Gym vs jabs

[Ontobetterthings]

I started down the gym a week before Christmas. Cut alcohol first of jan and been dieting and upping protein. Been going gym 4 times a week. Started weight training and lifting weights. Was feeling good this morning. Weighed in and ive lost 3lbs. Im a couple of stones overweight.

Im really demoralised. All my mates have lost loads of weight on ghe jabs. Im just wondering if im doing the right thing now. Aibu?

Yeh but measurements?? Ignore weight if you are lifting

That’s me, I only loose under 1000 a day I’m 5’2 and need to move and restrict to loose, luckily I have a small appetite mostly. But it’s much lower than some people think.

3lb is a good loss for the month. You’ll be changing shape, building muscle mass and toning up.
WLI isn’t a miracle cure and should be used in conjunction with exercise. Dropping weight quickly can lead to health issues. Going to the gym and taking a slower approach is the sensible route and can decrease complications and improve health.
and I say that as someone who has considered WLI but was put off by the potential side effects and seeing people I know personally struggle to maintain the loss when the jags stopped or reduced.

Thing is all your mates will be gaining all that weight back when they stop because they won’t have sufficiently changed their habits beyond what changes the jabs make easy.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. I stopped drinking and started exercising more (not with the intention of losing weight, just to be healthy). I lost about 7kgs without much effort over about the next year. It was great. But it’s a natural process, not a pharmaceutical one.

3 years later, I’ve maintained that weight loss without much effort and no jabs.

I wouldn't be telling OP her friends will regain the weight, because they may stay on the WLIs long term and that actually is more likely to keep the weight off then any other weight loss method.

Better instead OP just to focus on yourself. If you're getting healthier, however you do it there are benefits to that and they go beyond whether you happen to be slimmer than the women around you or not.

I think we're going to get loads of 'post and runs' on this subject now.

'Gym versus WLI' will become the new 'Breastfeeding versus Formula'.

They always have a wide-eyed undertone of 'I'm working so much harder than those fat people with their cheating jabs' 🙄

Much like 'I'm doing better for my baby with my breastfeeding, than those lazy mothers using formula'.

What decided for me to reject the WLI was;
Possible hair loss,
Not changing habits, so no long term benefits,
Not wanting to stay on unnecessary medication all of my life.
Needing to put in the work anyway eg gym for bone/muscle health post menopause.
Some heath issues to do with WLI that are starting to become apparent, in some people.
This was discussed twice with a consultant (for another condition).
Being slightly overweight as we age, has protective features. You might not lose anymore on WLI and if you do, then your gallbladder is at risk (it is with any quick weight loss).
I'd stick to what you are doing. I agree with taking measurements or just picking a tight dress etc to keep trying on.

Jabs

I can’t afford both and the jabs for me every time

That’s amazing! I am
on the jabs but also doing the gym to set on the good habits so when I stop the jabs it’s an ingrained habit re the gym.

re the jabs, as you only have a couple of stone to loose think of the money you are saving and can put aside to buy a new wardrobe. Those that have lost loads on the jabs great for them, but will they have the muscle mass and bone density that comes with lifting weight? I don’t think so. Keep doing what you’re doing as it’s clearly working!

Those that have lost loads on the jabs great for them, but will they have the muscle mass and bone density that comes with lifting weight? I don’t think so.

Why? A large number of posters on this thread have said they’re on the jabs and also strength train. Why do you assume they aren’t? Because they’re lazy cheaters?

Exercise and diet (inc jabs) are two seperate issues with a bit of overlap.

While it's a heck of a lot quicker and easier to eat 300 calories than burn them exercise has many health benefits beyond weight management. Rapid weightloss usually includes muscle loss as well as fat loss and it's one of the key reasons behind yo-yo gains and losses because muscle mass increases your metabolism and allows you to eat more sustainably long term. Muscle mass keeps us moving in later life. Higher bone density from impact and weigh bearing exercise fends off osteoarthritis.

I have no strong opinion on weightloss jabs, they have their benefits compared to obesity and they're clearly helpful in mentally facilitating people to healthier habits, but they're not a 100% cure to good long term health on their own and exercise is needed for its own benefits.

