Your biggest GLP-1 Q’s, answered by a Registered Dietitian

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists — or GLP-1s for short — are a class of medications that, while initially developed for type 2 diabetes, can be very effective at treating overweight and obesity too. They mimic a hormone already produced by the body called glucagon-like peptide-1, which targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. GLP-1 medications work by reducing food cravings, slowing the emptying of the stomach, and managing blood sugar. When used in conjunction with healthy habits, like eating nutrient-dense foods and getting in exercise, GLP-1 medications can be a powerful tool for weight loss.

You can expect less hunger throughout the day, and that includes feeling full and satisfied eating smaller portions, and experiencing fewer cravings and what some people call “food noise,” a constant inner dialogue about food that is intrusive and affects quality of life. Some people notice changes in food preferences too, saying that certain foods or alcohol don’t appeal to them like they did before. In fact, astudyconducted by the WeightWatchers Science team found that about 50% of patients reduced their alcohol consumption and heavy drinkers were 19 times more likely to decrease alcohol relative to light drinkers.

The most common GLP-1 side effects are gastrointestinal in nature, and they tend to be temporary, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn. For a complete list of potential side effects, visit the manufacturer websites for:Saxenda (liraglutide),Wegovy (semaglutide), andZepbound (tirzepatide), the three GLP-1 medications that are FDA-approved for overweight and obesity.

The good news is that a balanced diet — that’s rich in protein and fiber, lower in fat and sugar, and includes lots of water — can help manage many of these common GI side effects. Slowly increasing your dose can help as well. These are all things that WeightWatchers registered dietitians help members navigate.

This also depends. Weight loss happens more quickly for people who experience appetite suppression right away on the starting dose. For others who are not as sensitive to the medication, weight loss may not start until they reach higher doses. It is also common to see faster weight loss in the initial few weeks, followed by a few weeks of slower weight loss. Some people experience greater changes in inches and clothing sizes than in numbers on the scale. Everyone is different, and so are their weight journeys.

Weight plateaus are very common during a weight-loss journey, with or without a GLP-1 medication. While it can feel frustrating, we encourage you to not stress about it unless the plateau lasts longer than 4 to 6 weeks. In that case, it’s a good idea to check in with your prescribing healthcare provider. Sometimes it means you just need to go up in your dose of the medicine, or make adjustments to your diet and exercise program.

The goal of the medication is to reduce your appetite to a more manageable level — not to completely eliminate it. Hunger is a normal part of human biology, and hunger cues are very important. Cravings are also normal to experience, so if the medication does not eliminate cravings entirely for you, that’s okay. People do report more manageable cravings, though, and they often find that their cravings are more easily satisfied (for example, by a couple bites of ice cream as opposed to an entire carton).

These medications are incredibly powerful tools, but they shouldn’t be your only tool. It’s important to incorporate healthy habits related to nutrition, fitness, mental health, and sleep — to maximize the efficacy of the medication, and to support your long-term health. Not sure where to start? TheWeightWatchers GLP-1 Companion Programcan help. It takes the guesswork out of healthy habits and provides you with targets for protein, fruits and veggies, hydration, and physical activity — including at least two days of resistance training.

These weight-loss medications are intended forlong-termuse. Obesity is a chronic condition, similar to hypertension and heart disease, and therefore can require maintenance medication to manage it. Having said that, some patients may wish to try to come off the medicine. Studies show that most people who come off the medicine start to regain weight, though there is a small proportion of people who don’t. If you access yourweight-loss medicationthrough WeightWatchers, your healthcare provider will help you to find the appropriate maintenance dose or changes in the care plan when the time is right. But you can always tell them if you’d like to try a lower dose or manage your weight without the medication. Your provider, Fitness Coach, and your Registered Dietitian can work together to give you the tools you need to make lasting lifestyle changes, with or without medication.

Take our 2-minutequizto find out if accessing medication through WeightWatchers is a fit for you. If you’re eligible and join, you’ll be able to make a virtual appointment with a provider to develop a medical weight-loss plan. With WeightWatchers, you’ll get a variety of resources that support lasting, comprehensive weight management. You can also get access to an expert Care Team, including a Registered Dietitian and Fitness Coach, who will provide ongoing support for your weight-loss journey.

By targeting the areas of the brain that regulate appetite and slowing digestion, GLP-1 medications can lead to significant weight loss. But they’re not a silver bullet — they’re a tool for the long-term treatment of obesity, to be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. WeightWatchers can help determine if you’re a good fit for GLP-1s, and provide comprehensive support throughout every step of your weight-health journey.