Semaglutide is primarily used to improve blood sugar management for people with type 2 diabetes. Recently, it has become a popular medication because it helps people rapidly lose weight.
When you take semaglutide, your body gets used to it — especially if you have been taking it for some time. But what happens when you stop taking the weight loss medication? Here is everything you need to know about how to avoid rebound weight gain after taking semaglutide.
How Semaglutide Works for Weight Loss
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that helps to regulate your appetite and how much you eat. It was originally developed as a type 2 diabetes medication. However, it was quickly discovered that patients experienced weight loss benefits, which led to its medical approval in 2021. Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone in your body called incretin, which is made primarily in your digestive tract. GLP-1 works to help people lose weight by:
- Targeting the part of the brain that regulates appetite, especially after eating, which may help you eat less.
- Slowing down how quickly the stomach empties, making you feel fuller for longer
When you take semaglutide, you can eat less food without your body going into starvation mode. However, once you stop taking the drug, your body will process the calorie deficit as a sign of malnourishment and will try to put the weight back on. This could mean that all the behaviors that you experienced before taking the drug (e.g., insatiable appetite or high blood sugar) are likely to return.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Semaglutide
While semaglutide may seem like a magic pill, the truth is the effects only last while you take the weight loss medication. In fact, a study published in 2022 found that after a year people had regained approximately two-thirds of the weight they had lost. Additionally, the positive changes patients had seen in cardiometabolic risk factors (like blood pressure) had similarly reversed. This means that to maintain the benefits of the medication, patients must address the underlying issues that led to weight gain in the first place.
Keep in mind that each person’s health journey post-semaglutide will look different and depend on a variety of factors:
- How much weight they lost
- How quickly they lost it
- Whether they are practicing any other lifestyle modifications
When you take semaglutide for weight loss, it is important to continue to follow a healthy diet and exercise. Regular check-ins with a Licensed Medical Provider can help ensure that you are on the right path toward long-term success.
Effective Strategies to Avoid Rebound Weight Gain
First, it is important to only follow a weight loss program if it has been medically proven and cleared by a Licensed Medical Provider, such as the ones at Red Mountain Weight Loss®. Our Medical Team has extensive knowledge regarding the science behind health and wellness and is the most qualified resource for deciding on a weight loss method that is suitable for one’s lifestyle habits, health history, and goals.
The secret to maintaining weight loss after following a program is to support your transition with a balance of psychological education, medically proven tools, and a dedication to healthy habits. When combined, weight maintenance is easier, given that the transformative process is never abandoned.
Stay Educated About Health
There are many “tips,” “tricks,” and “hacks” for healthy living. However, the most trustworthy person to listen to is always a medical expert. These experts, such as clinical psychologists who have studied human behavior, can help individuals deal with internal struggles or emotion-related habits such as self-esteem, body image, and binge eating by providing insight onto solving these issues at their core.
While the tips provided in the guidelines for some fad diets may be effective in the moment, it is important to practice introspection in order to make healthy living habitual. Are you looking for proven psychological advice from a certified specialist? Dr. Kim Feinstein, Psy. D., is Red Mountain’s Behavioral Specialist and has written various articles to help you maintain a weight loss mindset.
Use Medically Proven Tools
We offer a variety of products to accelerate your results that are exclusive to Red Mountain:
- Our Prescription Appetite Suppressants like PhenterMist™ is the only appetite suppressant spray on the market that offers instant relief for those on-the-go moments when faced with temptations, and you need more control quickly. PhenterMist is ideal for patients who just need occasional improved control or those who use it for ongoing maintenance.
- Our Medical-Grade Vitamins & Supplements are of the highest potency and purity, which ensures maximum absorption by the body. We offer a wide variety, all of which are proven to help our patients maintain or achieve their optimal healthy weight.
Engage in Healthy Habits
Aside from having the right mindset and tools, it is imperative to work toward a lifestyle filled with activity, mental clarity, and positivity. Here are some basic habits that everyone can easily implement into their lives:
Invest in Yourself
Self-care enables you to be a better overall person and perform at our highest capacity. When you can, take the time to appreciate yourself with your favorite stress-relief activity, occasionally treating yourself, etc. This help you stay positive and avoid unnecessary stress and weight gain from increased cortisol levels.
Get Regular Exercise
As suggested by Anita Terlizzi, certified personal trainer and success coach, it is not only to exercise to keep your body in shape, but exercise benefits your immune system, mental health, and overall body function. Her advice:
“Remember, exercise is part of that long-term plan. You should shoot for 3-5x/week for cardio (aerobic) and 2-3x/week for strength training.”
However, don’t feel like it is necessary to visit the gym to work out. In fact, Anita suggests that people “engage in physical activities that you find enjoyable so that exercise doesn’t feel like a chore,” suggesting activities such as “running with your dog, joining a sports team, swimming, or hiking with a friend. Exercise is part of that long-term plan, so make it enjoyable!”
Stay Hydrated
We suggest that patients drink at least 64 oz. of water per day (8 cups). Another good way to calculate how much water to drink is to take your body weight and half it! For instance, a 200 lb person may aim to drink 100 oz of water.
Hydration is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the body’s systems, including organ function, temperature regulation, and bacterial regulation. Plus, staying hydrated can help decrease hunger, remove toxins, and support lipolysis (the breakdown of fats in the body).
Get Enough Sleep
According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep, just like stress, raises cortisol. As the body’s insulin levels are raised and blood sugar levels are decreased, unwanted weight gain can occur.
Our dedicated team is here to support you as you take the first step on your journey towards a healthier and happier you. Book an appointment today to get started.
