why am i not losing weight on ozempic ? Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medicine that is FDA-endorsed to treat type 2 diabetes, and might be recommended off-name for weight the board.People who take 1 mg of Ozempic for up to a year have lost up to 7% of their body weight, making the medication well-known for its ability to help people lose weight.Additionally, two years after beginning the medication, follow-up studies reveal that they still lose weight.

Ozempic has demonstrated to be a very successful weight loss program, but not everyone experiences the desired level of weight loss. What is the matter? 

Several factors may be at play if you’ve been taking Ozempic and you’re wondering why you’re not losing more weight. Continue reading to learn ten potential causes for why you might not be losing weight with Ozempic.

Reasons you may not be losing weight on Ozempic

Medication affects everyone differently. While losing weight while taking Ozempic is typical, it does not happen for everyone. The most prevalent reasons why someone may not notice weight loss outcomes while on Ozempic are listed below. 

1. You might have to exercise a little more patience

If you’ve only recently started taking Ozempic, this could be one of the reasons you haven’t seen significant weight reduction. When beginning any new treatment regimen, including Ozempic, patience is essential.

To reduce side effects, physicians begin Ozempic at a low dose of 0.25 mg weekly. That dosage will be maintained for four weeks before being increased to 0.5 mg weekly. Depending on your body’s response to Ozempic, your doctor may increase your dosage every four weeks until you reach the maximum maintenance dose of 1 mg weekly (this is the normal off-label maintenance dose that doctors prescribe for weight loss). The ramp-up period might last three months.

Be patient and confident that the drug is working, even if you haven’t reached your ultimate dosage. People receiving 1 mg of Ozempic for 12 weeks began eating less, feeling less hungry, and having fewer desires, particularly for high-fat foods. As a result, many of the participants slimmed down.

2. Ozempic may require a higher dosage from you

The severity of certain gastrointestinal adverse effects, including as nausea and diarrhoea, is dose dependant with Ozempic. This means that these adverse effects are more common with higher dosages of Ozempic, especially when your body first begins to take the drug. (As your body adjusts to Ozempic, these adverse effects will diminish or disappear.)

The same can be said about Ozempic’s weight loss results. People who take higher doses of Ozempic lose more weight.

In the landmark study we mentioned above, participants dropped 7% of their body weight after taking 1mg of semaglutide for a year and a half. However, this is an average, because individuals dropped varying amounts of weight.

Everyone reacts differently to medication, thus your weight reduction on Ozempic may differ from someone else’s. It could also be related to other factors that aid or impede weight loss success, such as your food, activity levels, and other factors discussed below.

3. You might need to adjust your diet even more

Ozempic is intended to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes such as a lower-calorie diet and greater physical activity to treat type 2 diabetes. People getting a placebo in clinical trials of Ozempic are given professional advice on how to execute these lifestyle modifications.

As a result, persons who take a placebo tend to lose weight during the research, though considerably less than those who take the genuine thing. 

Other eating habits, in addition to limiting your overall caloric consumption, may be impeding your weight loss efforts. Starches, refined carbohydrates, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red meat, for example, are all linked to weight gain. Your weight loss efforts may be hampered if you consume alcohol.

4. You might have to engage in more physical activity

As previously stated, Ozempic should be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet and increased activity. For those new to Ozempic, health practitioners may recommend starting with 150 minutes of physical activity each week, such as walking.

While exercise alone is unlikely to result in significant weight loss, it does result in some weight loss and is crucial for maintaining weight loss. People who exercise more tend to lose more weight, particularly when they follow a low-calorie diet. 

Exercise can also boost your metabolism. This is especially true for specific types of exercise, such as mixing aerobic and resistance training. These workouts, when combined, can help you gain muscle mass while losing fat.

5. You’ve attained staleness

Those who have previously dieted may be familiar with the most unpleasant aspect of any weight loss journey: the dreaded weight loss plateau. If you’ve been taking Ozempic for a time and notice that your weight loss has slowed, a plateau could be to blame. 

It is usual for people to lose a lot of weight quickly when they begin dieting and exercising. However, there may come a time when the weight loss stops dramatically. This is known as a plateau, and it can occur when you lose too much muscle and fat at the same time. As a result, your metabolism slows, as does your weight loss. 

Hormonal changes can also occur at this time, making you crave high-calorie foods. Ozempic can assist with these cravings, but don’t blame yourself in the meanwhile. For many people, this is a typical part of the weight-loss process. It’s also why it’s critical to stay up with physical activity, particularly exercises that create lean muscle mass, such as resistance training. Your metabolism will catch up as you gain muscle. 

6. You may be too stressed out

Weight gain can be caused by stress. Chronic stress from job or personal concerns, as well as a single stressful event, such as the death of a loved one, can all lead to weight gain. Furthermore, the social stigma associated with obesity can be a stressor. And the more of these stressors you have, the more weight you may gain. 

Stress may trigger weight gain in a variety of ways. You may simply lack the time to prepare nutritious meals. People who are anxious are less inclined to exercise and are more prone to seek fatty, sugary, calorie-dense foods, which stymie weight loss efforts.

As a result, you may be exercising less frequently and eating more calories than you burn. Stress can affect your hormone levels as well as regions of your brain and gut that influence how hungry you are and what meals you crave. 

