Size 22 Leeds mum branded massive by blokes on nights out now rejects men after fat jab success

Zoe McKenzie has struggled with her weight since she was a youngster, often teased by school bullies for being a 'fat' child.

Comments around the mum-of-two's weight continued into adulthood, with Zoe often facing rejection from men on nights out due to her size.

The 28-year-old said one cruel bloke even calling her 'massive' when meeting her on a night out after she piled on five stone in baby weight.

Stuck in the cycle of yo-yo diets, Zoe decided enough was enough after ballooning to her biggest ever weight of 18st, spurring her on to change her size 22 figure.

After reading about weight-loss jabs online, Zoe was recommended Mounjaro and paid £113 for one month's worth of injectables.

The family of drugs known as GLP-1 RAs, originally developed to treat diabetes, are now often being used for weight loss as they were found to suppress a patient's appetite.

Zoe, who works as a store assistant, lost nearly a stone within the first month after swapping out her calorific meals for smaller portions.

Despite facing some sickness after upping the dosage, Zoe admits the jabs have 'changed her whole life' after dropping to just 12 stone within a matter of months.

Zoe, who lives in Leeds, West Yorkshire, said: "I've struggled with my weight since I was a child. I was horrifically teased for my weight through school. I didn't even finish high school and that was part of the reason. They just loved to call me fat.

"As I got older, I lost weight then had kids and gained it back. I first lost the weight after having my first child and gained it back in pregnancy with my second.

"I just felt like I was stuck in that cycle. At my biggest, walking up the stairs is definitely different to how it is now. I was definitely struggling. I couldn't breathe when I walked up a hill near my house. I just didn't feel like myself. My confidence was quite low. When you go out with a group of friends, you're not the one who's picked, you're not the one that's even spoken to.

"They might approach you to ask to speak to your friend. Those little moments stick. I went out not long after having my second daughter and we were having some banter, then one of the friends came over and called me massive. It was just to be nasty. That really upset me. I was really angry. It just triggered those childhood wounds."

After a friend recommended Zoe try the weight-loss jab Mounjaro in October last year, the mum shed a stone within a matter of weeks.

By June 2025, Zoe had dropped five dress sizes and weighed in at 12 stone thanks to the 'life-changing' drug.

Zoe said: "I feel myself again. These jabs have changed my life. I definitely get a lot more attention now. People notice me more. When you're fat, it's almost like you're invisible, now it's like people can see you.

"I feel like a whole different person, I feel like I've been reborn. As you do lose weight, the same people that have ignored you back then now suddenly have an interest. It's quite satisfying. I feel like I can reject them now.

"I think Mounjaro gets a bad rep. It's quite unnecessary. And a lot of people are buying it from non-reputable places. You have no idea what it actually is. A lot of people lie to get the jabs and getting them when they don't need them. You don't need it to lose a stone to go on holiday.

"I definitely would recommend Mounjaro. If you're miserable and tried every way to lose weight, give it a go. Ignore the horror stories, you don't know every person's situation. Speak to prescribers and people you actually know rather than looking on the internet."

Pre-weight loss food diary

• Breakfast - Two bagels with butter
• Lunch - Jacket potato
• Dinner - Pasta with garlic bread and cheese.
• Dessert - Cake and custard
• Snacks - Chocolate and crisps

• Breakfast - Yoghurt, granola, honey and fruit
• Lunch - Soup and salads
• Dinner - Steak or chicken with mash and veg