For many individuals, shedding weight is incredibly difficult, and it could actually seem increasingly difficult the older and heavier you get. Individuals who struggle with obesity or losing fat often turn to supplements and weight reduction medications to extend their possibilities of a metamorphosis.
One weight reduction medication that has exploded in popularity is semaglutide, a drug originally designed for type 2 diabetes treatment. While there are countless incredible success stories of serious weight reduction with semaglutide, there are others who’ve still struggled to drop pounds, despite assistance from the burden loss drug.
In this text, we’ll examine why shedding weight on semaglutide could also be difficult for you. Then, we’ll discuss things you may do to make sure this weight reduction treatment is effective, so you may get back heading in the right direction along with your weight reduction journey.
Table of Contents:
- What Is Semaglutide?
- 7 Reasons You are Struggling With Weight Loss on Semaglutide
- The right way to Lose Weight On Semaglutide
- Semaglutide Side Effects
- FAQs
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a compound that belongs to a category of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. After we eat and digest food, our body produces GLP-1, a hormone produced within the intestines and released into the gastrointestinal tract. Taking semaglutide mimics this natural process, increasing insulin and reducing glucagon production, which lowers blood sugar levels.
As such, semaglutide was initially prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes but expanded to administer obesity and chronic weight management. This hormonal response to manage blood sugar levels is important to burn body fat. In higher doses, semaglutide may trigger the brain to cut back appetite and help keep you feeling full for longer.
Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy are the one three semaglutide medication brands which can be FDA-approved. Novo Nordisk, a Danish-based pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes medications, produces all three.
Taken weekly, Ozempic is by far the preferred of the three for weight reduction and diabetes treatment. While Ozempic and Rybelsus are each approved for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, Ozempic is the one one which could be prescribed for weight management. It is also used to assist reduce the danger of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with heart disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Rybelsus is the primary and only GLP-1 receptor agonist available orally, a day by day tablet created as an alternative choice to Ozempic injections. Novo Nordisk realized that subcutaneous injections limited the user pool, so oral medication became vital. Despite Rybelsus only being approved for type 2 diabetes treatment, it is commonly used to assist people drop pounds.
For more details about these two semaglutide brands, take a look at our article comparing Ozempic vs. Rybelsus.
Finally, Weygovy is exclusive since it is barely prescribed for weight reduction and management, not diabetes. Wegovy has higher dosages to make sure it acts as an appetite suppressant and increases satiety. Much like Ozempic, Wegovy is injected once every week.
7 Reasons You are Not Losing Weight on Semaglutide
Should you find semaglutide is not working as you need, one among the next often is the reason you are not shedding weight.
1) Low Dosage:
Certainly one of the essential reasons that semaglutide will not be working is the dosage. Depending on which brand of drugs you utilize, the dosages are barely different.
Wegovy and Ozempic injections are similar in dosage, starting at 0.25 mg before elevating to 0.5 and 1.0 mg. Ozempic tops at 2.0 mg, whereas Wegovy has 1.7 and a pair of.4 mg options.
Rybelsus tablets are available 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. Whatever the drug, everyone starts at the bottom dosage for the primary 4 weeks to evaluate how the body reacts; then, the dosage increases as needed or if a weight reduction plateau is reached.
One study compared weight reduction results at various doses of oral semaglutide over 52 weeks. The 1,606 participants were divided into three dosage groups of day by day oral semaglutide: 14 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg. The outcomes showed a mean weight reduction of 17.5 kilos at 50 mg, 14.8 lbs at 25 mg, and 10 lbs at 14 mg1. This clearly shows that higher dosages lead to more significant weight reduction.
2) Have not Been On It Long Enough:
Should you ask yourself, “why am I not shedding weight on semaglutide?”, consider how long you have got been taking it.
While some people experience easy results, it could actually take 4 weeks or longer to kick in. So, in case you’re three weeks on semaglutide and don’t have any weight reduction, you only have to be patient!
One study measured weight reduction results on weekly semaglutide injections in 175 patients after three and 6 months. The outcomes showed a mean lack of 5.9% total body weight reduction after three months in comparison with 10.9% at six months2.
Be patient; it is best to experience regular weight reduction once it fully kicks in.
3) Unhealthy Food plan/High Calorie Intake:
Any time you’re taking semaglutide or another weight reduction medications, your weight loss plan must be in check to maximise results. A poor weight loss plan could be a significant reason for not shedding weight on Ozempic, Wegovy, Or Rybelsus.
To maximise healthy weight reduction, it is best to eat 4 to 6 smaller, balanced meals more steadily throughout the day relatively than a number of large meals. Eating large meals causes a spike in blood sugar levels, so eating smaller meals more steadily is best to assist stabilize blood sugar levels.
