**’I’ve Never Been Happier’: Welsh Woman Reveals Transformational Weight Loss after Mounjaro Treatment**
For many, the battle with weight is a lifelong struggle—one that ebbs and flows with varying degrees of success. For 37-year-old Jess Miles from Newcastle Emlyn, West Wales, her story is emblematic of countless individuals seeking lasting change. But after a year on the weight-loss medication Mounjaro, Jess says her life has experienced a profound transformation.
Weight issues have woven their way through Jess’s life since childhood, persisting into adulthood and intensifying after the birth of her son 16 years ago. Like many, she attempted mainstream slimming clubs, from Slimming World to Weight Watchers, managing to lose weight only to regain it through cycles of binge eating and frustration. “I’d try everything, lose a bit, then go back to square one,” she recalls.
A turning point arrived with the loss of her mother shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. Jess’s mother, herself once overweight, had succeeded in radically changing her lifestyle after a diabetes diagnosis, shedding multiple dress sizes. Jess remembers her mother’s parting words: a heartfelt wish for Jess to break free from obesity. When the scales tipped at 24 stone and four pounds last year, Jess describes overwhelming feelings of shame and fear for her future. “It hit me that if I didn’t act, I might not see my son’s 18th birthday,” she reflects.
It was during this period of crisis that Jess first encountered Mounjaro—a medication making its way into public consciousness via platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Despite its growing reputation, the prospect of trying this “miracle jab” was daunting. Not only was the treatment new, its monthly cost of £250 gave her pause. “I kept thinking I couldn’t afford it,” she says, “but eventually realised something drastic had to happen.”
With determination bolstered by desperation, Jess arranged a consultation at a private health clinic. She admits her nerves were high, fuelled by an extensive list of potential side effects ranging from nausea and constipation to more severe risks flagged by the NHS. However, reassured by her medical team and lacking underlying health issues, Jess decided to proceed—with the agreement to undergo regular monitoring and blood tests.
The effect was instantaneous. After her first injection, Jess noted a dramatic reduction in her appetite; where once she might finish a large meal without a second thought, now she could barely manage a quarter of a plate. Unfortunately, persistent nausea accompanied the appetite reduction, but it forced a reset and caused her to re-evaluate her food choices. Even old weaknesses, like a penchant for chocolate, faded; she now finds a single square sufficient.
Jess’s daily routine evolved with her changing relationship to food. She now favours smaller meals and a higher protein intake, and has significantly reduced both snacking and portion sizes. The initial scepticism of friends and family gradually gave way to support, as the pounds steadily melted away. “People started believing in me when they saw the weight really coming off,” she explains.
Over the course of 49 weeks, Jess lost seven stone and two pounds (100 pounds in total). Physical milestones, such as buying a size 16 t-shirt for the first time since school, brought moments of emotional realisation. “Standing in the shop, seeing how far I’d come— I was speechless. It wasn’t about clothes, but finally recognising my progress,” she shares.
Beyond physical change, Jess has found renewed energy and confidence. Her work as a secretary and her weekend balloon events business are no longer exhausting. Travel, once a source of discomfort, is now celebratory. “Flying to Mallorca without needing a seatbelt extender was an incredible victory,” she beams.
Now, as she prepares for her final Mounjaro injection, Jess feels ready to maintain her progress independently, funnelling the money once spent on medication into a gym membership. However, the notion that the medication may soon be available on the NHS for a standard prescription was bittersweet. “It was frustrating, after spending so much privately, but I see the benefits of safer, monitored access for all who need it,” she admits.
Jess’s experience has not gone unnoticed; she estimates dozens have reached out on social media, seeking advice and reassurance. Her candid advice: “It isn’t a shortcut. It won’t work without commitment. Be honest about your health, and know it can be hard but so rewarding.”
For Jess, the transformation has been life-changing. While the journey was not without hurdles, she says the happiness and pride she feels today are worth every sacrifice—and she hopes her story will inspire others facing the same uphill climb.