What do we REALLY think about the weight loss jabs?

How is it unfair? Does people using the drugs make those who don’t gain weight or unable to lose the weight? No… it has no effect on them. It’s not a competition you see between women to see who can lose the most weight through the hardest method.

Most people don't eat enough protein? How could you possibly know?

I was more than 20 stone. What do you consider would have happened to me if I had continued that way? What was the alternative, given that I'm in my 50s and tried every diet going for many years? Any method of weight loss is going to cause muscle loss, you know that right? You assume, like so many on here, that being obese is the same as being utterly stupid. You assume that there's no personal accountability, that I'm somehow unable to research what to do and how to help myself. You assume I'm unable to do whatever is necessary to maintain my overall health because....I was obese.

WLIs have literally saved my life. I will hopefully now be around for grandchildren. The loss of weight means I can now exercise - there are no excuses anymore. I can move. I don't hurt. Wearing a dress today that is 6 sizes smaller than the one I was wearing this time last year (and it's the same dress 'cos I loved it, found this one in a smaller size on Vinted). That is possibly the most motivating thing ever!

I was not and am not stupid. I am an educated professional. There were many reasons for my weight including genetics, the way I was taught to handle food from childhood, some abuse, low self esteem and other stuff. But mainly....there was a point of no return and I passed it. It became impossible to go back. I'm there now, thankfully right on time and thankfully I have been able to afford it. I know many aren't so lucky.

@ProudCat medication developed for a purpose shouldn't be rationed so that it's available for another purpose.

This happens all the time with medications though?

Rogaine was developed to treat high blood pressure. Now it's used for hair loss.

Viagra was developed for angina treatment and high blood pressure. And we all know what it treats now.

Botox was developed for crossed eyes and uncontrolled blinking and now it's used for cosmetic reasons. But also for migraine, overactive bladder and excessive sweating.

Gabapentin was originally an anti seizure medication and now it's used for chronic nerve pain, shingles and fibromyalgia.

Prazosin was originally used for high blood pressure. But now used for sleep disturbance and PTSD.

what do you think we do? we still have to consider what a calorie deficit looks like, we still need to up our exercise. It isn't the magic cure some seem to think it is. I personally can override it if I want to - not a problem to eat a 3 course meal at the Chinese on Saturday although I was very uncomfortable afterwards, for example. What it does is take away the noise in the head, the constant thinking about food - you wouldn't know if you'd never experienced it. It makes you feel you can take it or leave it. I still need to put in the effort to lose. It doesn't just melt the fat away.

Some people maybe, but not all people.

I'm thin, I've been effortlessly thin my whole life. I don't view it as morally superior, it's just lucky genes and an upbringing with parents who instilled healthy food habits. Nothing I did myself, and there's never been any struggle. I don't view beauty or height etc as morally superior either.

I don't care if people are thinner or fatter than me. Different body types suit different weights, I'd just like society as a whole to be healthy.

Of course I know that obesity can have biological causes. But also it's true that rates of obesity shoot up in nations when eating habits change from traditional diets to upf diets. So I think for many people it's an environmental cause. And WLI doesn't address that. WLI might benefit an individual, but I think there's something really wrong on a societal level when large numbers of people need drugs like this.

You do still have to work somewhat at the weight loss though. You can’t just inject WLI and continue to eat crap because there are consequences - stomach issues if you eat too much fat for example. There still has to be a calorie deficit - OK easier to achieve with Mounjaro, but you can’t just eat what you like and expect the weight to just fall off. The time on WLI’s is best used to change eating habits and learn what works best for you. And for those using it to control type 2 you still have to watch carb intake and monitor blood sugar.

The voice of reason! It gives you space to learn and enjoy!

I also think it really doesnt matter if it is the easy way out, I dont think it matters if its "lazy". I actually dont even think it matters if its a deep medical need to lose weight or just a desire to be a slimmer. Someone else losing weight isnt really any of my business

Not everything has to be hard or difficult. Weight isnt an achievement our bodies arent in competition with each other. I think for so many years people have used thinness as an indication they are better than others, and they can't cope with the idea that its now more achievable.

I only wish I could go back on them. I only had 4 doses and although I felt a bit unwell, almost like I was recovering from a vomiting bug but I could deal with that. Unfortunately I got pancreatitis. This could have been from losing weight quickly (about 10lbs over 4 weeks), it could have been from the Mounjaro, it could have been from a virus. Obviously now I can't go on any of them due to the risk of pancreatitis - well that's my assumption, GP not interested.

