A mother who shed seven stone after switching from takeaways costing £400 a month to weight-loss jabs says she 'couldn’t be happier' despite online abuse claiming her 'Mounjaro face' has aged her by 15 years. Ashley Nickson, 35, from Rainhill, Merseyside, weighed 17st 10lbs and wore size 18-20 after gaining weight following the births of her two children, Mally, six, and Charlie, two.
She would pick at her children's leftovers, snack constantly, and order takeaways three times a week, spending over £400 monthly on what she called 'unhealthy habits' that 'made parenting easier'. Feeling 'disgusted' by old photos with her kids, she began weekly Mounjaro injections in March 2024, costing £136 per month through private provider VOY. Within a year, she dropped to 10st and size 10.
Sharing her journey on TikTok, Ashley faced cruel comments accusing her of looking older and having 'obvious' Mounjaro use. One troll wrote: 'The excess skin has aged you horribly. Added another 15 years to your face.' Another said: 'The Mounjaro face is too obvious.' But Ashley, a Tesco worker, said: 'Trolls may say I have gained years – but I actually have. I've got much more of my life to live now. I'd rather people say I've aged than be unhappy and unhealthy.'
After giving birth, Ashley struggled to find time to cook or exercise, relying on McDonald's and Costa during school runs. She tried various diets but couldn't stick to them. In February 2024, a photo of her holding newborn Charlie prompted her to change. She started Mounjaro in March, experiencing dry mouth and nausea initially, then reduced appetite. Within three weeks, she lost over a stone.
With support from fiancé Jack Chadwick, 36, she switched to Hello Fresh meal kits and stopped snacking. By referring friends, she secured four months of jabs free. After a year and under £1,000 spent, she reached her goal. Now off the medication, Ashley says: 'I feel a lot more confident and proud of my journey. I can always get a face lift, but I can't get a new life.'
