The Best Treatment For Weight Loss Starts With A Private GP

Looking for the best weight loss treatment? 

For a lot of us, losing weight can be hard, and there are many reasons for that: From lifestyle factors such as a poor relationship with food and sleep deprivation, to biological and medical reasons such as high insulin levels, chronic stress, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

There is still very much a stigma around why some people struggle to lose weight. However, losing weight is much more complex than the idea that obesity is simply down to willpower, according to Nutritionist Resource.

If you’ve been struggling to lose weight, don’t panic. You are probably putting a lot of pressure on yourself and need some expert advice and guidance.

In this guide, we will reassure you that weight-loss treatments aren’t one-size-fits-all and explore the different types, from weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro to a balanced diet and regular exercise, or a combination of all three.

We’ll also highlight why seeing a private GP may just be what you need – let’s start your weight loss journey together.

Why Weight Loss Treatments Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All

According to NHS England, obesity is a major problem in England and globally – 30% of adults in 2024 (aged 16 and over) were reported to be living with obesity, with a higher proportion affecting men (70%) than women (62%). 

And the reasons for this vary. Healthline identified 14 different reasons as to why you might be struggling to lose weight, even when you’re doing all the things you were told to do.

Here are the most common reasons people struggle to lose weight:

Why you might be struggling to lose weight
Losing weight without realising	Don’t rely solely on the scale. It’s better to measure your waist circumference and body fat once a month.
Eating too much	Binge eating, eating too fast, and not keeping track of what you’re eating.
Not eating enough protein	Protein can help you lose weight and belly fat, so increase your protein intake.
Lack of whole foods	Food quality over quantity. Whole foods tend to be more filling than processed foods.
Not enough exercise	Combined with the right diet approach, regular exercise can help with weight loss.
Too much sugar in your drinks	Fizzy drinks contain a lot of sugar, but so can fruit and health juices.
Not sleeping well	Not enough sleep and sleeping too much are associated with obesity. The ideal amount for adults is 7-8 hours a night.
Not cutting back on carbs	A low-carb diet is an effective short-term strategy for losing weight.
Eating too often	Some snacking won’t hurt, but make sure you’re snacking on healthy foods. Excessive eating will increase your calorie intake.
Not drinking enough water	Staying hydrated can help boost your metabolism. Drink a glass of water before every meal.
Drinking too much alcohol	Evidence on alcohol and weight gain is mixed. Alcohol drinks are generally higher in calories, so try to reduce, or if drinking spirits, mix with low-calorie mixers.
You have a medical condition	Some medical conditions make it harder to lose weight, including diabetes, the menopause, hypothyroidism and PCOS. Certain medications can also make it harder to lose weight. Speak to your GP if you’re unsure.
Eating overly processed food	Addiction to highly processed foods is increasing. Consider seeking professional help if you notice strong food cravings.
Expectations are unrealistic	Losing weight takes time, which is why a lot of people lose patience and don’t reach their goals. Make sure your weight loss plan is tailored to you and your needs.

The main thing to remember is that everyone is different, and that there may be a combination of the above reasons as to why you’re not noticing a difference.

Whether it’s setting unrealistic expectations, living with a medical condition, or sleep deprivation, people can’t follow the same weight loss plan.

Understanding your own body and what’s right for you is an important part of the process. Which is why seeking professional help is a great way to ensure your plan is tailored to you and what you need.

Whether that’s through dieting, regular exercise, weight-loss medications, or a combination of all three. What worked for your friend may not work for you, and that’s okay.

What a lot of people don’t realise is that weight loss takes time, which is often why people tend to give up in the first few weeks. They don’t notice the numbers coming off the scales, so they continue to fall back into bad habits. 

Research identifies other factors to consider, other than the scales, that you may not have thought of yet. These are definite wins and something to motivate you to keep going on your weight loss journey:

• Increase in energy
• Better sleep
• Looser clothing
• Stronger and longer workouts
• Healthier diet habits
• Improved confidence

The Best Treatment For Weight Loss: Medication, Lifestyle, Or Both

As we already highlighted, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. However, there is a combination of different treatments that are proven to help you lose weight.

From weight loss medication to changes in lifestyle, including adopting a healthier diet and regular exercise, let’s look at these in more detail. 

Weight Loss Medication – GLP-1s

We’d be surprised if you haven’t already heard of weight loss medication, as prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss drugs have surged over the past five years, according to The Health Foundation.  

Weight loss injections such as Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Wegovy) are two weight loss treatments that we provide at The Lagom Clinic and are licensed across private clinics across the UK to help support weight loss.

These types of treatments have been shown to be very effective in reducing people’s body weight and improving overall health outcomes. However, it’s important not to think of them as a “quick fix”. 

