Weight Loss Medication

[TheChestnutThing]

Off the back of the rider's weight post, I have put on a few extra kg's over the past year due to my anti-depressants and my love for wine and food.

For those of you that have been on it...Ozempic or Saxenda? I need to get back to my pre anti depressant weight (so need to lose 10kg). Yes, I've been to the doctor etc, been told I'm not obese so there is nothing they can do or not "overweight" enough for their standards...I do run and weight lift but I need extra help to stop those cravings for the bucket of quality streets.

 

[jnb]

Can't really help but I'd love to try Saxenda however having survived a thyroid cancer scare & having no thyroid it is contra indicated so I just get fatter and fatter (would help if i could stop eating but gotta eat to live & all that & I don't seem to be able to move more as usually advised by the HHO massive when moaning about my weight - not that you're moaning - )

 

[HappyHollyDays]

The Michael Mosley blood sugar diet will quickly stop the cravings which for me is the biggest battle as although I prefer savoury food to sweet it’s carbs that pile the weight on. It’s quite hard to start with and there’s no point starting it before Christmas but if you are determined the kilos will drop off. I do it once or twice a year to get rid of my tummy spare tyre which always seems to creep back on. Good luck, you can do it.

 

[throwaway2022]

If anyone tries Orlistat - never trust a trump ?

 

[oldie48]

I've joined the Zoe programme and will start beginning of February. It's not specifically about weight loss but most people lose weight and it helps you to understand how your own body reacts to certain types of food eg how we deal with carbohydrates etc. Even if you don't join the programme you can sign up for the podcasts.

 

[smolmaus]

Are both of these not prescription medication? A quick Google also says Saxenda shouldn't be taken by those with a history of depression or if you are currently on anti-depressants and Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes which I'm guessing you don't have and is not a weight-loss medication. Has your doctor advised you to look into these two medications despite this?

10kg, while not an "easy" amount of weight to lose (is there an easy amount???), certainly isn't an amount you should need to look to medication for. If you regularly feel out of control around very calorie dense or typical "comfort foods" I would suggest that is more a mental problem than a physical one and I would personally recommend therapy before drugs. Depression and disordered eating are very happy bedfellows and even if you are taking anti-depressants that might not solve every problem that you have with your mental health. Sorry this isn't an easy answer but at least you would be going to the source of the problem rather than what is most likely just a symptom.

 

[Barton Bounty]

If anyone tries Orlistat - never trust a trump ?

I remember a friend trying it! She farted… a shot oily crap all over her jeans.. it didnt come out ?

 

[TheChestnutThing]

Are both of these not prescription medication? A quick Google also says Saxenda shouldn't be taken by those with a history of depression or if you are currently on anti-depressants and Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes which I'm guessing you don't have and is not a weight-loss medication. Has your doctor advised you to look into these two medications despite this?

10kg, while not an "easy" amount of weight to lose (is there an easy amount???), certainly isn't an amount you should need to look to medication for. If you regularly feel out of control around very calorie dense or typical "comfort foods" I would suggest that is more a mental problem than a physical one and I would personally recommend therapy before drugs. Depression and disordered eating are very happy bedfellows and even if you are taking anti-depressants that might not solve every problem that you have with your mental health. Sorry this isn't an easy answer but at least you would be going to the source of the problem rather than what is most likely just a symptom.

You can buy both from a weight loss clinic and they have offered me both knowing my full history.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Just because a weight loss clinic offers you drugs doesn't mean that it is your best long term interests to take them ?.

I'm genuinely confuddled as why anyone would consider going down the medication route (with all the pitfalls therein) when they have such a small amount of weight to lose.

I'll second the recommendations for the Dr Michael Moseley blood sugar and Fast800 diets which will address the sugar cravings. He is the first, though, to stress that you should clear it with your drs first if you have anything in your medical history that could clash with it.

 

[PinkRoses]

My mum took saxenda but didn’t find it worked very well (she doesn’t ride). I lost more weight than her on metformin.

I haven’t ridden in a year and pony is on box rest still. I’m currently obese (thanks pcos) and need to loose it all before I get back on. I’ve been taking metformin on and off for the past few months (I don’t take it religiously because I’m not a fan of the painful periods lol) but I need to start taking it more seriously now. I think pony coming back into work will be the motivation I need.

unfortunately weight loss has always been a struggle for me. Even strict calorie control and going to the gym everyday doesn’t actually make me loose weight. Metformin has been the only thing that’s helped me loose weight

 

[Snow Falcon]

I think my best tip would be is to cut out processed foods. Anything that comes out of packet other than fresh fruit/veg/meat/fish or whole foods should be avoided or at least kept to a minimum. Those cravings for sugar are not your friend!!

I have lost and gained stones over too many years. Currently lost over 1.5 stones so I can ride our pony more comfortably. It's not easy at times but I've enjoyed this bout by filling up with lovely extra salad and veg instead of potatoes. I've also started to avoid wheat products as bread was having an adverse effect on me.

