Hit A Wall With Weight Loss? Here's How To Know When It Might Be Time To Seek Professional Support

If you've ever found yourself standing in the supermarket trying to decide whether to buy the high-protein yoghurt, the 0% fat one or just the one that actually tastes nice, you're in good company. Health, weight loss, and what's good and bad for our bodies has never been more complicated. One week carbs are the enemy, the next they're back on the menu. Our social feeds are full of conflicting advice and dramatic before and afters, every podcast seems to have a different expert, and suddenly you're scanning the back of your lunch like an investigative journalist.

Many of us have test-driven more than one approach for getting shape over the years. Perhaps it was the juice cleanses of the early 00s, classic calorie counting, intermittent fasting or one of Beyonce's cayenne pepper and water concoctions. Each diet often arrived with plenty of hope, but rarely with the certainty we were looking for. But the truth is, if weight loss was that straight forward, there wouldn't be a new trend to try every week. It's hardly surprising, then, considering current discourse, that so many are now curious about medically assisted weight loss.

What was once something people rarely discussed is now everywhere - from newspaper headlines and podcasts to group chats and social media. Celebrities are speaking publicly about their methods - how could they not, given their transformations are happening in real time before our very eyes. Naturally, it's prompted plenty of questions. Is professional support something I should even be considering? How does it work? And, perhaps most importantly, are they safe and how do you know who to trust?

The truth is, there isn't a checklist - but if you're asking yourself the question, that could be your sign. You don't have to have tried every diet going or reached a certain point before speaking to a healthcare professional. But if you've found yourself caught in a cycle of starting over, feeling like nothing sticks or simply wishing someone could tell you what might actually be right for you, it could be worth exploring your options.

And if that sounds familiar, you're certainly not alone.

Research by online pharmacy MedExpress found that 95% of Brits have come across conflicting weight loss advice, while 73% say researching their options leaves them feeling overwhelmed, stressed or confused.[1] Almost half (46%) say that confusion has delayed their weight loss journey, while one in 10 say it's caused them to stop altogether.[2]

The reality is that obesity is recognised as a medical condition and is associated with an increased risk of long-term health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Professional support won't be the right route for everyone, but if you've reached the point where you're looking for evidence-based advice rather than another opinion online, and want to speak to a healthcare professional, then it's surprisingly easy to take that step.

As with anything health-related, credentials matter. Is the provider regulated by recognised UK healthcare bodies? Will qualified clinicians review your consultation? Is there ongoing support if you have questions after treatment begins? The first thing to check is that any treatment is only prescribed following an assessment by a qualified clinician or GP, based on your individual circumstances. The good news for anyone who struggles to get a GP appointment is that regulated online pharmacies like MedExpress offer secure digital clinical consultations that you complete from the comfort of your home, with every case reviewed by a qualified prescriber before any treatment is approved. In other words, you can access a medical expert without adding another appointment to your calendar.

MedExpress happens to be one of the UK's longest-established online pharmacies, with a team of more than 500 licensed doctors, pharmacists and clinicians reviewing every online consultation. The service is regulated by both the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), has earned more than 30,000 verified five-star Trustpilot reviews and offers continued access to its clinical team throughout treatment, so support doesn't stop once your consultation is complete. No wonder it currently has more than 1.5 million customers on the system.

After selecting a weight management service, you'll complete a short questionnaire from home. The clinical team reviews your answers and, if treatment is clinically suitable, your order is delivered in discreet plain packaging directly to your door for you to begin.

You’ll get ongoing help from their clinical team, who are there to answer your questions so you can feel informed, confident and in control of your care.

The answer depends on the treatment that's approved following an online consultation, so there isn't a single price that fits everyone. What MedExpress does make clear is the cost before you decide to go ahead, so there are no surprises along the way.

If you're thinking about exploring your options, new customers can also receive £50 off your first order over £99* using code FORLIVING50

[1] Nationwide representative survey by MedExpress of 600 UK adults exploring their experiences and perceptions of finding medical advice online.

[2] Haase CL, Eriksen KT, Lopes S, Satylganova A, Schnecke V, McEwan P. Body mass index and risk of obesity-related conditions in a cohort of 2.9 million people: Evidence from a UK primary care database. Obesity Science & Practice, 2021.

[3] Subject to clinical suitability. Treatments are only available following an online consultation and approval by a prescriber. Not all patients will be eligible for treatment.

*Use code FORLIVING50 to receive £50 off a single purchase on your first eligible MedExpress order over £99. Open to UK residents aged 18+. All orders are subject to an online consultation and approval by our clinical team. “First order” applies to your first completed purchase only. Existing customers are not eligible.