How effective is holistic weight loss when using weight loss medicine?

1. What is a holistic approach to weight loss?

A holistic approach considers the whole person—body, mind, and environment. It focuses on mindful eating, stress management, adequate sleep, and enjoyable physical activities to create sustainable weight loss. All of these factors are able to play a crucial role not only in losing weight, but also the rate at which you are able to lose this weight, too. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle not just physically, but mentally as well. 

2. What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 medications, or glucagon-like peptide-1’s, are a class of drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate appetite and improve blood sugar levels. They are used as a treatment for weight management, especially when combined with a balanced lifestyle. Some weight loss medications that are comprised of the GLP-1 hormone is Wegovy, whose active ingredient is called semaglutide. Wegovy has been acknowledged as a powerful tool in assisting weight loss efforts. You can buy Wegovy online in the UK from Pharmacy Planet with just a simple clinical consultation.

Another weight loss medication that is climbing up the ranks at the moment is Mounjaro, which is comprised of both a GLP-1 hormone and GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide) called tirzepatide, has shown to be effective in weight management. You can buy Mounjaro in the UK from Pharmacy Planet by answering our clinical consultation to assess whether this medication is right for you. 

3. How do Wegovy and Mounjaro aid in weight loss?

Wegovy and Mounjaro work through slowing digestion by mimicking a GLP-1 and GIP hormone within the body. Through this mechanism of action, Wegovy and Mounjaro can increase feelings of fullness, and reduce appetite and overall, make it easier to follow a reduced-calorie diet. They can be particularly effective for those struggling with traditional weight loss methods such as diet and exercise alone, or for individuals who are clinically obese or overweight (a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above if a weight related condition is present within the patient).

4. Are Wegovy and Mounjaro safe?

Wegovy and Mounjaro are generally safe when prescribed by a healthcare professional. They have been in a variety of clinical studies where both their effectiveness and safety within the human body have been assessed. However, like any other medication, they can cause side effects like nausea or gastrointestinal issues, so medical supervision is essential for monitoring and adjusting dosages. If you find that you are experiencing side effects, you can get in touch with our clinical team for some advice on how to alleviate these symptoms. If symptoms feel severe or persistent, or you find that you are having an allergic reaction to these medicines, you should get emergency medical assistance. 

5. Can I use Wegovy and Mounjaro without lifestyle changes?

You can use Wegovy and Mounjaro without adjustments to your life, however, you may not get the results that you’ve been expecting. The effectiveness of weight loss medicines is enhanced when combined with a holistic weight loss regimen. Healthy eating, stress management, and physical activity help maintain weight loss and improve overall well-being, so utilising these more traditional methods alongside medicine like Wegovy for weight loss or Mounjaro for weight loss would prove more fruitful and help you get expected results much faster.

6. What role does mindful eating play in weight loss?

Mindful eating encourages awareness of hunger and fullness cues, helping to avoid overeating. It shifts the focus from calorie counting to enjoying food in moderation, which is crucial for long-term success. If you are on a medical weight loss journey with weight loss pens like Wegovy and Mounjaro, mindful eating can help you adhere to a lower-calorie diet that is both enjoyable and able to enhance the efficiency of your weight loss over time. 

7. Why is stress management important for weight loss?

Stress can lead to emotional eating and cravings. Techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can reduce stress, helping to prevent weight gain triggered by emotional responses. These balanced-based exercises are also able to reduce the risk of injury to the body, which means that you can continue with your physical activity without the stress of hurting certain muscles or parts of the body needed for exercise.  

8. How does sleep impact weight loss?

Adequate sleep helps regulate hunger hormones and boosts metabolism. Poor sleep can increase appetite and make it harder to stick to a healthy diet, so prioritising rest is crucial. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night makes it much easier to adhere to your overall weight loss diet, and even with an adequate exercise regime, you can even burn calories in rest if your muscle to fat ratio is balanced. 

9. How do I know if weight loss medication is right for me?

Weight loss medicine is a great tool if you have found your previous efforts of regular methods of weight loss have not been successful. You will also need to fit the criteria required to start these medicines, which is a BMI of 30 or over, or 27 or over if you have a weight related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Our friendly UK clinicians at Pharmacy Planet will help determine if GLP-1 weight loss medicines are suitable for you. They will evaluate factors such as BMI, medical history, and overall weight loss goals to recommend the best treatment plan.

Want to know more about holistic weight loss? Check out our first podcast episode on holistic weight loss below: