Starting a weight loss journey with medications like semaglutide can be a promising step toward achieving your health goals. This innovative medication has gained fame for its weight loss properties due to its appetite-suppressing and digestion-slowing effects. However, some people may lose less weight than desired. If you’ve been asking, “Why am I not losing weight on semaglutide?” Understand that several factors could be at play. This post will explore 10 reasons you may not be losing weight on semaglutide and how to optimize the effectiveness of this medication for your wellness journey.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable medication designed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity; it has gained popularity as a weight-loss medication. Semaglutide helps reduce blood sugar levels to normal. It also slows down food digestion and decreases hunger, leading to weight loss. Semaglutide is an active ingredient in three FDA-approved drugs, which include:
- Wegovy injection: Wegovy is approved to help adults and children 12 years of age and older with obesity, or some adults who are overweight and have weight-related medical conditions, lose weight and keep it off.
- Ozempic injection and Rybelsus tablets are approved to reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ozempic is also authorized to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death in people with known heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. As demand for semaglutide for weight loss continues to rise, medical experts are developing strategies to manage the market. Many prescribe Rybelsus and Ozempic off-label (using a drug that is FDA-approved for a different purpose).
All three medications are combined with increased physical activity and dietary adjustments and are only available by prescription.
How Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs). It mimics the GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut after eating. GLP-1 stimulates the body to produce more insulin, which lowers blood sugar (glucose). Higher doses of GLP-1 also affect the brain regions that control hunger and make you feel full. When combined with diet and exercise, semaglutide can result in significant weight loss, as well as a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in people with obesity or overweight.
Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Semaglutide? 10 Reasons From an Expert
Semaglutide is effective for most people, but if it isn’t delivering the weight loss results you hoped for, here are the 10 common pitfalls that might be holding you back.
1. You’ve just started on the medication
Everyone responds differently to weight loss medications. While some people lose weight quickly, others may require a few weeks to notice changes. In an Ozempic trial, which lasted 1 year and 4 months, some people took longer to lose weight, but most people began losing weight within the first four weeks. In another study, people taking 1.0 mg of semaglutide lost an average of 13 pounds in 56 weeks. As with any new treatment plan, starting semaglutide requires patience.
2. Your dosage may be too low
Healthcare providers begin semaglutide at a low dosage of 0.25 mg once a week for the first 4 weeks to minimize side effects. After 4 weeks, you will increase the dosage to 0.5 mg per week for 4 weeks. Your doctor may increase your dosage every four weeks until you reach the maximum maintenance dosage of 2.4 mg for Wegovy and 1 mg for Ozempic, depending on how your body responds to semaglutide. The entire scaling-up process may take up to three months. Studies have shown that with a low dose of semaglutide, approximately 25% of individuals may experience weight gain, whereas those on higher doses of semaglutide tend to achieve greater weight loss.
3. You’re skipping doses
If you skip a weekly Ozempic or Wegovy injection, it may slow down your weight loss progress. And predicting how your body will react if you take your prescription inconsistently can be challenging. To ensure you don’t forget, try to take your dose on the same day each week. Consistency in medication administration, eating habits, and exercise are essential for the best weight loss results.
4. You’ve not changed your diet
While semaglutide can help promote weight loss, it is most effective when combined with a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining a balanced and calorie-conscious diet is essential for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Medications alone may not compensate for an unhealthy diet. Even in clinical trials, semaglutide was found to be effective in weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.
Participants in this trial were encouraged to implement these healthy diet changes. Weight loss depends on burning more calories than you consume. If you’re not losing weight, it’s possible that your caloric intake still exceeds your energy expenditure. Besides your calorie intake, various dietary practices may hinder your efforts to lose weight. For instance, red meat, refined carbohydrates, starches, and beverages with added sugar are all linked to weight gain. Drinking alcohol can also hamper your weight loss attempts.
5. You’re not physically active
As mentioned above, the effectiveness of semaglutide in promoting weight loss is enhanced when used in conjunction with regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Exercise helps burn calories and improves overall metabolic health, complementing the effects of the medication. Aim for 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity, such as running, or at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, like walking or swimming, each week. Perform strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least twice weekly. Exercise can also boost metabolism, helping your body burn calories more efficiently. This can enhance the weight-loss effects of semaglutide.
