The holidays are notoriously a time for feasting, but for thousands of people on weight loss injections, it’s tough to have their Christmas fruitcake and eat it too. That’s why many are choosing to pause their medications for a little while.
In fact, according to a recent survey by weight loss company Levity, about one in six said they’re skipping the weight loss drugs during the holidays. For most of them (79%), it’s so they can indulge in all the holiday food like they want to.
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On top of the list of holiday temptations are Christmas cookies and sweets. More than half (54%) said they’re skipping the medication for those goodies in particular.
While skipping some doses sounds like a delicious plan, it’s not necessarily a safe one. Levity found about two-thirds (63%) of people pausing their meds haven’t talked to a doctor first, and a third (34%) are not aware of potential side effects.
Doctors said taking a short break from weight loss medications can have long-lasting effects, including gaining some of the weight back, mood changes and more cravings. They also said people can’t just jump back into taking weight loss medication like they were before. They said easing back into it carefully is key and advise talking with a doctor to come up with a plan to gradually reintroduce the treatment and minimize side effects.
Even under a doctor’s supervision, weight loss injections are known for their unpleasant side effects, especially gastrointestinal issues.