If a straight choice I'd absolutely choose the jabs over the gym...the gym makes me so hungry

Me too, I can exercise for free, if I couldn’t lose the weight I’d absolutely pick the jabs and exercise at home.

I’ve lost 4 and a half stone with intermittent fasting and gym membership. It’s taken a year but I’ve overhauled my diet and it feels sustainable.

3lb weight loss is perfect, slow and steady is the way to.

It is not a question of the jabs vs the gym… it is both you need to do, or you will regain everything

A good weight loss is 1lb a week. So take into account a higher calorie level over Xmas etc, and you’re doing well!! Don’t give up!!! If you’re new to the gym as well, you will gain some muscle. Ignore the scale, how do you feel?

I feel you as I am in similar position. Your frustration comes from the that your mates chose the easy way. If I wasn’t trying to conceive, I would have taken the jabs too instead if additive to my plate with gym and stricter eating. I have done it for years but it is mentally exhausting. A jab is not..

I think every single obese person has tried everything for years. Injections are the last resort, not the first. None of it is easy, no fat person sits and gorges then says screw it let’s take an injection, why bother trying. Every single one has tried everything possible to lose and keep the weight off. Every one.

Fair point. I suppose it's only a small proportion of women who are 5 foot and I would have thought OP would have said if she had other conditions (of course she is under no obligation to, but if someone is seeking health advice it's helpful to have a fuller picture).

I hope my mindset is not part of a trop, but I will be more mindful.

Are you every single person that you know? I have met plenty who got the jabs because it is easier. You don’t have to be obese to be in them either.

OP feelings are valid, as are mine so not sure why am I being attacked? I seem to have hit a nerve when I said they are easier. The jabs are absolutely the easy way mentally.. I have lost 40kg+ naturally twice in my life so I absolutely do now how hard it is to do so!

currently, I am 170cm and 89kg 12UK. It fits more snugly than when I was 70kg but equally my now partner tells me I do not look over 80kg. I did put 10kg in 3 months for no visible reason.

I look smaller and wear a size down from when I was 70kg and didn’t train. My muscle mass alone + bones etc is 60kg. Anything under 70-75 is impossible for me to maintain.

Old school doctors tell me my BMI is high and I need to drop 20-25kg asap. The more progressive ones are more chill. I want to lose it as I feel better about myself and have more energy to train. But I did gain due to stress/burn out and untreated thyroid issues which my doctors ignore.

So I understand. I have no energy or motivation. Jabs will give me kickstart and help with that, but starting a family is more important than my aesthetics. So I just do what I can.

I am in no way attacking anyone who chooses jabs, be it after trying for years or from day one. That doesn’t change the fact that:

1. jabs are easier
2. OP chose the harder way first and is frustrated because it is HARD

I understand this. I've been thin before.... doing it the old fashioned way. It was mentally exhausting...an endless battle between myself and the food noise. I am happier on the jabs because I no longer have to fight it.

For white people it's about five two where 2 stone takes you from 30 to 25, not sure of the figures for other ethnic groups as I understand the obesity rates are calculated differently. Fair enough otherwise though!

Thanks for all the supportive comments I really appreciate it. Ive been struggling because my husband and all my friends are on jabs. Im in the midlands and have dropped weight so easily. I have been finding it hard doing the old fashioned way.

I wanted to do the gym because I really like the athletic thick look so didnt want to go skinny. I thought id lost about 10lbs so was shocked when it said 3lbs 🤣

I am going to take another look at my diet and try the fasting til lunchtime and make sure im not over eating.

Thank you.

Well it’s obese or 27 bmi wit health conditions and I’ve never ever heard of an obese person who just thought screw it, happy fat, won’t even bother trying, and then the injections came out and thry thought I’d give that a try.

the diet industry is so huge as it’s an impossible task and everyone constantly tries. But if you know a load of fat people who were happy fat and did this as it was easy, then I’m not sure I beleive you. I think you let your jealousy get the better of you.

Ok if you want to look solid and strong then you’re on the right path why focus on the scales, you should be increasing cals to build muscle and lose fat, the scales are less relevant. If your friends and husband want a different body , ie slim or focus on a healthy bmi they are also doing the right thing.