WELCOME TO YOUR GLP JOURNEY
A Complete Support Service For Your Medicated Weight Loss Journey
Are you considering or already using medicated weight loss treatments? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate challenges on your own.
Whilst speaking to clients, I have been impressed by the encouragement and empowerment that weight loss medications gives to patients. Having researched, spoken in detail to clinics, spoken to several users of the products and formed my own value judgement, I see the advantages that medications bring to individuals at the beginning of their health improvement journey. However, I have identified that there is little in the way of structured support for patients. In conjunction with my health and fitness qualifications and experience I feel a strong commitment to supporting clients at every step of their journey, whether they are considering the use of, using and (most importantly in my view) ceasing the use of the medication.
As a support coach, I understand the challenges, questions, and emotions that come with starting, maintaining and ending a medicated weight loss journey. My approach is empathetic, understanding, and full of practical guidance. I’m here to listen, support, and advise you every step of the way. I can help with habit and mindset change, nutritional advice and appropriate fitness programmes.
Your wellbeing matters! I would love for us to work together to make your journey positive, sustainable, and supported.
If you are considering a medicated weight loss journey, please read the information below. It is a comprehensive summary of information widely available online.
The following information is intended for general information purposes only and is based on guidance from official sources. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalised medical advice or a formal diagnosis, please consult your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.
What are weight loss medications?
Weight loss medications are prescription drugs designed to help people with obesity or weight-related health problems lose weight. In the UK, patients can access these medications through the NHS (with strict criteria) or privately. The types and availability of these medications differ between the UK and USA, and between NHS and private care.
Weight loss medications (also called anti-obesity drugs) are medicines prescribed to help people lose weight when diet and exercise alone are not enough, especially if you have health risks related to obesity. They work in different ways, such as:
- Reducing appetite (making you feel full sooner)
- Blocking fat absorption (preventing your body from taking in some of the fat you eat)
- Mimicking gut hormones (helping control hunger and blood sugar)
How do they work?
Fat loss injections are administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin) to promote weight loss. The most clinically validated types are:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide – brand name Wegovy/Ozempic). GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to help you feel full, reduce appetite, slow digestion, and lower blood sugar, making it easier to eat less and lose weight
- Dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (tirzepatide – brand names Zepbound and Mounjaro). Along with the GLP-1, the GIP receptor agonists mimic the hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). They help the body release more insulin after eating, lower blood sugar levels, and may also reduce appetite, supporting weight loss and improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes or obesity.
What forms do they come in?
- Oral medications are usually taken once or several times a day.
- Injectable medications are given as a daily or weekly injection, often using a pre-filled pen.
What are the criteria for NHS prescription of weight loss medication?
Tirzepatide (Brand: Mounjaro)
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
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- Adults with a BMI of 40 or more and at least 1 weight-related health condition (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal cholesterol, or sleep apnoea)
- Must be used alongside diet and exercise programmes.
- Eligibility may vary for different ethnic backgrounds
- Review: Treatment is reviewed after 6 months; continued if you lose at least 5% of your body weight
- Risks, Warnings and side effects:
- Not recommended if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Contraception required during and after treatment (especially if on the pill or HRT)
- Not suitable for people with certain health conditions (details from your doctor)
- Side effects nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting.
- Other notes: No set time limit for how long you can take it if it’s working
Semaglutide (Brand: Wegovy)
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
- Adults with a BMI of 35 or more with weight-related health problems
- BMI of 32.5 or more for people of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean origin
- May also be considered for BMI 30–34.9 or 27.5–32.4 with extra health criteria
- Review: Treatment is reviewed after 6 months; continued if you lose at least 5% of your body weight. Maximum duration is 2 years.
- Risks & Warnings:
- Not recommended if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Contraception required during and for 2 months after treatment
- Not suitable for people with certain health conditions (your doctor will advise)
- Other notes: Must be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity
Liraglutide
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
- Adults with a BMI of 35 or more, or 32.5 or more for certain ethnicities (Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, African-Caribbean)
- Must also have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) and be at high risk of heart problems (like high blood pressure or cholesterol)
- Only for adults up to age 75
- Review: Treatment is reviewed after 3 months; continued if you lose at least 5% of your body weight
- Risks & Warnings:
- Not recommended if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
What are medical criteria for the private prescription of weight loss medication?
Tirzepatide (Brand: Mounjaro)
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
- Adults with a BMI of 35 or more
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more with a weight related health issue (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal cholesterol, or sleep apnoea)
- Must be used alongside diet and exercise programmes.
- Review & Risks remain the same as NHS.
Semaglutide (Brand: Wegovy)
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or more
- Adults with a BMI of 27 or more with a weight related health issue (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal cholesterol, or sleep apnoea)
- Must be used alongside diet and exercise programmes.
- Review & Risks remain the same as NHS.
Liraglutide (Brand: Saxenda)
- Who can use it (Medical Criteria):
- Adults with a BMI of 35 or more
- Plus a weight related health issue (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal cholesterol, or sleep apnoea)
- Must be used alongside diet and exercise programmes.
- Review & Risks remain the same as NHS.
Conclusion
You must have a thorough medical evaluation, including checks for BMI, related health conditions, and any reasons you shouldn’t take the medication. Usually for adults with a BMI of 30 or above (or lower if you have other health problems). At least one weight-related health condition may be needed for certain drugs. Your medical history is reviewed, and prescribers must follow strict UK health regulations and professional standards. Private providers may be slightly more flexible than the NHS, but all prescriptions must be safe, justified, and evidence based. Ongoing checks and monitoring are required.
An important point to note is that, when you are undertaking any nutritional programme where there is a calorie deficit – particularly where the negative calories are substantial – there is a high likelihood that you will suffer a loss in muscle mass and bone density (especially if you are peri-menopausal / menopausal.) I would advise that you consider undertaking a supervised resistance training programme – this is something I can supply as part of my paid support service.
What do I offer?
- Tailored Program to help you in all stages of your journey.
- Habit forming advice and support sessions to help you get the best from yourself.
- Nutrition advice to maintain your health when you are using the medication and give you a head start when you stop using the medication.
- ‘Your GLP’ community where you can get support and communicate with others, share experiences and pick up some tips (some personal details may be shared.)
How do I supply my services?
One to one online or face to face consultations
Subscription-based on-demand workout video service
- Allows you to work out in your own time
- Online guidance you can access at any time
- WhatsApp based community where you can communicate and comment along with other subscribing members
- 10% off 1:1 sessions – either face-to-face or online.
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