Weight Loss

Weight loss options

Losing weight is a goal for many people. It can boost your self-esteem and overall well-being. It also reduces your risk of developing chronic diseases.

There are various ways to lose weight, such as diet and exercise. A balanced diet with lots of nutrients and few excess calories and unhealthy fats can help. Exercise encourages your body to turn food into energy more quickly and builds muscle mass. This means you burn more calories in less time.

However, for some people, these methods aren't enough. This is why people try other treatments like weight loss injections and pills. These treatments have become popular in recent years, and for good reason.  

Weight loss injections work by making you feel less hungry and controlling your blood sugar levels. Weight loss capsules, on the other hand, reduce how much fat you absorb from the food you eat. Coupled with lifestyle changes like eating the right food and being physically active, these treatments can make a big difference.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition defined as having too much body fat. This usually means a BMI of 30 or higher. Over 25% of adults in England are classed as obese. Another 38% are overweight. Obesity is also said to affect around 1 in 5 children.

What causes obesity?

Obesity is a complex condition, and multiple factors contribute to it. It is often due to an energy imbalance. If you eat and drink more calories than your body burns, your body stores excess fat. As such, eating well and staying active are vital. A poor diet can include:

• Sugary drinks

• High-calorie, low-nutrient fast foods

• Bigger portions than you need

• Too much alcohol

As you know, energy in food is measured in calories. A healthy daily amount is 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 calories for men. If you take in a lot of calories but don't move enough, that excess energy is stored as fat.

Genetics also play a part. They can affect how the body processes food and stores fat. However, while your genes do have an impact, environment and personal choices are still very important. For example, you might not have easy access to healthy food choices or chances for physical activity. Stress, strong emotions and other psychological factors can also contribute to obesity.

Benefits of weight loss

There are various benefits to lowering body weight when you are overweight. The main advantages include:

• Improved mental well-being: Weight loss can boost self-esteem, body image and mood. So you may experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. This improves your mental health.

• Easier movement and less pain: Weight loss reduces stress on your joints. This lets you move more easily and feel less pain, especially in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.

• Better metabolism: Reducing your weight can help your body make energy more efficiently. This can help your cells react properly to insulin and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

• Better heart health: Weight loss reduces your risk of heart problems. Being overweight often means having high blood pressure and cholesterol. Dropping weight lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces the strain on your heart and blood vessels.

• Ability to do more physical activities: At a healthy weight for your height, you can do more physical activity. What's more, you'll sweat less and perform better, helping you avoid embarrassment.

What lifestyle changes should I make?

For successful weight loss, a positive lifestyle change is most important. If you don't develop new, healthier habits you can maintain, you'll gain weight again sooner or later.

Exercise should be at the centre of this change. Getting moving is key for burning calories and building muscle mass, which boosts metabolism. There are different ways to do this. For instance, you could join a gym or local exercise class. Another option is simply to walk more, whether that’s going to work or taking an evening stroll.

If you get into a weekly routine with a healthy mix of cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, this can produce significant weight loss. Just remember, whatever you decide, you'll have to keep it up to maintain a healthy weight.

Diet plays an equally important role in reaching a healthier weight. Low-calorie diets are an obvious choice. However, a healthy diet is not just about cutting calories. It's also about choosing the right foods. For a balanced diet, make sure you eat plenty of: 

• Fruit

• Vegetables

• Lean proteins

• Whole grains

These foods give you the nutrients you need while keeping that all-important calorie count in check. If you're looking to lose weight through diet, you also need to control your portions and cut down on processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats. This could be as simple as switching vegetable oil to olive oil.

Additional medical treatment options like pills and injections can also help you lose weight. If you want to learn more about the specialist weight loss treatments available, don’t hesitate to ask. Book a free, confidential online consultation with a Click Pharmacy doctor today to talk about how a treatment plan could help you reach your weight loss goals.

How does weight loss treatment work?

At Click Pharmacy, we offer a variety of medications for weight loss. These range from Wegovy injections to Orlistat capsules. These weight loss medicines contain different active ingredients. Saxenda, for example, contains the active ingredient liraglutide, while Wegovy contains semaglutide. They may work differently, but their goal is the same: to support your weight loss.

Orlistat blocks your gut from absorbing fat, so you take in fewer calories from fats. Wegovy’s active ingredient acts like a hormone to make you feel fuller and control your blood sugar, again reducing calorie intake. Saxenda's active ingredient acts similarly, lowering your appetite and calorie intake. Whichever you choose, all types of weight loss medications work best when combined with an effective diet and exercise plan.

Browse our website to see the weight loss medications available and get treatment delivered to your door. If you have any questions or want to find out whether weight loss medication is right for you, get in touch with our online doctors.

Who should take prescription weight loss treatments?

For some people, exercise and a healthy diet are not enough for effective weight loss. You might find yourself struggling to lose those extra pounds, even if you are exercising regularly and resisting tempting treats. This is because a lot of factors affect body weight. When it comes to managing your weight, you need to consider all of them.

For example, if you're over a certain BMI, you'll often need the help of a prescription treatment for weight loss. These include injections and tablets. Just remember that pills and weight loss injections are not meant to be used to treat excess weight on their own. They facilitate your weight loss journey by supporting your other choices.

Keep in mind, too, that not all medicines are for everyone. Prescribed weight loss treatments may cause side effects, ranging from nausea to allergic reactions. Always talk to a doctor about the potential risks before taking any weight loss medication.

Weight loss pills

Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) is a prescribed weight loss tablet. It works by preventing the body from absorbing about 30% of the fat in a meal. It can be taken before, during or up to an hour after main meals. Orlistat is typically prescribed to individuals with a BMI of over 30 or over 28 if they also have related weight issues. Common side effects include stomach discomfort, oily stools and increased gassiness, particularly after high-fat meals.

Weight loss injections

Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda are popular weight loss injections. They are designed to support weight management when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

• Wegovy: This medicine contains semaglutide. On average, it can help a person lose about 15% of their body weight. It is injected once a week.

• Mounjaro: This newer treatment contains tirzepatide. It has been shown to be more effective than Wegovy, with an average weight loss of around 20%. Like Wegovy, it is injected once a week.

• Saxenda: Saxenda contains liraglutide. It has been available since 2020 and typically results in about a 10% weight loss. It aids weight loss by reducing appetite and is taken daily.

These injections are usually prescribed to people with a BMI of over 30 or over 27.5 if they have other risk factors.

Do you need a certain BMI to get prescription weight loss treatment?

Yes. You need a certain BMI score to get a prescription for weight loss treatments. Ultimately, these treatments are only effective to a certain degree. This effectiveness depends on your BMI. If you are classed as overweight or obese, you are qualified to access treatment. This is certainly the case if you have a specific medical condition, such as diabetes, that directly influences your weight.

Unsure of your BMI? You can calculate your body mass index on the NHS website.

What are the risks of obesity?

A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is classed as overweight. This carries several health risks, which can greatly reduce your quality of life. They include:

• Joint pain: This is due to the extra strain placed on joints like the knees and hips.

• Breathing problems: These can lead to chronic fatigue and other health issues.

Mental health is another area to be aware of. People who are overweight often face stigma and prejudice as a result of their condition. This can lead to mental concerns like depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. These problems make it even harder to adopt a healthier lifestyle and break the cycle.

Excess weight can also increase your risk of other health conditions. These include:

• Certain types of cancers related to the digestive system (including stomach and bowel cancer)

• Stroke

• Coronary heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes