THE HIDDEN SIDE OF WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION

The Sunday Times News Review (June 22, 2025) took a deep dive into the real-world experiences of people using weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro and revealed a side of these drugs not often discussed.

While these medications have transformed weight management for many, they come with a set of side effects that are hard to ignore and are NOT a magic solution. They work best when combined with a supportive lifestyle: good sleep, mindful movement, daily habits like walking and balanced nutrition.

Weight loss medications can help in the short term, but if you’re looking for lasting freedom from the cycle – freedom from the constant noise in your head about what to eat, when to eat, or how much – then maybe it’s time to do things differently.  Because this isn’t just about food. It’s about how you think, feel and live.

COMMONLY REPORTED SIDE EFFECTS

The research found the problems linked to weight loss medicine include…

Gastrointestinal Issues
Many users experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and abdominal cramping. These drugs work by slowing digestion and altering hunger hormones, which can affect your gut.

Hair Loss and Thinning
Rapid weight loss can lead to noticeable hair shedding – often due to stress on the body, reduced protein intake, or deficiencies in iron and B vitamins.

Bone and Dental Concerns
Emerging evidence suggests a possible decline in bone density with long-term use. Tooth enamel erosion and sensitivity have also been reported, possibly linked to increased acidity or vitamin depletion.

Gut Microbiome Disruption
Weight loss drugs appear to alter the balance of your gut bacteria. This may influence digestion, immunity and even mental health.

Skin Sensitivities
Some people report itchy rashes, dryness and other skin issues such as sagging skin from rapid weight loss, known as “Ozempic face”!

WHY ARE THESE HAPPENING?

 According to the Sunday Times, these side effects aren’t random. They stem from:

• Hormonal changes that slow digestion and affect gut signalling
• Rapid weight loss, which stresses the body and depletes nutrients
• Altered microbiome, impacting gut health, immunity and mood
• Reduced absorption of key vitamins

NO PILL WILL EVER WORK LONGER TERM

As a Weight Loss Hypnotherapist, I see it differently. Unlike pills there are no ‘side effects’ associated with hypnotherapy. Here’s the question I always ask my clients: What if you could lose weight without ever dieting again?

What I’ve found is that real, lasting change doesn’t come from counting calories or punishing yourself at the gym. It comes from reprogramming your relationship with food, with hunger and most importantly – with yourself. Ask yourself:

• Do you eat too quickly?
• Do you struggle to leave food on your plate?
• Do you eat emotionally or reward yourself with snacks after a hard day?

If ‘yes’, you’re not alone. These habits often have nothing to do with willpower – they’re rooted in emotion, conditioning, and subconscious patterns. And unless you change those, no pill will ever truly work.

That’s where hypnotherapy comes in. It can help you:

• Understand the difference between physical and emotional hunger
• Break lifelong eating habits without relying on motivation or discipline
• Stop obsessing over food and start listening to your body again
• Reclaim your confidence, self-worth and time

If any of the above resonated, I’d love to hear from you. You don’t have to do this alone – and you don’t have to rely on drugs or diets to make a lasting change. I have group weight management hypnotherapy sessions starting in the Summer – face to face and online as well as 1-2-1s. https://www.9kmby9am.com/coaching/weight-loss-management/

HAVE A GREAT DAY…

Your Life Coach

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