Imagine feeling trapped, your weight holding you hostage. That's exactly where Portia Devine found herself, until she discovered a game-changing solution. She's lost nearly six stone, a dress size a month, and says food no longer controls her life, all thanks to Mounjaro injections – but she's had to sacrifice her gym membership to afford it. Is it worth it? Let's dive into her story.
In 2022, at just over five feet tall, Portia Devine, a 35-year-old project manager from Ely, Cambridgeshire, reached her heaviest weight: a concerning 14 stone 7lbs (92.1kg). She felt stuck in a vicious cycle of emotional eating, which fueled her low self-esteem. This highlights a common problem: many people turn to food for comfort, creating a pattern that's incredibly difficult to break.
Standing at 5ft 1in (154.9cm), Portia admitted that food occupied her thoughts "constantly." But everything changed when she began taking Mounjaro in April 2025. Mounjaro is a weight-loss injection medication designed to make you feel fuller for longer, naturally reducing your appetite. Think of it as a reset button for your hunger signals.
Since starting Mounjaro, Portia has experienced a remarkable transformation. She's steadily shed weight, dropping a dress size every month, and her confidence has soared. She now enjoys venturing out alone, no longer feeling the need to hide behind baggy clothes. It's a testament to how weight loss can positively impact self-perception and social interactions.
Today, Portia weighs a healthy 8 stone 11lbs (55.8kg) and wears a size eight. She spends £210 a month on her medication and necessary check-ups. But here's a trade-off: she's had to give up her gym membership because she can't afford both. This raises a crucial question: Is relying on medication a sustainable solution, or should the focus be on more holistic approaches that include exercise, even if it means a slower pace?
"Food used to feel like an addiction," Portia confessed. "I was always thinking about it, and I'd be hungry straight after eating for no reason." This is a feeling many can relate to – the relentless cravings and the feeling that your body is betraying you.
She continues, "Mounjaro has been the best decision I've ever made – food is still enjoyable, but I view it as fuel now." This is a key shift in mindset. It's not about depriving yourself, but about reframing your relationship with food.
"It's just changed my mindset; I used to use food as a reward." This highlights the emotional connection we often have with food and how breaking that connection can lead to significant changes.
Rewinding to 2022, Portia's heaviest weight resulted in an obese body mass index (BMI) of 38.4, and she wore a size 18. Her weight struggles spanned years, starting around the time of her first period at age 10. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during puberty, can indeed significantly impact weight gain.
She pinpointed a turning point: "I think what led me to my highest weight, though, was I got into a new relationship, and we were eating out a lot. Then we broke up, and I was quite miserable and was emotionally eating." This illustrates how life events and emotional states can profoundly influence eating habits.
In 2022, Portia's typical diet included skipping breakfast, a sandwich and crisps for lunch, and home-cooked dinners like stews containing hidden calories from high-fat mince and cream. Even seemingly healthy meals can contribute to weight gain if they're loaded with unhealthy fats and excessive calories. She also went to the gym three times a week but had a sedentary office job, limiting her daily steps. This underscores the importance of both structured exercise and incorporating more movement into daily life.
"I felt very low, my self-esteem was rock bottom," Portia shared. She added, "I have suffered from anxiety most of my life, and my weight and how I looked definitely added to that. I would try to hide myself with baggy clothes, and I felt like I couldn't really dress the way I wanted because nothing looked good on me. I wouldn't really go out on my own because I didn't want people to notice me." This paints a vivid picture of how weight can impact mental health and social life.
She reiterated the constant thoughts about food, describing it as "an addiction." "I felt like my body was telling me I was hungry even though I shouldn't be – I felt like I was fighting my body," she explained. "I felt like I couldn't think about anything else." This highlights the power of hormonal imbalances and psychological factors in driving food cravings.
Portia also felt she had tried "every diet" over the years – from WeightWatchers to intense calorie counting – without lasting success. This speaks to the frustration many experience with traditional dieting methods. While she did lose some weight by going to the gym and watching what she ate, reaching 12 stone (76.2kg) with a BMI of 31.7 (still obese) and a size 14 by 2025, her weight plateaued despite increased exercise and decreased calorie intake. And this is the part most people miss: Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our bodies resist further weight loss, which can be incredibly disheartening.
That's when, in April 2025, she decided to try Mounjaro. She said her food noise – the constant thoughts about food – "instantly" disappeared. "It felt like a weight off my shoulders, to be honest, and just a huge relief," Portia said. "I stopped having anxiety about my weight and slowly felt more confident and happier." This sudden relief from food cravings is a significant benefit reported by many Mounjaro users.
In her first week, she lost 5lbs (2.3kg), followed by 3lbs (1.4kg) in her second week, and since then, she has lost an average of 2lbs (0.9kg) per week. "I've consistently lost weight per week. Luckily, I haven't had any plateaus," she added. "It's changed my life – I can't believe how well it has worked."
Since taking the medication, she has often suffered from nausea but has managed to keep this at bay by using Sea-Band's acupressure bands. She emphasizes that she has not been paid to promote this product. This highlights the importance of managing potential side effects when using medications for weight loss.
Portia said she has been prescribed Mounjaro through her local pharmacy and currently pays £210 a month for 7.5mg, along with a monthly check-up that includes blood pressure monitoring and discussions about her progress. This emphasizes the importance of medical supervision when using such medications.
NHS England emphasizes that, before prescribing Mounjaro, a healthcare professional will discuss the benefits and limitations, including potential side effects. If Mounjaro is recommended, individuals must eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and engage in regular physical activity while taking the medication. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that relying on medication might discourage the development of long-term healthy habits.
Portia now "prioritizes protein and fibre" in her daily diet, having yoghurt, flaxseeds, and peanut butter for breakfast, homemade soup for lunch, and a low-fat cottage pie for dinner. She also attends Pilates classes and walks daily but cannot afford a gym membership alongside paying for Mounjaro. This demonstrates a commitment to lifestyle changes alongside medication.
Portia has "dropped a dress size every month" and now enjoys shopping, although she is still adjusting to her new body. She now weighs 8 stone 11lbs (55.8kg), with a healthy BMI of 23.2, wearing a size eight, and feels "so much more confident." This underscores the positive impact of weight loss on body image and self-esteem.
"I do more on my own now," Portia said. "I met my mum and dad the other day in a restaurant, and I walked in on my own, which sounds silly, but I never would have done that before. I go to coffee shops and restaurants on my own and enjoy it." These seemingly small acts of independence represent significant victories for someone who once felt trapped by their weight.
Looking ahead, she plans to join the gym and slowly wean herself off Mounjaro, with advice from her pharmacist, once she reaches her goal weight of 8 stone 7lb (53.9kg). "I feel confident that I can keep the weight off – I think I've built up healthy habits, and my whole mindset around food has changed," she said. This highlights the importance of a long-term plan for maintaining weight loss, including weaning off medication and continuing healthy habits.
To others wanting to lose weight, she said: "If I can do it, anyone can. I'd recommend the jabs – it changed my entire life." While Portia's experience is undeniably positive, it's crucial to remember that medication is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another, and it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action.
What do you think about Portia's journey? Is Mounjaro a miracle drug, or does it mask underlying issues that require a more holistic approach? Would you consider sacrificing your gym membership for weight loss medication? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
