Ever stepped on the scales and wondered, "How exactly does weight loss happen?" We all know the basics: eat less, move more. But what's the science behind it? Understanding the mechanics of weight loss can empower you to make informed choices and achieve your goals sustainably. Let's delve into the fascinating world of calorie deficits and discover how they hold the key to shedding those extra pounds.
Energy Balance: The Weight Loss Equation
Imagine your body as a bank account. Calories from the food you eat are like deposits, while the energy you expend through daily activities and exercise are withdrawals. This is the fundamental principle of energy balance:
- Calories in vs. calories out. If you consistently "deposit" more calories than you "withdraw," your body stores the surplus as fat, leading to weight gain. Conversely, if you "withdraw" more than you "deposit," your body taps into its fat reserves for energy, resulting in weight loss. Source: NHS website on understanding calories
Calories: The Units of Energy
Calories are simply units of energy found in food. They fuel your body's functions, from breathing to running a marathon. These calories come primarily from three macronutrients:
- Carbohydrates: Found in foods like bread, pasta, and fruits, they provide 4 calories per gram.
- Proteins: Essential for building and repairing tissues, found in meat, fish, eggs, and beans, they also provide 4 calories per gram.
- Fats: Important for hormone production and nutrient absorption, found in oils, nuts, and avocados, they provide 9 calories per gram. Source: British Nutrition Foundation guidelines on macronutrients.
Calorie counting plays a crucial role in creating a calorie deficit. However, it's important to remember that not all calories are created equal. Prioritise nutrient-dense foods packed with vitamins and minerals over calorie-dense foods that offer little nutritional value.
Creating a Calorie Deficit: Your Path to Weight Loss
To lose weight, you need to consistently consume fewer calories than your body burns. This is where your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) come in. (For a detailed guide on calculating these, check out our previous blog post).
Aim for a safe and sustainable calorie deficit of 500-750 calories per day, which typically leads to a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week. Source: NHS guidelines on safe weight loss
Here are two main approaches to achieving a calorie deficit:
- Reducing calorie intake:
- Practice portion control.
- Make healthier food swaps (e.g., choose grilled chicken over fried chicken).
- Be mindful of your eating habits and avoid emotional eating. Source: NICE guidelines on weight management
- Increasing physical activity:
- Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, including cardio and strength training.
- Find activities you enjoy to make it sustainable.
A balanced approach that combines both diet and exercise is most effective for long-term weight loss and overall health.
Your Body on a Calorie Deficit
When you're in a calorie deficit, your body needs to find alternative energy sources. This is where your stored fat comes in. Your body breaks down fat cells to release energy, leading to weight loss.
Your metabolism may also adjust slightly in response to calorie restriction. This is a natural process and doesn't mean your body is going into "starvation mode" (more on that myth later!). Source: MacLean, P. S., Bergouignan, A., Cornier, M. A., & Jackman, M. R. (2011). Biology's response to dieting: the impetus for weight regain. American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 301(3), R581–R600.
Hormones like leptin and ghrelin also play a role in regulating hunger and satiety. Understanding these hormonal signals can help you manage your appetite and stay on track with your calorie deficit.
Busting Weight Loss Myths
- Starvation Mode: Contrary to popular belief, severely restricting calories doesn't cause your metabolism to shut down. While metabolic rate may decrease slightly, it's not a drastic drop that halts weight loss.
- Spot Reduction: Unfortunately, you can't target fat loss in specific areas. Doing endless crunches won't magically melt away belly fat. Weight loss happens throughout the body.
- Rapid Weight Loss is Best: While it can be tempting to aim for rapid weight loss, slow and steady wins the race. Sustainable weight loss is more likely to be maintained in the long run.
Tips for Staying on Track
- Track your calories: Use a food diary or app to monitor your intake.
- Plan your meals: Preparing meals in advance can help you stay organized and avoid impulsive food choices.
- Practise mindful eating: Pay attention to your hunger cues and avoid distractions while eating.
- Build healthy habits: Focus on making sustainable lifestyle changes that you can maintain long-term.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the science behind calorie deficits empowers you to take control of your weight loss journey. By consistently consuming fewer calories than you burn, you can achieve sustainable weight loss and improve your overall health. Remember to focus on a balanced approach, be patient with yourself, and celebrate your progress along the way!
Need more support? Check out these helpful resources:
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Backed by science. Guided by experts.
SheMed’s medical weight loss programme combines expert care and science-backed treatment to help you feel and look your best — for life.
SheMed’s medical weight loss programme combines expert care and science-backed treatment to help you feel and look your best — for life.
The content on the SheMed blog is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. While SheMed provides professional weight loss services and strives to ensure the information shared is accurate and up to date, we make no representations or guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. This content should not be taken as personal medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider. Always speak with your doctor or licensed medical professional about your individual health or medical needs before starting any new treatment or programme. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this site. SheMed is not responsible for any actions you may take based on the information provided in this blog.
We are thrilled to announce a monumental milestone for the SheMed community: we have successfully raised $50 million in Series A funding, officially valuing SheMed at $1 billion and cementing our status as a Unicorn company.
This landmark investment is more than just capital; it is a powerful validation of our mission and the extraordinary, unmet demand for truly personalised, women-focused healthcare.
Validation of Our Mission: Personalised Care
In less than a year since our founding in April 2024, SheMed has grown into the UK’s fastest-growing GLP-1 programme, empowering over 60,000 members with a sustainable path to better health. This journey has been driven by the need to replace 'one-size-fits-all' treatments with clinically precise, compassionate, and accessible care.
