7 Real GLP-1 Weight Loss Results “Nobody Talks About,” Doctor Reveals

You've seen the headlines about dramatic weight loss results with GLP-1 medications. But what actually happens when you start these drugs? While social media showcases dramatic "before and after" pictures, the real journey is far more nuanced. Dr. Meghan Garcia-Webb, a Boston-based physician board-certified in Internal Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Obesity Medicine, has guided hundreds of patients through their GLP-1 weight loss journeys. In her recent video, she reveals the results that most people don't discuss – from what really happens in month one to why some patients succeed while others struggle.

The First Month Surprise: Weight Loss Isn't the Main Goal

Contrary to what many expect, the first month isn't about dropping pounds. "That first month, I am not looking for any particular weight loss," Dr. Meghan explains in her post. "Whether you're on liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide, that first month is really to let your body get used to the medication and to see how significant the side effects are going to be."

According to Dr. M. Regina Castro of Mayo Clinic, this initial period is when your body begins adjusting to how the medication works: "GLP-1 agonists mimic the way a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 works in the body," causing changes in hunger and fullness signals.

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

The Truth About Early Rapid Weight Loss

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While some patients report dramatic early results, these cases aren't typical – or even desirable. "There are always the outlier patients who month one or month two, they lose a lot of weight," Dr. Meghan notes. However, she cautions that "those people often aren't feeling great, and it's certainly not the intended or expected effect."

The Stock Market Pattern Nobody Expects

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Here's what really happens: weight loss rarely follows a straight line. "I like to think about weight loss kind of like the stock market where you're looking at the overall trend," Dr. Meghan explains. "Someone in month 2, 3, or 4 may lose weight during month two, have a plateau in month three, and then lose weight again at month four. That's pretty normal."

The Hidden Impact of Your Medical History

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Your personal health story significantly affects your results. "If you have a thyroid issue, if you have diabetes, you may not get as strong an effect," Dr. Meghan reveals. While thyroid issues, when treated, usually don't pose major problems, even well-controlled diabetes might affect your response to the medication.

Beyond weight loss, Mayo Clinic research shows these medications can offer additional health benefits, potentially "lowering the risk of certain serious health conditions, such as kidney disease, heart disease, heart failure, and stroke." However, these benefits can vary based on your individual health profile.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

The Medication Battle Nobody Mentions

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Common medications can secretly fight against your GLP-1 treatment. Dr. Meghan points out that "there are certain medications, Paxil, Gabapentin, there's so many out there, but if you are on a medication that is kind of fighting with your GLP-1 receptor agonist, your weight loss trajectory might not be as significant as somebody else's."

The Three-Month Decision Point

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Understanding how your medications interact leads to an important timeline most people don't know about. "If they're on the maximum dose for a couple of months and they really haven't seen a significant weight loss, like 5% or more of their total body weight, then it's really time to think about getting some labs," Dr. Meghan advises.

The Truth About Switching Medications

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Not seeing results doesn't mean failure – it might mean you need a different approach. As Dr. Meghan explains, "If they're taking an injectable GLP-1 Wegovy, they may want to try something like Zepbound or Saxenda, or they may want to try an oral medication."

This aligns with Mayo Clinic research showing that while "tirzepatide and semaglutide are the most effective for weight loss," different medications work better for different people. Finding the right medication often requires patience and close work with your healthcare provider.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Personalize Your Path to Success

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Each patient's journey is unique, and understanding these lesser-known aspects of GLP-1 treatment can help you set realistic expectations and achieve better results. As Dr. Meghan shows, success comes from understanding and working with your body's individual response to these powerful medications. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

Ozempic is the buzziest drug in the weight loss world. However, it isn’t the only GLP-1 drug people are using to lose weight fast. Before you try and get a prescription, there are a lot of things you need to know about the drug, including how it works and also how it compares to similar treatments on the market. Here are ten key differences between Ozempic and other GLP-1 meds for weight loss, according to triple-board-certified plastic surgeon Leo Lapuerta, MD, The Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas.

Ozempic Isn’t Even Approved for General Weight Loss

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While Ozempic is probably the most well-known GLP-1, it isn’t technically even approved for general weight loss. “It is for the control of Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Lapuerta reveals.

