Why you might need extra support
You’ve seen and heard the impressive weight loss stories of people with overweight and obesity taking GLP-1 medications, and it seems pretty straightforward, right? You have the weekly injection, your appetite goes down, you eat less, you exercise more, and the weight comes off – simple!
So, why would you choose to get extra support from a weight loss support programme? Because long-term, sustainable weight loss is genuinely challenging – and you don’t have to face that challenge alone.
Take a moment to look back at your own experiences. Ask yourself: has living with overweight or obesity ever been simple? Has trying to lose weight ever felt simple? Of course not.
You’ve probably been on a weight loss journey before. Sometimes you might succeed, sometimes you might not. If you lose weight, it might creep back on, often a little more than last time.
You might have noticed that changes in your life throw your weight loss success off track. It could be that work gets stressful, you’re struggling with sleep, you don’t have enough time to think about meal planning, you’re going through a tough patch in a relationship, or you go on holiday and overindulge – and let’s not forget the joy of hormones! Sometimes it’s not even a big life event you can put your finger on, maybe you’re just fed up of dieting all the time!
Other people might call them excuses, but they’re not; they’re genuine reasons. They are the realities of your life, affecting how you feel, think and behave – and they shouldn’t be ignored or downplayed.
Losing weight with GLP-1 medications comes with challenges too, and gaining support with programmes, like the one from Genwell, is recommended by global health experts. One study has shown that engaging with this type of programme can significantly enhance weight loss.
Weight gain and weight loss are complicated…
…and it’s not about willpower!
You’ve no doubt been told that overweight and obesity just happen when “calories in” are more than “calories out”. But the reasons are so much more complicated, including factors like genes, hormones, ethnicity, poor sleep, stress, poverty and more. Many of us are also living in what is called an “obesogenic environment” – a term used to describe an environment that encourages weight gain. It’s the combination of constant food marketing, lack of time, financial pressures, and lack of spaces to move your body that makes caring for your health harder than it needs to be.
You’ve probably also been told that to lose weight,t you just need to switch it around so that “calories in” are less than “calories out”. Again, it’s just not that simple. The factors that led to the weight gain in the first place don’t simply disappear. And the evidence shows that the body can protect itself against weight loss and encourage weight gain. In fact, it is very common for those who do lose weight to put that weight back on.
What can support programmes do to help?
Weight loss support programmes are not a new idea – they’ve been around in some form for decades.
Weight loss support group
Evidence shows that, alongside changes to diet and exercise, weight loss can be more successful if it includes things like: setting your weight loss goals (including non-scale victories) and monitoring your progress, getting support from your family and friends, and thinking about any eating behaviours you want to change. These are some of the things a weight loss support programme can help with.
There are different types of programmes available, and research also shows us that weight loss programmes with medical teams (e.g., GPs, nurses) and non-medical teams (e.g., health coaches, nutritionists, exercise specialists) are effective in helping people lose weight.
But, even with a support programme in place, most people who lose weight put it back on again. That's why at Genwell, we focus on your individual needs, shaping your weight loss journey around what feels supportive and sustainable for you.
Is it useful to have extra support when losing weight with GLP-1 medications?
Studies of GLP-1 medications (Wegovy and Mounjaro) have shown them to be very effective treatments, helping people lose up to 15–20% of their bodyweight – but that doesn’t mean the experience is always straightforward.
Yes, the medications are designed to help with weight loss by reducing your appetite so that you can take better control of choosing a healthy diet. But, if your healthcare professional thinks that treatment with GLP-1 medications is right for you, there are some other things you need to think about:
- Choosing your GLP-1 medication and dose. There are a few different GLP-1 medications and different doses of each; you should discuss these with a healthcare professional to help you choose a treatment and a dosing plan that meets your goals
- Managing side effects. Digestive system side effects – like nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation – can be common when you start a new dose, until your body adjusts, so you might need some help managing these. You’ll also need to know when to seek advice if you have more serious side effects
- Eating nutritious foods. Eating well on GLP-1 medications isn't about following a strict diet. Because portions may become smaller, paying attention to nourishment can help ensure your body gets what it needs
- Movement. When taking GLP-1 medications, it is recommended that you also increase your exercise levels; you might want to consider increasing movement in a way that works for you, with a focus on strength-based exercise, which can be a helpful way to support muscle mass
- Building healthy habits for the future. If you choose to stop using GLP-1 medications in the future, you’ll want to make sure you have developed long-term habits to help you make a lasting change
And these things are on top of the usual ups and downs of life, and other weight loss struggles that you might encounter along the way. This is why combining GLP-1 medication with a supportive, personalised programme can make the experience feel more manageable, informed and supportive of your overall wellbeing.
There are now a few online support programmes available for people taking GLP-1 medications. And we are starting to see evidence that engaging with these types of programmes can have positive effects on weight loss.
Why would I choose Genwell to support my journey?
Choose the Genwell team
At Genwell, we understand that a weight loss journey is not simple. For it to create lasting change, it needs to be about more than your weight, more than your diet plans and your exercise targets. It needs to be about the whole of you! Improving your overall health, your habits, and your wellbeing to make you feel good.
Genwell was created by doctors and wellbeing coaches who know the importance of seeing the whole you. We take a holistic approach, based on clinical expertise, to get to know you better. We care about your nutrition and relationship with food, your sleep habits, stress levels, worries and concerns, hormonal changes, family life and values … it all makes a difference to your journey.
You’ll have access to a full care team including a dedicated doctor, a wellbeing coach, and an extended clinical wellbeing team with expertise in nutrition, sleep, hormones and behaviour change. All there to give you support when you need it.
We’ll be there every step of the way
We understand that every weight loss journey is unique, as you are – what motivates you, what foods you like to eat, what exercise you can do, the events happening in your life – they all make a difference to your weight loss journey.
Our team of medical and wellbeing experts will be there to answer your questions and give you advice and guidance as you need it, creating a journey that works just for you.
We’ll be there to celebrate the wins – not just the shifts in weight, but the ways your day-to-day life begins to feel different. And when things feel hard, we'll work alongside you to work through the harder days together.
Together, this team will help you build lifelong habits for a healthier you.
We really do care. We want you to succeed, to achieve your weight loss goals and to feel healthier and happier too.
Key messages
Using a support programme could be beneficial to your weight loss journey on GLP-1 medications
- Losing weight is not easy. There are lots of different factors that contribute to weight gain, and that can impact your weight loss journey.
- Using GLP-1 medications to reduce appetite can make eating more healthily easier, but that is not the only thing that matters in your weight loss journey.
- Using a support programme alongside GLP-1 medication can help you build meaningful, lasting change that fits your life and can be carried forward for a healthier future.
- Genwell provides a team of clinical and wellbeing experts to help guide your weight loss journey with a holistic approach.