The weight management landscape has completely changed over the last year. With more people than ever now using weight loss jabs, many are facing their first Christmas on weight loss jabs, and are feeling uncertain how they’re going to manage.  Without clear advice, it’s easy to make choices that lead to discomfort, regret, or setbacks. So if you’re taking GLP-1 weight loss medications like Wegovy, Mounjaro, or similar, you might be wondering whether it’s okay to pause them over Christmas so you can eat more freely, drink more comfortably, or avoid side effects at inconvenient times.

The short answer? It’s not advised – and in some cases, it could even be dangerous.
Here’s why.

Pausing GLP-1s during the festive period can lead to increased hunger, stronger cravings, and a sudden return of “food noise” just when you’re surrounded by indulgent options and social pressure. Restarting after even a short break isn’t always straightforward – you may not be able to resume your previous dose safely and could experience nausea, vomiting or more serious side effects, including risk of pancreatitis.

The medication also has a physical shelf life once opened. If you delay too long, your pen may no longer be safe to use. So pausing doesn’t just disrupt your progress – it might waste your medication.

Instead of skipping your jab to “make room” for food, you’ll have a much better Christmas (with less discomfort and regret) if you stick with your plan, adapt your food choices slightly, moderate your alcohol intake, and avoid any dose increases until after the holidays.

You can still enjoy the season, feel included, and protect your long-term progress – without needing to overindulge or abandon what’s working.

Let’s explore in more detail why continuing your jabs through the holidays is the safer, smarter option. 

Why Some People Want to Pause GLP-1s Over Christmas

Christmas is traditionally a time of indulgence – big meals, rich desserts, drinks flowing, and social eating at every turn. If you’re on a weight loss jab that reduces appetite and slows digestion, it’s natural to feel like your medication is “getting in the way” of that. There may also be pressure from others for you to eat more. Or you may have decided to keep being on the jabs a secret, and don’t want to be ‘outed’. 

So the idea of skipping a dose to enjoy food more or give yourself a break is understandable, but risky.

The Risks of Pausing Your Jabs

Temporarily stopping GLP-1s isn’t a harmless tweak. These are powerful medications whose range of effects are not yet fully understood, and your health is paramount, so they need to be respected. Here’s what actually happens when you skip or pause your injection:

• Your appetite and cravings return – The suppressed hunger you’ve been relying on fades, and food thoughts can come back fast and strong, especially in tempting environments.

• “Food noise” resurfaces – That constant mental chatter about what, when, and how much to eat – which many people find has been blissfully quiet on jabs – can make an abrupt return.

• You lose stability – Skipping a dose interrupts the rhythm your body has adjusted to, which can lead to emotional eating, decision fatigue, or rebound eating patterns.

• Restarting isn’t simple – If you’ve been off the medication for more than a few weeks, you might not be able to go back to your full dose right away. Restarting often requires a lower dose, under medical supervision, to avoid harsh side effects.

• Increased risk of side effects – Resuming at your previous dose after time off increases the chance of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or – in rare cases – more serious complications like pancreatitis.

• Medication waste – Your pen has a limited shelf life once opened. If you pause too long, you may have to discard unused medication.

In short, what might feel like “taking a break” could set you back physically and mentally – and make Christmas harder to enjoy, not easier.

Bottom line: pausing jabs can make Christmas harder, not easier.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Missing a dose by accident is different from skipping one on purpose. Each medication has specific guidance, and your next step depends on how long it’s been. Always consult your prescriber if you’re unsure. Don’t double up doses or try to self-correct the timing without checking first.

What to Do Instead of Pausing

You don’t need to suffer or feel left out over Christmas. You just need a new strategy that works with your medication, not against it.

1. Stick to Your Schedule

Keeping to your usual injection day helps avoid a rollercoaster of side effects, appetite shifts, or needing a medical review to restart.

2. Make Smart Food Tweaks

• Smaller portions, higher satisfaction
• Don’t save up for one big meal – eat light but regularly
• Slow down, chew well, and pause between bites
• Eat what you love, skip what you don’t

3. Limit Alcohol, or Reassess It Altogether

GLP-1s can increase alcohol sensitivity. You may feel effects faster, get more nauseous, or experience worse hangovers. Drink less, eat beforehand, and hydrate. Some people find they stop craving alcohol entirely, which can be a positive shift.

4. Delay Dose Increases Until After Christmas

If you’re due a dose increase, waiting until the new year might make sense. Side effects can return with an increase, and Christmas isn’t the best time to manage that.

Real Client Perspective

While this advice applies to clients on jabs, the same mindset helps anyone navigating food and weight over the holidays, whether on jabs or not. That’s the work I do. It’s not easy or quick, but is thoroughly worth it.

One client, who is not using weight loss injections, recently shared this ahead of her first Christmas since deciding to work with me, after years of finding the festive period a real struggle:

“The work we have done together has been such a game changer for me. It’s like I’ve done a big reset on the way I think about food. I can’t thank you enough for all of the help and support.”

That’s the power of coaching. Whether you’re on medication or not, real change comes from addressing your mindset and behaviours, not just managing symptoms. The goal is the same – more control, less chaos, and long-term confidence in your choices.

In summary

• Don’t pause your jab without medical advice. It may reduce effectiveness, increase side effects, and make your appetite harder to manage.
• If you’ve stopped for more than a few weeks, you may need to restart on a lower dose. Always check with your prescriber.
• Keep your portions smaller, eat slower, consume less alcohol – it all helps.
• Christmas can still be enjoyable. Food doesn’t have to be the main character. It can just be a supporting act. Think about other ways to enjoy yourself. 

Want to feel better prepared for next Christmas?

Whether you’re taking weight loss jabs or looking for a more grounded, balanced approach to food, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Ways to work with me in 2026:
Strategy Session + 1 Month of Support – £249*
Weight Loss Accountability Club (including 1:1 support) – from £39/month*
Intensive One-to-One Coaching – from £397/month*

Let’s build a system that supports your real life, even when it’s messy.

Book your free call to discuss your options here

References:

1. Simple Online Pharmacy. (2024). Can I pause GLP-1 medication over Christmas? https://www.simpleonlinepharmacy.co.uk/health-advice/weight-loss/pause-glp-1-christmas
2. Drugs.com. (2024). Alcohol and Wegovy interactions. https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/alcohol-contained-in-alcoholic-beverages-with-wegovy-1034-14582-3878-19763.html

*Prices subject to change, correct at time of publication in December 2025.

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