Dear Dáithí: Is it ‘cheating’ to go for a quick-fix weight-loss option?

I do snack a lot between activities — there's a café at the gym, so that undoes all the good of my workout. But is it 'cheating' to just go for a quick fix?

Dear Dáithí,

You’re probably sick of seeing articles and social media posts about all these weight-loss injections — I know I am. But, I still read every single one.

I am just so torn about whether I should try them. There are concerns about side effects, but there are side effects to every medication and treatment, aren’t there?

I am on the larger side and have been for quite a few years now. I am active, but I do love my food. I go for lunch with friends maybe twice a week, and I go out with my mum and aunt for afternoon tea at weekends every so often, and myself and my partner go out for dinner with friends quite often too.

While I’m being honest here, I do snack a lot between activities — there’s a café at the gym, so that undoes all the good of my workout. And there’s a lovely coffee pod at both ends of my morning walk with the dogs.

I don’t have children, so it’s been too easy lately to go out mid-week and have wine with a meal before the cinema or theatre.

I know the real answer would be to cut out all the nice things and just work out harder, but it’s so hard to do that.

I feel like I would be a better and more active person if I could just step out of the ‘fat suit’ I’m wearing and that would make me healthier in the long run, wouldn’t it?

But is it ‘cheating’ to just go for a quick fix? And I do worry about doing long-term damage to my health by taking a medication that I don’t totally need to take.

I never tried a gastric band as that felt like it would be invasive and taking it too seriously, but these jabs sound like a really efficient and easy fix. And it is for my health in the long run as I’ll be more motivated to go for a run if I’m thin. What do you reckon?

Dáithí Ó Sé: 'With eating well and exercise combined, the overall health benefits are just better in my eyes, not to mind what it will do for your mental health. I’m down almost two stones since this time late year and that's how I did it!' Picture: Domnick Walsh

Well, I reckon you know what you want but are unsure about how to do it.

And yes, I’m sick of all those weight-loss ads and the slim pictures that go with them putting pressure on people after Christmas.

But the weight-loss injections are relatively new to me and we have seen a lot of them in the last few months. I don’t know a whole lot about them, and the problem is a lot of people take these without speaking to their doctor first.

You have concerns about the side effects, and being concerned about the long-term effects is only natural too.

So, before you do anything else, chat to your doctor — especially if you are on other medication. And don’t buy anything like this online!

One of the problems with us these days is that we want instant results. And another is that we take the fastest and easiest way to achieve our goals, and these injections seem to fall into this category

Now there are people who medically need injections like this, but after that are the lines blurred as to who really needs them? I don’t know. So, get professional advice on this.

You sound like a lot of people I know and like myself too at certain times of year when I’m tired and not eating properly ... and before I know it the scale is more like a speedometer on the motorway.

I was once asked if I struggled with my weight and I answered no, I struggle with discipline when it comes to food and exercise — and I think you are the same. We need to rewire our minds with this, so the issue is discipline more than a weight problem.

From your letter, you can see what you are doing. To add to this, you are in a cycle and that needs to be broken. So, I think we need to look into these two things and we will go a long way.

Again, like you, I love my food and I eat all the good stuff but not as much as I did. There is no point in starting off on a crazy diet that is unappetising and that you won’t stick to.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

This is where a food plan can be great. I know if you would have said "food plan" to me a few years ago, I’d be getting my coat. But they look at the food you’re eating, what’s in it, and they work.

I remember watching a show one day and it showed me how many spoons of sugar were in a can of a certain drink. At the time I used to drink one a day, now I drink one a year at most. You should do the same when it comes to exercise. When you add eating well and exercise together, you get that added dopamine hit of working hard and realising the benefits.

I know this is not the quick fix you’re looking for, and if you were looking for me to give you the easy option with this you have come to the wrong place. 

The real reason is that this is what I’d do and have done myself. With eating well and exercise combined, the overall health benefits are just better in my eyes — not to mind what it will do for your mental health.

You sound like you have a great life and that should not change. But, if you change your lifestyle, you will live a longer one.

People put a lot of pressure on themselves at the start of the year or for Lent, but the truth here is you can start tomorrow morning if you want. I wouldn’t be waiting for anyone or thing: This is your story and only you can control what happens so get moving, even if it’s only the plan you lay out in the morning, it’s a start.

Here is another thing — and I found that this worked well for me — don’t tell anyone.

The more people you tell your plans, the more they have an opinion on things and if you were having a bad day, they might drag you down to their level. Your body will give you all the praise you need, and so will the scale when you stand on it.

Don’t worry if you fall off the wagon, get back on it the following day, that’s what I did.

This is how I would go about this dilemma before I would try anything else, it’s a step being sidestepped these days for an easier path. You asked and I answered.

By the way, I’m down almost two stone since this time last year and that’s how I did it!