Semaglutide is an FDA-approved medication typically used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, because it's provided positive results regarding weight loss, it's also prescribed off-label for weight management. While studies (1) show it offers people the potential to lose as much as 7% of their body weight, if you don't see results, you may wonder, why am I not losing weight on semaglutide?
Weight issues are a significant problem for so many people. While eating a healthy balanced diet and physical exercise is a vital piece of the puzzle, as with any medication, weight loss results may be determined by various factors.
Semaglutide For Weight Loss: How it Works
There are a lot of medications and over-the-counter products that promise positive weight loss results. Still, few have medical research to back up their claims. However, semaglutide is different, and studies (2) have shown it to be an effective remedy for significant weight loss. But how does semaglutide work?
Semaglutide contains an ingredient called semaglutide, an effective treatment for weight loss and reduces appetite by sending messages to your brain that you're full. Semaglutide works by slowing down the speed at which your digestive system works.
After eating a meal, the digestive system produces the hormone GLP-1, which regulates insulin release in the blood that controls sugar levels. (3) Taking semaglutide also produces the hormone GLP-1, which is why it's also used in managing type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that semaglutide controls hunger and an appetite for fatty and unhealthy foods. (4)
6 Reasons You May Not Be Losing Weight on semaglutide
Despite all the positive studies showing how successful semaglutide is regarding weight loss, you may wonder why you're not losing weight. Here are 6 reasons you may not be seeing the results you want.
1. Change up Your Diet
If you've expected to lose weight without making dietary changes, It's essential to understand that even on semaglutide, diet is an important factor. To lose weight, you'll want to focus on a diet of healthy foods and watch processed carbs and sugar, high-calorie drinks and meats. semaglutide is one tool that, along with reducing calories, can help on your weight loss journey.
2. Get Enough Exercise
Exercise benefits overall health and can be a significant factor in losing weight. While reducing calories is a must while taking semaglutide, it's also vital to burn calories. Aerobic activities such as walking, running, and elliptical training in conjunction with resistance training to build muscle can accelerate your weight loss efforts and improve your health.
3. Get Adequate Sleep
Underestimating how much sleep we need isn't good for our health. Lack of sleep can impede efforts to drop weight and even cause weight gain. (5) According to studies (6), obesity is a factor in sleeping less than 7 hours due to hormonal imbalances, hunger levels, and cravings for high-calorie and ultra-processed foods.
4. You Haven't Given Enough Time to Work
It may seem that changing your diet and exercise habits still isn't working. But it may be because you haven't given it enough time to work. Due to possible side effects, semaglutide is usually prescribed in a low dose, helping your body get used to it. Doctors then increase it over time until you've reached the proper dose.
It could take several months until you've reached that maintenance dose and see the results you've been looking for. If you're noticing changes in your appetite, experiencing fewer cravings, and eating less overall, it's most likely already working.
5. The Dreaded Plateau
If you've ever been on a diet with weight loss moving along nicely, only to have it come to a screeching halt, you've most likely experienced a weight loss plateau. It occurs for several reasons, including the body trying to adjust to quick weight loss, muscle loss, and slowing metabolism. (7)
As the body adjusts, hormones can change our patterns of hunger and appetite, and we may crave foods we know aren't good for us. (8) Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss journey and don't last forever as long as you stay on track.
6. You're Under Too Much Stress
Stress can do a lot of damage to all areas of health and can negatively impact our efforts to lose weight. It can not only lead to overeating but also to choosing the foods that make us gain weight. Things like high-fat and sugary foods will zap energy and lead to even more bad habits, including ditching that workout. It can also disrupt sleep, making it even tougher to stay on track with healthy habits. (9)
While we can't always eliminate stressors in life, finding ways to minimize them makes us feel better and increases our chances of success.
Looking for Extra Help? TRT Could Be the Missing Link
Combining Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) with semaglutide can be a promising approach for certain individuals.
TRT addresses low testosterone levels in men, which can lead to fatigue, decreased muscle mass, and weight gain. semaglutide contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production and reducing appetite. When used together, TRT may enhance energy levels and improve overall well-being. semaglutide can contribute to better glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. Could this be the perfect partnership? To find out, why not try our free assessment in the link below?
Weight Loss A Struggle?
IT COULD BE YOUR HORMONES
Conclusion: Why Am I Not Losing Weight on semaglutide?
While we'd like to think there are shortcuts to weight loss, like anything we do, it can take time and effort to succeed. Several factors need to be considered when losing weight, such as health and lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. Semaglutide and other semaglutide-containing medications are a valuable tool for your weight loss goals. But without the other pieces of the puzzle in place, you may not experience optimal results.
