What does weight loss management mean?
Weight management involves medically supervised strategies combined with lifestyle changes to help you reduce body fat, lose weight fast, and reach a healthier weight.
It is suitable for adults with:
- Obesity (BMI ≥ 30), or
- Overweight (BMI ≥ 27) plus weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnoea.
Unlike restrictive crash diets, evidence-based weight loss therapy focuses on long-term behavioural change, targeted weight loss medication, and ongoing support to help you lose weight permanently.
When are weight loss medications useful?
Prescription weight loss medication may be recommended if:
- Your BMI is ≥ 30, or ≥ 27 with comorbidities
- Diet, exercise and lifestyle measures alone have not been effective
- There are medical risks associated with excess weight
Important: even the most effective weight loss drugs in the UK that residents can access — including GLP-1 slimming injections, appetite regulators and fat-absorption blockers — support lifestyle change, rather than replace it.
Medical methods to lose weight
When obesity becomes a real health problem, proven medical treatments and medicinal weight loss remedies come into play.
Prescription medications for weight loss
- GLP-1 agonists (Wegovy, Saxenda, Mounjaro): these weekly or daily weight loss injections in the UK significantly reduce appetite and support substantial fat loss
- Appetite suppressants (e.g., Mysimba): reduce cravings and help regulate eating behaviour, taken as a daily oral medication
- Fat absorption inhibitors (Orlistat): block dietary fat uptake
A combination of weight loss injections, dietary support and behavioural therapy provides the highest success rates.
Note: Cosmetic “fat jabs” or lipolysis injections are not genuine fat loss treatments. They target tiny, localised fat pads and do not help with weight loss.
How do weight loss injections work?
Modern slimming injections contain GLP-1 receptor agonists that:
- Reduce the feeling of hunger in the brain
- Slow down gastric emptying (prolonged feeling of satiety)
- Regulate blood sugar levels
- Lead to an average weight loss of 10-15% in 12-16 months
These weight loss jabs must be used exactly as prescribed, with weekly or daily dosing depending on the medication.
To buy weight loss injections or begin treatment, a doctor must issue a prescription after reviewing your medical history.
Surgical options for severe obesity
Surgery may be considered when other interventions fail or when obesity poses a significant medical risk.
- Gastric bypass: reduces stomach size and reroutes digestion; expected 60–80% excess weight loss
- Sleeve gastrectomy: removes most of the stomach, reducing appetite-stimulating hormones; 50–70% excess weight loss
- Gastric band: less invasive, but also less effective; rarely used today
Surgery is never a standalone solution — long-term success depends on permanent lifestyle changes.
Can I lose weight healthily without medication?
Yes, and these foundations apply whether or not you use weight loss medication:
- Diet: Calorie deficit of 500-750 kcal daily through nutrient-rich, whole foods. No extreme crash diets.
- Exercise: A combination of endurance (150-300 minutes per week) and strength training (2-3 times per week). Everyday activity also counts. Regular exercise plays a key role in helping to reduce belly fat.
- Sleep: 7–9 hours of sleep regulate your hunger hormones – too little sleep has been proven to make you hungrier.
- Drink enough: Thirst is often confused with hunger. Drink water regularly – ideally before meals. The general recommendation is 1.5–2 litres of water per day, more in hot weather, when exercising, or when overweight.
- Behavioural change: Becoming aware of eating habits, identifying triggers, and establishing new routines. Professional support can be crucial here.
Which weight loss remedies are available without a prescription?
Many over-the-counter weight loss products claim to help you reduce weight, burn fat fast, or provide the easiest way to lose weight — but very few offer meaningful results.
- Garcinia cambogia: Advertised as a fat burner, it is said to inhibit fat formation – but studies have produced conflicting results.
- CLA (conjugated linoleic acid): Supposedly promotes fat loss, but studies have shown only minor effects.
- Caffeine: Stimulates the metabolism in the short term, e.g. through coffee or green tea – has little noticeable effect on weight in the long term.