Maintaining a healthy diet meals and avoiding highly processed foods, equivalent to fatty foods and sugary items, can also be essential. Persist with vegetables, healthy fats, fiber, lean proteins, and complicated carbohydrates that stabilize blood sugar levels and keep you feeling full longer. Avoid high-calorie foods and maintain healthy dietary habits to assist reach your weight reduction goal.
For individuals who need assistance with their weight loss plan, our High Protein Meal Plan will help keep you full while supporting your weight reduction goals.
4) Time Of Dosage Administration (Mainly for Oral Semaglutide):
When and the way you’re taking your dose of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) can affect the outcomes. Semaglutide injections, nonetheless, could be taken at any time, with or without food, so long as it’s the identical day of the week.
To maximise absorption of oral semaglutide, you need to take it very first thing within the morning at the identical time on daily basis, with water, and 30 to 60 minutes before your first meal. Studies also show that the food you eat following the dosage can affect weight reduction results. One study found that eating a breakfast with healthy fats led to greater satiety, fewer cravings, and higher eating control3.
5) Not Drinking Enough Water:
Certainly one of the guidelines for maximizing weight reduction on semaglutide is to drink tons of water. The thought is that drinking more water helps control hunger and improves overall health. Staying hydrated can also be essential to assist avoid negative unwanted effects like nausea or headaches.
While drinking more water is usually good advice whatever the situation, studies show the quantity of water you drink doesn’t affect oral absorption of semaglutide. While complete tablet erosion occurred barely quicker with 240 ml of water in comparison with 50 ml of water, they reached maximum semaglutide concentration concurrently. They concluded the quantity of water at dosing doesn’t matter for erosion4.
6) Using Alcohol/Drugs:
Avoiding alcohol can significantly improve one’s health and weight reduction goals, no matter what medications or supplements they take.
Avoiding alcohol when taking semaglutide is very vital because alcohol affects blood sugar levels. Alcohol consumption on semaglutide increases the risks of becoming hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic. Anecdotal research shows that individuals report semaglutide severely enhances the results of alcohol, hitting the user harder and staying of their system longer.
Within the r/Semaglutide sub-Reddit, the thread “Is it okay to drink alcohol while on semaglutide?” has several posts that share alcohol horror stories. Several users reported that alcohol use makes them sick, especially at higher doses of semaglutide.
One user posted: “Drinking on it makes me so sick. Like the results of the hangover were much worse.” (source)
A special user added: “I do not advise it. It’s painful, in some ways!” (source)
Based on the long list of terrible experiences, it might be sensible to avoid alcohol when using semaglutide. It is best to seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider in case you take other drugs to avoid negative interactions.
7) Not Exercising Repeatedly:
Should you take semaglutide and do not change your weight loss plan or exercise consistently, you will not experience the outcomes you are hoping for.
While semaglutide can assist produce amazing weight reduction results, it is just not a magic pill or one-step solution. Weight reduction occurs as a result of a caloric deficit, so burning calories is imperative. Attempt to exercise no less than three to 4 times every week, if not day by day, to maximise weight reduction on semaglutide.
How To Lose Weight On Semaglutide
Luckily, in case you are struggling to drop pounds on semaglutide and are guilty of any of the aspects above, there are answers for achieving successful weight reduction.
Follow the following tips to maximise weight reduction on semaglutide. And in case you need more inspiration to assist keep you focused in your weight reduction goals, you may examine semaglutide’s weight reduction potential in our article: How Much Weight Can You Lose On Semaglutide?
1) Increase Dosage When Needed:
Everyone starts at the bottom dosage of semaglutide for the primary month to slowly introduce the drug to the body to attenuate unwanted effects.
Should you can handle the unwanted effects and aren’t shedding weight, try increasing the dosage to the following level. Ensure to not exceed the utmost day by day dosage, as unwanted effects significantly increase.
2) Maintain A Healthy Food plan:
Portion control and nutrient-dense food are essential to maximise weight reduction on semaglutide. Lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, and healthy fats are essential to take care of healthy blood sugar levels and reduce cravings.
Avoid processed foods, fatty foods, and items high in sugar, including sugary beverages. Should you need assistance getting began, our article on the 16 Best High Protein Low Fat Foods highlights a few of the very best foods you may eat. We even have an amazing 4 Week Weight Loss Meal Plan to assist get you heading in the right direction.
3) Eat More Often & Slower:
Eat small portions more steadily throughout the day relatively than a number of large meals. Eating an enormous meal could cause blood sugar levels to spike and cause food cravings. Should you eat smaller portions slowly, it helps provide a gentle nutrient intake, which is able to increase satiety and keep you feeling full longer.
4) Drink Plenty Of Water:
Staying hydrated is crucial for shedding weight and maintaining overall well-being. Drinking a lot of water will keep you full and reduce hunger or food cravings. It would also help your body flush toxins and support your overall health.
Should you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day, I like to recommend investing in a water bottle that you just really like. Sometimes the little things help and buying an amazing water bottle that keeps your drinks extra chilly and appears cool is all you would like.
