Losing Weight Has Never Been Easier… But What About Health?

A reflection on the physical, nutritional and emotional impacts of these medications

Today I want to talk about the so-called “weight loss injections”, a topic that is everywhere at the moment — on social media, in consultations and even in conversations among friends and family.

The movement has become so strong that, in some cases, people feel excluded if they are not using them, as if this were necessary to fit into society — often without truly thinking about their health.

This reinforces a body standard that is often unrealistic, unattainable and, most importantly, unsustainable for most people.

💉 What are “weight loss injections”?

First of all, this popular name is not entirely accurate. These medications were originally developed for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with proper medical indication and follow-up.

They work by mimicking a hormone naturally produced by our body called GLP-1, which acts mainly in the gut and helps regulate appetite, increase satiety and improve blood glucose control.

And did you know that some of these mechanisms can also be supported naturally? The quality of our diet, mindful eating and even the order in which we eat foods may influence satiety and the body’s response to meals.

These medications, known as GLP-1 agonists, are important tools and can bring real benefits when appropriately prescribed.

According to international guidelines, they are generally indicated for individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) associated with comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease.

And it is important to make this very clear: I am not against these medications. On the contrary, they represent an important advancement in healthcare and can improve quality of life for people who genuinely need them.

But the question remains: does everyone using them actually meet the criteria?

⚠️ Important points to consider

We live in a world increasingly focused on quick results, especially when it comes to aesthetics.

In this context, it is essential to look beyond the number on the scale.

Mental health deserves attention too. Our relationship with our body, food and self-image can be deeply affected.

Another major concern is the inappropriate use of these medications without medical supervision, through informal sources or even counterfeit products. This represents a real risk to health.

🥗 Where does nutrition fit into this process?

One of the effects of these medications is appetite reduction, in addition to side effects such as nausea, digestive discomfort and constipation.

But this raises an important question: how can we maintain proper nutritional quality when we are eating much less?

Without adequate guidance, intake may become insufficient in important nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals.

As a result, consequences such as excessive hair loss, fatigue, nutritional deficiencies and poorer quality of life may appear.

In addition, reduced food intake may lead to loss of lean body mass — in other words, muscle loss — which directly impacts metabolism and long-term health. This may increase the risk of sarcopenia and contribute to more significant weight regain in the future.

🧠 Hunger, behaviour and “food noise”

Many people report that, while using these medications, the so-called “food noise” decreases.

That constant feeling of thinking about food all the time may become quieter.

However, it is important to remember that hunger is a physiological signal from the body. We should not fear it. The goal is not to eliminate hunger completely, but to understand and regulate it better.

And more importantly: these medications do not directly treat emotional hunger.

Without behavioural and emotional work around food, old patterns often return once the medication is stopped.

🔄 What happens afterwards?

Another important point is what happens after weight loss.

The body naturally tends to reduce metabolism as an adaptive mechanism. In other words, maintaining the lost weight may become more challenging over time.

And when significant muscle loss occurs, the risk of weight regain becomes even greater.

This leads to an important reflection: if these medications are being used for chronic conditions, could they also become long-term or even lifelong treatments?

💚 A final reflection

In the search for quick solutions, we often forget that health is a process.

Taking care of the body involves nutrition, movement, mental health and behaviour.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight. But it is important to reflect: is this being done for health — or simply because of aesthetic pressure?

Being thin is not the same as being healthy.

And placing all our happiness on appearance can move us away from what truly matters.

True transformation happens when we build a more balanced relationship with our body and with food.

As Carl Jung once said:“What you resist, persists. What you accept, transforms.”

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If you have a medical indication for these medications, speak to your doctor and seek proper support.

But if the motivation is purely aesthetic, it may be worth reflecting more carefully. Not everything that seems easy at the beginning is sustainable in the long term.

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If you would like support to improve your relationship with food and build a more balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition, I would be happy to help.

Online and in-person consultations available in Dublin and KilcockInstagram: @marcela.holisticnutrition

With care

Marcela 💚