After the announcement that semaglutide (Wegovy), a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite to support weight loss, has been approved for use in the NHS via prescription – we’re excited to announce that we have launched a new Wegovy-supported weight-loss programme in 2023 in the UK.
This is in combination with our award-winning weight-loss programme, which has over five years of clinical data in the NHS proving its effectiveness.
Why is Second Nature launching a Wegovy programme?
One of our values at Second Nature is Let The Data Guide You. For anyone who’s read the clinical trial data on the most recent GLP-1 semaglutide (Wegovy), you’ll know that the potential of these medications is incomparable to any weight loss medication that’s come before it.
For example, a randomised controlled trial was conducted in 2022 investigating the impact of two GLP-1s – semaglutide and liraglutide – on weight loss in over 300 individuals living with obesity.
The results showed that the participants in the semaglutide group lost 15.8% of their body weight compared to 6.4% in the liraglutide group.
Losing and maintaining weight loss of more than 10% is associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing complications associated with obesity, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
A recent paper published in The Lancet showed that nearly 20% of participants in lifestyle interventions without medications gain weight, around 40% lose between 1-10% of their body weight, and just 13% lose more than 10%.
In comparison, less than 5% of participants combining semaglutide with lifestyle interventions gain weight, around 10% lose between 1-10%, and 87% lose more than 10%.
These results are remarkable, and we believe these medications could support many more people in achieving their weight loss goals and reduce their risk of chronic disease.
At Second Nature, we don’t recommend taking medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists to avoid making lifestyle changes.
Still, we support the use of GLP-1s for people who are also committed to making healthy lifestyle changes to improve their health for the long term.
The harsh reality is that for many people, living with obesity has led to their bodies struggling to maintain normal metabolic function.
They might live with high liver fat levels, and their pancreas might struggle to produce enough insulin to manage their blood sugar.
In this scenario, it becomes incredibly challenging to lose weight as the body’s hormones that regulate appetite become dysfunctional, which can lead to more overeating.
For individuals for whom this is a day-to-day reality, drugs like semaglutide can give them a life-changing opportunity to shift a significant amount of weight and reset their bodies to make the changes necessary to keep the weight off for good.
Not a magic pill
Weight-loss injections are most effective when combined with a healthier lifestyle. They can help kickstart weight loss while you commit to developing healthier habits.
Mounjaro and other weight loss injections, like Ozempic and Wegovy, can allow you to make lifestyle changes to support long-term weight loss.
These medications can help silence food-related thoughts and give you a boost of confidence with more immediate weight-loss results.
They can also buy you the time and headspace to understand why your body may have struggled to lose weight previously and to build new long-term healthy habits.
The core focus of our medication programmes is to calm down the feeling of food noise, lower your cravings, and allow you to build healthier habits to keep the weight off for good.
The ultimate goal is to make losing weight feel second nature.
If you’ve made the decision to try Wegovy or Mounjaro (assuming you’re eligible), why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
Whilst our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
Questions? See below our list of FAQs.
FAQs
A message from our CEO, Chris
What are GLP-1s?
GLP-1s are a type of medication that’s used to help with weight loss. They work by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that the body naturally produces after eating.
GLP-1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production and slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic GLP-1, and can be injected under the skin once or twice a day or once a week, depending on the specific medication.
They may cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or constipation, but these usually subside after a few weeks when your body adjusts.
If you join Second Nature’s new GLP-1 programme, we’ll support you in safely monitoring your side effects and medication experience.
What is Second Nature?
Second Nature exists to change minds about losing weight. Our app uses behavioural science to retrain your mind to make healthy choices automatically, so these stick in the long run.
But we don’t just look at what you eat and how much you weigh. We also look at your sleep patterns, exercise levels, how you regulate emotions, and other habits that impact how you feel.
We also pair you with a registered nutritionist who provides one-to-one advice and supports you in building new, healthier habits.
Our app also has hundreds of simple, indulgent recipes and daily articles that explain the science of healthy living – so you feel empowered to make changes, rather than just being told what to do.
We want to make losing weight feel easier; to make it feel second nature.
Why has Second Nature launched a medication-supported programme?
Weight-loss medications can be incredibly effective at curbing your appetite and helping you lose weight.
However, research on GLP-1s has shown that weight regain is very common once the medication has been stopped if the person hasn’t implemented lifestyle changes.
Essentially, your body becomes reliant on the medication to manage your appetite.
If you haven’t made the right changes before you come off the medication, your appetite will return, and you’ll likely regain much of the lost weight.
That’s where Second Nature comes in. We work with you to establish healthier habits that will help you maintain your weight loss for the long term.
We understand that taking weight-loss medications can be expensive and demoralising if you become dependent on them.
That’s why we set you up with the best chance of success by working with you while you take the medication, so you can focus on embedding healthy habits that will help you maintain your weight loss even after you stop taking the medication.
Don’t settle for temporary weight loss and a lifetime of yo-yo dieting. With Second Nature, you can achieve sustainable weight loss without relying on weight loss medications.
Can I do Second Nature if I don’t want medication?
Yes! Our behavioural science-based programme is available for everyone. You can join over 250,000 others who’ve lost weight and kept it off by signing up here.
What’s included in Second Nature’s programme?
Prescription GLP-1 medication, delivered to your door
A dedicated health coach who’s a registered nutritionist or dietitian to support you every step of the way
Group and peer support in the Second Nature app
Daily behaviour change content, recipes, and activities to help make long-term changes
Access to a prescribing pharmacist to help you with your medication and assist with any potential questions or side effects
When do you expect to launch?
We’ve launched!
How do I sign up?
We have stringent entry criteria, but you can check your eligibility for our programme by clicking here.
Can I switch to the medication programme when it launches?
Yes, everyone will be able to join the medication programme if they want to and if they meet eligibility requirements.
We feel that starting your behaviour change process early is a great idea and sets you up for success in the long run.
How much will it cost?
It will start at £229 a month for the lower doses, before rising to £299.
The first step on your Second Nature journey is to take our health quiz.
Hazel Robson
27 December, 2023
Second Nature is an outstanding programme which really changes your behaviours and attitude to food. The focus is on long term change and has helped me make some significant behavioural changes to my life. I need to loose at least 5 stone for an operation. Second Nature progress is slow but weight loss has stayed off. I am, however, extremely disappointed to find that to get access to semiglutide from Second Nature is at a significant cost which in effect means it’s inaccessible to many, like myself, who just couldn’t afford it!
Jackie
20 April, 2023
I’ve been with Second Nature since last August and loved it.
Feel disappointed, angry and sad, that you are supporting the new drug to lose weight.
Against the ethos of Second Nature as I have come to know it.
Kate Gregory
9 March, 2023
Will the prescription aervice be limited to those with a BMI of 35+?
Robbie Puddick
15 March, 2023
Hi Kate!
So, Second Nature’s programme will be available to those with a BMI of 30 and above which will be validated by an identification process and a picture.
If you have any further questions, feel free to email us at: hello@secondnature.io 🙂
