Weight loss injections

I'm giving this serious consideration after battling with the belly for 30 years with varying degrees of success. Weight Watchers helped me lose 5 or 6 stone on a couple of occasions but it inevitably creeps back on. I have tried every diet and plan going and given my other health issues, I need to do something to try and give me another decent 20 to 30 years of life. I don't think I'll get it through the NHS but if I can offset a good wedge of the cost by reducing my food and booze intake it has to be worth a shot...literally.
Calorie counting/deficit is the best way imo. Using an app like nutracheck which is about £27 for the year to log and scan all food consumption and work out calories to help you lose per week and lots of help along the way. And just walk each day. Start with 20 mins and build it up.
 
Calorie counting/deficit is the best way imo. Using an app like nutracheck which is about £27 for the year to log and scan all food consumption and work out calories to help you lose per week and lots of help along the way. And just walk each day. Start with 20 mins and build it up.
Thanks, appreciate it, but WW is pretty much that with points for calories. Have tried Myfitnesspal too. They work for so long but inevitably I find myself feeling restricted and go back to eating and drinking bad stuff, and as I get older it gets harder!
 
Thanks, appreciate it, but WW is pretty much that with points for calories. Have tried Myfitnesspal too.
I think ww and sw are both limited in what you can eat on their programs though from what I've seen,heard and experienced.
Calorie counting is much less restricted in what you can eat i.e. eat anything but in moderation.
I've been calorie counting for about 3 years now for both weight loss and health reasons and during that time I've still had weekly takeaway,crisps, chocolate, sweets etc but just don't have the amount I used to have.
I've been at maintenance for about 8 months now and personally find it quite easy even over Xmas and new year I still counted and didn't over indulge. Tbf though I very very rarely drink alcohol so that's a plus for me(I'd much rather eat my calories than drink them)
 
That's good going. It helps to get in a good place mentally, in the zone. The alcohol is definitely a factor too. I have up for 6 months last year and lost 2 stone quite easily. As for WW, my experience is no food is off limits as long as you have the points/calories for it and you can earn extra for exercising. They do definitely steer you to the healthier foods which have low or zero points though. I've definitely not been moving nearly enough lately, mind. All food for thought, pardon the pun.

EDIT: I used the word definitely too many times in that post. 😁
 
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Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but my impression of them was that all they do is suppress your appetite rather than change how your body handles what you eat. If you are the sort of person (like me) who eats unhealthy food because it tastes good and snacks because they like snacks and not because you are hungry then it won't do anything. I.e. they require you to eat less to lose weight which you would do without a jab so they are a substitute for willpower rather than changing the way your body processes what you eat. Coming off the jab is just going back to relying on your own self-control.

Are there any drugs where you can eat KFC and crisps everyday and still lose weight?
Just keep a raw chicken breast in the fridge and give it a lick after every meal, will keep the weight right off.
 
Thanks for all for the responses, some very interesting stuff. The Mrs has read the thread and it's confirmed a lot of what she has researched. Now just waiting to see if she will be accepted.

The cost will be around £200 month, although think there's a discount the first month and she's planning on doing 2 months.

She's been doing WW for the last two years and it really has helped but she wants to give this a go, to try lose an extra stone and then try to retain at that level
 
I’m a bit sceptical of these as they are just a short term solution unless you can change your whole outlook on food and exercise . I can see how they might help really obese folks but I worry for some folks they will need to be on these for life if they are not careful . They just become a new alternative to a yo yo diet if not managed carefully

As you get older it’s not easy to stay fit and you truly need a lot of willpower . I’ve been within a few kg since I was 18 but eat reasonably healthy , don’t eat massive portions and exercise a lot . It takes a lot of effort and willpower . For me, there is nothing better than being able to climb a hill or bike up a steep road etc . I see that as way more of a rush than eating a takeaway or sitting on me ar@e all day .
 
Eat less crap and have a healthy diet and move more and it drops off without need of injections, also feel better for it too. Keep a diary / track of what and when you eat and it helps massively
 
I have been using Semiglutide for three months now and have lost just over a stone. The course I am on starts at very low doses and gradually builds up (apparently side effects like nausea are worse if you just suddenly start on a big dose) so I am really happy with the weight loss so far. I deliberately started the course just before a period where I had Thanksgiving, Christmas and also business trips to India and to London so to shift that much weight with all that going on is pleasing.

I have just subscribed for another three months and will review after that. I'd like to lose another stone and a half in that time period.

I am the kind of person who generally eats healthily with their meals (often made from scratch) but who comfort eats when stressed or tired (both occupational hazards in my line of work!). Getting up for work at 5:30 am each day and not getting home until after 7:00 pm means that finding time to exercise is hard (especially when you're overweight and unfit), so I've chosen these injections to kickstart a healthier me. Right now, not only am I not snacking, I am also eating smaller portions with each meal. My mindset has always been to keep eating until my plate is clear, regardless of whether still hungry or not, and this course is helping me to realise that it's OK to leave food (and I am serving myself less as I know I'll get full too).

