A MUM who lost 180lbs with Mounjaro says her extreme transformation has left her husband “jealous” as she “puts herself out there more”.
Samantha Thurber, 36, weighed 325lbs at her heaviest and started the to cut out “food noise” helping her to reach 150lbs in just under three years.
At her heaviest, Samantha Thurber weighed 325 lbs and was a size 26-30Credit: SWNS
Samantha Thurber, pictured with husband Dave, is now a six eight to 10Credit: SWNS
Now a UK size eight to 10, it’s given the US-based mum-of-two a new found confidence and she now socialises more and has a
Despite being supportive of her husband Dave, 42, admits he feels occasional envy over the new social opportunities she’s embraced.
Dave, a gas company dispatcher, said: “[I’m not jealous] regarding her weight but more so because she has lost the weight she puts herself out there more and has made a lot more friends with more opportunities to do things.
“So I’m jealous she has more free time to go do those kinds of things than I do.
“It’s changed our lives,” he added, noting, “which in turn made life better for our entire family.”
Samantha says her husband feels “very stagnant” in the way he looks, and added: “It created this kind of need to want to better himself as well.
“And we’re kind of navigating through those stages, but I think it’s really easy to watch someone go through a big change and feel self-conscious about it.”
Samantha – mum to a daughter, seven, and son, four – struggled with her weight after being diagnosed with gestational during her second .
She said: “I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy with my son, and I was heavily insulin dependent during that pregnancy.”
Before her transformation, Samantha relied on convenience food and “unhealthy habits of not eating all day and then binging a huge amount on a big meal at dinner.”
She reached 325lbs and a size 26 to 30 in December 2021 and decided to try the jabs, immediately finding that they cut out “food noise” and helped her make better nutritional choices.
Now, she follows a protein-focused diet, starting her mornings with “a protein instead of going to ” by making “espresso at home and mixing it into a protein shake.”
By August 2024, she had reached her goal weight of 145 lbs, though she currently maintains around 150.
I think it’s really easy to watch someone go through a big change and feel self-conscious about it
Samantha Thurber
Samantha says that while GLP-1s can be powerful, maintaining results requires significant mental effort, lifestyle changes, and conscious effort in .
She shared: “It’s kind of created insecurities in my husband as I’ve really worked on myself and my physical wellbeing”.
The mum noted she’s “come out of it a different person” than when she met Dave 14 years ago.
“I don’t know anybody that has gone through an extreme life-changing event such as weight loss and hasn’t had a personality shift in there,” she said.
Samantha before her weightloss when she relied on convenience foodCredit: SWNS
The mum has a new found confidence and she now socialises more and has a stricter routineCredit: SWNS
Samantha says she’s now in ‘the best shape of my life’ – and her transformation has dramatically improved her life as a motherCredit: SWNS
Relationship strain
The mum added that her husband’s inability to relate to her weight struggles – he had never faced them – was a challenge.
“I have a much more strict routine, and I think having to adjust that in terms of family life has been a bit of a challenge,” she said, referencing her gym schedule, dietary changes, and other lifestyle adjustments.
Dave said: “Our relationship is stronger than that and definitely not rooted in physical appearance.”
It’s kind of created insecurities in my husband as I’ve really worked on myself and my physical wellbeing
Samantha Thurber
Her husband has been supportive, though she stresses how extreme weight loss can strain relationships.
“The divorce rate is very, very high in these extreme weight loss stories,” she said.
“You have to change so many things mentally and physically that I think people probably grow apart a little from their partners.”
Samantha's meals before and after her weight loss
Meals before weight loss
- Breakfast: Was not a big breakfast eater and relied heavily on sugary Starbucks drinks instead of actual food.
- Lunch and dinner: A lot of convenience foods. Frequently went out to dinner at restaurants. Had unhealthy eating patterns where she “didn’t eat all day and then binged a huge amount on a big meal at dinner”
- Late-night snacking: From 9-11pm after the kids went to bed.
Meals after weight loss:
- Breakfast: Drinks a protein coffee made with home espresso and protein shake. Eats protein yogurt and other protein-rich foods.
- Lunch and dinner: Focuses on protein-heavy meals, including shrimp. Uses protein bars and powders to supplement since she eats little meat. Minimises fried foods.
She decided to try the jabs after discovering they cut out food noiseCredit: SWNS
The mum noted she’s ‘come out of it a different person’ than when she met Dave 14 years agoCredit: SWNS
Now, she follows a protein-focused diet, starting her mornings with a protein coffee instead of going to StarbucksCredit: SWNS
Better as a mother
Samantha says she’s now in “the best shape of my life” – and her transformation has dramatically improved her life as a mother.
“We just went to Disneyland a couple of months ago,” she said.
“I can do the 25,000 steps a day and not be stressed about fitting on the rides with my kids.
“You don’t realise how much your physical state affects your day-to-day life until that’s no longer a factor.”
Samantha also underwent loose skin removal surgery in April, describing the procedure as “life-changing” despite removing eight pounds of excess skin.
The mum now advocates for GLP-1 medications while emphasising the mental component.
She shared: “GLP-1s get a lot of bad press, but they can be a really great tool to change your life.
“You really have to focus on the mental side of managing everything in terms of being committed to the changes to see it through.”
Samantha after her weightloss with loose skinCredit: SWNS
The mum after her weightloss and skin-removal surgeryCredit: SWNS What are the side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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