Struggling to Lose Weight on Wegovy or Zepbound? You're Not Alone
- Michael From The GLP-1 Source
- Feb 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
If you've been taking Wegovy or Zepbound but aren’t seeing the weight loss results you expected, you're probably wondering what’s going on. Is the medication just not working for you? Are you doing something wrong? The truth is, weight loss medications don’t work the same way for everyone. Let’s break down why some people don’t respond as well as others and what you can do about it.
What Counts as a "Successful" Response?
First, let’s define what we mean by “success” when it comes to weight loss on these medications. In clinical research, successful weight loss is considered losing at least 5% of your starting weight. For example:
If you start at 240 lbs, losing 5% means getting down to 228 lbs.
Anything beyond that is great, but 5% is the benchmark for success in medical trials.
However, about 10-15% of people taking Wegovy or Zepbound in clinical trials didn’t hit that 5% mark. That means there’s a significant group of people who don’t see the expected results—even when they’re doing everything "right."
The 3 Types of Non-Responders
After working with many people on these medications, we’ve identified three main groups of non-responders:
1. The True Non-Responders
These are the people who take Wegovy or Zepbound and feel... absolutely nothing. No appetite suppression, no cravings reduced—it's like they’re taking a placebo.
Why does this happen?
Genetics – Some people’s bodies don’t respond to the GLP-1 hormone in these medications.
Biology – If your hunger cues and metabolism aren’t influenced by GLP-1, you might not experience the appetite changes that others do.
Alternative Medications – Some people who don’t respond to Wegovy might respond to Zepbound, Contrave, or other weight loss medications with different mechanisms.
If you've been on Wegovy for months and haven't noticed a change in hunger or weight, talk to your doctor about trying a different medication.
2. The Slow Responders
Some people do respond to Wegovy or Zepbound, but their progress is much slower than expected. While some people lose 4-8 lbs a month, slow responders may only see 1-2 lbs per month.
What could be causing this?
Underlying health conditions – Conditions like diabetes, PCOS, and thyroid disorders can slow weight loss.
Medications that promote weight gain – Some prescriptions (such as antidepressants or steroids) can counteract the effects of weight loss meds.
Metabolic adaptation – If you’ve been yo-yo dieting for years, your metabolism may have slowed down, making weight loss more difficult.
Inconsistency – If you’re only sticking to your calorie goals 60-70% of the time, your results will be slower than someone who is 80%+ consistent.
If you’re in this group, patience is key. It may take longer, but slow progress is still progress!
3. The Quick-Fix Seekers
This group consists of people who expect dramatic weight loss immediately and get frustrated when the scale doesn’t drop as fast as they’d like.
Common mistakes among quick-fix seekers:
Unrealistic expectations – Weight loss of 30 lbs in a month is NOT normal. A healthy rate is 0.5 to 2 lbs per week.
All-or-nothing mindset – Going extreme with calorie cutting and exercise, then giving up when results slow down.
Lack of long-term strategy – Some people view weight loss as a short-term fix instead of a lifetime commitment to better health.
If you find yourself in this category, it’s time to reframe your mindset. Weight loss isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon.
What Can You Do if You’re Not Losing Weight?
If you're struggling to see results, don’t panic. Here are some actionable steps to get things moving:
1. Give It More Time
Wegovy, Zepbound and compounded tirzepatide can take a few months to show full effects.
If you haven’t lost weight in 3-4 months, it may be time to re-evaluate your plan.
2. Track Your Food & Activity
Many people underestimate how much they eat.
Keep a food journal or use an app to track your intake.
Make sure you’re getting enough protein to maintain muscle and avoid metabolic slowdowns (we have a PROTEIN CALCULATOR HERE --->>> https://www.theglp1source.com/protein-intake-calculator
3. Increase Physical Activity
Even small changes like walking more can help.
Strength training can boost metabolism and improve long-term fat loss.
4. Consider a Diet Break
If you’ve been dieting for months, your metabolism might need a reset.
A diet break (increasing calories to maintenance for a few weeks) can sometimes help kickstart fat loss again.
5. Talk to Your Doctor
If you’ve been 100% consistent with diet and exercise but still aren’t losing, talk to your doctor.
They may adjust your dose or switch you to a different medication.
The Bottom Line: Not Everyone Responds the Same Way
Wegovy, Zepbound and the compounded versions of these meds are powerful tools, but they’re not magic. Some people respond quickly, others respond slowly, and some don’t respond at all. The key is patience, consistency, and finding what works for YOU.
If you're struggling, take a deep breath—you're not alone, and there are always options to adjust and keep moving forward! If you're just getting started and would like to schedule a free consultation with IVIM Health, follow this link to start your journey! --->>> http://ivimhealth.sjv.io/APEg67
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