By Domenic Chindamo - Pharmacist, Lygon Everyday Chemist, Brunswick East

Every January, weight loss is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. Yet for many people, the same patterns repeat year after year - not because of lack of effort, but because weight loss is often misunderstood.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we approach weight loss differently. For many people, overeating behaves like an addiction. It has both physical and psychological components, including cravings, withdrawal symptoms, emotional triggers, and deeply ingrained habits.

When weight loss is treated with understanding, structure, and support - not shame - it becomes achievable and sustainable.

Weight Loss Is Physical and Psychological

Reducing sugar, refined carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods can cause real physical withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritability, low mood, and cravings. At the same time, psychological withdrawal can appear as emotional eating, stress snacking, and habitual routines. Recognising this removes guilt and reframes weight loss as a process rather than a personal failure.

Pillar 1: Mental Health – Belief Before Strategy

Lasting change starts with belief. Taking responsibility creates control. Change happens when it becomes a must, not a should. Belief always comes before strategy. Interrupting old patterns and replacing them with new responses is the foundation of sustainable weight loss.

Pillar 2: Nutrition – Supporting the Body

Nutrition should support the body during change, not punish it. Protein, fibre, chromium, healthy fats, and gut health support can help reduce cravings, stabilise blood sugar, and improve satiety during early weight loss.

Pillar 3: Movement – Conditioning the New You

Movement reinforces identity change. Regular walking and gentle activity improve insulin sensitivity, mood, confidence, and momentum. Movement becomes evidence that change is working.

Pillar 4: Sleep – The Hidden Multiplier

Poor sleep increases hunger hormones, cravings, and fatigue. Improving sleep supports appetite control, energy, and decision-making, making weight loss more achievable.

Prescription Options

Prescription weight loss medicines can be effective but are not a complete solution. They work best when combined with habit change, nutrition support, movement, and sleep optimisation.

What If You Slip Up?

A slip is not failure - it is feedback. Do not abandon the goal or the strategy. Learn from the trigger and continue immediately. Consistency beats perfection.

How Lygon Everyday Chemist Can Help

We provide supportive, non-judgemental guidance, supplement advice, medication support, sleep and energy assessments, and ongoing encouragement.

Coming Up Next

This blog is part of our Four Pillars of Health series, exploring smoking cessation, pain management, sleep optimisation, and long-term vitality.