Irish mum lifts lid on weight-loss jabs: ‘They’re no magic fix’
Lisa says social media can create an illusion of perfection, while the reality includes saggy skin, stretch marks and bad days
Irish mum-of-three Lisa Becker’s dramatic weight loss journey has changed far more than the number on the scales.
The 36-year-old from Culdaff, Co Donegal, says she feels healthier, stronger and more confident after a difficult period in her life left her bed-bound, frustrated and turning to food for comfort.
But Lisa is keen to stress that her story is not one of overnight transformation or social media perfection. Behind the gym progress pictures and bikini photographs are sagging skin, stretch marks, fat rolls, difficult days and plenty of self-doubt.
A few years ago, Lisa suffered a serious injury which left her unable to do much physically. Having previously been constantly on the go and filling her days, the sudden change was difficult to cope with.
“I went from always being on the go and filling my days to suddenly doing very little,” she said. “I was frustrated, sad and, if I’m honest, I turned to food for comfort.”
Lisa reached the heaviest weight she had ever been and felt increasingly unfit. Having tried what she describes as “every diet under the sun”, she eventually decided she could either allow what had happened to defeat her or use it as motivation to change her life.
“I decided I could either let what had happened beat me or use it as a reason to become the best version of myself. I decided to fight back.”
As part of that journey, Lisa spoke to someone about weight-loss injections, which she says helped curb her appetite and gave her the initial push she needed. She also joined a gym on the advice of her physiotherapist, initially to aid her recovery, rebuild lost muscle and become stronger.
The gym soon became about much more than physical fitness.
“The gym ended up saving me, not just physically but mentally too,” Lisa said. “Every week I felt a little stronger, and I loved the feeling of leaving the gym with a clearer, lighter head.”
Together, the injections and exercise helped Lisa lose 25kgs [four stone]. She has now been off the injections for some time and is keen to dispel the idea that they are a magic solution.
She says that when going through a GP or pharmacy, people generally only remain on them until their BMI reaches 30 unless there is another qualifying medical condition.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise you still have to put the work in,” she said. “A lot think it’s a magic drug, but you still need to eat well or you can get sick and keep on top of exercise too.”
Lisa believes there is a widespread misconception about the treatment because it is still relatively new.
Exercise has remained a major part of her life. She continues to go to the gym three times a week and has also taken up Pilates, which she says has made a significant difference to her joints, balance and core strength.
But perhaps the most revealing part of Lisa’s story is what happened after the weight came off. She says she has noticed a definite change in the way people interact with her.
“You get more compliments, clothes are easier to buy, and people seem to notice you more,” she said. “I felt more invisible when I was heavier.”
For Lisa, that realisation has been both striking and uncomfortable.
“It’s actually quite uncomfortable when you realise that the person they’re treating differently is still exactly the same person you were 25kgs ago. That shouldn’t be the way.”
Despite the dramatic change, Lisa says losing weight has not magically transformed the way she sees herself. She still has days when she looks in the mirror and picks herself apart.
“I’m not sure women are ever happy with their bodies,” she laughs.
She is also determined to be honest about the reality behind social media, rather than presenting an edited version of her life.
Lisa admits she posts photographs of her gym progress and bikini pictures – but even those images are carefully curated.
“I’m also choosing the best light, the best angle and the best pose,” she said. “The reality is I have saggy skin, fat rolls when I sit, stretch marks and everything in between.”
Her journey, she stresses, has not been perfect or particularly quick. There have been difficult days, frustration and the need for a level of patience she admits she does not naturally possess.
Lisa believes social media can leave people feeling that everyone else has the perfect body, home and life, when in reality people only see the parts others choose to show. She hopes her own experience can help challenge that illusion.
“We need to stop comparing ourselves to a carefully chosen photo and remember what actually matters – being kind, helpful, understanding and honest. Real life is messy, and that’s okay.”
The biggest change for Lisa, however, is not the weight she has lost. She says she feels mentally stronger and calmer, healthier and physically stronger than she has in years.
Despite the limitations left by her injury, she feels she has found herself again – and believes that has made her a happier and more present mum to her three sons.
She has not, however, discovered some secret formula for body confidence.
“Have I cracked the secret to body confidence? Absolutely not,” she smiled. “I’m just learning to be a bit kinder to myself along the way; remember to live life and appreciate the life that I have.”