Weight loss medications such as GLP-1 injections have become increasingly popular and for good reason. When used appropriately, they can be an effective tool for supporting weight loss and improving metabolic health.
However, GLP-1 medications are not a quick fix. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend intensive behavioural support and long-term comprehensive care alongside GLP-1 medications. Without the right medical and nutritional support, taking these medications can carry risks including muscle loss, nutritional deficiencies and poor long‑term outcomes.
In this article, we explain how to lose weight safely with GLP-1 weight loss medication, what the evidence shows works best, and why a clinically supported approach like Willow Health’s Transform Package makes all the difference.
What are GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications?
GLP-1 medications (such as Mounjaro© and Wegovy©) work by:
This can make it easier to eat less and lose weight – particularly for individuals who have struggled with appetite regulation or metabolic health.
But appetite suppression alone does not equal healthy or sustainable weight loss.
Why Losing Weight Safely Matters
When weight loss happens too quickly or without proper support, research shows there is a higher risk of:
This is why evidence-based guidelines emphasise that GLP-1 medications should be used alongside lifestyle and nutritional support.
Key Principles of Safe, Evidence-Based Weight Loss with GLP-1's
1. Protecting Muscle Mass and Bone Health
Preserving muscle mass and supporting bone health is crucial during weight loss, particularly as we age. Rapid or poorly supported weight loss can be associated with loss of lean mass, which is why our approach at Willow Health focuses on how weight is lost, not just how much.
At Willow Health we use body composition scales that estimate:
These measurements help us to review changes in trends over time and are clinically useful. They allow us to monitor whether weight loss is coming predominantly from fat mass rather than lean tissue, and to intervene early if needed.
Crucially, we don’t rely on measurements alone. Preventing muscle loss is achieved through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies, which form the foundation of the Transform Package.
This includes:
From an evidence-based perspective, muscle loss is not inevitable during weight loss when the rate of weight loss, nutrition and activity are appropriately managed. These principles are central to how we support long-term health at Willow Health and a key reason why dietitian-led, medically supported weight loss is different from online-only prescriptions.
2. Medical Oversight and Monitoring
GLP-1 medications affect appetite, digestion and metabolism meaning medical oversight is essential.
Safe use includes:
This level of monitoring is often missing when medications are prescribed online without in-person follow-up.
3. Nutrition Still Matters – Even When Appetite Is Reduced
A common misconception is that weight loss medications replace the need for good nutrition.
In reality, reduced appetite can increase the risk of:
Dietitian-led support helps ensure that even with a smaller appetite, your intake remains:
4. Monitoring Cardiometabolic Health
Weight loss isn’t just about the number on the scales.
Evidence shows that improvements in health markers such as:
are key indicators of long-term health benefits.
At Willow Health, routine blood pressure monitoring is included, with optional blood tests available for those who want deeper insight into their cardiometabolic health.
At Willow Health, weight loss injections are delivered as part of the Transform Package – a clinically supported programme led by a GP and Specialist Dietitian.
This means:
This approach goes far beyond simply buying weight loss injections online.
If you’re considering GLP-1 weight loss medication, choosing the right support matters.
