Resources

To get the best results from weight loss medication a person should meet with a dietician to optimize their diet. They should meet with a physiotherapist to organize an exercise program that is tailored to them. If a person has psychological issues around eating or low mood they may benefit from meeting with a psychologist. The Medication Weight Loss Clinic is supported by a network of professionals, this ensures that everyone has access to the care they need to reduce excess weight and become healthier.

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Healthier Eating and Increased Physical Activity

1. Get Started

  • Start with short walks and gradually increase your time or distance 

  • Focus on your posture with your head lifted, tummy pulled in, and shoulders relaxed 

  • Warm up at an easy pace for the first several minutes
  • Stop walking and check with your GP if you experience pain when walking 



2. Portions & Healthy Eating

  • Don’t skip meals – have something small at the set time
  • Set aside small portions of healthy snacks to eat when you have a craving
  • Use a portioned plate: 1/2 for vegetables or fruits, 1/4 for whole grains, and 1/4 for proteins
  • Think of reducing amounts, rather than cutting out your favourite foods
  • Preportion your servings to control the amount by placing a single serving in a container ahead of time rather than eating directly from the package


3. Eating Together and Eating Out - Without Counting Calories

  • Substitute healthy foods that are steamed or baked instead of fried
  • Enlist family and friends to support you in making healthy choices
  • Avoid starters or share one with a friend
  • Research the restaurant to give yourself the best options for ordering
  • Request your meal to be served without gravy, sauces or butter


4. Keeping healthy when travelling

  • Pack nonperishable, healthy snacks
  • Order water to drink with meals if you are dining out
  • Bring a meal from home to eat on the plane or in the car
  • Order smaller portions in restaurants
  • Find times and places to take walks, like in the airport


5. Shopping

  • Avoid shopping when hungry
  • Make a list based on meal plans
  • Buy fresh foods when possible
  • Read nutrition labels for portion size, calories per portion, and saturated fat

Useful Resources Online

  • Useful Resources Online

    www.safefood.eu/Healthy-Eating.aspx - (safe and healthy eating)

    www.move4health.ie/ - (Movement for health)

    https://www.heartuk.org.uk/low-cholesterol-foods/choose-low-cholesterol-foods

    www.bright.lifedirect.com/ - (Compression stockings and support hosiery)

    www.aware.ie - (Support for depression)

    www.pcossaa.org - (Polycystic ovarian syndrome information)

    www.diabetes.ie - (Diabetes Foundation Ireland)

    http://weigh2live.safefood.eu/ - (advice on weight loss)

    https://www.hse.ie/communitycooking/

    www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/

    https://www.bodywhys.ie/

  • Children/Adolescents

    https://w82go.ie/ 

    https://childhoodobesity.ie/resources/

  • Clinical Trials

    The STEP Trials are a series of clinical trails examining the effective of weight loss medication. Each trail is different either because of the participants or the intervention.


    The STEP 1 Trial published in 2021 had 1,961 adults with a BMI of over 30 or 27 with a weight related co-morbidity. It found an average weight loss of 14.9% after 68 weeks on semaglutide 2.4mg with lifestyle intervention. The medication was started at low dose and increased over the course of several weeks resulting in the participants being on the full dose for about 52 weeks. The group of participants that did not receive the medication – known as the “placebo” group lost an average of 2.4% of their weight over the same period. 


    The STEP 2 Trial looks at the effects of weight loss medication on people with Type 2 Diabetes. It found a lower amount of weight loss averaging 9.64% for the participants on semaglutide 2.4mg versus 3.43% for the group not receiving the medication – the “placebo group” at 68 weeks.


    The Step 3 Trial found that intensive behavioural intervention increased the average weight lost to 16% after 68 weeks versus 5.7% in the placebo group for people on semaglutide 2.4mg. 



    https://diabetes.medicinematters.com/semaglutide/obesity/quick-guide-step-trials/18854832


    https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

  • Tax Refund on Expenditure for Consultations and Medication

    “If not covered by your health insurance policy or for the remainder if only partially covered”


    https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/what-are-qualifying-expenses.aspx


    Keep all receipts for doctor consultations and medicine purchased – have an electronic version of each receipt ready for upload


    PAYE – current year:

    1. Sign into MyAccount on the Revenue.ie website

    2. In PAYE Services – click on “Manage Your Tax 2022”

    3. Scroll down and click on “Manage Receipts”

    4. Click on “Add New Receipt”

    5. Fill in the boxes, upload the receipt then claim the tax credit



    PAYE – previous years:

    1. Sign into MyAccount on the Revenue.ie website

    2. Go to section: PAYE Services – click - “Review your Tax” 2018 – 2021

    3. Go to section: Statement of Liability – click  - “Request”

    4. Click “Complete Income Tax Return”

    5. Click “Start”

    6. Go to section: Tax Credits & Reliefs – click “Health and Health Expenses”

    7. Complete and submit form


    Self assessed:

    1. Sign into ROS

    2. Click on Income Tax return 

    3. Click on Form 11

    4. Scroll down to Health Expenses - complete