6. You’ve reached a plateau
You’ve followed a healthy, low-calorie diet, improved your exercise habits, and haven’t missed a dose of semaglutide. You have watched your weight reduce and are excited. But, suddenly, the scale has stopped budging–You’ve hit a weight-loss plateau. Don’t be scared. A plateau in weight loss is a common experience.
Plateaus occur when your body adapts to changes in diet, exercise, or medication, and progress slows down. When this happens, it’s essential to reevaluate your diet and ensure you are still maintaining a calorie deficit by choosing nutrient-dense foods and controlling portion sizes. Consider also changing your workout routine. If you’ve been doing the same exercises for a while, your body may have become accustomed to them. Try adding a variety of routines, such as increasing intensity or incorporating resistance training.
7. You have a pre-existing medical condition
Several underlying medical issues may impede weight loss efforts. For instance, hypothyroidism may cause a slower metabolism. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), a medical condition that results in hormonal imbalances, frequently leads to weight gain.
People with type 2 diabetes, which semaglutide treats, may lose weight more slowly than those without. Semaglutide trials have shown that people without diabetes have higher chances of losing weight than those with diabetes. People without type 2 diabetes lost an average of 6.3% of their body weight after taking semaglutide for three months, whereas those with diabetes lost 3.9%. Those without type 2 diabetes lost 11.8% of their weight after six months, while those with diabetes lost 7.2%.
Inform your healthcare provider about your pre-existing medical condition and express your concerns about the lack of significant weight loss. They can assess how the condition may affect your response to semaglutide and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.
8. You’re stressed
Stress can lead to weight gain. Research suggests that there is a connection between obesity and chronic stress. Stress triggers the release of hormones, such as cortisol, often referred to as the “stress hormone.” Elevated cortisol levels can stimulate appetite and lead to cravings for high-calorie and sugary foods. Even if you’re not consuming high-fat and sugary foods, cortisol may also slow your metabolism, making it challenging to lose weight.
Some people also respond to stress by seeking solace in food, leading to emotional or stress eating. This can result in consuming more calories than the body needs for energy. You may also exercise less, lack the time and motivation to make healthier meals, and tend to eat anything you find, which is not often the healthiest choice. For some people, weight gain can cause more stress.
9. You’re not getting enough sleep
Sleep deprivation affects the number of calories you burn and consume during the day. Lack of sleep can disrupt the balance of hunger-regulating hormones, increasing ghrelin (the hormone that stimulates hunger) and reducing leptin (the hormone that signals satiety). This hormonal imbalance can lead to increased appetite and cravings for calorie-dense foods. Fatigue and lack of motivation from inadequate sleep can also lead to decreased physical activity and exercise, reducing overall calorie expenditure.
10. You’re constipated
Constipation is one of the side effects of using semaglutide. And if your body is holding onto waste longer, you may not lose weight as quickly as you had hoped. Regular bowel movements are necessary for the proper functioning of your digestive system. Increase your regularity by drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and consuming a diet rich in fiber from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes.
How to Maximize Weight Loss on Semaglutide
Here are some general tips that may help maximize weight loss while using semaglutide:
1. Adopt a healthy diet
Adopting a new eating pattern that encourages weight loss must include reducing your overall calorie consumption. Reducing your daily intake by approximately 500 calories is a good starting point, aiming for fewer than 1,500 calories in total per day. But don’t do this alone. Follow a doctor’s instructions while on this diet.
One way to reduce your calorie intake is by increasing your consumption of plant-based foods. Prioritize eating a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Aim for variety to help you reach your goals without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, and high-calorie snacks, and be mindful of portion sizes to prevent overeating.
2. Exercise regularly
Semaglutide is prescribed in combination with exercise. Reducing calories and engaging in regular physical activity can help you lose weight more effectively. Exercise can help burn the extra calories you can’t cut through medication alone.
Exercise also provides many health benefits, including improving your mood, strengthening your heart, and lowering blood pressure. Exercise can also help you maintain weight. Maintaining long-term weight loss is linked to regular physical activity.
Still trying to figure out where to begin? Start with a walk. Set reasonable goals, such as 15 minutes daily, and gradually increase it to 30 minutes. Don’t strive to walk 10,000 steps a day if you’re walking 2,000. Increase to 4,000 daily and increase every week. Next, add strength training and aerobic activities such as biking, swimming, or running. Strength training builds muscles, which helps you burn calories even when sleeping. A healthy balance includes walking every day, strength training twice or three times a week, and cardio or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) once or three times a week.
