Introduction
In today’s world of quick fixes, it’s tempting to turn to shortcuts like Ozempic, Mounjaro injections, keto diets, or OMAD (One-Meal-A-Day fasting) for fast weight loss.
These methods can sometimes provide a kickstart for people with severe obesity or metabolic conditions. But they also carry risks: from nutrient deficiencies and muscle loss to hormonal imbalances — especially in women.
This article explores the truth behind these popular weight-loss strategies, when they may help, and why they should only be used short-term and under medical supervision.
Ozempic & Mounjaro: The Weight Loss Injections
What They Are
- Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs first created for type 2 diabetes.
- They slow stomach emptying, reduce appetite, and improve blood sugar control, which in turn helps with weight loss.
Who They’re For
- People with clinical obesity (BMI > 30)
- Overweight individuals (BMI > 27) with health risks like diabetes, high cholesterol, or fatty liver
Risks & Side Effects
- Nausea, constipation, or vomiting
- Muscle and lean mass loss if diet isn’t protein-rich
- Possible nutrient deficiencies with long use
- Weight regain once injections stop, if lifestyle isn’t corrected
💡 Key takeaway: These injections are a medical tool for people with severe obesity, not a quick fix for cosmetic weight loss.
Keto Diets: Fast Results with Hidden Risks
How It Works
The keto diet slashes carbs and raises fat intake, forcing the body into ketosis (burning fat for fuel).
Short-Term Benefits
- Rapid initial weight loss
- May help with insulin resistance, PCOS, or epilepsy under supervision
Long-Term Risks
- Nutrient deficiencies (fibre, B vitamins, magnesium, antioxidants)
- Digestive problems like constipation
- Increased cholesterol in some individuals
Women’s Hormonal Health & Keto
Women are more sensitive to carb restriction. Prolonged keto can:
- Lower thyroid hormone (T3) production → slower metabolism
- Increase cortisol (stress hormone), worsening belly fat
- Disrupt menstrual cycles and reproductive hormone balance
- Affect gut bacteria, which play a role in estrogen detoxification
💡 In women, long-term keto often leads to fatigue, hair fall, thyroid imbalance, or irregular cycles.
OMAD (One-Meal-A-Day Diet): The Extreme Fasting Trend
What It Is
OMAD means eating all your daily calories in a single meal, fasting the remaining 23 hours. It’s marketed as “simpler than dieting” and promises rapid results.
Risks for Everyone
- Severe calorie restriction → muscle loss and metabolic slowdown
- Micronutrient gaps (iron, vitamin D, calcium, B12, magnesium)
- Risk of binge eating or unhealthy relationship with food
- Possible damage to gut health due to irregular eating patterns
Women’s Hormonal Health & OMAD
For women, the risks are even greater:
- Prolonged fasting spikes cortisol, raising stress, cravings, and belly fat
- Can suppress estrogen and progesterone, leading to irregular or missed periods
- May slow thyroid activity, causing fatigue and weight plateau
- Can worsen PMS, perimenopause symptoms, or fertility struggles
💡 While men sometimes tolerate OMAD better, for women it often backfires hormonally.
Why Shortcuts Often Fail Long-Term
- Unsustainable → people rarely continue for months
- Metabolic damage → less muscle = slower calorie burn
- Hormonal disruption → thyroid, cortisol, and reproductive health at risk
- Rebound weight gain → once diet/drug stops without lifestyle changes
When Shortcuts Can Be Useful
There are cases where medical or extreme interventions may help:
- Severe obesity (BMI > 30)
- Obesity with health risks like diabetes, PCOS, or fatty liver
- As a short-term kickstart before shifting to lifestyle changes
But they must always be:
- Short-term only
- Doctor + nutritionist supervised
- Paired with a sustainable, balanced plan for long-term success
The Sustainable Path Forward
For lasting fat loss and hormonal balance, the focus should shift to root-cause nutrition and lifestyle:
🔹 Balance Blood Sugar
Meals with protein, fibre, and healthy fats to stabilise insulin.
🔹 Prioritise Protein
At least 20–25g per meal to preserve lean mass and metabolism.
🔹 Support Gut Health
Fermented foods, fibre, and anti-inflammatory spices for digestion and estrogen balance.
🔹 Exercise Smart
Strength training + daily walking = fat loss + insulin sensitivity.
🔹 Manage Stress & Sleep
Both are crucial for regulating cortisol and reproductive hormones.
Conclusion
Shortcuts like Ozempic, Mounjaro, keto diets, and OMAD fasting may provide a quick start in specific cases of obesity, but they are not long-term solutions.
For women especially, extreme diets and prolonged fasting can disrupt hormones, slow metabolism, and worsen health issues.
That’s why these tools should only be used for a short period, under supervision, and always followed by a transition to sustainable, hormone-friendly nutrition and lifestyle habits.
✨ Quick fixes may shrink the number on the scale — but balanced nutrition keeps it off while protecting your hormones and long-term health.