Scientists are still trying to understand why some people can tolerate and respond to GLP-1s more than others.
In the meantime, there are some lifestyle factors that are within your control.
Are You Eating, Exercising, and Sleeping Well?
Photo Composite by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health
GLP-1 drugs can help to control appetite and hunger, but they arent a cure-all.
Tending to your health in other ways may determine how beneficial the drugs are for you.
But if someone continues to eat calorie-dense foods over nutrition-rich options, they may struggle to lose weight.
Getting adequate protein can help stave off hunger after meals, reducing the tendency to snack.
Its also important for avoiding muscle loss.
Moreno said exercise is the number one most important factor for maintaining weight loss.
Strength training can build muscle and improve metabolism, bone strength, blood sugar control, and more.
Aerobic exercise carries benefits, including improved heart and mental health.
Sleeping poorly and being stressed out can also limit the bodys ability to lose weight.
When you dont sleep well, you may be hungrier the next day.
You may be tired, so you dont have the energy to exercise as much as you want to.
Youre not able to focus on all the things that you want to do, like eat better.
Some people who are super swamped may not be consistent with taking the medication, Moreno said.
All of these things matter, and every little bit adds up.
Are You Taking the Right Dose?
Most people start losing weight after taking the drug for about three weeks.
Sometimes, the key is to adjust your dose.
Researchers arenow studyingwhether a 7.2-milligram dose of semaglutidea dose three times greater than Wegovywill cause even more responsiveness.
This is still a subject of tremendous research.
That doesnt mean the medication isnt working for you.
At some point, weight loss will always peter out.
Is Your GLP-1 Use Consistent?
GLP-1 drugs are effective only as long as theyre taken consistently.
Pausing the medication or inconsistent use can lead to weight regain or poorer glycemic control.
Compliance is the number one issue, and lack of compliance has many causes.
Many people experience gastrointestinal and other side effects when taking a GLP-1 medication.
For some people, those side effects are uncomfortable enough that they choose to stop the medication.
Sometimes, the price tag keeps people from consistently accessing their medication.
Do You Have Other Health Conditions That Affect Weight Loss?
Sometimes, other health conditions can affect how easy it is for someone to lose weight.
Taking insulin can also make it harder for someone to lose weight.
Hundreds of psychiatric medications are also weight promoting, Moreno said.
Stacking several medications can sometimes help people manage both their weight and other conditions simultaneously.
Understand Whats Realistic
The average weight loss reported in the studies is just thatan average.
Not everyone will lose 15% or 20% of their body weight.
On the other hand, there are super responders who lose far more body weight than the average.
For example, some people metabolize or process drugs faster than others.
And people may have different levels of sensitivity to hormones.
Scientists are working to untangle all the factors that contribute to weight management success.
Those findings could help clinicians to personalize their patients health care.
They should look for other improvement variables like: Are they able to go up the stairs easier?
Are they able to play with their grandkids?
Are they able to treat their diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure better?