Now the Chicago weather is a bit better, I'm hopefully going to be able to start running again (I usually do 12,000+ steps a day at work anyway) and if I can get back into an exercise regime and keep my "no snacking, smaller portions, stop eating when full" approach to life then I'm confident that I can keep the majority of what I've lost (and will lose in the next three months) off once the course has finished.

For anyone considering giving it a go, I've found it painless. I do get a bit of nausea at times, but I've learned now it's mainly if I eat something sickly (ideal way to limit the amount of sweet treats you scoff!) or if I eat too much on an empty tummy. I also drink tons of water and have two fibre gummies a day to counter the fact that food passes more slowly through the digestive tract. I would recommend patience, starting slowly and aiming to lose no more than a pound a week (which might be a challenge financially as you'd obviously need to be on it longer). The course I am on is cheaper per month the longer you sign up for.

People are beginning to notice that I've lost weight, my clothes fit better (and I've already found that I'm interested in buying new clothes....... something I've not done for ages). I'm looking forward to running my first post-Semiglutide 5k and seeing if the reduced weight will help to improve my time.
 
Thanks for all for the responses, some very interesting stuff. The Mrs has read the thread and it's confirmed a lot of what she has researched. Now just waiting to see if she will be accepted.

The cost will be around £200 month, although think there's a discount the first month and she's planning on doing 2 months.

She's been doing WW for the last two years and it really has helped but she wants to give this a go, to try lose an extra stone and then try to retain at that level

Look for referral codes and discount codes. You can change provider every month if you want too - they just need to see your prescription (which I gather is only your name on the box and ID).

I paid £120 for my first Mounjaro 2.5mg pen using Simple Online Pharmacy. It should have been £150 but there was a £30 off code online - just google the provider and ‘discount code’.

Steer clear of Boots - very expensive. Just make sure you use Trust Pilot and research your provider. Social Media is great for this kinda stuff, there is a massive community on TikTok.

Simple Online Pharmacy approved me in a day and despatched the pen the day of approval. They are VERY quick. They will advise your doctor eventually but if your wife is concerned she should speak to her doc first and make sure she is ok to go on the drugs.

I’ll be ordering my 5mg pen in the next couple of days - hoping the increase in dosage doesn’t give me side effects!

Couple of tips: Eat small meals, big meals will bloat her and make her feel sick. Stay clear of fatty stuff and pastries - they will make her feel sick. Drink lots of water. She might feel cold and a bit lethargic but these pass. The injection doesn’t hurt at all, I can’t even feel the needle go in. Stay off the booze if possible.

Mounjaro will suppress ‘food noise’ which is crazy - you can walk past your fave food and not crave it at all.

Tell her good luck from me :-)
 
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I have first hand experience of this through my Mrs.

She has always struggled with her weight and has tried every diet going, from calorie counting, fasting, slimming world, Cambridge etc and nothing has worked effectively. She rarely eats ‘crap’ and has never really over indulged (I know as I do all the coking and it’s very rare we don’t have things cooked from scratch).

She was told about Semaglutide about 2 years ago and since starting it she has lost 9 and 1/2 stone. She has suffered side effects from time to time but she will tell anyone that the results fully outweigh the side effects. She is a completely different person and her self confidence is amazing.

In my opinion these drugs are great for people who are serious about losing weight and have tried everything else, they should not be used by people like me, who sometimes over indulge but can lose the excess by exercising and being sensible for a few months.

As for the cost, the reduction in food bills really helps to contribute and we’re in a fortunate position as we can afford it by cutting down on some other things and it’s all worth it to see your loved one genuinely happy with how they feel and look.
 
I see so many people saying, "eat less, move more," as if it's that flipping simple and hasn't been tried to flipping death. I mean, the physiological equation of calories in v calories out is simple, but there's a whole lot more to it with the way our minds work, the modern environment of ultra processed food being available 24/7, not to mention how our bodies reset their default weight and fight like hell to maintain that...this is scientifically proven. If it really was so simple and easy we wouldn't have so many people with obesity.

Rant over. Off to have a pie. (Kidding).
 
I see so many people saying, "eat less, move more," as if it's that flipping simple and hasn't been tried to flipping death. I mean, the physiological equation of calories in v calories out is simple, but there's a whole lot more to it with the way our minds work, the modern environment of ultra processed food being available 24/7, not to mention how our bodies reset their default weight and fight like hell to maintain that...this is scientifically proven. If it really was so simple and easy we wouldn't have so many people with obesity.

Rant over. Off to have a pie. (Kidding).
I've cut out all processed/ultra processed food. If I open a pack of biscuits I will eat the lot, 3 for 2 on chocolate at Teso use to be a big problem, and multi bag crisps should just come in one big bag. When it comes to health, calories in vs calories out doesn't add up, I feed my gut bacteria which helps keep my mind and body in good shape.
 
I have first hand experience of this through my Mrs.

