Weight loss drugs offer a fantastic opportunity to millions across the globe, providing a relatively simple and quick solution to shedding the pounds that's becoming more accessible by the year.
That doesn't mean that it's not without any downsides though, as there's a number of concerning side effects that you have to contend with alongside general fears from medical experts over the long-term consequences.
Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro have proven to be genuinely life-changing for many though, as we can see the almost immediate impact that these GLP-1 jabs have had through impressive survey data.
One Mounjaro user has outlined the 'biggest mistakes' he encountered during his time on the drug, as while it allowed him to drop nine stone (57 kg) in just ten months, that didn't come without its challenges.
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Marc McKee – also known by his social media handle @my.journey.with.marc – has been incredibly open about his weight transformation, as he went from 23 stone and 4 pounds down to 14 stone and 7 pounds through the use of Mounjaro.
There are a number of mistakes that he wishes someone had told me when he started his journey, and he's outlined them all in a TikTok to provide guidance and awareness for others that are either thinking of taking GLP-1s or have already began the process.
His first mistake involves not planning ahead for social events, as there are a number of foods that you simply won't be able to have without difficultly while taking these drugs.
"I'd wing it and then end up buying something that didn't sit right, or felt pressured into just fitting it in," he explains, urging people to check the menu of places before you head out so you know what you're getting into.
Next up is something that can apply to broader life, and it's letting the opinions of others influence him. He was often told that he 'didn't need' Mounjaro and that he should 'just be healthy' instead, but the jabs were the right thing for him and they've had an undeniable effect on his life.
Another key piece of advice is to not compare yourself to others, and that's especially dangerous when you're in the middle of a weight loss journey as everybody else is a benchmark that you've potentially not reached quite yet.
While weight loss jabs do tend to provide faster results, everyone progresses at a different rate, and just because you're going faster or slower that your peers that doesn't mean that you're doing something wrong.
"It's a trap," Marc asserts, noting that "their body isn't your body, and comparison stalls momentum."
His fourth major mistake was not dressing properly for his changing body, which is something most people won't consider before taking the drugs.
Losing that much weight over a short period of time is bound to leave most of your former wardrobe unwearable, and opting for the wrong style of clothes – in Marc's case, oversized fits – can leave you short of confidence and feeling like you're not seeing as much change as you hoped you would.
Last but certainly not least is waiting too long to build new habits, and that's what will genuinely transform these jabs from a short term fix to a long term revolution, as it's about adapting your life as well as your weight.
"I treated it like a quick fix at first, but when I focused on routines, sleep, hydration, movement, that's when things started to feel sustainable," explained Marc, and it's some of the best advice you can receive.