Weighing 23 stone at her heaviest, Kirsty Ginger struggled with low self-esteem and felt that shedding the pounds was an impossible task. Food had served as her emotional crutch from childhood. The Bournemouth-based hearing aid audiologist grew up in Germany, where her father served in the Armed Forces.

During times of transition and emotional turmoil, food provided solace. "I remember the first time I turned to chocolate for comfort clearly," recalls Kirsty, 37.

"It was the day I started my period. Feeling overwhelmed and upset, I walked to the nearest shop, bought chocolate bars and ate them until I felt unwell. From that moment on, chocolate became a source of emotional reassurance.

"Christmas was another trigger, with celebrations centred around snacks, sweets and over-indulgence. While joyful at the time, those festive habits gradually became part of my everyday eating patterns as I grew older.", reports Plymouth Live.

By her early 20s, Kirsty found controlling her weight increasingly difficult. At 21, she fractured her kneecap, and the injury, coupled with stress and anxiety, drove her deeper into comfort eating. Two follow-up surgeries limited her mobility and made weight control even tougher.

"Throughout adulthood, I found myself stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting and weight-loss classes," Kirsty explains. "I could lose weight short-term, but maintaining it was far harder.

"The focus was always on hitting the next milestone, with little support for what came after, leaving me without a sustainable long-term plan."

Admitting she needed help was not straightforward. Kirsty frequently felt judged over her size, despite hardly anyone knowing her story or challenges. Starting from her peak weight of 23 stone, Kirsty embarked on her weight-loss journey in March 2021, ultimately reaching 11 stone by August 2025.

Her initial move was consulting her GP, who arranged for her to attend weight-loss classes. Though she initially shed pounds, she put them back on, leaving her disheartened and seeking a more lasting approach.

• UKHSA issues 'substantial impact on health' alert as snow and ice forecast

• Drug-resistant 'killer fungal infection' spreading in healthcare facilities, scientists warn

She was later referred to NHS Tier 3 weight-management services, where she benefited from individual coaching. Her adviser encouraged her to concentrate on modest, achievable weekly adjustments and tackle ingrained patterns.

These sessions coincided with the Covid pandemic, forcing them online, which Kirsty struggled with as she thrives in face-to-face environments. Nevertheless, she managed to drop some weight, though not as much as she'd hoped.

Kirsty opted to explore weight loss injections. She approached Oushk Pharmacy, which suggested clinically-prescribed Mounjaro to assist with losing and maintaining her weight.

One of her biggest battles with food had always been "food noise": the remorse following certain meals and the worry that one indulgence meant she'd lost all control. The medication quietened her food cravings and allowed Kirsty to concentrate on developing healthier routines.

"At my heaviest, I weighed over 23 stone, although I avoided weighing myself due to feelings of shame," Kirsty explains.

"Before starting Mounjaro, I weighed around 15 stone. Over 19 months of treatment, I lost a further four stone and now maintain a weight of approximately 11 stone.

"I once assumed this would mean being a size 10, but I've learned that bodies are different, and I now feel confident and comfortable at a size 12 to 14. I feel amazing. My world feels brighter and my body feels like it works again."

She attributes her success to the clinical advice and continuous support from Oushk Pharmacy, which helped her prioritise lasting dietary improvements over quick fixes.

"Instead of calorie counting alone, I learned more about food composition, portion awareness and how nutrition supports the body, which has completely changed the way I approach eating," she explains.

"Accepting that I needed help was not easy. I often felt judged for my weight, even though few people understood my background or my struggles.

"I spoke to my GP first, who referred me to weight-loss classes. I lost weight initially, but I regained it, which left me frustrated and searching for a more sustainable solution."

Living in Bournemouth, she now walks three miles to work and finds it rewarding rather than uncomfortable. Before, she would drive or think about catching the bus because of the discomfort and pain, frequently steering clear of social events or trips into town.

"Now, life feels far less restricted and much more enjoyable," Kirsty says. "Today, I feel genuinely happy with where I am. With the support of Mounjaro, prescribed through Oushk Pharmacy, I've been able to maintain my weight loss and develop a healthier, more balanced relationship with food.

"Now, I feel balanced. I can enjoy a chocolate bar without spiralling into guilt or punishment. For the first time, my lifestyle feels healthy, realistic and sustainable.

"My family have been incredibly supportive, with some even starting Mounjaro themselves. They've noticed the biggest change in my mental health and often say that the 'real Kirsty' is coming back, which means a great deal to me."

Kirsty advises others wanting to shed pounds to think beyond just losing weight. "It's important to focus on realistic changes you can genuinely maintain rather than aiming for perfection," she explains.

"Small, sustainable habits are what truly add up over time. My top tip for dieting is to use a side plates for meals. It helps the brain feel satisfied while naturally reducing portion sizes."

Discover more about Oushk Pharmacy at https://www.oushkpharmacy.com/.