Most Weight Loss Drugs Aren’t Approved for Weight Loss

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In fact, most drugs being used for weight loss weren’t even intended for that purpose. “Most of the GLP-1 drugs like Rybelsus, Victoza, Trulicity, and Byetta are intended for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes with beneficial side effects that include weight loss,” explains Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

Some GLP-1s Offer Heart and Kidney Benefits

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There are other benefits to taking weight loss drugs. “Ozempic, Victoza, and Trulicity all have benefits for the heart and kidneys in addition to control of Type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

One Weight Loss Drug Is Injected Daily, Most of Them Are Weekly

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Most of the GLP-1s, including Ozempic, require a weekly injection. However, “Victoza is unique because it is injected daily rather than weekly,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

One Is Available in Oral Format

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And not all of them require a needle. “Rybelsus is the only GLP-1 that is available in oral format as all the other options are by injection only,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Some of Them Are Approved for Weight Loss and Weight Management

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Ironically, while the most well-known of the bunch isn’t even approved for weight loss, the majority of the others are. “Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) are GLP-1 agonists intended for weight loss and weight management rather than the treatment of Type 2 diabetes,” says Lapuerta.

Some Are More Effective Than Others

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According to Dr. Lapuerta, results vary by brand. “Wegovy typically produces 2 to 3 times the percent weight loss as Saxenda,” he maintains.

Only One of Them Includes GIP

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Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) has an edge over the competition. “It is the first GLP-1 to also include GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), another gut hormone agonist that provides better longer-term control of blood sugar as indicated by better reductions in Hemoglobin A1C levels,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic

Some Medications Have Two Names

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Don’t let names deceive you. “Zepbound is the FDA-approved version of Mounjaro specifically for weight loss,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

Keep Reading About Ozempic

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Keep educating yourself about Ozempic. Here are 15 things you should know before getting Ozempic for weight loss. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

Coach Susie is a Canadian personal trainer, fitness educator, and online coach who helps her clients get in shape without relying on medication. In a viral YouTube video, she reveals a diet to help you lose weight, comparable to Ozempic. “The thing that is more effective than ozempic is a healthy lifestyle,” she says in the clip. She goes on to reveal the exact food and meal plan you should follow to mimic the weight loss effects.

She Always Recommends a Healthy Lifestyle Over Medication

When she was young, she “started taking vitamins, eating a paleo diet, and spending more time outside, and I stopped taking medications,” which made her “so passionate about a lifestyle approach instead of medication.”

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

You Can Increase GLP-1 Without Ozempic

“In this video, we're going to be focused on what kinds of foods to eat and what kinds of exercises stimulate GLP-1, which is the hormone that Ozempic affects,” she says. “So basically, how to get really effective weight loss results without needing to take drugs.”

She Has Talked to a Lot of People Who Have Taken Ozempic

“I am a personal trainer, so I'm an expert at exercise, nutrition, and coaching and not medications, although I have done my fair share of research on ozempic because I talk to so many people who have taken it or are currently taking it,” she says.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

What Is GLP-1

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“GLP-1 is a hormone that is produced in the gut and the brain that slows digestion and lowers appetite. Your body is really good at making it on its own without any medical intervention.”

These Foods Can Increase GLP-1 Production

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“There are foods you can eat that increase the production of GLP-1, which will make weight loss easier. Eggs, avocado nuts, and complex carbohydrates all have been shown to increase GLP-1,” she says. “Yerba mate tea and black coffee also lower appetite.”

The Ideal Fat Loss Diet Is “Pretty Close to Keto”

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“The ideal fat loss diet that stimulates a lot of GLP-1” is “pretty close to a ketogenic diet, which is very effective for reversing insulin resistance and losing fat,” she says. She adds that “fat loss is the goal, not weight loss because we wanna keep our muscle and lose the fat.”

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Breakfast

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For breakfast, she recommends keeping it simple. Eggs, avocado, and coffee are the perfect combination of fat-burning food.

Lunch

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For lunch, she recommends a clean protein, veggies, and healthy fat. Grilled salmon, cauliflower rice, green pepper, EVOO, is an example she uses.

Dinner

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For dinner, she also recommends protein, veggies, and probiotics. Grass-fed ribeye, spaghetti squash, and sauerkraut is a great example.