Had I been able to continue I would probably have lost 2-2.1/2 stone. I would be ecstatic at that.

I am very envious of anyone who can use them and I wish you all well

I have managed to keep the paltry 10lbs off, which I suppose is something but not what I had hoped for😥

Oh well if you can’t afford it that’s not an option, but for many it is and choose to spend their money on that.

Wise choice in my opinion!

Who’s going to cover the cost? I cannot afford it full stop. I wish! And no I wouldn’t save what it costs on food I buy. People have told me that. Not true. I already eat well, it’s just a constant battle against not eating in excess to maintenance calories ☹️

But why does someone using it to use a small amount of weight alarm you?

The risks are fairly minimal, its unlikely that someone losing a stone or two is going to cause significant harm to themselves anymore than if they lost the weight naturally. Its their body and their decision as to what risks they wish to take. Crash dieting comes with risks, running a marathon comes with risks. Why does one method cause alarm in you?

I’ve been on the jabs for a year. Yes, it’s easier. There’s no doubt about that. But if you want to maintain the weight loss and remain in good health you have to use the opportunity to develop good eating and exercise habits. So you do have to put the work in.

If it didn’t make it easier no-one would be on them, they’re an expensive choice. But you do still have to put some work in.

I agree - I haven't used them either but I think they're fantastic.

As long as you're having regular DEXA scans to monitor your body composition, this shouldn't be an issue.

I haven’t used any but I think they’re a game changer and well done to the countries who are doing well from them.

It’s a matter of licensing. Mounjaro, for example, was engineered and developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. In the UK clinical trials and the reporting of their findings focused entirely on diabetes management - the control of blood sugar levels via stimulating insulin production.

Mounjaro was first authorised for type 2 diabetes management in September 2022, after which there were clinical trials confirming its significant weight-loss benefits. This led to the licensing being expanded to weight loss treatment within specific parameters in November 2023, so the timeline for release for weight management was only twelve months.

And It’s not weight loss drugs which cause gallbladder problems. It’s the weight loss itself. If you have been very overweight, losing a lot of weight can cause gallstones - women over forty tend to be more prone that any other demographic.

And as regards the covid jabs - yes you’re coming across as more than a ‘little’ conspiracy theorist. The two are not connected. At all.

Being obese is the ‘less healthy option’.

@Fatasawalrus of course it's "easier" in the same way that it's easier to control my high blood pressure with tablets than it is to do it through diet and lifestyle alone. In my case, actually impossible, as my BP is still high even with a healthy weight, exercise and good diet. It's "easier" because we know that the very large majority of obese people cannot lose weight to the point of being in the healthy weight range and then stay there long term. If that were possible, people would be doing it successfully. It's a tool that you can use, why would you not want to use an effective tool if it's available to you?

And yes, the description of WLI as "easier" usually come with a side order of serious negative judgement. The "lazy", "cheating", "unhealthy" thought processes. It's clear that so many people tie weight up with moral failure or success.

I wouldn't personally use them as they run the risk of sarcopenia (muscles wasting away). Most people taking them eat nowhere near enough protein to maintain their muscles and they're still going to waste even if you do.

According to someone I work with who has written a dissertation in the area, 50% of weight loss can be muscle.

As a woman nearly in their 40s, muscle is the one thing I can't afford to lose as it's a metabolic sink and maintains my metabolic rate. I don't know the long-term effects of losing that muscle either in terms of falls/longevity in later life.

I have fully quietened food noise through diet -I minimise carbs and eat them at the end rather than beginning of a meal and I've lost 1.5stone (currently BMI 25.1) without feeling hungry at all.
I'm also continuing to lose weight at a rate of 0.45lbs /week without dieting. I also carry several kilograms MORE muscle as I'm doing a lot of zone 2 exercise and using weight machines at the gym (the more muscle I carry, the higher my basal metabolic rate).

I'd recommend the glucose revolution by Jessie inchauspe and reading about longevity medicine principles if you really want to hack your metabolism without using the drugs. Some people also take berberine 2 months out of 3 and take safe amounts vitamin d and Inositol for metabolic support.

*food

You know they’re the same people?

Try WLI? They turn off good noise! Wonderful things.

Covid jabs are offered to over 75 year olds, this is not the demographic of weight loss injection users!

Totally ridiculous how so many of the ones jabbing themselves thin and vaping, and the same ones who refuse Flu/Covid jabs.