Kathy has lived with challenges around weight for most of her adult life. In 2016 she committed to making changes and lost five stone, moving from 19 stone to just under 14. She still considered herself overweight but she felt good and she felt more like herself. Cooking from scratch has always been a normal part of her routine. She enjoyed fresh food and a balanced diet, but it was the extra eating on top of this that often made weight management difficult.
When the pandemic arrived, chocolate became a source of comfort. Then, in January 2021, Kathy experienced the devastating loss of her daughter at just 28. In the years that followed she also lost both parents, her step mother and another close family member. A further family illness added to an already heavy emotional burden. It has been an exceptionally difficult period, full of grief and pressure. Through it all, chocolate became a familiar coping mechanism. Even so, she tried to hold onto a promise to make the best of her life when she felt able to.
By November 2024 her weight had reached 20 stone. She joined WeightWatchers and lost a stone, although her weight naturally fluctuated. In June 2025 she then saw news of the WeightWatchers and CheqUp partnership. The link reassured her that CheqUp was a legitimate, clinically led service. Around the same time she was due to receive her state pension, so she decided it was the right moment to invest in herself and start treatment. Her starting point was around 19 stone.
Getting started with treatment
Kathy began taking Mounjaro in the middle of June 2025. The early weeks were manageable. She felt slightly tired the day after each injection and noticed occasional constipation. She also found herself leaving food on her plate, which she viewed as a sign that the treatment was helping her recognise when she had eaten enough.
Rather than overhaul her lifestyle, Kathy focused on cooking the meals she enjoyed and paying attention to her appetite. She kept a chilled water bottle with her, especially through the summer, and built small habits that supported steady progress. Even during a six week caravan trip across Spain and Portugal she continued to lose weight. She reused her CheqUp ice packs during travel days and brought bathroom scales with her to stay motivated.
The difference she feels today
Kathy has now lost three stone, which is around 15 percent of her body weight. Although she did not have other health concerns before treatment, the change in how she feels day to day has been significant. She walks up hills more easily, moves more freely on the tennis court and feels lighter on her feet. Everyday activities that once felt effortful now feel achievable.
These changes have shaped her confidence too. She can walk into regular shops and find clothes that suit her, rather than searching for specialist sizes. Her trousers fit comfortably for the first time in years and she has dropped two dress sizes. Taken together, these shifts have helped her feel more comfortable in her body and more optimistic about what she can do.
Kathy’s advice for anyone just starting out
Kathy believes that keeping things simple makes the biggest difference. She suggests preparing normal meals from scratch, eating slowly and stopping when your body signals that you have had enough. Keeping water close to hand helps you stay aware of your needs throughout the day. She also believes that finding small ways to stay motivated, such as tracking progress or creating easy routines, can help the journey feel steadier. Most of all, she encourages others to be patient with themselves and to keep going, even when progress feels gradual.