She has always struggled with her weight and has tried every diet going, from calorie counting, fasting, slimming world, Cambridge etc and nothing has worked effectively. She rarely eats ‘crap’ and has never really over indulged (I know as I do all the coking and it’s very rare we don’t have things cooked from scratch).

She was told about Semaglutide about 2 years ago and since starting it she has lost 9 and 1/2 stone. She has suffered side effects from time to time but she will tell anyone that the results fully outweigh the side effects. She is a completely different person and her self confidence is amazing.

In my opinion these drugs are great for people who are serious about losing weight and have tried everything else, they should not be used by people like me, who sometimes over indulge but can lose the excess by exercising and being sensible for a few months.

As for the cost, the reduction in food bills really helps to contribute and we’re in a fortunate position as we can afford it by cutting down on some other things and it’s all worth it to see your loved one genuinely happy with how they feel and look.
If you don’t mind me asking , if she has always eaten well but struggled with her weight , what has caused the weight loss with the drug ? Is it burning fat as I thought its main role was a hunger suppressant ?
 
If you don’t mind me asking , if she has always eaten well but struggled with her weight , what has caused the weight loss with the drug ? Is it burning fat as I thought its main role was a hunger suppressant ?

Obviously @Pak_Doo_Ik will comment on his wife’s personal circumstances but here is a helpful bit from the internet on how it works. To say it’s an appetite suppressant isn’t really doing it justice, there is a bit more to it than that.

“Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which imitates the GLP-1 and GIP hormones in your body. By imitating the GIP hormone, it sends signals through the brain to regulate energy balance. As well as this, by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, tirzepatide slows digestion, reduces hunger, and combats cravings. The combination of these effects make the dual-acting medication a reliable treatment for reducing appetite, ultimately leading to weight loss.”

There are two drugs on the market - semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro. Semaglutide is also used in the type 2 diabetes treatment Ozempic. Everyone seems to be taking Mounjaro at the moment according to the numerous personal stories on social media.

It really is a revelation. I’ve lost weight ‘the old fashioned way’ a few years ago but for some reason it just wasn’t working as well this time. Mounjaro IS working. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still not easy, but it seems the results come faster and you don’t get the same cravings as when you are just doing a calorie deficit the old way.
 
I was listening to Dr Karl on his podcast a few weeks ago and it seems that they discovered this by studying a rare lizard. They wondered why the lizard was able to only eat once a week and not get hungry. They learned how to imitate the GLP-1 and GIP hormones and this is what has led to these drugs.

In humans the half life of GLP-1 / GIP is 2 minutes, where in the lizard it was 1 week. That’s why when you are full you can stop for a couple of minutes and then get stuck back into that big Christmas dinner!!!

It’s quite remarkable and could save the NHS millions. It could save them even more as it seems thousands of people are paying for it themselves.

Fundamentally if it gets people thinner it is a good thing. I must cost the NHS a fortune with high blood pressure drugs and the ongoing monitoring. If Mounjaro gets me thin enough to come off these drugs it’s a win win.
 
I was listening to Dr Karl on his podcast a few weeks ago and it seems that they discovered this by studying a rare lizard. They wondered why the lizard was able to only eat once a week and not get hungry. They learned how to imitate the GLP-1 and GIP hormones and this is what has led to these drugs.

In humans the half life of GLP-1 / GIP is 2 minutes, where in the lizard it was 1 week. That’s why when you are full you can stop for a couple of minutes and then get stuck back into that big Christmas dinner!!!

It’s quite remarkable and could save the NHS millions. It could save them even more as it seems thousands of people are paying for it themselves.

Fundamentally if it gets people thinner it is a good thing. I must cost the NHS a fortune with high blood pressure drugs and the ongoing monitoring. If Mounjaro gets me thin enough to come off these drugs it’s a win win.
So is Mounjaro available to "just buy" or do you have to go through your GP?
Also I guess there's instructions on how and where to inject?
 
So is Mounjaro available to "just buy" or do you have to go through your GP?
Also I guess there's instructions on how and where to inject?
You can get it from online pharmacies by answering a few questions. They inform your GP and I would think there are instructions given. I think people who have issues maybe don't follow the instructions properly.
 
So is Mounjaro available to "just buy" or do you have to go through your GP?
Also I guess there's instructions on how and where to inject?

It has to be prescribed but you can get that online through quite a few companies. Boots being the big one (but expensive) then you have others which are quite a bit cheaper. I suppose it’s very big business.

The companies have pharmacists that check your online application and then make a decision.

The application process involves you completing a form which asks about your medical history, it asks for your height, weight and a few other bits. They will ask you to upload photos / video of you to make sure you are in need of the treatment.

Once approved they post it out to you. You get instructions in the pack how and where to inject. It sounds scary but you really can’t even feel the needle go in - it is tiny.

The whole process took me about 20 mins and I had a decision the following day. Drugs were dispatched the same day and I got them the day after.
 
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