Will this be the year you finally shift the excess weight?

You’ve tried all the fad diets and they haven’t worked. The scales might have shifted in the right direction initially, but more often than not, the regime becomes unsustainable, the excess weight returns, and your confidence takes a hit. Then another fad diet starts trending and the cycle starts all over again.

We know because we’ve witnessed it time and time again. We understand how frustrating it can be for anyone carrying excess weight when the diets don’t work. But we also know that with the right medical support and advice, long-term weight loss is possible. And it can be life-changing.

Why fad diets never work

Every New Year we see a new diet hit the spotlight claiming to be “the one that really works”. Atkins, keto, paleo, intermittent fasting and detoxes… And months later we see patients whose confidence is at an all-time low after giving up. These fad diets usually fail because:

• They are too restrictive.
• They promote a poor relationship with food by creating guilt which can lead to disordered eating.
• They are unsustainable. The initial weight loss may be rapid but this is usually easily regained.
• They can be unhealthy and lead to nutrient deficiencies and muscle loss.
• They don’t address the bigger picture, such as lifestyle habits and exercise.

The secret to sustainable weight loss

The best way to achieve sustainable, long-term weight loss is by coupling a balanced diet with healthy lifestyle changes such as increasing movement and exercise. This crucial combination can improve your health in a number of ways:

• Improve your heart health: It can help to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.
• Improve your sleep: Losing excess weight can reduce your chances of sleep apnoea – the result of fatty deposits in the neck area obstructing your airways, interfering with your breathing and affecting sleep quality. Losing excess weight can not only improve your sleep quality, but can also result in you feeling more energised throughout the day too.
• Improve your mobility: Less body weight means less pressure on your knees and joints, therefore reducing pain and increasing mobility.
• Reduce your risk of some cancers: Studies have shown the risk of certain cancers such as breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, liver, pancreatic and thyroid cancer can all be lowered when the visceral fat around organs is reduced.
• Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes: This condition occurs when your body doesn’t respond to insulin correctly. As a result, your blood glucose levels increase and you become even more resistant to insulin. Losing weight can effectively improve insulin resistance and lower blood glucose levels.
• Improve your sex-drive: There is much evidence to suggest that a loss in excess weight can result in an increase in libido for both males and females.
• Improve your self-esteem and mental health: Regular exercise and nourishing food can have a positive effect on an individual’s mental health. It is a great form of self-care and can often inspire other positive changes within a person’s life.

Need extra help to get started on your weight loss journey?

No doubt you’ve heard many stories about weight loss injections. They work by simulating natural hormones that suppress appetite, slow down digestion and promote prolonged satiety.

When administered on a weekly basis and coupled with a balanced diet and regular exercise, they have been proven to be a highly effective method of treating obesity and helping patients to lose excess weight.

But that idea of coupling the weight loss injections with a balanced diet and regular exercise is crucial! Here at YourGP, we take a holistic approach, providing not just the medication, but also tailored advice to help our patients make positive lifestyle changes to improve their overall health.

To find out if weight loss injections are right for you, book a consultation with one of our highly experienced doctors. We’ll listen to all your concerns, answer any questions, and ensure your weight loss journey is a safe and healthy one.

You can book an appointment by emailing reception@your.gp, or you can call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.