The news is full of celebrity photos and articles about the weight loss wonder drugs currently flooding the market. Despite the rising reports of the health consequences, some figures estimate that one in 20 people are now taking weight loss medications.

The recent collapse of Weight Watchers illustrates how diet companies are struggling to survive against the tsunami of the mighty Mounjaro. The fat jabs may be changing the figures on the scales, however are they the solution to better health? Does a drug have the power to create the lasting changes that are needed to live life well?

Who is it designed for?

Mounjaro and Wegovy are drugs approved in the UK for treating patients that have a body mass index, (BMI) of over 30, or are overweight with a BMI of over 27, plus have at least one weight-related health issue. In theory there needs to be previous documented attempts at weight loss and there should be a referral from a registered GP to a specialist service provider.

How is it used?

The medications are administered in a disposable multi-dose pre-filled pen. They are taken as weekly self- injectable pen-style injections under the skin, (subcutaneously). Recommended injection sites tend to be into the abdomen or the thigh.

What is the difference between the two?

Both drugs work in similar ways, by activating the hormones in the body that help regulate blood sugar and hunger, GPL-1, (glucagon-like peptide-1), hormones.

Tell me about Mounjaro

Mounjaro is manufactured by a company called Eli Lilly and contains tirzepatide, (anti-diabetic medication). Originally designed to be used for type 2 diabetics, the drug was given approval in the UK for weight management in November 2023. Just like Wegovy, it activates glucagon-like peptide-1 hormones, plus is activates glucose-dependant insulinotropic polypeptides, offering effective hunger control and blood sugar balance.

Tell me about Wegovy

Wegovy is manufactured by a company called Novo Nordisk and contains the drug semaglutide, (diabetic medication).  It has been approved for usage in the UK since September 2022. Wegovy works by slowing down food movement through the stomach, which keeps the body feeling fuller for longer. In addition, it has been shown to improve the function of insulin, which in turn improves blood sugar control. People who are on this drug report that it is effective at reducing ‘food noise,’ (the persistent thoughts and cravings around wanting to consume food.

How long is it possible to use the medications for?

UK guidance states that weight loss medications are most effective when they are used for at least 12 months of treatment, although it has been reported that people are taking the drug for 2 years plus.

Biggest considerations when deciding which medication might be right for you

• From a safety perspective Wegovy has been approved for longer
• Reported side effects with Wegovy seem to be lower
• Wegovy is typically cheaper
• In trials Mounjaro sees to show greater weight loss results
• Mounjaro has strong benefits for better blood sugar control

Homefield says

When taken for the right reasons, these drugs can be lifesaving and if they can help combat the chronic illnesses that accompany obesity, then no one can deny that they are a positive advancement. However, like any medication, the side effects and the benefits are different for each individual which is why personalised expert advice from a healthcare advisor should be taken before putting anything into your body. Side effects can be nausea, constipation, bad breath, bloating and tiredness – not typical signs that you are in the optimum state of health.

Some users of the weight loss jabs report that they are a huge blessing and have changed their habits completely because of them. If the person using the medication is simply relying on the drug for weight loss without implementing lifelong healthy habits, eventually the weight will return. It’s inevitable that if you return to how you were living your life before the medication, you will return to a similar weight.

Daily self-care for protecting your organs, your skin, your bones and your muscles are vital if the body begins to drop weight quickly. To avoid the saggy face and loose skin, there needs to be in place a lifestyle plan that supports and complements your weight loss journey. Homefield would recommend the following:

• Learn how to fuel yourself properly. Seek out personal nutrition guidance to ensure that your body is nourished properly.
• Hydrate well
• Address any mental health issues and manage stress, boredom, depression, (any emotional reason why you may have eaten in the past when you were not truly hungry)
• Protect your bones and your muscles, (exercise, especially resistance training is vital). Weighing less should not result in your body becoming weaker.

From working with many of our clients that have taken the drug, feedback is that for some, the weight loss has acted as the kick start, they needed to begin a new way of caring for themselves and as a result they become more focused on their health. For the vast majority, losing the weight has not really changed their self-esteem, their dislike of exercise, changed their intake of alcohol, or improved their knowledge of nutrition. At Homefield we find that working on mindset, education and coaching is the way to gain true connection back to the body. It is these things that offer pride in oneself and the joy of waking up with a body to be proud of.

Health is not a prescription; it is a way of living and taking care of yourself needs to be ingrained into the very fabric of your being. Self-care and the value of your health is tied in with your values and beliefs around what is important to you and what a good life looks like. Take a look at what is truly important to you.

Weight loss jabs may take away your hunger, but it does not take away the body’s need for nutrition. Hunger is there for a reason; it is your body’s way of asking you to refuel. Food is not the enemy, not respecting your body with the right food is.

Health is a lifestyle choice; it does not come from a jab. Health continues to be a journey every day, not a destination. You have to practise daily the right habits that keep you not only the right weight, but also help you achieve balanced mental health, a zest for life, and strength in your bones

In summary, will the weight loss jab offer you a healthier, happier, longer life? Truth is – no one knows. There is a lot more research to do, especially when it comes to the consequences of interactions with other drugs and female hormones, (all trials were carried out on men), and only time will tell. There is a real risk that if poor lifestyle habits are not addressed whilst using these drugs, then significant weight loss using these jabs will leave you weaker, saggier and older looking.

Our advice would be to take it slow and steady, use the jabs sensibly in conjunction with new healthier habits, cut down on the alcohol, move your body daily, and eat nutritious meals with a balance of protein, healthy fats and proteins. Weight loss without the jab is doable – it just takes longer and with more effort.

In addition, address your mindset and work on the triggers that caused you to have been overweight in the first place. If you used to eat because you were bored, sad, depressed, stressed, lonely – these emotions will still to be there when you can no longer stick a needle in your body. Work on understanding yourself better, being kind to yourself. Create a life that you love to live. To help you do this, laugh daily, surround yourself with those you care about, build your resilience to stress, process past hurts, practise gratitude daily, sleep well, spend time with mother nature, and live with a purpose.

In fact, if you do all of those things, weight tends to take care of itself, and you wouldn’t need the drugs in the first place!