Weight loss medication - Steady weight loss without overthinking it

As a medical company involved in clinical research, we fully believe in the products and services we offer and endorse. We only work with medication that we know is safe and has undergone rigorous clinical trials. With this in mind, we want to share the success story of CSSA’s Clinical Manager Sarah, who has been taking weight loss medication for weight management for six months.

Sarah’s Story

I started taking Weight loss medication as part of a holistic weight management plan in April 2023. I personally have struggled with my weight for some time and would yo yo diet, losing weight and then putting it back on again. This made me have negative feelings about me and so I decided that I needed a solution that would help me to change the way I felt and how I thought about food.  I had heard of the benefits of taking weight lose medication, but it never occurred to me to try it. I did my research to find what was best for me and my weight loss journey and six months in, I have seen steady results in weight loss and my overall health has improved since losing the weight. 

With the drug I use, the dose is increased every four weeks to get used to the drug and to best manage any side effects. I started on the standard 0.25mg dose for month one, which rose to 0.50mg in month two, and 1mg in month three. 

Side effects of weight loss medication

Working as a clinical manager, I was well aware of the possible side effects of weight loss medication and prepared for them. Common symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea, fatigue, headaches, and changes in taste. Amazingly, I didn’t experience any of these.

Weight loss plan

When I first started taking the medication, and for the first month the only side effect I noticed was a dry mouth. I felt thirsty and in need of something zesty to quench my thirst. I would make myself citrus water to sip on and this helped to alleviate my cravings and stopped my mouth from feeling dry. When my dose was increased in the second month, I expected more side effects, but I experienced nothing at all, I feel I have been truly fortunate to have the benefits that it has given me without any unwanted side effects at every stage.

Steady weight loss

I have been consistent in losing approximately 2 lbs per week which is a steady, healthy weight loss that I am happy with. My goal is to lose four stone overall to take me to a healthy BMI and I now know that this is achievable with the medication, I am happy with the progress I am making. 

Weight loss this time around has felt quite effortless. It is not your average diet where you are restricted to what you can eat, often left feeling hungry and wanting after a meal, I don’t experience any energy drops. The medication works by reducing my appetite, it stops the food noise, I am able stop eating when I feel full. It also stops the boredom eating where I just find myself at the fridge picking when I am not hungry. 

The best thing about it is it does not impact my social life. I do not have to turn down invitations to go out for dinner because of a restrictive diet. On several occasions I have gone out for food with friends and enjoyed whatever I want to eat but simply know when to stop eating and ask for anything to be boxed up to take home for another meal. It has been liberating to know when I have had enough, and I just stop. 

The need for a plan

Given my work, I know the importance of taking a drug like this as part of a holistic weight loss management plan. I had a short spell after month three where it was difficult to get the medication because of a national shortage. During this time, I did feel the urge to eat more and felt the cravings creeping back in. Thankfully, I had a plan in place to help me deal with this, but it highlighted to me the importance of working on diet, exercise, and mindset to keep the weight off when I have reached my goal and stop taking it.

Being on weight loss medication highlighted old habits to me, such as walking into the kitchen and opening the fridge to look inside on autopilot. I did not even know why I was doing it, by adopting a positive mindset has really helped with this. I had the old mentality of needing to clear my plate, but now I know when I am full, and I can just stop. This is something I need to continue to manage when I come off the drug. I have a much better idea of portion control now and know that when I am full, I can stop. 

The best thing I have learned through this is I do not need to waste time with restrictive diets. I can eat normally and still lose weight. I have tried my fair share of faddy diets over the years, feeling unsatisfied on meal replacements and soups, but that really is not the way to lose weight effectively and keep it off. Mindset plays a big part, and I am really getting there with that now and feel positive that I can keep the weight off when I finish taking the medication.