Mounjaro:

A week by week weight loss guide

Mounjaro, the brand name for the drug tirzepatide, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for people looking to lose weight. Having launched in the UK in February 2024, it may be even more effective than other weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.

That said, taking Mounjaro isn’t an instant win, and it's not a short-term solution. Weight loss, whether you are using medication or not, is a long journey. It can take weeks, even months, to see the real benefits and impacts of weight loss on your general health. 

So what can you expect to see as you start taking Mounjaro? Here we share a rough weekly guide for your first eight weeks and beyond, the benefits you’ll start to see, and how you can use this time to establish good habits. 

Mounjaro weeks 1 & 2

You’re at the start of your journey, with a long road ahead of you, but you should feel positive about making a proactive decision to address your weight and reach a healthy target weight. 

Weeks 1 and 2 are a chance for you to really get used to taking Mounjaro, and to set out what you want to achieve by taking the medication. In terms of weight loss, patients in one large trial saw just less than 1% body weight loss per week in the first four weeks, which translates to about 1kg per week in the group studied.

Many people will not see any weight loss in the first few weeks, so it's important not to get discouraged if you aren't seeing immediate results. It's important to allow your body time to get used to the medication, and the best results are seen once you reach higher doses in future months.

On a physical level, your body needs these first few weeks to get used to taking the medication. You will start off on a dosage of 2.5mg, the entry level titration for Mounjaro. Everyone experiences the medication differently, and some people won't experience side effects at all, but you may start experiencing common side effects at this time, to varying degrees of intensity.

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, while unpleasant, are not uncommon. There are many things you can do to help combat these side effects—including keeping a close eye on the types of food you are eating.

On the plus side, you’ll likely start to notice the primary benefit of Mounjaro, the enduring feeling of fullness that will stop you from overeating. This benefit is usually most noticeable in the days immediately following your injection, but may start to wear off 4 or 5 days after. This is because levels of tirzepatide will be spiking when you inject and then falling over the subsequent days.

The first few weeks are also important for establishing the habit and routine around taking your medication. At the start, choose an injection day, ideally a time when you know that you’ll be at home and when it fits around your existing routine. If you’re the forgetful type, set a reminder on your phone or put up a post-it note as a reminder.

Weeks 3 & 4

You’ve got the first two weeks under your belt, and you’re still taking a 2.5mg dosage. As with the first two weeks, it's important not to expect massive weight loss results in the first months, but you may already be feeling a bit lighter. After 4 weeks, the average weight loss seen in trials is just under 4% of starting body weight.

You may start feeling different, but bear in mind that this may be too small to really notice any physical differences in your body. 

At this stage, however, the tirzepatide in your body is starting to reach a steady state. That means that, rather than spiking and falling, levels remain consistent—meaning that the feeling of fullness should endure throughout the week.

Now that your weight loss journey is well underway, you can take time in these weeks to look further and really set out what you want to achieve by taking Mounjaro. If you haven't already, this is a good time to set goals and expectations—such as the target weight that you are looking to achieve, or some goals around habits you'd like to break or build. Beyond just a weight goal, you might also want to think about other aspects of your general health you want to improve. This might be your sleep hygiene, your mental health, your fitness, or playing sports that you used to play. These things can act as a great motivation to keep going when weight loss plateaus, as it inevitably does at some point in every weight loss journey.

Weeks 5 & 6

Having completed your first month on Mounjaro, you may be ready to increase your dosage up to 5.0 mg, providing that you are coping well on the lower dosage and not experiencing intolerable side effects. 

Of course, increasing your dosage may start to bring back some of these side effects as your body gets used to the increase. That said, this is also the stage when weight loss can start to really take effect. 

Physically, you may notice that parts of your body are looking more notably slimmer, with muscles becoming more defined. At week 6, the weight loss seen in the research was about 5-6% of starting weight. You may also experience secondary benefits of being at a healthier weight, such as better sleep hygiene, improvements to your mood, and feeling healthier overall.

Weeks 7 & 8

For weeks 7 and 8, you should continue at a 5mg dosage, providing that you are coping fine at this higher strength. 

You’ll really start to see the effects of weight loss here, after 8 weeks, average weight loss is around 6-7% of starting weight.  At the same time, new healthy habits that might have felt forced or challenging can start to feel like the norm. The 21/90 rule dictates that it takes 21 days to form a habit, and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. While you won't yet be to 90 days, hopefully by the end of your second month you're well on your way to positive changes that you'd like to maintain.

Weeks 9 & beyond

After your first 8 weeks, you may wish to increase again to 7.5mg. This titration happens at 2.5mg increments over a four week period—up to 7.5mg, then 10mg, and so on up to 15mg as the maximum dosage. This increase should only happen at the recommendation of the pharmacist, in collaboration with you based on the side effects you are experiencing. 

It’s important to remind yourself here of how far you have come, not just in terms of total weight lost but also in terms of healthy new habits. 

On average, patients see about 11% body weight loss at four months, and closer to 20% weight loss at eight months.

But you still have some way to go. You need to take Mounjaro for up to a year in order to see its full effects, an average of 21% body weight loss. Along the way, there may be hiccups, whether that’s lapsing back into old ways, or even hitting the so-called weight loss plateau (when your body stops losing weight and may even start putting it back on).

What diet to follow with Mounjaro?

What to eat and what to avoid.

When starting a new medication like Mounjaro, primarily used for weight management, it's essential to consider how your diet can support your health and treatment goals. Combining Mounjaro with the right diet can enhance the effectiveness of the medication and help you achieve better results.

Mounjaro Diet

While Mounjaro does not interact with specific foods, your dietary choices can significantly impact the medication's effectiveness and your overall well-being. Adopting a diet that complements your treatment can make your weight loss journey smoother and more successful.

What to eat when using Mounjaro

When taking Mounjaro, focusing on a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support stable blood sugar levels is crucial. Here are some recommended food categories:

• Whole Grains: Choose whole grains like quinoa, oats, and whole wheat. These have a lower glycaemic index and provide sustained energy.
• Lean Proteins: Incorporate lean meats, fish, and plant-based proteins like lentils and chickpeas. These foods keep you full for longer and support muscle health.
• Low-Glycaemic Fruits and Vegetables: Opt for berries, apples, carrots, and leafy greens, which have minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
• Healthy Fats: Include sources of healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, which can help maintain heart health and satiety.
• Fibre-Rich Foods: Fibre aids digestion and helps control blood sugar levels. Beans, legumes, and vegetables are excellent sources.

Foods to avoid when using Mounjaro

Certain foods can hinder your progress by causing spikes in blood sugar or by not aligning with healthy eating practices. Here’s a list of foods to limit or avoid:

• High Glycaemic Fruits and Vegetables:Avoid pineapple, watermelon, mango, overripe bananas, potatoes, and sweetcorn.
• High Sugar Foods: Stay away from sweets, biscuits, cakes, and fizzy drinks. These can disrupt your blood sugar management.
• Fried Foods: Foods like burgers, sausages, fried eggs, chips, and bacon are often high in unhealthy fats and can cause nausea or discomfort when taking Mounjaro.

Can you drink alcohol whilst taking Mounjaro?

It's advisable to limit alcohol intake while on Mounjaro. Alcohol can increase the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) and may also interfere with the weight loss effects of the medication.

Is Mounjaro suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

Yes, Mounjaro is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. You should focus on plant-based proteins and ensure a balanced intake of nutrients.

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/tips-to-help-you-lose-weight/

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/measuring-your-waist