Wellness@Work: The alternatives to weight-loss injectables
One of the most effective solutions for people who have lost weight and kept it off is at least 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise, practiced daily.
By Ann Payne-Johnson, M.D., M.S.
USA Health Family Medicine
Weight-loss medications — specifically injectables — are more popular than ever, thanks to social media. But before you trust TikTok for healthcare advice, I would strongly recommend talking with your primary care physician or a doctor who is knowledgeable in weight management.
He or she may start by ordering blood work. This helps determine your current state of health and sets a baseline against which any follow-up tests can be compared. Regular blood tests are one of the most effective ways to track changes in your body over time, catch potential health problems and manage them effectively.
Blood tests can provide insight into how your body is functioning and alert your doctor to the presence of health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid issues — and assess hormone levels, organ function, and much more.
Considering all of these factors, offering a standard weight-loss medication is certainly not a one-size-fits-all prescription when it comes to patients.
But losing weight shouldn’t be limited to medications. The first line of action should really be behavioral interventions. Those can include any one or a combination of diet, exercise, keeping a food diary, and seeking professional support.
Short-term treatments are exactly that, and obesity is not something that is short term. Patients may struggle with it forever, even if they do lose weight.
One of the most effective solutions for people who have lost weight and kept it off is at least 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise, practiced daily. Putting in that kind of work isn’t always the first or even most attractive option that comes to mind, not when there are diet pills, weight-loss injections, and every fad diet that you can think of.
Even internet searches yield options like “how to lose weight without exercise” and “how to lose weight fast,” so it seems like seeking out a magic bullet approach that requires little or no commitment is popular.
Being successful in your weight-loss journey is going to demand some discipline, whether it’s changing how you eat or how physically active you are.
Lifestyle changes will make you successful, and it’s not just changing one thing. It’s actually being more active than you were before. It’s about understanding the different types of foods and how they fuel your body, and it’s taking a look at things like stress and poor sleep that you also need to address.
How can you lead a longer, better life? Follow weekly Wellness@Work tips from USA Health Integrative Health and Wellness. We cover ways you can eat better, move better, be more mindful, and find more balance to support your optimal health and well-being. Learn more.
