Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Wegovy?

Main image courtesy of Unsplash. 

If you’ve come to the conclusion that losing weight is one of your goals, you’re not alone. A lot of folks use the new year to try and make better health decisions, and to finally stick with the resolution to lose more weight. Carrying extra weight can put you at an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and it can put extra strain on your organs, bones, and muscles. 

Making the choice to lose weight is a great investment in your health, but it is one that will require you to make some lifestyle changes. In order to reach a healthy weight, it’s important to make sure you’re choosing foods that nourish your body, and that provide the right vitamins and minerals to keep you strong while you drop the pounds. You’ll also need to commit to increasing your physical activity, as burning calories is the other essential part of losing weight. In addition to lifestyle changes, you may also want to discuss starting a medication such as Wegovy to help you reach your weight loss goals. But how can you expect to lose weight on Wegovy, and is there a risk that it won’t work for you?

In today’s article, we’re discussing:

• The benefits of taking Wegovy (and who is the right candidate)
• Why you may not be losing weight on Wegovy
• How to ensure you do drop the weight while taking a semaglutide

Who is a good candidate for Wegovy?

Should you consider taking Wegovy to lose weight?

If you feel like you’ve been trying to lose weight and haven’t been as successful as you hoped after making lifestyle changes, it might be time to speak to your doctor about going on a medication like a semaglutide. Wegovy is a semaglutide (like Ozempic which is FDA approved for type 2 diabetics). Wegovy specifically was approved to help with weight loss by the FDA in 2021, and it has helped lots of folks finally lose weight. 

You may be a candidate for Wegovy if you’re dealing with obesity and have a BMI of over 30, or have obesity related conditions and a BMI over 27. Wegovy has worked for lots of people because it mimics what your body’s hormones already do. After you eat, the semaglutide will mimic the hormone GLP-1, which regulates insulin and controls your blood sugar levels. It then reduces your appetite by making you feel fuller, especially after you’ve eaten smaller meals that you may not be accustomed to. You will also feel fuller for longer periods of time as a medication like Wegovy will slow down the rate in which your stomach empties food. 

Your doctor will start you on a low dose, and gradually increase it as your body adjusts to the medication. You will get one shot each week on the same day to help you stay consistent.

What are the top benefits of Wegovy?

Wegovy could be right for you if you’re having issues losing weight with diet and exercise changes alone. There are lots of benefits to taking this medication, including:

• Finally lose weight. Wegovy has worked for lots of people who want to finally take the weight off. When it’s paired with good eating habits, exercise, and the right amount of sleep, you can expect to lose the weight. It’s important to take the prescribed dose of the medication at a consistent time in order to see the benefits. You can expect to see a reduction in cravings and reduce the feeling of hunger pangs. Everyone will respond a little differently, but you can expect to see results in a few weeks. 

• Improved blood sugar control. Another great benefit of taking a medication like Wegovy is that it will improve your blood sugar control. Because it specifically mimics the hormone that helps with insulin regulation, Wegovy can signal to your brain that you’re full and you do not need to eat any more. 

• Lower the risk of heart disease. Another benefit of Wegovy has been its ability to lower the risk of developing heart disease. It can also lower the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke since it works to better regulate your blood sugar and helps you lose the extra weight.

Why am I not losing weight on Wegovy?

Have you not lost the weight while taking Wegovy? There could be a few reasons for this.

If you’ve been taking Wegovy for a while, you hopefully have started to see the weight fall off. This is how most people react to taking this medication, and doctors typically advise you to allow a few weeks for your body to get used to the drug. Once your body has become accustomed to it, you should start to lose weight. A lot of folks end up losing around 5% of their starting weight.

So what are some of the reasons you may not be experiencing weight loss?

1. You are expecting drastic changes

Although we all wish we could take one dose of a medication like Wegovy and lose the weight, that’s just not realistic. Mediation like this is designed to offer gradual weight loss that you will notice over time. This kind of stable, predictable weight loss is the key to maintaining a healthy weight over the long term because it requires you to make adjustments to your diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule that are sustainable for you. Do not expect to drop lots of pounds overnight! 

2. Your calorie intake is off

In order to lose weight even while you’re taking this medication, you need to ensure you’re ending the day with a calorie deficit, and burning more calories than you’re consuming. Wegovy can help reduce your appetite and help you feel more full, but you still need to make sure the food you’re eating is nutritious and you’re not overloading on one type of food, or not including a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.

3. You need to make more lifestyle adjustments

Losing weight for the long term means committing to lifestyle changes that you can actually keep. It doesn’t help anyone to make unrealistic goals, and then fall short on accomplishing them. Start small and make sure you’re making choices that will benefit you in the long run. This means not only eating a balanced diet and including physical activity, but also looking to reduce stress and ensure you’re getting enough sleep. 

4. You need to put more effort into your weight loss goals

Having a plan that you and your doctor can discuss about how you can maximize the amount of weight you lose on Wegovy could be beneficial. They can get you in contact with other professionals who can assist with creating a good diet and an exercise program that will work for you. You may also want to consider what your support system looks like. Would you benefit from meeting with a group of other Wegovy patients? Do you need a steady way to hold yourself accountable to your new lifestyle while taking this drug? These are all great questions to discuss with your healthcare provider.

5. You need a higher dose

You may not be losing weight while on Wegovy because your dose could be off. Your doctor will start you at a lower dose, so perhaps you just need to be patient and discuss with them about increasing your dose. They can decide whether that’s the right decision in order to get results. 

Ways to lose weight while taking a semaglutide like Wegovy

Make sure to supplement your weight loss on Wegovy with high protein, portion controlled options

One thing to keep in mind when you’re taking a medication like Wegovy, is that you need to increase your protein intake and ensure you’re doing strength training exercises to keep your muscles and bones strong. As you lose weight, you may risk a decrease in muscle mass and lowering your metabolic rate. Include high protein, low calorie, portion controlled meals and items like WonderSlim’s Meal Replacement Shake, which comes in 8 amazing flavors (plus a variety pack) and includes 15 grams of protein, 24 vitamins and minerals, and just 100 calories. 

Another easy way to stay on track with your diet and give your body the nutrients it needs is with these WonderSlim’s Protein and Fiber Bars. These convenient bars are easy to take with you on the go, and have 15 grams of protein, 6-8 grams of fiber, are low in sugar, and have just 160 calories or less! You’ll love the 4 flavors as well as how these bars can keep you full until your next meal.

There are a variety of reasons why you’re not seeing weight loss on Wegovy

If you’re not losing the amount of weight you hoped to on Wegovy, make sure you discuss your options with your doctor. You may just need a higher dose or some adjustments to your diet and exercise routine.