Preparing your Shotlee experience
As the effects of weight loss medications like Mounjaro or Wegovy potentially diminish, some may be tempted to explore social media tricks. Discover scientifically-informed strategies to enhance your weight loss journey and overcome plateaus.
After several months using weight management injections like Wegovy or Mounjaro, the initial appetite suppression might lessen, potentially causing a stall in weight loss. Before increasing dosage, it's tempting to consider strategies shared on social media. But are these methods scientifically sound and effective?
Numerous TikTok videos suggest faster weight loss by switching injection sites from the abdomen to the upper arm or thigh, or alternating between arms. Some even propose 'spot fat reduction' by targeting specific body parts weekly.
Official guidelines recommend injecting into fatty tissue in the abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm. However, a growing online sentiment suggests that certain body areas may be more suitable, and regular site changes could potentially improve the drug's efficacy and break through weight-loss plateaus.
While there's no scientific evidence to support these claims, injection site effectiveness can vary based on individual fat distribution.
The purpose of injecting into fatty tissue is to slow down absorption, ensuring the medication's effects are evenly distributed over the seven days between injections. When introduced into fat, the drug binds to proteins in the bloodstream, acting as carriers that extend its presence and prevent rapid breakdown, maintaining its activity for days instead of hours.
According to Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy at Chemist4U, 'absorption can slightly vary depending on the amount of fat tissue in the injection area.'
He notes that the stomach often provides the most consistent medication uptake because most individuals have a substantial, evenly distributed fat layer there. Absorption remains consistent regardless of abdominal fat quantity.
However, with weight loss, fat deposits in the thighs and upper arms might shrink, increasing the likelihood of injecting into muscle instead of fat.
Dr. Dean Jones, a US obesity specialist and GLP-1 coach, cautions that injecting into muscle could accelerate the activation of the dose, potentially leading to side effects, and the benefits might not last as long. 'Intramuscular injection does change absorption,' he says. 'It makes it faster and less predictable.'
Therefore, if there is a good layer of subcutaneous fat on your upper arms or thighs, it won't make any real difference which of the recommended sites you use - as long as you keep either rotating between these sites or slightly shifting where you stick the needle in each time.
Avoid injecting in the exact same spot weekly, as this can damage tissue, causing lipohypertrophy, which impairs absorption. This is why it's advised to avoid injecting too close to the belly button, where fatty tissue can be uneven and scar tissue from piercings or surgery can hinder absorption.
The stomach offers the advantage of accessibility and ease of injection site rotation, in addition to often being the most reliable source of fatty tissue.
Online support groups frequently discuss the 'best' injection day, with some influencers asserting faster weight loss by shifting injections to the beginning or end of the week.
Many prefer injecting on Fridays to maximize appetite suppression during the weekend and minimize work impact from potential side effects like tiredness or nausea.
Conversely, others favor Monday injections to start the week on track and reduce the risk of 'Mounjaro kicking' (nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea) potentially worsened by weekend indulgences.
Most users report the strongest suppression occurs between days two and five, suggesting adjusting injection timing to coincide with the 'toughest' days when appetite control is most beneficial. Health tracking apps like Shotlee can help monitor your body's response and identify these patterns.
Murphy emphasizes that there is no 'magic day' for injections. 'The most important message is consistency,' he says. 'The medication works best when your levels are kept steady week to week, so pick a day which works for you and stick with it.'
He stresses the importance of maintaining seven-day intervals between doses. However, if you have a holiday planned and wish to inject before traveling, you can gradually advance your injection day by one day each week leading up to the trip.
TikTok discussions suggest injecting in the evening to sleep through potential nausea or fatigue, but the time of day shouldn't affect the injection's effectiveness.
'Your choice of timing comes down to how you respond to the injection,' says Murphy. 'It's about finding the rhythm which suits your body and lifestyle.'
Choose a convenient, memorable, and distraction-free time. The injections bypass the digestive system, so it doesn't matter if your stomach is full or empty.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication or supplement.
Original content from Daily Mail Online
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