Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Ozempic?

Ozempic is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Under the brand name Wegovy, it is also FDA-approved for use in treating obesity at greater doses. The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, a synthetic version of the natural hormone GLP-1, which controls hunger and metabolism. Ozempic helps people lose weight by stimulating GLP-1 receptors, which causes them to feel full while eating less calories. Thus, many users of Ozempic report reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss.

Not everyone who uses Ozempic sees weight loss. There are some people who try Ozempic but find that their weight loss stops or slows after a while. There could be a number of things at play here, some of which are related to the medicine, while others are not. Here we'll look at some of the most common reasons people aren't losing weight on Ozempic, and what you can do about it.

One, you're probably not getting the recommended dosage.

The dose of Ozempic you take is one of the most crucial variables in determining your weight loss success. Ozempic can be used once weekly at a dose of 0.25 mg, once weekly at a dose of 1 mg, and once weekly at a dose of 2.4 mg for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, respectively. The greater the dose, the more likely it is that you will shed pounds. However, you should not increase your dose without first discussing it with your doctor because doing so could have disastrous consequences.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, backed a study showing that persons who took either 0.5 mg or 1 mg of Ozempic weekly to treat their diabetes lost an average of 4.6% and 6.5% of their body weight, respectively, after one year1. However, after 68 weeks of treatment with 2.4 mg of Ozempic weekly, patients who were obese lost an average of 15% of their body weight2. This demonstrates that the amount of Ozempic taken has a major bearing on the weight loss achieved.

Talk to your doctor about raising your dose of Ozempic or switching to Wegovy, which is intended particularly for the treatment of obesity, if you are taking Ozempic for diabetes treatment and are not losing weight or are not satisfied with your weight loss results. You should be aware that there is a correlation between the dose you take and your risk of adverse effects such nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, low blood sugar, and pancreatitis3. As a result, it's crucial to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels and other symptoms as directed by your doctor.

A second factor is that your lifestyle choices are unhealthy.

You could not be adopting a healthy lifestyle that promotes weight loss if you are not seeing results when using Ozempic. There is no miracle pill like Ozempic that can cause you to lose weight without any effort on your part. It's a supplement to a larger weight-management plan that also includes changes to one's food, physical activity, and thought processes3. This means you still need to consume a healthy diet that is high in fiber, protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while being low in calories, fat, sugar, and processed foods. You should also make physical activity a regular part of your life, since this will help you burn fat and gain muscle. You should also deal with any emotional or mental issues that may be sabotaging your efforts to change your eating patterns.

Even if Ozempic is helping you lose weight, a poor diet and lack of exercise could be counteracting your efforts. If you eat more than normal in the hopes that Ozempic will make up for it, or if you avoid meals because you feel full or sick from taking the drug, you may wind up eating more than you burn. Similarly, if you don't walk about enough because the drug makes you feel lethargic or lazy, you can end up losing muscle mass and slowing your metabolism. In addition, it can be difficult to keep to a diet or exercise plan if the underlying emotional or behavioral issues that may be driving you to overeat or binge eat are not addressed.

Trying Something New: Red Light Therapy Belt

If you've tried and failed to lose weight with more conventional ways, you might find success with red light treatment. The low-intensity red light used in red light therapy has been shown to enhance metabolic rate, stimulate cellular function, and aid in weight loss. Multiple studies have revealed encouraging findings, proving the efficacy of red light treatment in reducing body fat, especially in hard-to-reach places.

Weight loss program participants who also underwent red light treatment saw larger decreases in waist circumference and body fat, according to a randomized controlled trial done by Smith et al. (source).

Using a red light treatment belt is a simple and secure way to add red light therapy to your daily routine. You can use these belts to treat certain sections of your body at home because they emit light at various wavelengths. Red light treatment can be helpful for weight loss, but it shouldn't replace a balanced diet and regular exercise.

If you're not seeing results from Ozempic, it's important to investigate any number of potential roadblocks. It is possible to maximize weight loss efforts by concentrating on food, exercise, and the treatment of underlying health concerns. It's possible that red light therapy, an alternate treatment supported by research, could help you lose weight more quickly. Before making any major changes to your routine, be sure to talk to your doctor.