- 10 reasons you are not losing weight on Wegovy
- 1) Poor diet
- 2) Lack of physical activity
- 3) Missing doses
- 4) Lack of patience
- 5) Underlying health conditions
- 6) Stress and lack of sleep
- 7) Drinking too much alcohol
- 8) Weight loss plateau
- 9) Expired or damaged product
- 10) Lack of a support system
- 12 tips to make Wegovy more effective for weight loss
- Conclusion
- Source
If you’re like many people using Wegovy for weight loss, you may be feeling frustrated that you aren’t losing the weight you were hoping for.
Wegovy (pronounced wee-goh-vee) is the brand name for Semaglutide.
It is a prescription-only injectable medication that helps people lose weight and maintain healthy weight loss.
The drug is prescribed for:
- Adults who are obese (having a BMI of 30 or higher).
- Obese adolescents (12 years and above) who have a BMI greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for children their age and sex.
- Some overweight adults (with a BMI of 27 or above) that have weight-related health issues like hypertension, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is a risk factor for a long list of health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and several types of cancer.
Over the years, various medications that can help people manage their weight have been discovered.
Approved by the FDA in 2021, Wegovy is one such medication.
In addition to helping people shed pounds, it has been shown to have benefits for heart health and other weight-related issues.
In this article, we go through some possible reasons why you may be using Wegovy without losing weight and give you some tips that may help you achieve your desired weight loss results.
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10 reasons you are not losing weight on Wegovy
Despite using Wegovy effectively, some people may notice that they are not experiencing changes in their weight.
For instance, one clinical trial showed that people who were using Wegovy lost an average of 14.9% of their weight over 68 weeks.
However, around 14% of participants did not achieve the study’s primary goal of losing at least 5% of their body weight by the end of the study.
It is important to keep in mind that people can have different responses to the same medications.
Hence, the effects of Wegovy vary from person to person. However, there are some reasons why you may not be losing weight even while using Wegovy as directed:
1) Poor diet
Unhealthy eating habits and consumption of junk foods will only counter the effects of Wegovy. It is best to consume a healthy and balanced diet to enjoy the maximum benefits of Wegovy.
2) Lack of physical activity
A sedentary lifestyle tends to prevent effective weight loss and may lead to weight gain instead.
In another randomized clinical trial where people were given Wegovy over 68 weeks, participants lost an average of 15.8% of their starting weight.
However, this was in combination with advice to modify their diets and engage in physical activity. So, even when using Wegovy, making relevant lifestyle changes is important.
3) Missing doses
Skipping doses will not allow you to experience the full benefit of Wegovy. It is important that you are consistent with taking the drug as prescribed by your doctor and getting a refill as soon as possible.
If you are having difficulty keeping up with the cost of Wegovy, speak with your doctor about the options available and ask for Wegovy money-saving tips.
4) Lack of patience
Weight loss is a gradual process that does not happen overnight. Having unrealistically high expectations can cause you to feel anxious and frustrated, and make it seem like you are not seeing any results.
5) Underlying health conditions
Certain health conditions predispose you to weight gain and can affect the impact of Wegovy. These include hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Cushing’s syndrome.
6) Stress and lack of sleep
For a lot of people, stress and inadequate sleep can lead to overeating, which causes weight gain. Stress can also cause you to retain weight as a result of increased cortisol levels.
7) Drinking too much alcohol
In many ways, alcohol abuse can contribute to weight gain. Alcohol contains empty calories. It can also interfere with your metabolism and trigger cravings for unhealthy foods.
8) Weight loss plateau
Many people hit a plateau and experience a stabilization of their weight for a brief period during their weight loss journey.
This is normal and may be a result of your body adapting to the weight loss by slowing down your metabolism, causing you to burn fewer calories.
9) Expired or damaged product
If your Wegovy is expired or damaged, it may not have the desired effect.
10) Lack of a support system
You need a strong support system when you embark on a weight loss journey. Lack of a support system may cause you to slack in consistency with the medication and lifestyle changes.
12 tips to make Wegovy more effective for weight loss
Here are some solutions to the problems we discussed above and some tips that may help make Wegovy more effective and promote a better outcome if you aren’t losing weight:
1) Follow a healthy diet plan
Always pair Wegovy with a nutritious diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit your intake of high-calorie and processed foods.
Consult your healthcare provider or a dietician if you are experiencing difficulties finding the right weight loss diet plan for yourself.
| Eat | Limit |
| Veggies | High-calorie foods |
| Fruits | Processed foods |
| Whole grains | |
| Lean protein | |
| Healthy fats |
2) Exercise regularly
Have regular exercise incorporated into your daily routine. Apart from weight loss, there are loads of benefits to exercising regularly.
Exercise can include:
- Walking
- Riding a bike
- Going for a jog
- Swimming
- Skipping
- Weight training
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Interval training
3) Avoid skipping doses
Always use the prescribed dose of Wegovy (as directed by your healthcare provider) and avoid skipping doses.
4) Stay hydrated
Adequate hydration can help to boost your metabolism, curb your appetite and improve your general well-being.
5) Treat underlying medical conditions
If you are experiencing symptoms that make you suspect you have an underlying condition, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
6) Beware of drug interactions
Always inform your doctor about all the medications you are using. That way, you can be sure that you are not using any drugs that could interact with Wegovy and reduce its effect.
7) Manage stress and get enough sleep
Having a stress-free life is impossible. But, it is possible to manage your stress with stress-reducing exercises like deep breathing, yoga, and meditation.
Also, ensure that you are getting adequate sleep every day, as it helps with weight loss.
8) Be consistent
The saying, “Slow and steady wins the race,” describes the weight loss process. It is a gradual process that requires patience and consistency – with both the medication and lifestyle changes – to see positive results.
9) Avoid alcohol
It is best to avoid alcohol while taking Wegovy as it may contribute to weight gain and reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
10) Check the drug is not expired or damaged
Always check the expiry date before using your Wegovy injection. Also, be sure to follow all the storage and handling information that comes with the medication.
Wegovy should be protected from heat. You should keep your Wegovy pens in the refrigerator between temperatures of 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C).
It should not be frozen, so keep it away from the freezer compartment.
Also, keep the drug in its original container to protect it from light. If you have any questions about how to store or handle the drug, speak with your pharmacist.
11) Find a support group
Consider joining a weight loss program where you can meet other people on the same journey as you who can provide guidance and accountability.
12) Stay informed
To make wise decisions, educate yourself about nutrition, healthy eating, and weight loss techniques.
Conclusion
Wegovy is a drug that has been shown to help people lose significant amounts of weight. However, this occurs when it is used in combination with a healthy lifestyle.
Some reasons why you may not lose weight while on Wegovy include a poor diet, lack of physical activity, skipping doses, and underlying health conditions.
Every person’s weight loss journey is unique. The process is faster for some individuals and slower for others.
But, in general, the weight loss process requires patience and consistency. To successfully lose weight with Wegovy, it is important to work closely with a healthcare professional to identify and address any potential hurdles.
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