Ozembic miracle weight loss drug or not?

[disneysteve]

I have to imagine the success rate of people who either set out to change their lifestyle alone, or try to change their lifestyle while taking a drug like that is pretty low, long term. This one really hurts the wallet, too. A colleague of mine was on a program with monjuaro. She had to cover the drug out of pocket and it was a bit over $1,000 per month. Ouch.

It’s mind boggling that people will spend that kind of money for something temporary like that. What’s the point? You can join Weight Watchers for $10/month and learn how to eat properly for life.

[QuarterMillionMan]

My local news said these drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy cut COVID deaths by 34%, I think because of the weight loss effect.

[disneysteve]

My local news said these drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy cut COVID deaths by 34%, I think because of the weight loss effect.

That makes sense. Obesity is a big risk factor for COVID death and for plenty of other diseases too.

[myrdale]

It’s mind boggling that people will spend that kind of money for something temporary like that. What’s the point? You can join Weight Watchers for $10/month and learn how to eat properly for life.

I heard a Drew Carey quote over the weekend that made me think of this thread. "Fast food isn't a reward, its a punishment".

People (myself included) act out of instant gratification.

Losing weight is the easiest thing in the world, but it takes a measure of self control.

[ua_guy]

Losing weight isn't the easiest thing in the world and it's not just a matter of self control. Losing weight requires starvation, and our minds/bodies are extremely resistant to that. Because food supports life, it's in an addiction class of its own. GLP-1's work by turning down hunger and making patients feel full quicker. It requires the patient to be an active participant in their long term success to reform habits and create new ones that support a healthier weight during that time. But, doing so is made 100% easier when patients have to remind themselves to eat, and feeling full after only a couple of bites.

Remember smoking? I rarely see it anymore. The other thing I don't see anymore is people trying 253 times to quit cigarettes, but they just know #254 is going to be it, they're super serious this time. I'm sure we've all known people like that prior to all the smoking cessation drugs on the market. Now, if they want to kick a nicotine habit they take Zyban or Chantix to knock the craving on its butt so they can shift psychological and physical dependencies away from smoking. A lot more people are successful but we don't go around blaming them for cheating, or lacking will power.

[myrdale]

Losing weight isn't the easiest thing in the world and it's not just a matter of self control. Losing weight requires starvation, and our minds/bodies are extremely resistant to that.

Losing weight does not require starvation. It only requires a calorie deficit. Starvation doesn't occur until the body's fat reserves have been depleted, only then will it begin cannibalizing muscle. This may take days to weeks to achieve.

The whole topic shadows finance far closer than I think we've admitted. Getting out of debt requires income, creating a budget, cutting spending, and discipline. For weight loss, its exercise, meal plan, controlled eating, discipline.

I don't believe using a weight loss drug is cheating. But when the weight goals are reached, if there haven't been sufficient lifestyle choices, the weight will return when the drug is discontinued.

[ua_guy]

Weight loss via caloric deficit involves both fat and muscle, so it is starvation, and our bodies resist being starved. I think the drug proves there's a lot more to tackling chronic obesity than just will power and getting some exercise. Nobody is arguing that longer term nutrition and lifestyle changes aren't an important piece. This really is like telling a nicotine or alcohol addict to just stop smoking or drinking. Try harder, right?! The GLP-1's approved for weight loss are typically prescribed for the chronically, morbidly obese (BMI >40) with other risk factors where traditional means of achieving a healthier weight have failed over time.

Interesting to note, Weight Watchers has since started a GLP-1 program with focus on nutrition changes.

[calivincollin]

I’ve been on GLP-1s for a while and what really stood out to me is how much easier it gets to stick to normal portions. I didn’t feel like I was "starving", which was always the wall I’d hit before. At some point my insurance stopped covering and I had to look at telehealth options, I tried Minimal and it worked out fine, meds came through without all the back-and-forth. The weight still comes down to habits though, because the shot won’t fix everything by itself.

[QuarterMillionMan]

A neighbor Karla early 20's went from about 170 lb down to about 115 lb. I didn't ask her but I'm guessing she may be taking one of those weigh loss drugs. She is looking very attractive at this lower weight.

[disneysteve]

A neighbor Karla early 20's went from about 170 lb down to about 115 lb. I didn't ask her but I'm guessing she may be taking one of those weigh loss drugs. She is looking very attractive at this lower weight.

Unfortunately, at this point, if I see anyone who has lost a significant amount, I just assume they are on one of the drugs. It has become ridiculously common. Really no surprise as people have eternally been seeking the easy way out. Of course, as soon as they stop taking it, they will gain the weight back.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I just saw Karla in passing again, she was wearing a mid-riff outfit top exposing her stomach and short shorts. I had to complement her on how good she looks. She thanked me for the compliment. She must have guys chasing after her now. I told her that she lost a lot of weight. She said she did and thanked me in passing and frolicked along.

[ua_guy]

Unfortunately, at this point, if I see anyone who has lost a significant amount, I just assume they are on one of the drugs. It has become ridiculously common. Really no surprise as people have eternally been seeking the easy way out. Of course, as soon as they stop taking it, they will gain the weight back.

What are your thoughts on long-term GLP-1 usage? It's no secret that weight can come back when medication stops. What if a GLP-1 were to become a maintenance medication? There are people who have been taking it for years.

Do you think there is hope for some people to use it in conjunction with changing their lifestyle and calorie intake?

[disneysteve]

I told her that she lost a lot of weight.

Sorry but it is never okay to comment on someone's weight, good or bad. It's none of your business.

[disneysteve]

What are your thoughts on long-term GLP-1 usage? It's no secret that weight can come back when medication stops. What if a GLP-1 were to become a maintenance medication? There are people who have been taking it for years.

Do you think there is hope for some people to use it in conjunction with changing their lifestyle and calorie intake?

I honestly haven't followed any of the latest science or studies on the topic. I don't know if there's enough data yet. What are the long-term effects? Will your body eventually adapt to the medication and you start gaining weight again. I don't think we know at this point. I'm sure the studies are ongoing.

[bjl584]

What are your thoughts on long-term GLP-1 usage? It's no secret that weight can come back when medication stops. What if a GLP-1 were to become a maintenance medication? There are people who have been taking it for years.

Do you think there is hope for some people to use it in conjunction with changing their lifestyle and calorie intake?

Long term it's probably not good. I'm not a doctor, but there have to be some unwanted side effects that can't be good if you stay on these drugs for a long time.
I do know that they make you use fat and muscle, not just fat. Less muscle equals a slower metabolism, so when you stop taking the drug you gain more weight back than you started with

The drug plus a healthy diet and exercise could be beneficial in the short-term, but if people are just relying 100% on the drug and still eating garbage and being completely sedentary, then that is a big problem.