UPDATE: |I was nicknamed ‘Fat Pal’ by my mates, not any more News

Sean Burns, 32, shed almost five stone in just five months after years of struggling to lose weight

A dad-of-two once nicknamed “Fat Pal” by friends has lost five stone in just five months after turning to Mounjaro, a drug often endorsed by celebrities to lose weight.

Sean Burns, 32, had “struggled with excess weight” his entire life, often being the heaviest in his social circle at 15st and 5ft 6in. Despite numerous failed diets and a penchant for snack van lunches like burgers and chips, Sean finally found a solution that worked for him.

After hearing about Mounjaro from friends, Sean began using the weekly injectable medication in May 2024 and was amazed as the weight “just fell off.”

Mounjaro is the brand name for tripeptide, a drug that lowers blood sugar levels and was initially used to treat type 2 diabetes.

The drug also helps reduce appetite, slows digestion, and improves blood sugar control, ultimately leading to weight loss. The NHS spending watchdog has since recommended Mounjaro for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 and at least one weight-related illness.

As a result of his weight loss, Sean, a joiner by trade, has gone from wearing extra-large clothes to medium or small sizes, ditched junk food, and even started his own weight-loss support business to help others on a similar journey.

Sean revealed that he now feels like a “proper” dad, able to keep up with his two young children, Faryl Rose, four, and Shay, two – a feat that seemed impossible just a year ago.

“My nickname throughout my youth was ‘Fat Pal’,” said Sean.

“I piled the weight on even more as my wee daughter became a toddler because we had more snacks in the house.

“I was coming home from work, and the first thing I wanted to do was play with the kids – roll around on the floor with them – but every time I did, I needed to lie down.

“I was always out of breath and, after five minutes, I was struggling.

“I decided that this was enough. I really needed to take action in order to become a proper, fully functioning father.”

Sean had tried countless diets and fitness plans over the years, including the Cambridge diet, but nothing ever stuck.

“I’ve tried lots of different diets and all sorts of things,” he explained.

“I’ve always been a bit of a foodie, loved snacks and full-fat fizzy juice.

“I’ve tried everything, all the Cambridge diets and that stuff, it just didn’t agree with me.”

He said gym workouts were not for him either.

After seeing the transformation of other people including close family members from using Mounjaro, Sean decided to try it in May 2024.

He said: “I thought, I may as well try it, what’s the worst that could happen? I’ve tried everything else, why not try this?”

Sean said the results were almost immediate.

“I spent hundreds each month, and at some points, the demand for them was so high that the prices doubled,” he said.

“Paying for it all, however, was worth it… especially considering I would have spent that amount on takeaways, and some.

“After the first course of the four-week pen, I could see the pounds dropping off and I felt better.

“It was the best feeling in the world.”

In just five months, Sean’s weight dropped from 15st to just under 10st.

“On lads’ holidays, hanging about the pool was always embarrassing,” he said.

“The rest of the lads would be in their shorts, and I would be wearing a t-shirt to go in the pool, hiding in the corner away from everybody because I didn’t want to show my belly off.

“In t-shirts, I went from wearing an extra-large to a small or medium. It’s a great feeling.

“I can wear clothes I really want to, clothes I like.”

Before using the jab, Sean, from Glasgow, said his daily food intake was packed with high-fat, high-calorie meals.

He explained: “I would have a full Scottish breakfast – all fried foods, sausages, potato scones, fried bread etc.

“For lunch, I would grab food from a snack van, usually a burger and chips.

“At dinner time, I would load up my plate with as much food as possible.”

Now, Sean says his eating habits are completely different.

“I’m still eating three meals a day, however, the portion size is so much smaller,” he said.

“I no longer crave greasy, unhealthy food, I actually prefer chicken and salad now.”

He has also enlisted the help of a personal trainer and nutritionist to stay on track and avoid loose skin after the dramatic weight loss.

Although Sean has seen positive results, he said one of the biggest problems he noticed was the lack of support available for people using weight-loss medication.

“My experience was that the pen was sold to me – no pre, during or post-care was available,” he said.

“The seller got their money, and that was the end of the story.

“I’m losing weight, my body isn’t used to this.

“What nutrients, supplements and vitamins do I need to keep me on the right track?”

That is when he decided to launch SlimResults in January, a business offering doctor-backed advice, nutritional support and round-the-clock help for people using weight-loss jabs.

“We walk them through every step of their weight-loss journey,” he said.

“There is 24/7 support available, and once they have achieved their goal weight, we are still there to support them.

“At SlimResults we are offering the full package: medical, nutritional and PT advice, etc, not just for the duration of customers using the pens, but forever. We will always be there to help.”

Now, for Sean, life looks completely different.

“I’m running about playing in parks with my kids, on the slides, on the swings. I could not do that last year,” he said.

However, he issued a warning to anyone else looking to go on a similar journey.

“I would like to advise anyone embarking on this journey to do your due diligence,” he said.

The NHS has been contacted for comment.

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