Weight-loss drug Mounjaro 'changed my life,' says mother-of-two

Alix Harvey, a 35-year-old marine biologist from Plymouth, has recently shared her inspiring journey with a weight-loss drug called Mounjaro. Alix began taking this medication in May after facing challenges with her weight following the births of her two children. She expressed her concerns, stating, 'I got to the stage where I went if this continues, I'm going to end up morbidly obese in my late 30s. ' Over the past six months, Alix has experienced a significant transformation, with her body mass index (BMI) decreasing from 32 to 22, which means she has lost 25% of her body weight. According to the NHS, individuals with a BMI of 25 or higher are considered overweight, while those with a BMI of 30 or more are classified as obese. Alix described the impact of Mounjaro on her life, saying, 'It's changed my life. It's completely changed my attitude to food. ' She has also found motivation to engage in physical activities, such as going to the gym and weightlifting. Initially, the appetite-suppressing effects of Mounjaro made it difficult for her to consume more than 1,000 calories a day, but she noted that her appetite has since increased. Alix spends approximately £170 each month on the drug, but she believes she saves that amount by purchasing less food and drink. Although she does not meet the NHS guidelines to qualify for the drug, she emphasizes the importance of having a support system in place for individuals using Mounjaro to help them maintain their weight loss after discontinuing the medication. 'It's not a quick fix,' she cautioned. 'Having that maintenance plan for afterwards for supporting people to keep that weight off afterwards is really vital. ' Another individual, Jane Graham, who is 60 years old, has also expressed her desire to access Mounjaro through the NHS. Jane, a cardiac physiologist from York, has faced health challenges, including a heart attack nine years ago. She is at high risk for further heart issues and is pre-diabetic. Jane explained, 'My arms and legs aren't fat, just the middle of my body - which is where the risks [for heart-related health issues] lie. ' Despite her efforts to lose weight through various diets and nutrition books, she has struggled to achieve her goals. Jane is disappointed that her BMI of 30 disqualifies her from receiving Mounjaro under the NHS guidelines. She is concerned that if she has to wait too long to access the drug, it may be too late for her health. 'By the time I've waited 12 years… I'll be 72 and whatever is going to happen to me will have happened. It's going to be too late,' she lamented. Paul, a 53-year-old man, and his wife have also been using Mounjaro after purchasing it from a private online clinic. Paul shared that both he and his wife were very overweight but have started to see positive results since beginning the medication. His wife has lost 5 stone since July, while Paul has also shed some pounds since starting in October. At his heaviest, Paul weighed 20 stone, and he expressed his frustration with previous weight loss attempts, stating, 'I found the weight would just not come off. It was demoralising. ' After hearing success stories from others, he decided to give Mounjaro a try. The drug has helped him silence the 'food voice' that constantly tells him he is hungry. Paul and his wife pay around £180 a month for the drug, and he has been using some of her medication since she needs less of it now. He acknowledges the risks of sharing prescription medication, which is not recommended, but feels it is a necessary gamble. Paul hopes that the NHS will eventually provide Mounjaro, but he believes that a 12-year wait for some individuals is simply too long. He plans to consult with his GP for a general check-up and to inform them about his use of the medication.