Weight Loss Drugs: Quick Fix or Long-Term Trap?

Rising demand for weight loss drugs like Wegovy may lead to tighter restrictions, experts warn. (Image: Denis Campbell, The Guardian)

At The FitBoss, we believe real change starts with habits—not hacks. But right now, more and more people are turning to weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro as their first step, not their last resort.

And we get it—when you’re frustrated, busy, and overwhelmed, a fast fix sounds pretty tempting.

But a powerful question needs to be asked:

What are you trading for that quick win?

🚨 Weight Loss Drugs Are in High Demand—But Is It Sustainable?

A recent report in The Guardian revealed that UK pharmacists sold 1.6 million packs of these drugs in just one month—a number experts warn is "unsustainable" (Marsh, 2025).

Originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes, drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are now being widely used for weight loss—even by people without diabetes.

The problem? These medications were never meant to be the first line of defense.

🧠 What These Drugs Actually Do

Ozempic and Mounjaro work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which affects appetite, blood sugar regulation, and how full you feel after eating.

In simple terms:They make you want to eat less.

That can absolutely help people lose weight—but it's not a cure.

⚠️ Side Effects You Shouldn’t Ignore

Many users experience side effects like:

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea (FDA, 2022)

• Gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, and even thyroid tumours in some cases (Marso et al., 2021)

• Muscle loss and gut complications, especially when taken without medical supervision (JAMA, 2023)

  
  

These drugs alter how your body behaves. That’s serious stuff—and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

📉 What Happens When You Stop Taking It?

This is the trap that too many people fall into.

One major trial, STEP 1, showed that most users regained the weight they lost after stopping semaglutide—unless they had made lasting lifestyle changes alongside the drug (Wilding et al., 2022).

Translation? The drug suppresses the symptom—but doesn't solve the cause.

If your habits around eating, movement, sleep, and stress haven't changed, the weight almost always comes back.

🤔 5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Weight Loss Drug

If you're considering Ozempic or similar meds, have a frank conversation with your GP. Ask:

1. Have I made a consistent effort with food and movement for at least 3–6 months?

2. Do I have a medical diagnosis that justifies medication (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes, PCOS)?

3. Am I prepared to make lifestyle changes while taking it?

4. Do I fully understand the side effects and risks?

5. Can I afford to stay on this long-term—or do I have a plan to come off it?

   
   

If you’re unsure about any of these, medication may not be the right path—yet.

🏗️ Think of Medication Like Scaffolding

These drugs aren’t evil. They’re just often misused.

Imagine you’re building a house. Medication can provide scaffolding—support while you put the real structure in place.

But if you tear it away before the house is finished? Everything collapses.

That’s what happens when people stop taking GLP-1 meds without changing how they live.

🔍 So, What’s the Alternative?

You don’t have to choose between doing nothing or injecting a weekly medication for life.

There is a middle ground:

• A training plan that fits your schedule

• A nutrition approach you don’t dread

• A coach or team to keep you accountable

And most importantly, a mindset shift: from short-term fixes to long-term ownership of your health.

💬 Our Take: Use Tools—But Don’t Skip the Foundation

We’re not against medication. For some people, it can be life-changing.

But we are against the illusion that medication alone is enough.

If you skip the hard parts—habits, consistency, resilience—the results won’t last.

If you’re ready to build a real plan that works in the real world, we’re here.

✅ Next Steps

💬 Book a free consultation – We’ll talk through your goals, habits, and if medication is part of the journey.📩 Download our no-nonsense Nutrition Guide – Free and jargon-free.💪 Explore our hybrid and online coaching – Built for busy people who want results.

👥 About the Authors

Ross and Stephanie O’Loughlin are certified strength coaches and EQF Level 4 personal trainers based in Wexford/Wicklow, Ireland. Through their coaching brand, The FitBoss, they help busy men and women reclaim energy, build strength, and feel confident—without fads or fluff. With years of hands-on coaching experience and a science-based approach, they specialize in sustainable fitness strategies that fit real lives.

📚 References

• FDA (2022). Semaglutide Prescribing Information. [Online] Available at: https://www.fda.gov

• JAMA (2023). GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Gastrointestinal Risks in Non-Diabetic Populations, JAMA Network.

• Marsh, S. (2025). Demand for weight-loss drugs is becoming unsustainable, say pharmacists. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/28/demand-for-weight-loss-drugs-is-becoming-unsustainable-say-pharmacists

• Marso, S.P. et al. (2021). Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 375, pp.311–322.

• Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2022). Sustained Weight Loss with Once-Weekly Semaglutide 2.4 mg: STEP 1 Trial Follow-Up. NEJM.