If you are taking a GLP 1 weight loss medication and have reached the point where you think, “I give up, I just can’t stick to my healthy routine,” you are not alone.
Weight loss is rarely a perfectly straight journey. There may be weeks when your new habits feel easy and other times when motivation disappears. Reaching a difficult patch does not mean you have failed. It may simply mean that your routine needs to be tweaked.
The goal is not to be perfect every day. It is to find healthy habits that you can realistically continue alongside your GLP 1 journey.
1. Forget the all or nothing approach
One meal, one takeaway or one difficult weekend does not undo everything you have achieved. Instead of thinking, “I’ve ruined it, so I’ll start again on Monday,” concentrate on your next choice. Your next meal can be different. Tomorrow can be more active. Small decisions soon start to add up again.
Some people find the idea of an 80% approach helpful. Rather than expecting every food choice to be perfect, focus on making healthy choices most of the time while allowing room for real life. Remember to notice achievements that have nothing to do with the scales too. Clothes fitting differently, feeling more energetic, sleeping better, walking further or simply feeling more in control can all be important signs of progress.
2. Make your routine easier
Healthy eating can become exhausting when every meal requires planning, shopping and preparation. Try choosing three or four simple meals that you enjoy and can easily repeat. Include sources of protein, fibre, fruit and vegetables where appropriate, and keep ingredients at home that make healthier choices easier on busy days.
The same principle applies to exercise. You do not necessarily need a complicated fitness programme. A walk, gardening, swimming or doing something active with a friend or family member can all help you build movement into everyday life.
Choose something you are more likely to keep doing.
3. Pay attention to nutrition and hydration
GLP 1 medicines can reduce appetite, so it can be particularly important to think about the nutritional quality of the food you are eating rather than simply eating less.
Protein and fibre can form part of a balanced diet and can help with feeling satisfied after meals. Drinking regularly throughout the day is important too. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger, so keeping water close by can be a useful everyday habit.
If you are struggling to eat enough, experiencing persistent side effects or are concerned about your nutrition while taking GLP 1 medication, speak to your GP, pharmacist, prescriber or another qualified healthcare professional.
Your GLP 1 journey does not need to be perfect
Perhaps the most useful question when you feel like giving up is not “Why can’t I stick to this?” Try asking yourself: “What could I change to make this easier to continue?”
Make the walk shorter. Simplify dinner. Prepare tomorrow’s lunch tonight. Put a bottle of water on your desk. Ask someone to join you for a walk.
Then start again with one small change.
Supporting your everyday nutrition with Nourish & Thrive UK
At Nourish & Thrive, we understand that changing the way you eat can also change your everyday nutritional routine. Our range of food supplements has been developed to provide simple support as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Our range includes vegan multivitamins, magnesium, vitamin B complex, zinc, psyllium husk and other everyday nutritional products.
Supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and they are not a substitute for your prescribed GLP 1 medication or professional medical advice.
Most importantly, do not judge your whole journey by one difficult week. Keep it simple, make the routine work for your life and concentrate on the next healthy choice.
www.nourishandthrive.uk
I Give Up: How to Stay Motivated on Your GLP 1 Weight Loss Journey
If you are taking a GLP 1 weight loss medication and have reached the point where you think, “I give up, I just can’t stick to my healthy routine,” you are not alone.
Weight loss is rarely a perfectly straight journey. There may be weeks when your new habits feel easy and other times when motivation disappears. Reaching a difficult patch does not mean you have failed. It may simply mean that your routine needs to be tweaked.
The goal is not to be perfect every day. It is to find healthy habits that you can realistically continue alongside your GLP 1 journey.
1. Forget the all or nothing approach
One meal, one takeaway or one difficult weekend does not undo everything you have achieved. Instead of thinking, “I’ve ruined it, so I’ll start again on Monday,” concentrate on your next choice. Your next meal can be different. Tomorrow can be more active. Small decisions soon start to add up again.
Some people find the idea of an 80% approach helpful. Rather than expecting every food choice to be perfect, focus on making healthy choices most of the time while allowing room for real life. Remember to notice achievements that have nothing to do with the scales too. Clothes fitting differently, feeling more energetic, sleeping better, walking further or simply feeling more in control can all be important signs of progress.
2. Make your routine easier
Healthy eating can become exhausting when every meal requires planning, shopping and preparation. Try choosing three or four simple meals that you enjoy and can easily repeat. Include sources of protein, fibre, fruit and vegetables where appropriate, and keep ingredients at home that make healthier choices easier on busy days.
The same principle applies to exercise. You do not necessarily need a complicated fitness programme. A walk, gardening, swimming or doing something active with a friend or family member can all help you build movement into everyday life.
Choose something you are more likely to keep doing.
3. Pay attention to nutrition and hydration
GLP 1 medicines can reduce appetite, so it can be particularly important to think about the nutritional quality of the food you are eating rather than simply eating less.
Protein and fibre can form part of a balanced diet and can help with feeling satisfied after meals. Drinking regularly throughout the day is important too. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger, so keeping water close by can be a useful everyday habit.
If you are struggling to eat enough, experiencing persistent side effects or are concerned about your nutrition while taking GLP 1 medication, speak to your GP, pharmacist, prescriber or another qualified healthcare professional.
Your GLP 1 journey does not need to be perfect
Perhaps the most useful question when you feel like giving up is not “Why can’t I stick to this?” Try asking yourself: “What could I change to make this easier to continue?”
Make the walk shorter. Simplify dinner. Prepare tomorrow’s lunch tonight. Put a bottle of water on your desk. Ask someone to join you for a walk.
Then start again with one small change.
Supporting your everyday nutrition with Nourish & Thrive UK
At Nourish & Thrive, we understand that changing the way you eat can also change your everyday nutritional routine. Our range of food supplements has been developed to provide simple support as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Our range includes vegan multivitamins, magnesium, vitamin B complex, zinc, psyllium husk and other everyday nutritional products.
Supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and they are not a substitute for your prescribed GLP 1 medication or professional medical advice.
Most importantly, do not judge your whole journey by one difficult week. Keep it simple, make the routine work for your life and concentrate on the next healthy choice.
www.nourishandthrive.uk