Navigating Life After GLP-1: How to Maintain Your Weight Loss

When GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic first emerged, they offered many people a powerful new path to significant weight loss. However, recent studies and real-world experiences have shown that many individuals stop taking these drugs within two years. This often leads to a common challenge: regaining the weight they worked so hard to lose. At Family Medicine Institute in Winter Garden, we’re here to help you in navigating life after GLP-1 by understanding this “rebound effect” and creating a sustainable plan for your long-term health.

The Science of the “Rebound Effect”: Navigating Life After GLP-1

The question of why weight returns after stopping GLP-1 therapy is a complex one. For years, experts have talked about the “set point theory,” which suggests that your body has a specific weight range it actively tries to maintain. When you lose weight, your body initiates a cascade of biological responses to defend that set point. Your gut begins to secrete hormones that increase your appetite, making food cravings stronger, while your body simultaneously burns fewer calories at rest.

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking gut hormones that suppress this “food noise” and slow digestion, making you feel full. But as soon as you stop the medication, those powerful hunger signals often come roaring back. Consequently, in clinical trials, many participants who discontinued the drug regained a significant portion of their lost weight within a year.

It’s clear that GLP-1s are a treatment, not a cure. You’re effectively withdrawing the medication that was helping to manage a chronic condition, and the symptoms, in this case, a powerful drive to eat, return. This is similar to a person with high blood pressure stopping their medication once their readings are controlled; the blood pressure would likely increase again.

Why People Stop: The Biggest Hurdle is Cost

The primary reason many people discontinue GLP-1 therapy is the high cost. For individuals without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, getting insurance coverage for these medications can be incredibly difficult. Brands like Wegovy can cost upwards of $1,000 per month out of pocket. In addition, some people stopped due to uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects.

However, a new study shows that about a third of those who stopped GLP-1s without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis eventually restart the medication within a year. This suggests that for many, discontinuing the drug is not a permanent decision but is instead driven by financial or logistical factors. It’s also possible that, after regaining the weight, they sought to regain the benefits they had previously experienced.

A Plan for Long-Term Success

While regaining weight after stopping GLP-1 therapy is common, it is not inevitable. Even after discontinuing the drug, some studies find that patients still maintain a 5 to 10 percent net weight loss. Experts believe that combining GLP-1 therapy with ongoing lifestyle interventions is key to long-term success.

At Family Medicine Institute, we don’t just prescribe a medication; we provide a comprehensive approach to help you in navigating life after GLP-1. Our strategy for sustained weight loss includes:

• Nutritional Counseling: We will help you develop a calorie-controlled diet that supports your new weight while still allowing you to feel satisfied.
• Exercise Planning: We will work with you to create a sustainable workout routine that includes strength training to help you preserve lean muscle mass and boost your metabolism.
• Behavioral Support: We will discuss strategies for managing cravings and emotional eating to help you build a new, healthier relationship with food.
• Tapering the Medication: Some early research has suggested that tapering the medication over several weeks may help to slow the rate of weight regain. We can discuss this as a potential option for your individual case.

It is important to remember that these medications have also been shown to improve several other metabolic markers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. To maintain those benefits, a sustained commitment to a healthy lifestyle is essential.

Are you in the process of navigating life after GLP-1 and worried about regaining weight? Or are you considering starting GLP-1 therapy and want to ensure you have a plan for long-term success? Our team at Family Medicine Institute in Winter Garden is here to help. Schedule a consultation to discuss a personalized strategy for your health journey. Call us today at 321-221-0801.