Jump to: The biological reality of obesity | Mounjaro: A window of opportunity, not a shortcut | Individual variation and long-term considerations | Practical guidance for handling the ‘cheating’ conversation | Common questions about Mounjaro and ‘cheating’ | Take home message
Taking Mounjaro for weight loss is not cheating. It’s a medically approved treatment for a recognised health condition that affects approximately 28% of adults in England.
An additional 36% of people in England are overweight, so 64% of adults in England are either overweight or obese.
Many people feel shame or secrecy around using weight-loss medications due to societal stigma, but there’s no more reason to consider it ‘cheating’ than taking insulin for diabetes or medication for high blood pressure.
If you’ve wondered whether using Mounjaro means you’re taking the ‘easy way out,’ you’re not alone.
UK forum discussions show this is a common concern, with many users hiding their medication use from friends and family to avoid judgment.
But the perspective that taking Mounjaro is cheating misunderstands both the nature of obesity and how these medications actually work.
Weight management involves complex biological factors that go far beyond personal willpower.
Mounjaro provides a window of opportunity to develop sustainable habits while addressing the biological drivers of weight gain; it doesn’t replace the need for lifestyle changes, but makes them possible for many who’ve struggled for years to lose and maintain weight loss.
Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about the complexity of weight loss and why weight-loss injections like Mounjaro aren’t cheating.
The biological reality of obesity
The idea that obesity is simply about laziness or lack of willpower is outdated and contradicted by scientific evidence.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has established obesity as a chronic disease with complex biological underpinnings, not a character flaw or moral failing.
Our body actively resists weight loss through several biological mechanisms:
- Hormonal adaptations: When we lose weight, hunger hormones like ghrelin increase, while fullness hormones like GLP-1 decrease, creating persistent feelings of hunger.
- Metabolic adaptation: Our metabolism slows significantly after weight loss, requiring fewer calories to maintain our new weight.
- Neural circuitry: Brain imaging studies reveal differences in how the brains of individuals living with obesity respond to food cues, making it harder to resist temptation.
Mendelian randomisation studies have identified genetic factors that affect brain structure and function, predisposing some people to weight gain.
The brain has different regions that control appetite, cravings, and our ability to resist temptation.
This research suggests that some individuals are born with variations in these brain regions, which make it more challenging for them to manage their cravings and maintain a healthier weight.
It’s not about willpower; their brains are structured in a way that increases hunger signals and makes food more rewarding.
This explains why the ‘eat less, move more’ approach fails for over 80% of people in the long term.
Traditional dieting methods often fail to address the biological systems that work against sustained weight loss.
Taking medication for a biological condition isn’t cheating; it’s addressing the root cause of the problem for many people.
At Second Nature, many of our members describe having “never felt full” before taking the medication and how they’ve always had persistent thoughts about food, also termed ‘food noise’.
Mounjaro: A window of opportunity, not a shortcut
Medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) work by mimicking natural hormones that regulate hunger, fullness, and blood sugar levels. This creates a unique window of opportunity to develop healthy habits while the medication lowers hunger and cravings.
Consider these facts about Mounjaro:
- It doesn’t magically dissolve fat; we still need to develop healthy eating habits and eat in a calorie deficit to lose weight
- You still need to make food choices, plan meals, and develop sustainable eating patterns
- Physical activity remains essential for overall health and weight maintenance in the long term
- The medication addresses biological drivers that make sustainable habits possible
Rather than a shortcut, Mounjaro is more like scaffolding: temporary support that helps you build something that lasts in the long term.
This period of reduced hunger and food preoccupation gives you the chance to:
- Learn what appropriate portion sizes look and feel like
- Develop new cooking skills and meal planning habits
- Find enjoyable forms of physical activity
- Create strategies for managing stress and other challenging emotions without turning to food
- Build sustainable routines around sleep, hydration, and nutrition
Individual variation and long-term considerations
While many people hope to stop taking Mounjaro eventually, there’s growing recognition that some individuals may benefit from longer-term treatment due to genetic and biological factors.