Stress can also interfere with your sleep, which leads us to our next issue.

7. Maybe you’re having trouble falling asleep

Poor sleep patterns, whether too much or too little, are also associated to weight increase. 

People who obtain less than six hours of sleep or more than eight hours of sleep are more likely to acquire weight over time. People who sleep insufficiently experience hormonal changes that alter their perception of hunger and increase their desires for foods high in calories and refined carbohydrates. 

Sleeping “too much” (more than 10 hours a day) is linked to obesity, as well as other weight-related health issues such as diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

8. You may have other conditions like type 2 diabetes

Finally, various health issues you’re dealing with can have an impact on how rapidly you lose weight. You may, for example, be taking drugs that induce weight gain and impede weight loss. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, which Ozempic treats, you may lose weight more slowly than those who take Ozempic simply to manage obesity and do not have type 2 diabetes. In one trial, persons without type 2 diabetes lost 6.3% of their body weight after three months of using semaglutide, compared to 3.9% for those with type 2 diabetes. Those without type 2 diabetes had dropped 11.8% after six months, whereas those with type 2 diabetes had lost 7.2%. 

These are still considerable weight decreases, but it’s important to understand that other factors may limit your weight loss with Ozempic.

9. You may have an underlying health condition

Certain underlying medical issues can make losing weight more challenging. Hypothyroidism, for example, is a thyroid disorder that causes a slowed metabolism. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a medical disorder that affects many women in the United States, causing hormonal abnormalities and, in some cases, weight gain. 

If you are taking Ozempic and have an underlying health condition, you should consult with your doctor to discover if there are any additional medical causes for your stubborn weight gain.

10. You’re not eating enough protein.

Eating enough protein throughout the day is essential for controlling blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy body weight. Protein-rich meals and snacks keep you fuller for longer, preventing overeating. Protein also helps your body generate lean muscle mass as a result of exercise, which increases your metabolism. 

How Ozempic helps you lose weight

Semaglutide, an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, is the active component of Ozempic. GLP-1 antagonists are a class of drugs used to treat obesity and help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.

GLP-1 is a key hormone secreted by the gut after eating. It is known to promote insulin excretion, which aids with blood sugar control. It also reduces glucagon, a hormone that boosts blood sugar levels. This is how the release of GLP-1 aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels in your body. 

Furthermore, GLP-1 induces delayed gastric emptying, which slows the flow of food from the oesophagus to the stomach. This enhances satiety while decreasing appetite. This results in a decrease in food intake and, as a result, a decrease in body weight. 

How long it takes to lose weight on Ozempic

Clinical trials have indicated that people who take semaglutide once a week can lose 5-10% of their body weight. Patients who were overweight lost 5.9% of their body weight following three months of weekly semaglutide injections, according to one study published in 2022. After six months of weekly injections, the average weight loss was 10.9%. 

The time it takes to lose weight while using Ozempic differs from person to person. While many people lose weight in the first three months, other factors such as food and activity might impact the rate of weight reduction. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make sure I’m losing weight on Ozempic?

Following a healthy eating pattern and exercising on a regular basis will help you lose weight on Ozempic. You might even want to see a dietician to examine your nutrition needs and ensure you’re eating enough.

What should I do if I’m not losing weight on Ozempic?

If you’ve been on Ozempic for a while and haven’t lost any weight, you should consider other lifestyle factors such as your eating habits, exercise regimen, stress management, and alcohol use. It is also a good idea to consult with your doctor about additional changes you can make or to get dietary assistance from a nutritionist. 

Why isn’t Ozempic working for me?

One of the most common reasons Ozempic does not work for some people is that they have not made any lifestyle adjustments. Also, keep in mind that losing weight takes time, and you may simply need to wait a little longer. 

Are there drugs other than Ozempic that can help with weight loss?

Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, however it is intended to control weight. You can find out how long it takes to lose weight on Wegovy and how much it costs here. Saxenda is another injectable weight loss drug that works in the same way and is appropriate for both adults and adolescents aged 12 to 17. Learn more about the best Saxenda diet plan by clicking here.

Do people always lose weight on Ozempic?

On Ozempic, not everyone loses weight. Ozempic is a medication used to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and lower their risk of significant cardiovascular events. Those who do not adjust their lifestyle while taking Ozempic are unlikely to lose weight. 

What if I overeat while taking Ozempic?

Overeating while taking Ozempic may induce or increase the potential side effects,which include stomach pain, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Why am I still hungry on Ozempic?

Everyone’s body is unique, and numerous elements such as activity level might influence your hunger. If you started taking Ozempic recently and are still hungry, it could be because your body requires time to acclimatise to the medicine. In some circumstances, a higher dose may be required, which should be discussed with your doctor. 

Why am I gaining weight on Ozempic?

There could be a number of reasons why you aren’t losing weight while taking Ozempic. Sleep, stress, food, exercise, and underlying medical issues all play a role in weight changes, as previously discussed. 

How much does Ozempic cost?

Ozempic, which normally requires a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, might cost as little as $25 per month for people who are fortunate enough to have insurance coverage. Those who aren’t covered, on the other hand, could face a monthly bill of $900 or more. Learn more in our guide to the cost of Ozempic with and without insurance.