I've been reading this thread, and I need to push back on the "just eat less and exercise more" narrative. Honestly, if it were that simple, none of us would be here discussing this. Yes, I am a fat fuck, Yes, my BMI has been up and down like a tart's drawers. Unless you've lived it, you'll struggle to understand it.
For so many of us, it's NOT a lack of willpower. That's a harmful myth that overlooks the complexities of biology and our modern food environment. For the hard of thinking or understanding:
- It's NOT a willpower problem. The idea that people "just need more willpower" completely misunderstands how our bodies regulate weight. We're fighting against powerful biological signals, not just a craving. Many of us have been "serial dieters" our entire lives, only to experience the crushing disappointment of the "bounce back." This isn't a moral failing. Crucially, these medications often reduce what's known as "food noise," quieting the constant, intrusive thoughts about eating that many people experience. Go look at the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" if you want to see bounceback in action.
- The UPF epidemic is real. We are surrounded by highly palatable, addictive Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) designed to override our natural satiety signals. Expecting someone to resist these without help constantly is like asking them to swim upstream against a raging current forever. Our food environment is making us sick, and that's not just a matter of individual willpower.
- The "Set Point" is a biological reality. Our bodies have a weight range they fight to maintain. When you try to dip significantly below it through traditional dieting, your metabolism slows, hunger hormones skyrocket, and your body actively works to regain that weight. That's why the "bounce back" happens for so many, despite their best efforts. Weight loss medications can help recalibrate this set point, making sustainable change possible.
- Lifestyle changes ARE crucial, but not always enough. Diet and exercise are vital for overall health and well-being. No one is saying these drugs are a magic bullet without effort. They are a tool that makes those lifestyle changes effective for people whose biology makes weight loss incredibly difficult, or near impossible, otherwise. They level the playing field. It puts many of us in the place where we can "just eat less" as "it's easy"
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: These medications offer far more than just weight loss. Research increasingly shows they can significantly improve or even reverse conditions like Type 2 Diabetes, reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, fatty liver disease, sleep apnoea, and may even have positive effects on mental health.
- Think long-term savings for the NHS. Yes, there's an upfront cost to these medications. But what's the cost of ongoing obesity-related diseases? Diabetes, heart disease, joint replacements – these are costly burdens on our healthcare system. Investing in these drugs now to prevent or mitigate those conditions could lead to massive long-term savings for the NHS. It's a proactive, preventative approach that benefits everyone.
Let's move past the simplistic blame game and recognise that for many, like me, these medications offer genuine hope and a path to health that traditional methods cannot provide. It's about empowering people, not shaming them.
I got a GP referral to the Oviva.com program, which combines access to Wegovy with essential coaching and support to ensure those long-term changes stick. It's a comprehensive approach that recognises the complexity of weight management and helps set the path for when the drugs stop after 2 years.
If you're paying privately, or thinking of it, and have a big BMI and some health-related issues, go check it out. It's in addition to the new announcement and not as strict to get access to the drugs.