RELATED: I Lost 45 Pounds and Got Rid of Stomach Fat by Cutting Out These 6 Foods

Also, Do These Types of Exercise

“So basically, exercise makes you jacked and smart. Ozempic actually stops you from releasing growth hormone, which is why those who take it tend to gain fat and lose muscle. So in most cases, ozempic actually makes us lose the wrong type of weight,” she says. “The best exercises are called primal movements. They are movements that your body is actually designed to do. Injury and pain are the result of not being able to do primal movements. There are five of them, and they are squatting, hinging, lunging, pushing and pulling.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

Do you want to lose weight but aren’t sure if you want to take medication to do it? You don’t have to, according to one expert. Susie Matychuk, AKA Coach Sooz, is “the world’s nerdiest personal trainer,” according to her YouTube bio. “The thing that is more effective than Ozempic is a healthy lifestyle,” she says at the start of the viral YouTube clip. In it, she discusses alternatives to the drug for weight loss in the form of foods and fitness.

She Grew Up Believing Medication Should Be a “Last Resort”

She starts by discussing her experience with medication. “I grew up with very traditional values, and I remember my mom telling me that medication should always be the last resort. In my early twenties, I started getting chronic strep throat, joint pain, and rashes. I had no idea that it was because of my poor diet and stress level,” she says in her post.

She Has Tried Taking Typical Medications But They Haven’t Worked

“I went to the doctor and got prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. My symptoms got worse, and I went to the emergency room thinking that I had rheumatoid arthritis or something, which is typical of Susie being overdramatic. The doctors were just as confused as me, and I realized the medical system is not made to help people with symptoms,” she says.

However, Healthy Lifestyle Has Helped Her Ailments Over the Years

She reveals that when she “started taking vitamins, eating a paleo diet, and spending more time outside, and I stopped taking medications,” her symptoms gradually went away. “That's a little bit about my story and why I am so passionate about a lifestyle approach instead of medication,” she says, adding that there are specific types of food and exercises that stimulate GLP-1, “which is the hormone that Ozempic” targets.

She Believes a Healthy Lifestyle Can Work Just as Well as Ozempic

She notes that while doctors are “prescribing it very generously,” they wouldn’t need to if people understood nutrition and exercise. “If we understood how to make our body have nutrients, then we wouldn't gain fat and feel the need for weight loss drugs at all,” she says. “I would definitely describe myself as anti-medication and pro-healthy lifestyle.”

These Foods Increase the Production of GLP-1

“GLP-1 is a hormone that is produced in the gut and the brain that slows digestion and lowers appetite. Your body is really good at making it on its own without any medical intervention,” she claims. “There are foods you can eat that increase the production of GLP-1, which will make weight loss easier. Eggs, avocado, nuts, and complex carbohydrates all have been shown to increase GLP-1,” she says. Yerba mate tea and black coffee also lower appetite.”

RELATED: She Dropped 50 Pounds in One Year Without Strict Diets By Walking Every Day

The Best Diet Is “Pretty Close” to Keto

The ideal fat loss diet that “stimulates a lot of GLP-1” is “pretty close to a ketogenic diet, which is very effective for reversing insulin resistance and losing fat,” she reveals. “Remember that fat loss is the goal, not weight loss because we wanna keep our muscle and lose the fat.”

Exercise Also Releases Chemicals That “Benefit the Body”

Exercise does not stimulate GLP-1,” but it does stimulate a whole bunch of other chemicals that benefit the body,” says Susie. “One of them is growth hormone or GH, and another one is BDNF,” she says about brain-derived neurotrophic factor. “GH is what starts the process of muscle growth. BDNF is what makes you smarter. So basically, exercise makes you jacked and smart.”

RELATED: This Nutritionist Lost 15 Pounds by Eating These 7 "Busy Woman" High-Protein Foods

Ozempic Stops You From Releasing GH, Which Is the Hormone That Helps You Build Muscle

“Ozempic actually stops you from releasing growth hormone, which is why those who take it tend to gain fat and lose muscle. So in most cases, ozempic actually makes us lose the wrong type of weight,” she reveals.

These 5 “Primal Movements” Are the Best Exercises for Weight Loss

According to Susie, the best exercises are called primal movements. “They are movements that your body is actually designed to do. Injury and pain are the result of not being able to do primal movements. There are five of them, and they are squatting, hinging, lunging, pushing, and pulling,” she says.

