You’ve spent several hours negotiating with insurance to get Wegovy so you can finally reach see those weight loss results. But when you finally start using it, you noticed that weight is not going down. So what gives?
In this post, I’ll go over some of the common reasons why I see people not losing weight while taking Wegovy and other GLP-1 weight loss medications.
3 Reasons why you might not be losing weight on Wegovy
#1 Not eating enough protein
You might be surprised to hear that you actually need to be eating more than what you might be feeling like while taking GLP-1s. But it’s not just about eating more, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting a good amount of protein. That’s because we want to focus on fat loss, not muscle loss. A lack of protein is often the cause of unwanted muscle loss which is very common with GLP-1s.
Since you’re likely not really feeling up to eating much, choose high protein foods in small amounts. Aim for at least 10g per sitting if possible and have 6 small meals/snacks throughout the day. This will get you at least 60g per day which is appropriate for most people.
Here are 4 examples of high protein snacks that are 10g or more to help you get started:
- Protein bars – check out one of my other blog posts to find one that works best for you.
- 2/3 cup shelled edamame
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
#2 Not eating enough
Like I mentioned earlier, a common side effect of GLP-1s such as Wegovy is a lower of appetite. Sometimes even to the point of being so nauseous that the idea of food sounds horrid. If you’re feeling extreme nausea or having vomiting to the point that you can’t keep enough food down, talk to your doctor. You might need to reduce your dose for a little bit as your body adjusts.
Also something to keep in mind is that less calories is not always better for weight loss. You can certainly go too low. So if you find yourself feeling tired and weak, you might not be getting enough to eat. Try bumping up your calorie intake by 200 and see how your body reacts after a week or so.
#3 Not exercising at all
Physical activity still has an important role here when losing weight with Wegovy or any other GLP-1. It’s not enough to just take the shot and hope for the best. Exercise helps with weight loss by revving up the metabolism.
But is there a type of exercise that’s best for weight loss? While you can lose weight on both, you’ll likely have an easier time focusing on strength. Whether that’s through body weight exercises at home or working with a personal trainer on heavy lifting. And this is where it’s especially important to get more protein in your diet so you can build up those muscles.
One thing to keep in mind though is that muscle weighs more than fat. So you might see a brief uptick on the scale as you start up a new routine. Just know that as you continue your routine and continue with lifestyle changes, it will go down. Give it time.
How can I find further help?
Everyone who is taking a GLP-1 like Wegovy should be seeing a registered dietitian. There’s a lot of support that can be provided by working with a health professional such as developing healthy habits for long-term success in your weight loss goals.
If you’re interested in finding a registered dietitian to work with, check out Dietitian Directory or reach out to me directly to set up a free 30-minute video call.
And remember, there’s no shame in stopping Wegovy if you feel it’s not right for you. Check out my other blog post – Is there an alternative to Ozempic and Wegovy.