The weight loss thread

BBSA said:
I’m not saying there’s never a place for meds. Some people genuinely need that extra tool, and if you’re fixing your habits and using medication, that’s a solid approach.

My point is just that for most people, the metabolic issues you’re mentioning, insulin resistance, GLP-1 dysfunction, appetite signalling, are themselves the result of years of bad diet and ultra-processed food. They don’t come out of nowhere. And for a lot of us, those things do start correcting themselves when we change what we eat, reduce the carbs, cut the junk, and lower inflammation.

I’m not judging anyone who chooses medication. I just don’t think it should be the default first step, because once you make that the easy option, most people won’t even try to fix the lifestyle part. And long-term health still comes from getting the basics right, not from depending on a weekly injection forever. Different approaches, sure, but lifestyle should still be the foundation.
Click to expand...
I get what you’re saying lifestyle absolutely matters, and I don’t think anyone here disagrees with that.
The part I don’t agree with is the idea that most metabolic issues only come from poor lifestyle, or that they automatically fix themselves once you ‘get the basics right’. For some people, sure that works. But for a lot of us, the biology is already out of whack long before the weight even shows. Genetics, hormones, GLP-1 signalling, insulin sensitivity… those things vary wildly from person to person. Two people can eat the same diet for years and have completely different outcomes we see that every day.
And yes, changing how you eat helps. I’m doing that. But the idea that these issues always ‘correct themselves’ with diet alone just doesn’t line up with what many people (myself included) have actually experienced. Some bodies simply don’t respond the way others do that’s why the medication exists. It’s also not the “easy option”.
Sticking to the injections, managing side effects, changing habits, eating differently… it’s all part of the same journey. And long-term, I want the same thing: stable, sustainable health. I’m not replacing lifestyle with meds I’m using meds so the lifestyle changes actually work the way they’re supposed to.


Different bodies, different starting points, different root causes.
The foundation is still the same goal: fix the health, not just the weight.
 
BBSA said:
I prefer to focus on the root cause, although I understand that many people may not wish to pursue that path.
Click to expand...
That's an ideal not a reality.
Just because you might not struggle in that department does not mean it's not a challenge for others.
 
kolaval said:
That's an ideal not a reality.
Just because you might not struggle in that department does not mean it's not a challenge for others.
Click to expand...
Yes, dieting is difficult, and I struggled for years to lose weight myself. What finally worked for me was switching to a very low-carb way of eating. Once your body becomes fat-adapted and learns to run on fat instead of carbs, everything changes.

For me, it actually became easy. I hardly ever feel hungry anymore because my body can tap into my own stored fat for fuel. No more constant cravings, no more feeling deprived, just steady energy and effortless weight loss.
 
BBSA said:
Yes, dieting is difficult, and I struggled for years to lose weight myself. What finally worked for me was switching to a very low-carb way of eating. Once your body becomes fat-adapted and learns to run on fat instead of carbs, everything changes.

For me, it actually became easy. I hardly ever feel hungry anymore because my body can tap into my own stored fat for fuel. No more constant cravings, no more feeling deprived, just steady energy and effortless weight loss.
Click to expand...
That worked for me when I was in my 20s.

Didn't work for me for the past 3-4 years.
 
BBSA said:
So you still experience hunger even though you’re fat-adapted?
Click to expand...
Yes.
And, no weight loss despite cardio exercise, while in ketosis. For over a year.
 
BBSA said:
Do you plan to take injections for the rest of your life?
Click to expand...
I have no idea yet. Will get to goal weight and take it from there, see if I can taper them down without cravings etc coming back. But by then the good habits and exercise should be well ingrained.

And if I do have to carry on the injections then so be it. It's worth it to be healthy.
 
BBSA said:
Do you plan to take injections for the rest of your life?
Click to expand...
this is the misconception, for me, so far, i've built up better eating habits which have become norm, its not a whole life scenario, its a jump start, but even if it were, i'd compare it to someone taking any form of medication, are you going to ask someone with a heart condition that needs clinical treatment the same question?

Some peoples biology isnt perfect, and needs intervention, especially as you get older
 
Sinbad said:
I have no idea yet. Will get to goal weight and take it from there, see if I can taper them down without cravings etc coming back. But by then the good habits and exercise should be well ingrained.