Take a look at these water bottles on Amazon to immediately boost your hydration levels.
5) Exercise Consistently:
The 2 most vital aspects in your weight reduction efforts are weight loss plan and exercise. Regular exercise will help burn the calories needed to drop pounds, improve energy levels, help regulate blood sugar levels, improve sleep, improve mental health, and several other other advantages that promote overall well-being.
Should you’re unsure where to start, head to our article on the Best Workout Splits to seek out your perfect fit.
6) Get Support:
Having someone to assist keep you in check and guide you in your weight reduction journey could be helpful. This might mean having a dietitian create a meal plan, a private trainer to design a workout routine, a physician to watch your dosage, or just a friend that keeps you motivated.
7) Stay Consistent And Be Patient:
It might be frustrating once we don’t see easy results, but you need to stay dedicated, maintain healthy habits, and embrace the journey. The longer you might be consistent along with your weight loss plan, exercise, and dosage schedule, the greater the burden loss progress you’ll have.
Learn more about how long it takes the burden loss medication to make it easier to see ends in our article: How Long Does It Take Semaglutide To Work?
Semaglutide Side Effects
The aim of starting at a low dosage and slowly increasing is to avoid unwanted effects. Monitor the unwanted effects below and alert your healthcare provider in the event that they persist or worsen.
Essentially the most common semaglutide unwanted effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
More rare unwanted effects might occur, by which case it is best to seek immediate medical attention:
- Bleeding
- Burning feeling within the chest
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Loss/change of taste
If you have got underlying health conditions, semaglutide might be dangerous. Some individuals who should avoid taking semaglutide include: those with thyroid issues or thyroid cancer; those with gastrointestinal disorders; anyone with a history of pancreatitis, kidney or liver issues, or heart problems; and girls who’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning on becoming pregnant.
FAQs
These are a number of the mostly asked questions with semaglutide.
Does semaglutide work for everybody?
Although most individuals will experience sustainable weight reduction on semaglutide, it doesn’t work for everybody. A small percentage of individuals may not reply to the drug, or the unwanted effects are too harsh to justify taking it.
Are you able to gain weight on semaglutide?
It is amazingly rare, nevertheless it is feasible for semaglutide to cause weight gain.
How does Ozempic work for weight reduction?
The Ozempic medication will promote significant weight reduction by increasing insulin levels to lower blood sugar and break down fats for energy. It also reduces appetite and helps you are feeling fuller longer by slowing the absorption rate of food entering the small intestine during digestion.
How briskly does semaglutide kick in?
Semaglutide begins lowering your blood sugar levels almost immediately. Most users will experience weight reduction in the primary week, nevertheless it takes about 4 weeks to kick in fully.
What happens in case you don’t eat on semaglutide?
Should you don’t eat on semaglutide, tou can have low blood sugar levels, which could cause hypoglycemia and several other adversarial effects, including dizziness, confusion, and shakiness.
How long are you able to drop pounds on semaglutide?
Clinical trials have been done for as much as 68 weeks, showing secure use of semaglutide. It’s secure to make use of long-term, with several users staying on for over a 12 months to take care of weight reduction.
Semaglutide Not Working? There’s A Solution!
Should you are on semaglutide and never shedding weight, there’s likely an answer to your problem. It could be you are on too low of dosage, not following the correct dosing schedule, or you have not been taking the medication long enough. Other causes could be an unhealthy weight loss plan, using alcohol or drugs, and never exercising consistently.
Luckily, all those reasons could be reversed by living a healthier lifestyle and staying consistent along with your weight loss plan and exercise routine. And, for essentially the most part, following the medication guidelines, exercising consistently, and making healthy lifestyle changes can transform your body.
Enthusiastic about seeing how semaglutide stacks up against other weight reduction medications? Take a look at our article on Liraglutide vs Semaglutide. Searching for weight reduction solutions you may buy over-the-counter? These 7 Best Appetite Suppressants could also be just what you need!
References:
- “Higher Doses of Oral Semaglutide Improves Blood Sugar Control and Weight Loss.” ScienceDaily, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230627225228.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2023.
- Ghusn, Wissam, et al. “Weight Loss Outcomes Related to Semaglutide Treatment for Patients with Obese or Obesity.” JAMA Network Open, vol. 5, no. 9, 19 Sept. 2022, p. e2231982, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2796491?resultClick=1, https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982.
- Gibbons, Catherine, et al. “Effects of Oral Semaglutide on Energy Intake, Food Preference, Appetite, Control of Eating and Body Weight in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.” Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, vol. 23, no. 2, 27 Nov. 2020, https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14255.
- Bækdal, Tine A., et al. “Relationship between Oral Semaglutide Tablet Erosion and Pharmacokinetics: A Pharmacoscintigraphic Study.” Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development, vol. 10, no. 5, 22 Mar. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1002/cpdd.938.
