Scrolling through social media, it’s easy to get swept up in dramatic before-and-after photos of people on weight loss jabs like Mounjaro.
The glow-ups, the big smiles, and the transformation timelines look incredibly motivating.
But what most people don’t post about — and what rarely gets talked about — is the hard, sluggish middle part of the journey.
That stage where you’re no longer where you started, but you’re also not quite where you want to be.
The Unseen Struggle Between “Before” and “After”
TikToker @Swedish_Sandra recently shined a light on this “slow middle” — that awkward in-between where the novelty wears off, and visible progress seems to stall.
She posted a carousel of images and a heartfelt caption that captured the emotional weight of the journey.
“This phase feels quiet — not the start, not the finish, just the slow middle,” she wrote.
“It’s easy to feel stuck or wonder if it’s even working. But every small step, every tiny win, is progress.
It’s about learning to trust the process, be gentle with yourself, and keep going even when it’s tough.”
Her honesty struck a chord.
Within hours, hundreds of comments rolled in from others on the same path, echoing that feeling of being caught in a strange limbo where change is happening, but not in a way that’s easily seen — or celebrated.
Even Big Losses Can Feel Small in the Middle
Despite some people having lost incredible amounts of weight, many admitted that they still feel disconnected from their progress.
One commenter revealed they’d lost ten stone (140 pounds), but because they started out at 26 stone, the shift didn’t look or feel as monumental as expected.
Another shared: “I’ve dropped 54 pounds, but I still see a fat girl in the mirror. Some parts of my body bother me more now than they ever did before.”
It’s not uncommon — as bodies transform, it can feel like you’re living in someone else’s skin.
One user said they’d lost 80 pounds and still had 40 to go, but the loose skin left them feeling emotionally out of sync with their reflection.
The Mental Battle Hits Hard in the Middle Stretch
Beyond the physical changes, many jabbers described this middle period as “soul-crushing” and “boring.”
The final destination feels just out of reach, and the excitement of the initial weight loss fades.
Some even said it triggered old insecurities, making it a mental hurdle as much as a physical one.
One commenter nailed it: “The middle is where we really do the work. It’s triggering.
Not giving in to negative thoughts — that’s the hard part.”
Sandra herself jumped back into the comments to offer encouragement.
“That initial excitement has died down, but you’re not at goal weight yet. Sometimes it feels dull and slow.
But those boring moments? That’s the real, steady progress. It’s what really lasts,” she reminded her followers.
Emotional Side Effects That Don’t Make the Label
While fatigue and nausea may be listed on the warning label, no one really prepares you for the emotional exhaustion that comes with weight loss jabs.
More and more users have shared their stories online, discussing not just the physical effects like hair loss or feeling cold — but also the deep emotional weight of staying the course.
That mental fog, the sense of being stuck, and the feeling that progress isn’t enough — these have quietly become some of the most relatable, yet least talked-about, “side effects” of the jab journey.
The New NHS Mounjaro Rollout
Mounjaro, the weight loss injection also known as tirzepatide, is now being offered to more people through the NHS.
Under new prescribing guidelines, GPs can provide it to patients with a BMI over 40, along with at least four obesity-related health issues such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
Previously available only through private routes or a handful of NHS clinics, the drug’s rollout aims to reach 220,000 people over the next three years.
Mounjaro works by mimicking the effects of a hunger hormone — signaling the brain that the stomach is full and helping users naturally reduce their food intake.
What Happens Next?
For those in the “middle” stage of their weight loss journey, the message is clear: you’re not alone.
The transformation doesn’t always look exciting or feel dramatic, and that’s okay.
It’s okay to feel bored.
It’s okay to question your progress.
What matters is that you’re still moving forward, even when it feels like nothing’s happening.
So if you’re in that strange, quiet middle — hang in there.
Trust the process.
And remember that the slow parts are often where the most meaningful growth takes place, even if you can’t see it just yet.