By Holly Morgan

Copyright walesonline

A woman who lost over five stone and dropped five clothes sizes after taking the weight loss medication Mounjaro, has said the decision to inject the drug was the best thing she has ever done for both her physical and mental health. Mum of two Emma Williams, 37, from Newport , lost five stone and five pounds in 27 weeks, dropping from a clothes size 20, to a size 12. The decision to take weight loss drugs was a hard one, says Emma, due to speculation online and the uncertainties surrounding the medication and its side effects, but making was “the best thing [she] ever did.” Emma said: “After years of my diet being out of control, with me not exercising, I knew something had to change. I would stick to a diet for a few days then give in to the food noise at the weekends and binge. “At my heaviest, which was near enough 18 stone, all I did was eat and drink, but I wanted to lose the weight, but could not get out the mental state I was in. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here “I was consuming takeaways, fizzy drinks such as Pepsi Max, and bottles of wine. I was in a dark place and I saw no end to the cycle I was in. “My lifestyle and habits left me with no energy, I was drained, with my general health and well being at an all time low. Something had to change. For my sake, and my family’s. “I had seen talk of weight loss jabs online, and how much they were helping people like me, and it’s worked out better than I could’ve imagined. Though at first of course I was incredibly concerned about the side effects, and how the drug has not been on the market for very long.” These concerns weren’t unfounded. The NHS website notes, “Common side effects, include: “There can be some more serious side effects, such as low blood sugar, gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).” Thankfully, Emma had no underlying health conditions that would put her at risk, and so after an extensive consultation process with James Reynolds, lead pharmacist at Lotus Weight Loss, a CQC registered clinic based in Cardiff , the decision was made for Emma to start using a small dose of Mounjaro. “I did proper research, which is the most important thing when buying medication online, and booked in a consultation with a James, the lead pharmacist at Lotus Weight Loss. They are the first Welsh-owned weight loss clinic in the country, and I knew I could trust them due to their reputation online, and because they are an official clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission. “The amount I take is the lowest dose, 2.5mg, and taking it has changed my life forever.. “Getting the drugs from someone you trust is massive because, there is not a lot of information so easily accessible online, but lots of misinformation. “Ever since taking it I have realised it the missing jigsaw piece in the puzzle. There is no more food noise, and my relationship with food is the healthiest it has ever been. No more cravings, or just eating for the sake of it. I am like a different person. “Before, if I wanted to diet, I would eat salmon, veg, salad and by the second day I would think ‘I can not be bothered to eat this.’ “But now, I enjoy eating it, and I don’t think twice about making healthy choices, and I am only drinking to be hydrated. I am getting my life back on track. “Financially too, even with the Mounjaro price increase, if I look back on how much I was spending on food – takeaways in the evenings, and Greggs in work – even paying for a pen each month, I am still saving money. “My daughter’s life has also been changed for the better – now mum can go out with her on the bike, and be more active. Emma says she has had no side effects other than positive ones from taking the drug, and that her confidence is at an all-time high. Emma said: “I feel so much better in myself. I actually like buying clothes and looking at myself in the mirror. “I was worried I’d have to stay on it for life, but I am hoping I have done enough to change my mindset and habits, that I will be able to come off it in the near future. The tool has changed my life for the better.” James Reynolds from Lotus Weight Loss said: “Emma’s journey shows that for so many of our patients, the changes you can see from taking the medication go far beyond just losing weight. It affects your relationships, with your family, colleagues and most importantly, with yourself. “We realise that these treatments are not cheap, but as in Emma’s story, it is an investment into your lifestyle which for her has been more than worth it. “Though it is so important to do your research before deciding to take weight loss medication, and if you do decide to go down this route, it is vital you go to an accredited health care provider that specialises in this area.”