Episode 3: Jo Bingham on feeling comfortable in your own skin
Meet Jo, who has navigated the complex world of medical weight management solutions with determination and resilience. From participating in NHS medical trials, including the Covid vaccine, to exploring bariatric surgery, semaglutide Wegovy injections, and tirzepatide Mounjaro treatments, she’s been on a quest to feel fitter and healthier.
Jo shares the ongoing challenge of learning to enjoy food after surgery and struggling to recognise how her body has changed. She reveals how she found her way to genuine self-acceptance and the hard-won lessons learned in feeling more comfortable in her body - because the numbers on the scale aren’t everything.
In this episode
We cover:
The reality of living in a larger body, from aeroplane seats to restaurant booths
Dealing with unsolicited opinions, judgement and outright rudeness
How “food noise” can dominate your life and what happens when it finally quietens
Misconceptions around emotional eating and learning to enjoy food again after surgery or medication
The difficulties in recognising your own body as it changes rapidly
Why the number showing on the scales doesn’t always lead to self-acceptance
Sharing my own experience
I talk about my own experiences of dieting, weight gain after children and in perimenopause and use of Mounjaro. I also share eye-opening insights from Havas Health's talk at MadFest London 2025 on how weight loss medications (GLP-1s) are reshaping culture:
1 billion people worldwide were living with obesity in 2022. By 2035, that’s projected to be 51% of the global population
In the US, 1 in 8 adults have used GLP-1s and this could rise to 25–30%
UK use has doubled in a year, from 2.3% to 4.1% of households
People with weight struggles spend 4 hours and 45 minutes a day thinking about food vs just 15 minutes for those without. GLP-1s can shift people from the 'most of the day' group to the '15-minute' group
GLP-1s are driving growth in fitness, adventure travel, online dating, therapy and shared dining experiences like tapas and pizza, while grocery and alcohol spending decline
GLP-1 treatments are a tool that can change lives and reframe the conversation around health. Yet, they have the potential to create stigma for those who cannot afford access or tolerate the side effects (which can be severe).
Trigger warning
This episode includes discussion about weight, eating behaviours, medical weight loss procedures, body image and food-related issues. Please take care of yourself while listening.
Support and resources
If you are struggling with eating issues or need support, visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk or talk to your GP about help in your local area. This was recorded before the news that Mounjaro prices were about to increase significantly in the UK.
Music: Morning Span provided by Mobygratis #mobygratis