Ineffectiveness / Stall in Weight Loss / Plateauing
Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences with weight loss ineffectiveness, stalls, or plateaus while taking GLP-1 medications. Some find these periods temporary and overcome them, while others struggle with a lack of results or a slowdown in weight loss.
Experiences with Ineffectiveness / Stall in Weight Loss / Plateauing:
Initial Water Weight Loss: A common observation is a significant initial weight drop, often attributed to water weight, followed by a slowdown. "GLP-1 medications reduce inflammation, as a result all their cells start dumping retained fluids. Therefore, the first month will typically see a significant drop - mostly due to water weight. A lot of people seem to be disappointed with the sudden slow down in weight loss after the initial few weeks. They see this as a sign that the medication \"isn't working\" - which is not the case. "[1]
Stalls Can Be Long: Plateaus can last for a significant period. "Stalls can last 1-6 weeks before the needle starts to move again on its own, so there's a lot to be said for \"trusting the process\". "[5] One user shared, "I got 1mg and stuck with it for a couple months because I was doing well and hit a 6 week plateau where I didn’t lose anything. "[12]
Dosage and Effectiveness: Some users don't see results until higher doses. "It's also important to note that some people do not see any weightless until they reach the higher dosages of 7. 5mg or above (for Mounjaro/Zepbound). "[5] Another user mentioned, "I had to get above 7. 5 to lose but overall I lost 70 lbs. "[8] Similarly, "I didn’t feel any hunger decrease until 1. 5mg on Ozempic. "[9] Some users report a stall even after increasing dosage: "I lost a whole pant size in my first month on sema and was so excited. I increased my dose for the past month as directed and haven't lost anything. "[11]
No Response or Slow Response: Not everyone responds the same way. "Some people also respond better to semaglutide! "[7] or "My body did not respond to zepbound but I’ve had great success on semaglutide. "[7] One user on Ozempic for 3 months "didnt lose any weight or notice any differences. "[7] Another said, "I'm on semaglutide. Lost weight (6lbsonly) initially and now stagnant. "[7]
Plateauing at Higher Doses: Some users experience plateaus even at the highest medication doses. "But weight loss on them is plateauing after about a year, on the highest dose already. "[3]
Comparison to Non-GLP-1 Weight Loss: Some users find GLP-1s make weight loss easier despite stalls. One user who previously lost weight with a lap band and then a duodenal switch said, "And the weight has just continued to slide off with little thought or effort from me. I was 239 on Oct 1st and I am 184 today. "[22]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Dietary Adjustments & Calorie Tracking: Caloric deficit is still key. "Losing weight on a GLP-1 medication STILL requires a caloric deficit (for most people). "[5] Users recommend tracking calories: "Track your calories. See what's going on and adjust as necessary. "[11] and "I had to start counting calories to lose weight even while using a glp-1. "[7] Focusing on protein is also suggested: "If I don’t get protein and water I do stall. "[28]
Increasing Dosage (with caveats): If a stall coincides with returning food noise, increasing dosage might be considered after a couple of weeks. [5] However, a stall doesn't automatically mean a dosage increase is needed. [1] Some users note that they didn't lose weight until higher doses. [8, 12, 28]
Switching Medications: If one GLP-1 isn't effective, switching to another might help. "You may have to try a different GLP-1. My body did not respond to zepbound but I’ve had great success on semaglutide. "[7] Another user shared, "Every time I plateaued I switched glp’s and it totally broke the plateau. Started w Saxenda, then Ozempic and now Mounjaro. "[15]
Changing Injection Site: Some users anecdotally report breaking stalls by changing where they inject the medication. "There is also anecdotal evidence that the injection site can influence the rate of weight loss... they've been able to break a stall by injecting in a different area of their body. "[4] Another user suggested, "maybe try rotating your injection location (back of arms, stomach, thigh). As weird/silly as it sounds, it can be a very different experience for a lot of people simply changing the location... a lot of people over in the Mounjaro subreddit have advised that it has helped kick them out of a plateau. "[9]
Exercise: Incorporating or changing exercise routines is recommended. "If someone is plateauing on this medication, this is the time to take another look at what needs to change (revisit what is being eaten, revisit the workout routine or change it up to be a dynamic workout... )"[3] One user works out intensely to avoid plateaus: "But I workout 7 days a week 2x a day to avoid that. "[17]
Hydration and Fiber: Adequate hydration and fiber are important. "If I don’t get protein and water I do stall. Also make sure you’re getting plenty of fiber. The digestive issues from these meds can cause inflammation and cause a stall. "[28]
Managing Expectations: Understanding that weight loss isn't always linear and that initial rapid loss might slow down is crucial. [1] "The first month on the medication should not be taken as an indication of the rate of weight loss to expect going forward. "[1]
Focus on Non-Scale Victories: Taking measurements can be motivating when the scale isn't moving. "I didn’t see much with body changes, but my measurements were what kept me motivated. "[9]
Consulting a Doctor: If ineffectiveness persists, especially at higher doses, consulting a doctor is advised. [29] "This is one of those situations where you really need to loop in a doctor.
Experiences with Ineffectiveness / Stall in Weight Loss / Plateauing:
- Plateaus are Normal: Many users and even healthcare professionals acknowledge that plateaus are a normal part of any weight loss journey, including with GLP-1s.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Patience and Consistency: Many users emphasize patience.