Weight loss can often seem like the holy grail for many people, with countless strategies and stories swirling around about how to shed those extra pounds. For some, like beauty content creator Han from Vietnam, losing weight meant reclaiming her health and confidence. After spiraling out of control with stress eating and reaching 73 kg, she found herself shocked and ashamed of her appearance – something so foreign to her previous self.
Once weighing 48 kg during her university days, her drastic weight gain followed her struggles to find direction after graduating from the Vietnam Aviation Academy. The late-night snacks became her coping mechanism for insomnia and emotional turmoil. “I was shocked and couldn’t face my unfamiliar appearance,” she confided, sharing how her weight changes turned family gatherings and friendships uncomfortable as she began to avoid social interactions and struggled with rejection from brands and employers.
Rather than wallow, Han decided enough was enough; she embarked on her own weight loss mission. She experimented with various diets, including the popular Keto diet, intermittent fasting, and even the eating method of actress Liu Yifei. Yet, it was the calorie deficit strategy—consuming fewer calories than one burns—that she found most effective, describing it as safe and easy to follow. "This principle requires calorie intake through diet to always be less than calories burned," she explained.
Meanwhile in the United States, pharmaceutical advancements are also playing their part in the weight loss arena. Allurion Technologies has introduced AllurionMeds, offering GLP-1 medications to aid weight control. These medications, paired with AI-driven coaching via their platform Coach Iris, are aimed at assisting individuals struggling to maintain their weight post-loss. The innovative scale they provide measures not just weight, but muscle and bone mass, as patients receive personalized feedback to avoid weight regain.
“Feedback from patients is clear; the weight must stay off,” says Dr. Shantanu Gaur, founder of Allurion Technologies. Sadly, for many, maintaining weight loss can prove more challenging than losing it, and they require effective tools and support to succeed.
Among the success stories, one of the most notable is Wayne Knight, known for his role as Newman on Seinfeld. At 69, Knight has battled weight fluctuations throughout his career, managing to lose 110 pounds over several years. Knight humorously shares, “I’ve tried everything anyone could ever try,” from therapy to diet pills to surgeries, but revealed his most effective method was simple: reducing calorie intake and exercising. “What do you mean? Like, not eating?” he replied jovially when asked if the old-fashioned way worked. He points out the struggles he faced as he transitioned away from being the “big funny guy” on-screen, admitting it takes time for people to view him differently now.
Knight suggests facing the emotional hurdles of weight loss is integral to success, as he recalls his past “addiction” to food, which led to unhealthy eating habits. “I would just know there was something in there [the refrigerator]...that would be the answer to my problems,” he said. Now, he expresses determination, vowing, “I’m done, I’m clean, and I’m going to stay clean for the rest of my life.”
These stories highlight the personal struggles and triumphs tied to weight loss, each unique yet shared. The tools and methods may vary from country to country—be it diet strategies or advanced pharmaceuticals—but the underlying aim remains the same: achieving health and confidence through weight management. And as Han, Wayne Knight and many others have shown, the path to weight loss is as much about emotional resilience and determination as it is about the physical changes.
Lastly, it's worth noting how regulatory changes can impact the world of weight loss solutions. Recently, Israel's Health Ministry approved the Rezin weight loss pill for indefinite use, lifting the previous three-month limit after positive study outcomes. Dr. Rakefet Bachrach of the ministry stressed, “The most important factor... was the well-being of the patients.” This significant decision reflects growing recognition of weight management as a long-term health issue, bringing hope to patients actively seeking help.