3. Make lifestyle changes
Making positive lifestyle changes is crucial for overall well-being and weight management. Ensure you stay hydrated by drinking enough water daily. Studies suggest that drinking a sufficient amount of water can help prevent overeating, potentially leading to weight loss.
Prioritize adequate sleep, aiming for 7-8 hours each night, as it impacts metabolism and prevents hormonal changes that can impede weight loss. Manage stress through stress-reducing activities, such as walking, reading, journaling, meditation, or deep breathing, to promote a healthier balance between your mind and body. These lifestyle changes, combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, contribute to a holistic approach to better health and sustainable weight management.
3. Monitor Your Progress
Self-monitoring is a simple and effective technique for tracking your progress, especially when using weight loss medications like semaglutide. It can be as simple as writing down what you eat daily or using a calorie calculator to track your calories, or as comprehensive as using a smartphone or web app to monitor your daily caloric intake, weight, exercise levels, and other variables. Weekly check-ins with your doctor can also be helpful for monitoring any changes in your weight loss journey and for addressing any side effects you may experience with the medication.
5. Cut out alcohol
For many people, cutting back on alcohol is a simple method to reduce their calorie intake. Since alcohol has no nutritional value, drinking it will result in empty calories—up to 500 for mixed cocktails that contain fruit juices, ice cream, or heavy cream, as well as syrupy sweeteners. If you order drinks, choose a 5-ounce (145 mL) glass of wine, which has 120 calories, or a 12-ounce (355 mL) light beer with 103 calories.
6. Be patient with yourself
Losing weight with semaglutide may take weeks to start seeing results. Sticking to a healthier diet is not a one-day thing either. It could take weeks to start noticing benefits while using semaglutide for weight loss. Sticking to a healthier diet also takes time. Your body may also take weeks to adjust to the medication, and it may take trial and error to determine the best diet for you. Try not to get discouraged if it takes longer than you’d like for your new habits to stick because some days will be easier than others. If you set reasonable goals for yourself, stay committed, and continually monitor your progress, you’re likely to achieve your goals.
How long Does It Take to Lose Weight on Semaglutide?
You may start losing weight on semaglutide within the first four weeks of treatment, but it may take several months to achieve the full effects. While this may vary from person to person, other factors, such as diet and physical activity, may also influence the rate of weight loss.
According to clinical trials, people on a weekly semaglutide dosage can expect to lose an average of 5–10% of their body weight. Patients who were overweight lost 5.9% of their body weight after three months of weekly semaglutide injections. The average weight loss was 10.9% after 6 months of weekly injections.
FAQs About Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Semaglutide?
Can semaglutide cause weight gain?
No, semaglutide is associated with weight loss rather than weight gain. However, some people may feel bloated during the first few weeks of the medication.
Why is semaglutide not working?
Semaglutide may not be effective due to several reasons, including inconsistent medication adherence, lower dosage, dietary adjustments, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes.
How much does semaglutide cost?
Semaglutide may cost anywhere between $1,000 and $1,200 per month. Compounding semaglutide may be significantly cheaper, typically costing $300–$500 per month.
Still Not Seeing Results? Here Is How NP2GO Can Help
If you’ve tried the above strategies without success on your weight loss journey, know you’re not alone. At NP2GO Weight Loss Clinic, we specialize in helping people successfully lose weight on semaglutide. Our team of healthcare professionals, registered dietitians, and behavior change specialists is here to provide science-based recommendations and the accountability needed for success.
Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Let us be your dedicated support team. Our care team supports you when things are going well and, most importantly, helps you solve problems when they aren’t. It’s essential to have a team that you connect with, who listens to you when you need help and will put in the effort to get you back on track.
Losing weight is a collaborative effort, and our trained professionals can guide you through personalized meal plans, lifestyle changes, and emotional well-being support. We offer objective support and expertise. If you’re facing challenges with semaglutide, we can also explore semaglutide alternatives tailored to your unique needs, such as trying weight loss medications like Zepbound or Mounjaro, known for their effectiveness in weight loss.
Our weight loss services are across 28 states, including Alaska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, and more. Book your consultation with us today to receive the best support for semaglutide in the US! You can also call 405-696-7003.