The British Heart Foundation states that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends eating a reduced-calorie diet and doing more physical activity alongside using weight-loss injections.

Weight-loss injections also have side effects including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting, so it’s essential to consult with your GP before taking them to understand exactly what they are, the benefits and the risks or side effects involved.

A Healthy Diet

Not everyone can or wants to take weight-loss medications, and that’s okay. There are lots of other ways to lose weight naturally, including a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Adopting a healthy diet sounds fairly simple, but it can be quite confusing with all the different advice online.

See below simple tips supported by the NHS for adopting a healthy diet when trying to lose weight:

Aim for 2 or more portions of vegetables in your main meal	Prioritise protein in each meal such as beans, pulses, fish, eggs or lean meat
Eat no more than a third of starchy foods a day such as potatoes, bread and rice. (Aim for wholegrain)	Try to aim to have 2 portions of fish a week
Choose low-fat, low-sugar dairy products	Only have small amounts of oils and spreads as they are high in fat. Choose olive, sunflower or rapeseed.
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks as much as possible and swap them for healthy alternatives.	Try to drink 6 to 8 cups of fluid a day to stay hydrated.
Fruit juice and smoothies sound healthy but contain a lot of sugar. Limit your intake.	Alcohol is high in calories and makes you feel hungrier. Cutting it down can help you towards you weight loss goals.

It’s also important to consider the portion size so you’re not overeating. You can do this by:

• Using smaller plates to help you serve less food.
• Measuring and weighing the food or ingredients to help you use less.
• Tracking your calories to understand exactly how much you’re eating, not just what you’re eating.

This, combined with regular exercise, is ideal for weight loss.

Regular Exercise 

Exercise and movement are great for both physical and mental wellbeing, and the benefits extend well beyond the scales. 

The Times highlights how physical exercise can reduce not only weight loss but also the risk of things such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Not to mention improving sleep, boosting energy levels, and enhancing your sex life.

Regular exercise that can help with weight loss includes:

• Cardiovascular Exercise – running, jogging, cycling, swimming, brisk walking
• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – burpees, mountain climbers, circuit training
• Strength Training – weightlifting, resistance exercises, bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges)
• Group Fitness Classes – spin, Zumba, dance cardio, kickboxing 

And when combined with a healthy diet can significantly increase your chances of losing weight.

Now, although it is possible to achieve weight loss through exercise only, it is harder to keep at it, especially if it isn’t something you do often. To lose weight, you need a calorie deficit – this means using up more energy than you get from eating and drinking. 

More exercise can increase your appetite, so changing your diet as well as introducing physical activity is a lot more effective and can lead to better results, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

The best thing is to gradually increase these changes, and when it comes to exercise, pick something that you’re going to enjoy doing, as you’re more likely to stick with it.

Try not to go too hard too soon, as this often leads to quitting early. Start small and build it up, and if you’re still struggling, ask for professional help. 

Why See A Private GP Instead Of Going It Alone

If you want to lose weight and don’t know where to start, or if you’ve tried losing weight but are still struggling, then consider booking an appointment with a private GP.

Seeing a private GP offers a more personalised approach – longer appointments to discuss and understand your lifestyle and medical history, which means receiving a tailored weight-loss plan to help you reach your goals.

Having that extra bit of support, rather than going it alone, can also make the whole process feel less overwhelming. There are lots of different apps, weight-loss programmes and contradictory advice online, so it’s important to get advice from a health professional.

Ongoing support with your private GP can also help when you feel like you’ve plateaued on your weight-loss journey. They can help identify the root cause of the problem and adjust your plan as required, offering regular check-ins to help you keep moving forward.

The biggest difference between the NHS and private GP appointments is also less waiting time. 

If you’re considering weight loss treatments such as GLP-1 medication, you are more likely to access it privately, as the availability of these on the NHS is limited. This is because the NHS prioritises high-risk patients such as those with type 2 diabetes and other medical conditions.

Need help accessing weight-loss medication? Contact our team today to find out if you’re eligible.

How To Get The Best Treatment For Weight Loss – The Lagom Clinic

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for weight loss, no matter what anyone tells you.

At The Lagom Clinic, we take a balanced and holistic approach:

1. Understand and assess your lifestyle and overall health.
2. Create a tailored treatment plan (combining GLP-1 medication (if required) with dietary and exercise recommendations).
3. Provide ongoing support and aftercare to adjust the plan when/if needed.

Our doctors specialise in weight loss and have experience prescribing GLP1 medications and supporting patients with lifestyle modification. 

Unlike online pharmacies, you will receive a personalised weight-loss plan and access to ongoing support to encourage healthy habits that aim to deliver lasting health benefits.

Book an appointment or call us today to discuss how we can support you in reaching your weight-loss goals and take the first step to a happier, healthier you.