RELATED: She Tried Every Diet for 8 Years Then These 5 Changes Got Her Perfect Body

The Most Effective Equation for Fat Loss? Diet and Exercise

“Basically, all you need to do to live a healthy lifestyle that is more effective for fat loss than ozempic is one, eat the GLP-1 stimulating diet, and two, practice your primal movements,” she says. “Every day, big pharma will keep making drugs and selling them to us as long as we are asking for them. And by taking them, you're still asking for them. So hopefully, this provided some clarity on what to do instead, which is to be healthy.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Mark Lewis isn't your typical fitness influencer. After struggling with weight and motivation in his 30s, he transformed himself into a multi-sport competitor who now creates content full-time. But recently, he decided to try something controversial: the "celebrity fat jab." His candid experience might surprise you.

Understanding How These Weight Loss Drugs Work

"Ozempic enhances the release and action of insulin throughout the body, which helps with fat loss," explainsDr. Sue Decotiis, MD, NYC weight-loss doctor. She adds that these medications "have a tremendous effect on satiety, shutting down appetite so the patient feels very full after eating much less food."

Why Even A Fitness Expert Needed Help

"I have been very overweight in the past, and it has always been down to something up here encouraging me to eat when I don't really want to eat," Lewis explains in his video. He describes his challenge not as a lack of willpower but rather an "infuriating excess of strength" where the part of his brain wanting to eat is simply stronger than any other part.

The Hormone Reset Effect

Dr. Decotiis explains that these medications "help regulate people's hormones that have changed due to aging, stress, etc. so that they can lose weight." This aligns with Lewis's experience of suddenly having a completely different relationship with food.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

The Cost Reality: A Tale of Two Countries

Lewis reports that the medication costs between £100 and 200 monthly ($130 and $260) in the UK. "Americans are paying thousands," he notes. According to GoodRx, without insurance, Ozempic can cost between $937.98 and $1,014 per month in the US.

The Mental Breakthrough Nobody Talks About

"I have never forgotten to eat meals before," Lewis reveals. "I was just eating and thinking about eating normally for the first time in ever." Dr. Decotiis has observed similar psychological benefits: "When people lose weight, they have better self-esteem, and they feel more confident in their own skin."

Daily Life Changed Dramatically

Lewis found himself experiencing scenarios he "could just never have imagined before." He describes, "I was going on long car journeys and eating maybe a small packet of peanuts instead of an absolute barrage of junk food. I was buying petrol without picking up snacks." Even more surprising was his response to social situations: "When crisps and dips and stuff were put in front of me at friends' houses when socializing, I just had no interest beyond having maybe a couple. I wasn't fighting the urge to eat. I wasn't trying to keep those thoughts at bay. They just did not exist, and it was wonderful."

Freedom From Food Guilt

"In the last six weeks, I have not had any feelings of guilt from having overindulged, and I've not felt ill from having overindulged. I've enjoyed food more than I can remember," Lewis shares. The transformation went beyond just eating less – it changed his entire experience with food. He describes leaving the table "content" for the first time, without the usual mental battle of wanting second or third helpings. "If you have never experienced any sort of compulsive or addictive behavior, it's quite hard to explain what an absolute relief it is to just have them vanish."

RELATED:This Mom Went From a Size 10 to a 4 in 90 Days After Discovering These 5 Weight Loss Truths

The Medical Reality Behind the Hype

According to the National Library of Medicine, while Ozempic is primarily approved for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy (same medication, different brand) is specifically approved for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight adults with related health conditions.

Addressing the Critics and Stigma

"If you consult with your doctor and they deem it to be a safe and appropriate course of action, listen to your doctor. Do not listen to some Muppet yelling 'eat less, move more' on the internet," Lewis asserts.

The Long-Term Consideration

Studies show that one year after stopping the medication, participants regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss. This underscores Lewis's emphasis on using medication as a tool while developing sustainable habits.

Making an Informed Decision

These medications aren't "an easy way out" but rather a tool that "helps you not eat the pizza," as Lewis puts it. Dr. Decotiis adds that it "resets the amount of weight that your body wants to hold onto," suggesting a more complex mechanism than simple appetite suppression.

RELATED:I'm a Fitness Expert: Here's What Really Burns More Fat After 40, Walking or HIIT

What to Expect: Side Effects and Monitoring

While Lewis had minimal side effects, it's important to note that common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Regular medical supervision and starting with a lower dose are standard practices.

The Future of Weight Management

While many solutions, like intermittent fasting or specialized diets, can be beneficial, they haven't solved the global obesity crisis. As Lewis points out, "If there's a means of those people facilitating their ability to control what they eat, they should be applauded, not derided." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.