We know there’s significant individual variation in response to both lifestyle interventions and medications.
Some people experience dramatic improvements with minimal intervention, while others struggle despite their best efforts due to biological factors largely outside their control.
For those with strong genetic predispositions to obesity, medications may be necessary long-term, just as someone with type 1 diabetes requires insulin. This doesn’t represent a failure of willpower or discipline, but rather an appropriate medical response to a biological condition.
There are several potential approaches to using weight-loss medications, all of which are valid depending on individual circumstances:
- Short-term use (6 months to 2 years): Using medication temporarily to establish healthy habits and then maintaining without it
- Long-term use (2 years+): Continuing medication indefinitely due to biological needs or health benefits
- Combined approach: Using medication alongside comprehensive lifestyle support for optimal results
At Second Nature, we believe there’s no single ‘right’ approach; the best treatment is whatever helps the individual achieve better health sustainably, with or without long-term medication.
Practical guidance for handling the ‘cheating’ conversation
If you’re using Mounjaro and are concerned about others’ reactions, these strategies may help:
When to disclose medication use
This is entirely your choice. You’re not obligated to share your medical treatments with anyone. Consider:
- Will this person be supportive of your health journey?
- Do they need to know for practical reasons (like meal planning or support)?
- Would sharing help reduce stigma for others?
Responding to ‘cheating’ comments
If someone suggests you’re ‘cheating’ by using medication, these responses might help:
- ‘Would you tell someone with diabetes they’re cheating by taking insulin?’
- ‘This medication helps me manage a medical condition, just like any other treatment.’
- ‘I’m still doing the work of changing my habits; the medication just makes it possible.’
- ‘The science shows obesity has biological causes that sometimes need medical treatment.’
Supporting yourself emotionally
- Connect with others using similar medications through support groups
- Remember that obesity stigma reflects others’ misconceptions, not your worth
- Focus on health improvements beyond weight (energy, sleep, mood, etc.)
- Celebrate the habits you’re building alongside medication
Common questions about Mounjaro and ‘cheating’
Does Mounjaro work without lifestyle changes?
While Mounjaro can produce weight loss without significant lifestyle changes, the results are typically better and more sustainable when combined with improved nutrition and physical activity.
The medication provides biological support that makes lifestyle changes more achievable.
Will I regain weight when I stop taking it?
Some weight regain is common after stopping Mounjaro if you haven’t established sustainable habits.
However, some research is suggesting that those who develop consistent healthy routines while on medication are more likely to maintain their results.
Is it worth trying without medication first?
Many people have already tried numerous lifestyle approaches before considering medication.
If you’ve struggled with sustainable weight loss despite your best efforts, medication may address biological barriers that were preventing your success.
Should I feel guilty about using medication?
No. Using an evidence-based medical treatment for a recognised health condition is responsible healthcare, not something to feel guilty about.
Would you feel guilty about treating any other medical condition?
Take home message
Taking Mounjaro for weight loss isn’t ‘cheating’; it’s using a scientifically validated medical treatment to address a complex biological condition.
The medication doesn’t replace the need for healthy habits, but creates a window of opportunity where developing those habits becomes more possible.
Understanding that obesity has genetic and biological components beyond personal control helps shift the conversation away from moral judgments and toward appropriate medical care.
Some people may benefit from short-term medication use, while others may need longer-term treatment; both approaches are valid depending on individual circumstances.
At Second Nature, we believe that the most effective approach combines Mounjaro with the development of healthy habits.
Our programme helps you use this window of opportunity to build lasting skills that support your health for years to come, whether you continue medication long-term or eventually transition away from it.
Second Nature's Mounjaro programme
Second Nature provides Mounjaro as part of our Mounjaro weight-loss programme
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you’re eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We’ve had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We’re here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