As our Co-Founder and CEO, Olivia Ferro, explains:
“Achieving unicorn status validates the scale of the unmet needs for world-class GLP-1 care. Having been a GLP-1 patient myself, I know how transformative the right diagnosis and treatment can be. We built SheMed to give women the personalised support I struggled to find: care that listens, understands, and empowers.”
Accelerating Our UK Expansion and Innovation
This new funding will be strategically invested to significantly expand our operations across the United Kingdom and enhance the quality of care our members receive.
The investment will be used to:
- Scale Our Teams: Grow our medical, clinical, and technology teams to ensure every member receives best-in-class support.
- Strengthen Clinical Infrastructure: Enhance our capabilities and platform to maintain clinical excellence and safety.
- Advance Research: Support new research initiatives, including the upcoming publication of the first-ever female-focused GLP-1 clinical study. These findings will provide critical insights into how these medications affect women's unique hormonal and metabolic responses, helping us refine future treatment pathways for all women.
Co-Founder and President, Chloe Ferro, emphasises the market demand:
"The demand for SheMed's services has been extraordinary. Women are seeking care that recognises their individuality, their biology, and their experiences. It's why women continue to turn to SheMed for a tailored, more supportive path to healthcare.”
The SheMed Difference: Built By Women, For Women
SheMed is redefining weight management and women’s metabolic health by integrating advanced medical oversight, data-driven insights, and continuous support through an all-in-one digital platform.
Our dedication to clinical precision is paramount. Unlike standard telehealth providers, SheMed requires a comprehensive at-home blood test for eligibility and tracking. This crucial step ensures that treatment plans are safe and tailored to your specific biology, providing you with a foundation for lasting health results.
This $50 million funding round marks the beginning of our next chapter—a chapter dedicated to scaling our impact and delivering truly world-class, personalised healthcare to every woman in the UK.
Thank you to our members and our partners for believing in the SheMed mission. We are just getting started.
When new medical studies are released, they can feel full of numbers and complex terms. At SheMed, our role is to help you understand what they really mean for you, your health, and your future.
Recently, Novo Nordisk released the results of the STEER study, one of the most significant pieces of research yet on GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy. And the findings show something powerful: Wegovy is not only about weight loss, it’s also about heart health.
The Big Picture: What the STEER Study Looked At
The STEER study explored how GLP-1 medicines affect heart health in people living with Overweight or Obesity and established cardiovascular disease (but without diabetes).
Researchers compared Wegovy (Semaglutide 2.4mg) with Tirzepatide (Mounjaro). They focused on the risk of serious heart problems, what doctors call “major adverse cardiovascular events” (MACE). These include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death from heart disease
What They Found
The results were striking:
- For people who stayed on treatment without big gaps, Wegovy reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death by 57% more than Mounjaro.
- When looking at all treated people, even those with breaks in care Wegovy still showed a 29% reduction in these serious events overall.
In short, Wegovy is not only helping people lose weight, it is also showing clear cardiovascular protection, especially when used consistently.
Why This Matters for You
We’ve always known GLP-1 medicines are powerful tools for weight loss, but the STEER study highlights something even bigger: they can also protect your heart. For anyone living with Obesity and cardiovascular disease, this is game-changing.
It also reinforces an important truth - long-term commitment matters most. The people who saw the greatest benefits were those who stayed consistent with their medication. That’s why at SheMed, we design every part of our programme to keep you supported, motivated, and engaged for the long run.
The SheMed Difference: Seeing the Bigger Picture
Medication is only one part of your health journey. At SheMed, we combine Wegovy with wraparound care:
- Regular blood tests to track key markers like cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver health.
- Weekly check-ins and app reminders to help you stay on track.
- Education and content designed specifically for women, covering sleep, hormones, activity, and nutrition.
- Proactive Side effect care and support to keep you comfortable and supported as your body adjusts.
This holistic approach matters because weight loss is just one marker of progress. By running blood tests before starting the programme, at 6 months, and 12 months, we can show you the deeper changes happening inside your body, improvements in cholesterol, blood sugar, and overall metabolic health.
It means you’ll see the true value of GLP-1s, not just in how you look or feel, but in the measurable ways your health is improving and your risks are reducing.
Why Wegovy Through SheMed Makes Sense
At SheMed, we’ve worked hard to make Wegovy accessible and affordable. With static, transparent pricing across doses, our members know exactly what they’re paying. That means no hidden surprises and no price hikes as you move up through titration.
When you combine that cost benefit with the evidence from STEER that Wegovy offers not just weight loss but cardiovascular protection the case for choosing Wegovy through SheMed becomes even stronger.
You’re not just investing in weight management; you’re investing in heart health, future health, and a programme designed to keep you safe and supported every step of the way.
The Future of Health With SheMed
The STEER study is a reminder that the story of GLP-1s is still unfolding and it’s about so much more than weight loss. These medicines are changing how we think about obesity, cardiovascular health, and long-term wellbeing.
At SheMed, we’ll continue to keep you informed as new research emerges, but more importantly, we’ll keep showing you the bigger picture through your own results. With every blood test, every milestone, and every step forward, you’ll see how far you’ve come not just in weight, but in health.
Because at SheMed, you’re not just losing weight. You’re gaining health, protecting your future, and building the strongest version of you.
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