Dark Side of Weight Loss Pills — And the Diet That Actually Works

Vicki Witt
Dec 2, 2025
4 min read

Weight loss drugs have gotten a lot of news lately, so it comes as no surprise that people are especially excited by the recent FDA approval of a pill version of Wegovy. But weight loss drugs might not be as effective in the long term as diet and exercise.

Dark Side of Weight Loss Pills — And the Diet That Actually Works

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a brand name for a semaglutide medication which is part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists type of drugs. Another brand name of GLP1-1s is Ozempic. They were originally used to treat type 2 diabetes but are now commonly prescribed for weight loss. Wegovy is now available in pill form, in addition to the traditional injectable form.

Weight loss results

Let’s start by comparing the results of the pill form of GLP1s to the traditional form of weight loss - diet and exercise.

In the review of this new form of GLP1s, participants took either a Wegovy pill or a placebo for 64 weeks. Those who took Wegovy lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight vs 2.2% for the placebo group.

On the other hand, a personalized approach combining the right diet and exercise can deliver even greater weight loss—often faster than with weight loss drugs—and, most importantly, results that are both sustainable and life-changing. My custom plans are tailored to your unique needs, lifestyle, and goals, ensuring healthy changes without quick fixes or unpleasant side effects. With the right coaching and guidance, you can achieve the best results possible—protecting your metabolism, maintaining muscle, and while improving overall health.

Book a free nutrition assessment today and let’s create a plan that helps you lose weight safely, effectively, and achieve sustainable, life-changing results.

Body Composition

Body composition is arguably more important than weight alone. Body composition refers to how much muscle and fat you have. Muscle is denser than fat so it takes up less space giving you a leaner appearance at the same weight. When you have more muscle relative to fat, your metabolism is increased, meaning you burn more fat.

When you lose weight with just weight loss drugs that weight will be a combination of fat, muscle, body water and bone. This means not only a slower metabolism, but a loss of strength and the ability to perform daily tasks as you get older.

By focusing on the right combination of diet and exercise—including strength training—you can specifically target fat while preserving and even building muscle. This approach not only helps you look and feel better but also supports long-term health, strength, and vitality.

Other Health Benefits

GLP-1 medications like the Wegovy pill do offer some benefits—they can help lower blood sugar (their original purpose) and may reduce the risk of certain diseases linked to high blood sugar or obesity.

But a well-designed diet and exercise program delivers far greater, life-changing results. Many benefits can appear even before significant weight loss, including:

Significantly reducing your risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
Supporting hormonal balance, which can improve mood, metabolism, and overall health
Boosting energy, mental clarity, and daily performance
Improving mental health, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
Lowering your risk of developing cancer
Strengthening muscles and bones, supporting long-term mobility, independence, and quality of life
Enhancing your overall quality of life—so you can enjoy your lifestyle, social events, and favorite activities without restriction

Benefits of diet and exercise for overall health

Unlike relying on a pill, a tailored diet and exercise plan gives you total control over your health, optimizes your body composition, enhances energy and performance, and builds habits that last a lifetime—without side effects or quick fixes.

Weight regain

Most people who stop taking GLP1s regain the weight they’ve lost. A weight loss program that includes sustainable changes to diet and includes an exercise program is much easier to maintain (and the results last). My programs include delicious meals that won’t feel like a sacrifice.

What you can do

The right weight loss program combining diet and exercise is most likely to be successful and sustainable. Here are some things that are important when choosing a weight loss program:

Don’t rely on quick fixes, or ultra low calories which will result in muscle loss
Includes an exercise plan, especially a resistance training program to maintain muscle
Limit processed foods
Include lean protein and non starchy vegetables
Have a transition or maintenance plan to make sure you don’t gain the weight back when your program ends
Get professional help

How to make the most of diet and exercise

How I can help make diet and exercise work for you

The biggest problem with relying on diet and exercise for weight loss is trying to make changes without support, or getting support that doesn’t take your unique needs into account. With my programs, we work together to create a personalized plan designed around your body chemistry, lifestyle, preferences, and goals. You’ll receive the guidance and support you need to not only reach your weight loss goals but also maintain them for the long term—without feeling deprived or restricted.

With my programs, we work together to create a personalized plan designed around your body chemistry, lifestyle, preferences, and goals. You’ll receive the guidance and support you need to not only reach your weight loss goals but also maintain them for the long term—without feeling deprived or restricted.

Book a free nutrition assessment

Warm wishes,

About Vicki:

Vicki Witt is a Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Coach, and Reiki Master. She has been practicing over 25 years and specializes in holistically customizing diet and lifestyle plans to each individual for weight loss and hormonal control. Her clientele often report they feel the best they have ever felt and wish they had started sooner. One of the USA and Australia's top Nutritionists, she has won multiple awards for her services in the industry.