“Eat less, move more.” It’s the advice that’s been drilled into us for years, and as simple as it sounds in theory, many of us still struggle. If you've spent much of your adult life dieting and trying to lose weight, it can leave you feeling so frustrated with yourself and your supposed 'lack of willpower'. But you're not alone, let's face it if weight loss were just about willpower, far fewer people would struggle with it. The truth is that biology plays a massive role, and it's not just about genetics. Some people are naturally hungrier with a bigger appetite than others, their bodies produce stronger signals to eat. Hormonal conditions like insulin resistance and PCOS make cravings feel impossible to control. As we age, menopause and thyroid issues slow metabolism, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it so it's no longer as simple as 'calories in, calories out'. Food poverty or food insecurity when you were a child such as not knowing where your next meal was coming from can lead to you overeating and hoarding food in adulthood as a trauma response. And then there’s the emotional side- stress, grief, and mental health struggles can all push people toward food for comfort. Not to mention bad habits that can creep up over the years and be incredibly hard to break. Obesity is a disease, and for the first time, it’s being treated like one. That’s where GLP-1 medications come in, and they offer real hope to people who’ve spent years trying (and failing) to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.
How Do GLP-1 Medications Work?
GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone in your body that helps control appetite and blood sugar. Normally, this hormone tells your brain when you’re full, slows digestion so you stay satisfied longer, and reduces cravings- especially for sugary, high calorie foods. But in people who struggle with weight, these signals don’t always work properly. GLP-1 medications amplify them, making it easier to eat less without feeling constantly hungry or deprived. This means that it's much easier to stay in a calorie deficit without your brain screaming at you to eat, going to bed ravenous or generally feeling miserable. You can simply eat healthily, exercise and make all of the good changes that we know we need to do but without suffering. What a game changer this is. GLP-1 medications were first developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, but during clinical trials, researchers noticed that people taking them were losing a lot of weight. That discovery led to further research, and now, GLP-1 medications are approved specifically for weight loss in people with obesity.
Are GLP-1 Medications Safe?
Understandably, a lot of people wonder whether these medications are safe. After all, they’re relatively new for weight loss- but that doesn’t mean they’re untested. In fact, these drugs have been around for years. Since GLP-1 medications were originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes (and they’ve been prescribed to diabetic patients since 2005) this means that we have nearly two decades of real world data on their safety and effectiveness. In the UK, these medications have been approved by the MHRA- the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. This is the government body responsible for making sure drugs are safe and effective before they can be prescribed. Their approval process involves extensive clinical trials, where thousands of patients take the medication under controlled conditions to monitor side effects and results. Only after proving they work and that the benefits outweigh any risks do they receive approval. Like any medication, GLP-1s can come with potential side effects, mostly nausea, vomiting, and digestive issues- but for most people, these are mild and temporary and lots of people get no side effects whatsoever. The link to medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) was shown in rats only, not humans. Rats have a different type of thyroid cell receptor that reacts differently to the drug, and so far, long-term studies in humans have not shown an increased risk of thyroid cancer. There are some conditions that mean GLP-1 medications shouldn't be prescribed, and these include things like severe digestive disorders or ongoing gallstone issues- although the medication can be prescribed if your gallbladder has been removed. Other people such as those with type 1 diabetes will need extra monitoring, and may have to work with their GP for extra monitoring rather than use an online pharmacy. Considering the serious health risks associated with obesity, the benefits of these medications far outweigh any risks. But be sure to answer your assessment truthfully and use a reputable online pharmacy to make sure that you're staying safe,.
Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound—What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably heard these names thrown around, but they’re not all different drugs. Wegovy and Ozempic are actually the same medication- semaglutide. The only difference is how they’re marketed. Ozempic is typically prescribed for diabetes, while Wegovy is approved at a higher dose for weight loss. Studies have shown that people taking Wegovy can lose about 15% of their body weight on average, which is more than what most people achieve with diet and exercise alone. Mounjaro and Zepbound are another pair and are both names for the drug tirzepatide. This one goes even further, working on two different hormones instead of just one. The result? Even greater weight loss, with some people losing up to 22% of their body weight in clinical trials. Then there are older options like Saxenda, which works in a similar way but requires a daily injection and doesn’t lead to as much weight loss as the newer medications. Because of this, it’s being used less and less in favour of Wegovy and Mounjaro. If you find you struggle with side effects on semaglutide or tirezepatide, you could always switch to the other to see if you get along with it better since they are different despite both working on GLP-1 receptors/
Is Taking Weight Loss Medication "Cheating"?
One of the biggest misconceptions about GLP-1 medications is that they’re an “easy way out.” But you still very much have to do the work when you're on these drugs. They work on your appetite and satiety so that you can eat less, they don't melt the fat away. So while you'll find it easier to make good choices, you still have to make those choices and take the time for your body to respond to them. There are some definite haters of this kind of medication who all state that people should be doing it the 'natural way' but the reality is that long term weight loss through diet and exercise alone is incredibly rare in obese people. Studies show that only about 20% of people who lose weight naturally are able to keep it off for at least a year. The body fights back—metabolism slows, appetite hormones increase, and cravings become stronger. It’s not about willpower. It’s about biology. And that’s why GLP-1 medications are such a breakthrough, they help people work with their bodies instead of constantly fighting against them.
The Benefits of Weight Loss for Obese Patients
Losing weight can have a huge impact on a your health. For those with obesity, even a small amount of weight loss—just 5–10% of your body weight can reduce the risk of serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also improve joint health, sleep, and mental health giving you more energy and making everyday tasks easier. It improves your confidence and self esteem meaning you can enjoy life more, and makes it easier to exercise and stay active too which many obese people with limited mobility struggle with. The benefits aren’t just personal either, obesity puts a heavy strain on healthcare systems. Here in the UK the NHS spends billions each year on treating obesity-related health problems so by helping people lose weight, these medications can reduce the number of people needing long term treatment, which can help lower healthcare costs and ease the pressure on doctors and hospitals. Unfortunately, most people are currently having to buy weight loss medications privately as the NHS only prescribes to those with the greatest need currently, through tier 3 weight loss services and who have co-morbidities with their obesity. But there is hope that in future, these drugs will be more accessible to all and the financial side of things wont be a barrier to those who need them.
The Future of Weight Loss Treatment
For decades, weight loss has been wrapped up in shame and stigma. People who struggle with obesity have been told they’re lazy or undisciplined, when in reality, they’re dealing with a complex medical condition that cant just be solved by sheer determination alone- not long term at least. The rise of GLP-1 medications is changing that conversation. Obesity is finally being recognized for what it is—a disease that can, and should, be treated with effective medical interventions. This doesn’t mean these medications are for everyone. They’re not a quick fix, and they work best alongside healthy eating and movement. But for those who have tried everything and still felt trapped in their bodies, they offer something that’s been missing for a long time: a real chance at lasting weight loss. And that’s something worth celebrating.