And if I do have to carry on the injections then so be it. It's worth it to be healthy.
Click to expand...
100% its not a vanity project, its about being a healthier version of yourself
 
kolaval said:
I'm guessing your diet is on point that you don't need vitamins.
Never Panado for headache.
No glasses for sight.
No shoes for duwweltjies.
They all make it too easy.
I'm joking of course but I've seen fit people balloon having to juggle work, little ones etc.
The fact that we can take this, with very little side effect, and have a massive benefit, is great.
Click to expand...
People on these medications often lose muscle mass because their appetite drops so sharply that they simply don’t eat enough, especially protein. When your body isn’t getting the protein it needs, it starts breaking down muscle for fuel, and that’s not ideal. Muscle isn’t just about looking strong; it’s important for metabolism, mobility, blood sugar control, and long-term health.
 
BBSA said:
People on these medications often lose muscle mass because their appetite drops so sharply that they simply don’t eat enough, especially protein. When your body isn’t getting the protein it needs, it starts breaking down muscle for fuel, and that’s not ideal. Muscle isn’t just about looking strong; it’s important for metabolism, mobility, blood sugar control, and long-term health.
Click to expand...
I agree but see no problem with it (as someone who CF 4 to 5 days a week).
You have to weigh the benefits vs drawbacks, pun intended.
Less weight wins by far IMHO.

There are very few scenarios I can think of where muscle mass loss would be an issue except for gym bros?
 
kolaval said:
I agree but see no problem with it (as someone who CF 4 to 5 days a week).
You have to weigh the benefits vs drawbacks, pun intended.
Less weight wins by far IMHO.

There are very few scenarios I can think of where muscle mass loss would be an issue except for gym bros?
Click to expand...
Fair enough if you’re doing CrossFit 4–5 days a week, you’re already protecting your muscle, so you’re not really the person I’m worried about here.

But for the average person on these meds, muscle loss isn’t a “gym bro problem.” Muscle matters for way more than aesthetics. It keeps your metabolism up, supports joint stability, helps with blood sugar regulation, and becomes absolutely crucial as you get older. Losing too much muscle now just means becoming weaker, slower, and more injury-prone later.

I’m not saying weight loss isn’t a win, for many people it absolutely is. I’m just saying it’s not as simple as “fat loss good, muscle loss who cares.” If someone drops weight but also loses a big chunk of lean mass, they often end up with a worse metabolism and a higher chance of regaining the weight the moment they stop the injections.
 
@BBSA problem is we would not be able to define the average person based on weight, height, age, gender, body shape etc.

Let's go with this:
The WHO defines obesity as a chronic and intricate condition marked by the accumulation of excess body fat.
Click to expand...
According to the Global Obesity Observatory, SA overweight refers to a body mass index (BMI) between 25 kg/m2 and 29.9 kg/m2, and obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2
Click to expand...

The growing problem of obesity in South Africa | Govender | South African Family Practice

The South African Family Practice is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which strives to provide primary care physicians (and their teams), as well as researchers, with a broad range of scholarly work in the disciplines of family medicine, primary health care, rural medicine, district health...
safpj.co.za safpj.co.za

Now:
Approximately 31% of men and 68% of women are classified as obese
Click to expand...
Would you agree with those numbers as per the link?
 
kolaval said:
@BBSA problem is we would not be able to define the average person based on weight, height, age, gender, body shape etc.

Let's go with this:


The growing problem of obesity in South Africa | Govender | South African Family Practice

The South African Family Practice is a peer-reviewed scientific journal, which strives to provide primary care physicians (and their teams), as well as researchers, with a broad range of scholarly work in the disciplines of family medicine, primary health care, rural medicine, district health...
safpj.co.za safpj.co.za

Now:

Would you agree with those numbers as per the link?
Click to expand...
Yes, it sounds about right.
 
BBSA said:
Yes, it sounds about right.
Click to expand...
Then I would say the benefits vastly overshadow any counter arguments.

From Wikipedia:
In August 2024, the SURMOUNT-1 three-year study (176-week treatment period) found that tirzepatide reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% in adults with pre-diabetes and obesity or overweight.
Click to expand...
 
@BBSA
Also do you take any supplements; creatine, whey, pre workout, steroids or TRT therapy etc?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X