Perhaps start keeping a honest food diary then you may realise how much sugar and extra calories you are consuming.

 

[Bowie]

Hi. I have to take victoza which is for my type 2 diabetes. Victoza cannot be prescribed for weight loss but I believe Saxenda can(believe they are similar although Saxenda has a higher dosage requirement ). I had to take victoza about 4 years ago and recently had to go back on. I call it ‘the evil ‘ drug. It messed my whole body up completley and have had to go back on to help my blood sugars. I lost weight yes. But for me not in a happy/healthy way. I have been 5 stone heavier than am now about 17 years ago and food is my nemesis. So I get it. I can preach to you about not going that way but I’m not walking in your shoes (riding boots!?). But get honest views and opinions before proceeding if it is possible for you to take. Happy to answer questions etc. I’m 5ft 7 and lost 10lb in 10 weeks. Now weight just over 10stone. So not very heavy now. But I know what it’s like to be 15 stone. So yes it does take away the weight but the cost to your health is something to consider. Take care xx

 

[Red-1]

I have not taken either medication but have battled the weight thing and it would worry me that the medication isn't addressing your love for wine or food, and when you stop the medication the weight will come back on as nothing will have fundamentally changed.

I agree that carbs, sugar and processed food are not your friend. I would change to high protein from fresh sources and much veg, including potatoes in moderation. Bread in moderation. To me, it is about starting new habits. The weight may take longer to lose but is more likely to stay off.

 

[Palindrome]

I have a similar amount to loose and I have been thinking about medication too but off the counter. My mother has used XLS in the past. I think it worked for her.
Meanwhile I have been eating lettuce, that's the only thing that has worked for me and I quite enjoy it with a nice dressing and other small bits like a few croutons, crab meat or a boiled egg...

 

[Melandmary]

Have you tried fasting? As someone who has struggled to lose weight since hitting the menopause and taking hrt, it is the only thing that has worked for me and believe me I have tried hard with the calorie controlled diet and gym. I started with 16/8 but now mainly do 18 or 20 hour fast and eat in a 4 hour window. And you can eat what you want in that window. it helps control insulin spikes. I have been obsessive about food since my teens and for the 1st time in my life am able to not look at food as good or bad and work out the calories in it. There are lots of books out there explaining the science of it. Worth a try and better than starting yourself ( I have even been down that route ?)

 

[abbijay]

Have you considered working with a Personal Trainer/Life coach? The good ones aren't just gym bunnies who focus on exercise; they actually help with the psychology and mental side of it too. There are some simple tips and tricks that can help you to make "better" choices to support weight loss - don't get me wrong none of this is magic bullet stuff but I don't believe they exist. I did it last year through my gym and lost 18lbs in 10 weeks - I wasn't pushed to be in the gym all the time - just to be accountable for my food choices and to be as active as I could be. I found having someone I had to "report" into once a week a real motivator but he was also a massive champion of success and even when I didn't feel I had done well he would focus on my successes.
I think this is the same reason why, for some people, slimming world and weight watchers can be very successful.

 

[sbloom]

I mention Rebelfit (FB and website) to any customers mentioning weight loss, he addresses our relationship with ourselves and with food first, incredibly important otherwise we tend to end up in the yo yo diet camp, with long term weight increasing (which sadly is the case with SW and WW, statistically).

 

[mini_b]

If anyone tries Orlistat - never trust a trump ?

liquidy orange trumps ?

 

[abbijay]

liquidy orange trumps ?

I believe the technical term is a Shart!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Judge me all you like but I have tried both, their functionality are the same but Ozempic you inject once a week not every day, which is why I moved from one to the other. I stopped mine after 3 months as both affected my mood in the sense that I was grumpy, really snappy at my OH and caused a lot of arguments, I was more anxious than normal and as it started to wear off I got really quite down in the dumps. With Ozempic I only did one injection for the week as it lowered my blood pressure to the point that I kept fainting. Some people have bad side effects, some people would have put up with my side effects as being minor but for me it wasn't worth it. The difference in appetite and satiety when you do eat is very noticeable and I am glad that I tried it as even the relatively short spell on it has given me a 'stop button' when I am eating and more of a conciousness about when I am full which I am now working on and developing by myself on an ongoing basis. I have an issue with depression and seeking comfort to deal with things, and the mechanism with which I do that being food, I have stopped riding as a consequence as it's not as easy as 'just eat better' for me. Some poeple think that's a ridiculous statement and you are entitled to your opinion, why would anyone think it's hard when it's not hard for them? However it never ceases to astound me that people think that 'eat 500 calories a day' or 'fast and don't eat for 16 hours' is realistic and achieveable for someone who has put on weight and thus over a period of time hasn't stuck to 2000 calories or whatever maintenance is, let along 500 for 2 days a week..

If you do want to look at it Numan have it for £156 per month rather than £195 and if you have the airtime rewards app it will give you a further £15.60 off of your phone bill as a cashback typt thing, you can also then combine this with TopCashBack. They also set you up with a weight loss consultant to get a whole programme together.