If you are on weight loss injections, what do you make of this article?

I’m exactly the same and I have also gained weight really fast after other weight loss methods.

Another point I’d like to make is that - surely there is much more data being recorded from people taking WLI’s as it’s the “new” thing and they’re still monitoring it closely.

Who is recording the weight gain of people doing classic calorie counting or slimming world? And how?

When people stop taking WLI’s there’s a date set in stone when they stopped taking it. This can’t be said with other weight loss methods can it? As it’s not taking a drug and then stopping - it’s usually a gradual slipping back into old ways - so what are they even comparing it to?

I don’t really understand how classic dieting can even be compared to WLI’s.

Why do you think people are defensive when you allege that something stressful and debilitating that it has been really empowering for people to discuss and share experiences of doesn't really exist because you don't experience it?!

I simply mooted if that's what people mean by food noise rather than actually thinking about crisps and carbs 24/7

No you didn't, you said it has been overhyped and said you didn't believe people experience it in the way they say they do because you don't experience it that way.

Well if that what it takes for some addicts, then yes, medication should be offered it for life!

There are plenty of former alcoholics, drug users and food addicts that do it without medication though and fight through the days and eventually retrain their brain. I suppose it depends on how much you want to stop!

I think you're crediting people with more sense than they deserve! There are frequent posts on here telling people they can't expect to stay on it long term, it's not reasonable or realistic etc.

Agree with the rest of your post though.

i micro dosed MJ last year and got to my goal weight very slowly and stabilised with good habits, but as soon as I came off it I was uncontrollably ravenous - the insane hunger was all I could think about. Don't think I ate especially unhealthily but going back to 3 meals meant I put on more than I lost in the first place. Gutted as I don't want to go back on due to mega hair loss and my eyesight deteriorating

I think everyone agrees that's the conclusion! It's definitely a lifelong med. The issue now is the cost and whether Big Pharma is prepared to lower it knowing that it will most likely dent their profit margins because the more people on WLI/tablets, the more people will come off other meds for other conditions.

I've been taking WLI for a year and have lost 4 stones. My loss has been slow and steady and I have used this time to really look at my diet.
My BMI has reduced from 45 to 34......I still have a way to go but its a marathon not a sprint.
I am hopeful that the changes I have made will be embedded by the time I stop the medication.

I know many people taking WLI who have lost a lot of weight quickly by eating tiny amounts but who haven't made any lifestyle changes.....I fear they will regain the weight unless they make changes to their diet.
WLI are an amazing tool to help people regain control and lose the weight ....but its not the magic solution many think it is.
Diet and lifestyle changes are vital.

I was and lost just over 2 stone, I stopped in August last year and since then I have gained / lost the same 1-3lbs each week so I would say I'm maintaining.

Its manageable if you stick to it but I'll be honest, the food noise is horrific some days and does make me consider going back on.

I'm happy with my weight now but I really liked the food noise being gone, it really does take over some days.

@darkmatterspacemystery if you’ve worked in this kind of field, what do you think the solution is to obesity?

Which field, obesity or anxiety, and why? I assume you mean with the first paragraph, since the second isn't a matter of opinion.

Why can WLI users have a reasoned debate without getting so prickly and defensive?! It happens every time. We're discussing a story that's headline news today and yes, I have used my own experience. Just like you are in your arguments.

I'm not saying I don't experience food noise either. I'm saying mine is definitely related to body image that triggers me into thinking about food and I simply mooted if that's what people mean by food noise rather than actually thinking about crisps and carbs 24/7.

I’ve been on Mounjaro for over a year now and have lost 25 kilos. I’d like to lose another 5 but am not really bothered if I don’t. I will probably start to down titrate in the spring but expect to be on it for life.
Yes, it’s expensive and even more so for me because I see a private GP - I have a heart condition so want to be monitored closely - but it’s worth it. I feel great and I believe that I have changed some of my habits. I certainly don’t drink anywhere near as much wine as I used to and that’s been good.

