Breaking Through Weight Loss Plateaus On Mounjaro And Wegovy

Hitting a weight loss plateau (where your weight stays the same for a period of time when you’re trying to lose it) can be really frustrating, especially if you’ve been steadily dropping pounds up until now. But it’s a normal part of any weight loss journey even when you are using effective medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. These medications can be very effective for shedding excess weight, but over time your body adjusts, and this can cause progress to slow or even stall.

Thankfully, it’s not permanent. Breaking through plateaus is possible with a few tweaks to your routine and a little patience. Whether it’s adjusting your diet, shaking up your activity levels or revisiting your goals there are practical steps you can take. Stick with it – plateaus don’t mean failure, they’re part of the process and with a bit of help and consistency you’ll soon see the scales begin to move again.

Key Takeaways

1 | Weight loss plateaus are normal and temporary, even with weight loss medications

2 | True plateaus need to be distinguished from normal weight fluctuations

3 | Several strategies can help overcome plateaus while taking weight loss injection

Understanding Weight Loss Plateaus On Mounjaro And Wegovy

Weight loss plateaus on Mounjaro and Wegovy happen because your body adapts as you lose weight. We all have a natural set point – a weight our body hovers around when we eat healthily.

Your brain doesn’t know you’re intentionally dieting, all it knows is you’re eating less and over time it will slow down your metabolism to preserve remaining fat stores, stop you starving and keep you near your set point. In times of famine when food was scarce, this was actually pretty important for survival. But when you’re trying to lose weight it’s not so helpful.

Plateaus happen when your body weight moves too far away from your set point and your body tries to move you back to it. Although it’s frustrating, it’s important for your body to have time to adjust to a new set point before you start losing weight again.

If you want to know more about weight loss on Mounjaro and Wegovy take a look at our weight loss guides.

Mounjaro Weight Loss InjectionsClick the button below to view the product page for Mounjaro. If you think Mounjaro could help you, click through to Start Assessment near the top of the product page in order to start your free, three minute consultation.

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Is It A True Plateau, Or Normal Weight Fluctuation?

As much as we’d all like to see steady drops every week, weight loss isn’t linear and it’s normal for it to fluctuate. If you had a big meal the night before you weigh yourself, it might look like you’ve gained weight which can be incredibly demotivating, when really it’s just extra food and water retention. For example, for every 1g of carbohydrates you eat (pasta, bread, rice etc) you hold onto 3g of water.

It's far better to track weight over time and look at the trends. Try to weigh yourself once a week at the same time and day rather than daily. If it’s consistently not moving over a period of four weeks or more, you may have hit a plateau. Some plateaus can last as long as 12 weeks, but it doesn’t mean you’re not making progress or should quit.

Long term weight loss is ideally a mix of phased weight loss and plateaus as your body adjusts until you hit your goal weight.

Strategies To Overcome Weight Loss Plateaus

If you’ve hit a plateau, try these strategies to break through it:

Reviewing Food

Even on Mounjaro or Wegovy, if you’re eating more calories than you burn you won’t lose weight. It’s a good time to look at what you’re eating and change it up. Some people like to use a calorie counter app to track their food, so they know exactly how much they’re consuming. But you can start by making healthier choices, like swapping high-fat and high-calorie foods for lower-fat, whole food options. Ditching takeaways and sticking to recommended portion sizes can also help.

Adjusting Exercise

If you’ve not been exercising, now may be a good time to introduce gentle activity, increasing your daily steps or finding an exercise class you like. You don’t have go for a 10k run when you’ve never run before, taking longer walks can be enough. But it’s important to find something you enjoy and build up over time.

Get Enough Sleep

Poor sleep can slow your metabolism (how fast your body burns calories) and make it harder to lose weight. If you’re constantly tired, you’re also likely to be less motivated to exercise. Good sleep can help regulate hunger hormones and make you less inclined to reach for sugary foods when you’re fully rested. Aim for seven to nine hours a night.

Manage Stress

Stress raises levels of the hormone cortisol, making you hungrier, crave high calorie foods and disrupting sleep. Your body doesn’t know when stress will end so it saves energy by burning less calories which can lead to weight gain. Try meditating or getting good sleep to deal with stress. Stay active, talk to a friend, keep a journal or read a book – whatever helps you to relax.

Remember, as frustrating as plateaus are they don’t last forever. With a few lifestyle modifications and a bit of patience you should get back on track and start losing weight again.

When To Seek Medical Help For Weight Loss Plateaus

While weight loss plateaus are common, there are times when it could mean there is something more afoot. If your plateau lasts for several months or more despite consistent daily habits like healthy diet and exercise it could be time to speak to your healthcare provider.

Similarly, if your weight loss has stalled and you’re experiencing other symptoms like fatigue, hormonal imbalances or digestive issues a medical professional may be able to offer advice to help identify any underlying causes.

During any consultation make sure you discuss your current routine, medication use and any changes in appetite or energy levels. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust your medication, review your diet or test for other factors that might be affecting your progress.

Always Remember...

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any weight loss medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

Don’t Worry, Plateaus Are Part Of The Process

Weight loss plateaus on Mounjaro and Wegovy are a natural part of the journey and nothing to worry about. They’re your body’s way of adjusting to the changes it’s going through. By staying consistent with your healthy habits, making small adjustments, and remaining patient, you’ll eventually break through.

If a plateau lasts longer than expected or comes with concerning symptoms, speaking to your healthcare provider is a smart move. Remember, progress isn’t always linear, but every step you take brings you closer to your goals.

What's Next?

Ready to take the first step to achieving your weight loss goals? A discreet, free consultation only takes three minutes and can help you explore whether Mounjaro, Wegovy or other weight loss treatments are right for you. Our medical professionals will talk to you about your weight loss goals and health history before making recommendations on the best treatments for your circumstances.

Sources:

https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/sleep-and-weight-loss/

https://www.secondnature.io/guides/mind/motivation/weight-loss-plateaus-explained

https://healthcentre.nz/the-science-behind-weight-loss-plateaus-how-to-push-through-and-keep-progressing/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/snooze-more-eat-less-sleep-deprivation-may-hamper-weight-control-202204042718#:~:text=But%20why%20might%20extra%20sleep,tactics%20to%20improve%20your%20sleep

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2019/may/what-you-need-to-know-about-stress-and-weight-loss