- Meal replacement shakes: They provide vitamins, protein and fibre in liquid form and can help control calories – e.g. at breakfast or dinner. Good for getting started or adding structure to your daily routine, as long as you don't replace all your meals.
- Protein powder: Useful for sports or protein deficiency – promotes muscle growth and satiety. While it is not a direct method to reduce weight, it can be a helpful component of a broader, structured weight loss plan.
Combating emotional eating
Emotional eating undermines even the best plans. Stress, loneliness or frustration can trigger overeating and sabotage progress. No diet or weight loss treatment can address emotional triggers alone — psychological support, CBT, mindfulness and medical guidance are often key to long-term success.
Why do some people lose weight more easily than others?
Whether someone stays slim or struggles with stubborn excess weight depends on various factors – many of which are biological:
- Genetics: Some people have genes that regulate appetite more strongly or make fat burning more efficient.
- Metabolism: A fast metabolism burns more calories at rest, making it easier to maintain weight.
- Muscle mass: More muscles mean higher energy consumption, even without exercise.
- Hormones: Disorders of insulin, leptin, or cortisol, for example, can affect hunger or fat storage.
- Sleep and stress: Lack of sleep and constant stress promote hormonal imbalances and cravings.
- Early habits: Those who were accustomed to a lot of sugar and fat as children often develop different eating habits.
In short: Some have it easier – but that doesn't mean it's impossible for others. With the right treatment plan — including weight loss remedies, structured support, and, when needed, slimming treatment — sustainable results are achievable for most people.
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“Being overweight is not a sign of weak willpower, but rather a complex chronic disease. Modern obesity medications intervene where diets fail – in the hormonal regulatory cycle of hunger and satiety.” Dr. med. Andres Eduardo Maldonado Rincon |
Frequently asked questions about weight loss management
Want to lose weight? Here are the most frequently asked questions and clear answers.
How many steps per day do I need to take to lose weight?
Around 7,000–8,000 steps per day can meaningfully support weight loss, especially alongside a calorie deficit.
How many calories can I consume to lose weight?
A deficit of 500–750 kcal per day supports safe, sustainable fat reduction of 0.5–1 kg per week.
Your individual calorie requirements depend on your gender, age, weight and activity level. Women need an average of 1,800-2,200 kcal per day, men 2,200-2,800 kcal per day. To lose weight, reduce this amount, but never below 1,200 kcal (women) or 1,500 kcal (men), as this could lead to nutrient deficiencies.
How quickly can I lose weight?
Healthy weight loss averages 0.5–1 kg per week. With weight loss injections, many people achieve 10–15% body-weight reduction over 12–16 months.
While you may lose weight in a week by reducing calorie intake and increasing activity, most of this early change is water loss rather than true fat reduction.
Which foods help with weight loss?
Foods with high nutrient density and high volume keep you feeling full for longer while being low in calories:
- vegetables (especially leafy vegetables, broccoli, peppers);
- protein-rich foods (lean meat, fish, legumes, low-fat quark);
- wholemeal products (oatmeal, wholemeal bread, quinoa);
- fruit with low sugar content (berries, apples, citrus fruits).
Healthy fats such as nuts, avocado and olive oil are also included — in moderation.
Avoid highly processed foods, sugar and empty calories from soft drinks.
No foods ‘burn’ fat — but the right ones help you stay in a calorie deficit.
Why can't I lose weight?
Common reasons include:
- overestimating calorie burn or underestimating intake (hidden calories in drinks, snacks, oils);
- slower metabolism from past diets;
- hormonal issues (hypothyroidism, PCOS, cortisol imbalance);
- lack of sleep (which disrupts hunger hormones);
- medications that promote weight gain.
You may also be gaining muscle, which doesn’t immediately show on the scale, or have reached a temporary plateau — a normal phase after several weeks. A medical consultation can rule out underlying causes and guide the best strategy.
Do I need a prescription for weight loss medication?
Yes. All effective weight loss drugs in the UK – including GLP-1 slimming injections — require a prescription and medical supervision.
Over-the-counter ‘weight loss products’ are usually ineffective or unsafe. Trust in medically tested weight loss treatments with medical supervision.