Weight loss drugs have become one of the most talked-about topics right now, especially with the arrival of Wegovy. Wegovy, also known as Semaglutide, is the first GLP-1 tablet approved specifically for weight management in the UK. It has recently hit the market and is available through the NHS through a specialist prescription, or it can also be available through a private prescription.
Before you make a decision, we want to give you some common-sense answers, starting with a little bit of a science lesson.
If you’re considering taking a weight loss drug, the first thing to understand is a hormone called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is the main hormone that controls your hunger. It’s what tells your body whether you’re full or not.
- High GLP-1 means your hunger is kept in check, and you feel satisfied.
- Low GLP-1 means you don’t feel as satisfied, even after eating, so you end up wanting more.
Genetically, we’re all different. That’s why some people are naturally skinny: they simply don’t have the same calorie requirements as everyone else.
So what do weight loss drugs actually do?
When you take a weight loss drug, it mimics GLP-1 in your body, which makes you feel fuller.
Here’s the part people miss: weight loss drugs don’t magically make you lose weight. All they do is make you eat less by suppressing your appetite while you’re taking them.
Do we think it’s a good idea?
Honestly? No, not for most of our clients.
The problem isn’t the science. The problem is that most people haven’t exhausted every other avenue first.
In our experience, most people considering these drugs are doing so because of a wedding, a holiday, or wanting to feel more confident in less clothing, not because they’ve consistently tried everything else. Very rarely have they:
- Increased their activity levels
- Improved their eating habits
- Trained consistently at the gym
Instead, people want rapid results. And that’s where the real issue lies: once you stop taking the drug, your appetite comes right back to where it was before. That leads to a vicious cycle of dependence on these drugs.
They are also only good for losing weight. If you want to build muscle, feel healthier or make any other fitness change besides losing weight, these pills aren’t going to help. If you want to use the pills in association with a training programme for quicker results, then they might prove useful, but in most cases, focusing on quick results doesn’t translate into long-term success. If you feel you need the pills to move things along, the likelihood is that there is something amiss with your current routine, either in terms of workout or diet, and it’s always better to address those issues first before turning to medication.
Weight loss drugs can suppress appetite, but they don’t build the habits that keep weight off long-term. Consistent training, better nutrition, and sustainable activity levels do. If you’re weighing up whether a weight loss drug is right for you, our advice is simple: make sure you’ve genuinely given the basics a proper go first. That’s where we can help.
A simple diet, a consistent training programme and a supportive community can help move you in the right direction and give you the knowledge and skills you need to monitor your weight long-term and gain a better understanding of what you need to do to get your ideal body.
