Horsham-based female personal trainer, Becky, works via an independent gym, training clients one-to-one. Like lots of fitness professionals, she’s received questions about weight-loss medications as they come into increasing use. Here’s what she’s got to say…
It’s time to talk about weight-loss medications. Specifically, the contemporary variety which seem to have been an increasing topic of conversation via news and social media during the last year. The discourse has spiralled wildly, as these things now tend to do thanks to our online culture, and I’m ready to add my voice to the conversation.
Weight-loss and medication isn’t a safe topic for everyone, so please feel free to skip this post if that’s the case for you. I’m going to start by reminding you that I’m a personal trainer, not a doctor, so none of the following is medical advice, rather guidance and opinion based on my own background. With that said, let’s go…
Which weight-loss medications are we referring to?
Weight-loss drugs come in a few forms, and in a way, they’re not new. There are some “older style” medications which have performed similar functions to these newer ones for a long time. The latest versions are known as GLP-1s, and very commonly referred to via the internet by their brand names, for example Ozempic and Mounjaro.
In the UK, access to these is provided via two legal means – the NHS prescribes them in some circumstances, and they can also be accessed privately, which includes via high street pharmacies.
They are generally intended to be used in the short-term, to support initial weight-loss for those who are otherwise struggling. These medications increase feelings of satiety – that is how effectively our appetites are satisfied by food – and slow digestive transit. For those who struggle with listening to these cues when their bodies naturally provide them, it can represent a significant change in sensation.
What are the side effects of weight-loss medications?
Fairly predictably, these drugs can lead to significant, ongoing and steady weight-loss whilst using them. Many people assume that it’s specifically fat that will be lost, but this isn’t necessarily true. The resultant weight-loss can be general, and that means that muscle can be lost too. This is a far less desirable outcome, as muscle is critical for other elements of our bodily functions and health.
Other side effects include changes to digestion (both constipation and diarrhoea are possible), headaches, nausea, and more.
What are people saying about weight-loss medications?
You’ve got to love an algorithm… My own social media feed has been flooded with a lot of content around these drugs. Many people are happily sharing their experiences, from side effects and amount of weight lost, to their appreciation for how they feel about food.
Much of the chat began with rumours about celebrities using weight-loss medications, and with some being open about the fact that they have – or haven’t! – used them, members of the public have also started sharing openly. For a lot of people, the changes have been revelatory – many have said that they were unaware how much their thoughts were dominated by the idea of food, until using these drugs.
There has been a recognition of a trend for seeing a greater number of smaller bodies online, and people whose bodies are shrinking, since these medications have increased in use. And that’s what has caught my attention too. It seems that we are again going through a phase where, “thin is in” – as with so many examples in our online culture, the original intention and message has slid to a different place. What started as the idea that these medications can support those who are struggling to manage their weight, and thus seeing a broader negative impact on their health, the conversation has now become more based around aesthetics for some people.
I’m generalising carefully here, and there’s a reason for that…
My stance on weight-loss medications
It is not for me to say whether anyone should or shouldn’t be taking them – I’m not a doctor, so it’s not within my scope of practice to advise in that way. And I think that they can be helpful for some groups of people. What does concern me is those who are using them primarily for an aesthetic concern, or because they feel that they must.
I ask my clients to share details relating to their health with me, as it impacts what I’m able to programme for them, how I will plan their sessions, and what I will prioritise within their training. For those taking weight-loss medications, I would encourage them from my perspective to continually liaise with their doctor and ensure that the side effects aren’t becoming worrying. I’d also be prioritising their muscle growth, in order to safeguard against negative impacts.
My more general concern is that we are at risk of perpetuating a certain beauty standard by promoting these medications too broadly. Bodies are different, and that’s ok. Weight isn’t the only metric that we should be using to assess health, and it therefore shouldn’t be our only focus when it comes to managing our health.
If you are considering these medications, please ensure that you have a thorough conversation with your doctor and, as with any other, that you fully understand the risks and benefits, and that you know what the plan is ongoing. Your physical and mental health matter.