets to lose weight, but hasn't been successful until Mounjaro because of her PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). She's also panicking because she has tried coming off Mounjaro before - and ended up gaining 8lbs in two months when she did so. Luckily, her husband has said he'll cover the extra cost so that she can stay on the shots. But Chloe-Lou admitted she would even consider putting herself into debt by using credit cards or payment plans like Klarna to afford Mounjaro if she had to. I've lost 3.5st on Mounjaro in 6 months but its ruined so much "I wouldn't want to rely on credit to continue but if it was my only option I think I'd have to consider using my credit card or the likes of Klarna," she said. Mounjaro users have taken to social media in their thousands to share their fears over the price hike. And countless people have admitted they'll even consider "microdosing" - taking smaller doses of the pen to make it last longer. However, as the jabs have an expiry of 30 days once they're used, doing so means users are putting themselves at risk by changing their dosage. There are also people looking into getting the jabs on the black market - something Chloe-Lou also did before she started with a legit Mounjaro supplier. "Before using Mounjaro I bought semaglutide off of the black market," she said, referring to the other GLP-1 drug, most often sold under the name Wegovy. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "It made me poorly, and it made my asthma symptoms 10 times worse." But Chloe-Lou admitted even her friends are considering buying on the black market so they can afford the jabs. And she fears struggling to afford the jabs will mean a huge impact on people's mental health. "I'm so worried that after working wonders reversing my PCOS and giving me a new lease of life that people who have no choice but to end their treatment will become depressed," she sighed. How to get free debt help There are several groups which can help you with your problem debts for free. Citizens Advice - 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales) - 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales) StepChange - 0800138 1111 - 0800138 1111 National Debtline - 0808 808 4000 - 0808 808 4000 Debt Advice Foundation - 0800 043 4050 You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting or Speak to one of these organisations - don't be tempted to use a claims management firm. They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee. But there are other options where you don't need to pay. "Especially after how I felt being off the drug for 8 weeks - gaining weight and having uncontrollable hunger. "I can see it having a huge impact on people's mental health, especially if they start to regain weight." 6 Chloe-Lou came off the drug for two months, and ended up gaining 8lbs in that time Credit: TikTok/@bamboowoolston
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
I've lost 5 stone on MJ & gained 8lbs trying to come off – I'm panicking about new cost but I'll rack up debt if need be
A WOMAN who's lost almost five stone on Mounjaro has admitted she's willing to get herself into debt to stay on it amid the upcoming price hike. The fat jab community was left panicked when GLP-1 supplier Eli Lilly announced they will be increasing their prices by up to 170% from 1st September. 6 6 6 6 So the price of a 12.5mg Mounjaro pen is likely to go from £139 to a whopping £236 - leaving users terrified they'll be forced to come off the "miracle" drug. One person who went into an "instant panic" after hearing news of the upcoming price hike is 34-year-old Chloe-Lou, who has lost 4st 11lbs in 14 months on the jabs and has been documenting her journey on TikTok. To date, she hasn't struggled to afford the pens, as she's spending what she previously shelled out on junk food to be able to buy the Mounjaro. But come September, she and millions of other users will have to take a hard look at their financial situation to work out if they can afford to stay on the pens. "When I heard about the price hikes I felt totally deflated," nail tech and mum Chloe-Lou, from Woolston, Southampton, told Fabulous Online. "I know things rise in cost all the time but hearing the price is set to rise by 170% put me in an instant panic." The situation is made doubly scary for Chloe-Lou, as she's previously tried "all sorts" of diets to lose weight, but hasn't been successful until Mounjaro because of her PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). She's also panicking because she has tried coming off Mounjaro before - and ended up gaining 8lbs in two months when she did so. Luckily, her husband has said he'll cover the extra cost so that she can stay on the shots. But Chloe-Lou admitted she would even consider putting herself into debt by using credit cards or payment plans like Klarna to afford Mounjaro if she had to. I've lost 3.5st on Mounjaro in 6 months but its ruined so much "I wouldn't want to rely on credit to continue but if it was my only option I think I'd have to consider using my credit card or the likes of Klarna," she said. Mounjaro users have taken to social media in their thousands to share their fears over the price hike. And countless people have admitted they'll even consider "microdosing" - taking smaller doses of the pen to make it last longer. However, as the jabs have an expiry of 30 days once they're used, doing so means users are putting themselves at risk by changing their dosage. There are also people looking into getting the jabs on the black market - something Chloe-Lou also did before she started with a legit Mounjaro supplier. "Before using Mounjaro I bought semaglutide off of the black market," she said, referring to the other GLP-1 drug, most often sold under the name Wegovy. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS? NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them. Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics. Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription. They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions. The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need. NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible. The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor. "It made me poorly, and it made my asthma symptoms 10 times worse." But Chloe-Lou admitted even her friends are considering buying on the black market so they can afford the jabs. And she fears struggling to afford the jabs will mean a huge impact on people's mental health. "I'm so worried that after working wonders reversing my PCOS and giving me a new lease of life that people who have no choice but to end their treatment will become depressed," she sighed. How to get free debt help There are several groups which can help you with your problem debts for free. Citizens Advice - 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales) StepChange - 0800138 1111 National Debtline - 0808 808 4000 Debt Advice Foundation - 0800 043 4050 You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting or Speak to one of these organisations - don't be tempted to use a claims management firm. They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee. But there are other options where you don't need to pay. "Especially after how I felt being off the drug for 8 weeks - gaining weight and having uncontrollable hunger. "I can see it having a huge impact on people's mental health, especially if they start to regain weight." 6 6