Right, and some people can control their weight very effectively without WLIs, and others very much struggle to do so. No one thinks people should be taking any medication if they'd be just as fine without it, or that any medication will work for everyone, but why wouldn't we use effective medications to address problems if we have them?

Food addiction is completely different to substance addiction and can't be considered in the same way. We need food to live; we don't need alcohol or drugs. Abstinence is possible and desirable for substances but impossible for food. Additionally addictions are often medically treated long term too. Some alcoholics need to stay on Antabuse for years. Some addicts will be on methadone or subutex for the rest of their lives. Medication is often a long term part of recovery, and when the substance is food, medication may be necessary for long term recovery for many people.

I strongly disagree having worked in this field.

No it couldn't, because it's an entirely different condition. The fact that psychological methods exist to treat one problem stemming from evolution is not evidence that such methods must also exist and be helpful for others.

Ultimately, most humans who've ever lived did so in environments where being able to eat lots of high calorie food when opportunity presented was helpful. It's only over the last century or so that the majority of us were no longer in such conditions, and during that period a great many of us were on the effective appetite suppressant drug nicotine. People think there must be a way to change human behaviour to match our environment because they like the idea, but it is nothing but guesswork.

But everyone in the study, whether on behavioural programs or medications, regained all the weight they lost. It took a bit longer for the behavioural program group, but either way, within four years all of them had put it back on again. So this seems to support staying on medication long-term as the best option for managing obesity.

Yes, and lots of people CAN manage their anxiety with CBT, EMDR, mindfulness/lifestyle changes etc. Medication isnt for everyone either- sertraline can have horrendous side effects for some people and it can increase suicidal ideation in certain people.

Yes, but it’s the same for any addiction. Those abusing alcohol and drugs who then stop have to face their demons daily and get through it so that they don’t relapse. It’s no different for obesity. Obese people who have lost weight using these injections have lowered their food intake and are now in recovery just like other addicts. We shouldn’t be saying ‘oh the disease is back, they can’t help it’. The disease is there for all addicts and we should treat them equally.

Obesity doesn’t just destroy the life of the obese people, it leads to multiple health conditions which heavily impacts families just substance abuse does.

Im delighted this medication is available to obese people to kick-start their recovery.

Absolutely - I’m just responding to a pp saying that WLI’s make you gain weight much faster when you stop, more so than any other weight loss method.

There will also be a lot of people who just gain the weight at a normal rate - but the media doesn’t report those as it won’t get as many clicks!

Some people really seem to want to believe that WLI’s = bad for whatever reason. I think they’d be best looking internally at the reasons why this is and being completely honest with themselves.

Given that most diets have a temporary effect it’s hardly a surprise that people regain if they come off the drugs

some people will manage to keep the weight mostly off but the drugs don’t change anything permanently so unless you change something you go back

I don’t think this is the first study to find this - most find the long term diets are slightly more effective possibly because with a diet you have to consciously change what you eat and that might stick a little

the drugs can help but are not a miracle solution

I would have thought that you would be more likely to keep weight off long term if you were aware of the pitfalls

But also ...every diet I've ever done ,the weight has gone back on and more .
I'm not honestly expecting it to stay of this time either
I'm aware it will be a constant battle and I'm prepared for that

Agree but this still leaves a physical problem to be solved: why do some people eat when they are hungry, but stop immediately they have had enough, while others simply don’t seem to have that natural braking system - they go on and on, until they are too full. Or they feel compelled to snack throughout the day?

It seems there are quite dramatic natural differences between individuals, maybe genetic?

But lots of people can only get their anxiety under control with medication - there are other methods but they're not enough for everyone, and indeed many people benefit most from a combination of medication and talk therapy. Despite plenty of (useful and effective) therapy, I think I will take Sertraline for the rest of my life. This seems to attract a lot less outrage and faux concern than if I said I thought I was going to take Mounjaro for the rest of my life.

I've lost 10 stone on them ,and have another 4 to go.
I plan to come of them in the summer this year
But if weight goes back on ,I will go back on the jabs at the earliest opportunity
I do believe there are alternatives in the pipeline for maintenance tablets rather than jabbing ,which I'm keeping my eye out for