GP's 'golden rule' to keep weight off after taking Wegovy or Mounjaro

GP's 'golden rule' to keep weight off after taking Wegovy or Mounjaro He described one thing all users must do before starting the jabs A GP shared his golden rule before starting weight-loss jabs to help you keep the weight off after stopping. Dr Adam Staten works with patients who are losing weight with GLP-1 medications. The GP and medical director for One Day Tests has seen many success stories of people who have changed their lives using the drugs, but also when people have gained the weight back. He said he has seen the jabs not only help people lose weight, but reduce their risks of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and fatty liver disease. He described one thing all users must do before starting jabs to ensure they're in the right mindset for when it's time to stop the jabs and maintain the weight on their own. Dr Staten, who is based in Milton Keynes, said the jabs fail when people see them as a 'magic bullet' and don't consider the longer-term view. He said before starting the jabs, everyone should ask themselves one question - 'What lifestyle do you want to end up with?' Dr Staten said that people "need to have a picture of where they want to end up" and understand what changes they need to make. He said: "The injections are just a tool, and some people haven't given a huge amount of thought to the aftermath. Keeping the weight off after stopping jabs is definitely doable, but you have to have done other things alongside the medication. "One of those things is implementing a lifestyle that doesn't feel like a chore to continue." The GP explained that many doctors were initially sceptical when GLP1 jabs were released, feeling it was better to continue promoting diet changes and increased exercise. But Dr Staten said his feelings changed when he began seeing the "remarkable" weight loss outcomes that GLP1s facilitated. He said we are seeing a shift in people who are committing to staying on a low dose long term, if not forever, after losing the initial weight, to help them keep it off. But due to the high costs, this won't be a viable option for some people. He said: "The biggest misconception is that it's this wonder drug. You take it and lose weight, and don't need to do anything else. "But people should be asking themselves what changes they are going to make in order to maintain their weight loss." As for dietary changes, Dr Staten said there has been a shift in thinking, moving away from just counting calories and considering the quality of nutrition. For example, he said avocado on toast might have similar calories to something from McDonald's, but avocado's nutritional benefits make it a clear better choice. He said people should also increase their protein intake to keep them on track, and this should be something they start doing the second their weight-loss journey begins - rather than when they stop the jabs - for it to be sustainable. Go to the NHS website here for more information about Wegovy or Mounjaro. It includes the criteria for prescribing these medications.