How long do GLP-1s take to work?
Weight loss doesn’t happen overnight — even if you’re taking a GLP-1. That said, you might start to notice a difference pretty quickly.
Instant gratification seems to be the status quo these days, with everything from entire seasons of TV shows to groceries available on demand. That’s also how it can seem with GLP-1s, which have the appearance of delivering huge results in the blink of an eye. But do they really? Here are the differences in your body that you may start to notice within a few weeks of starting a GLP-1 weight-loss medication — and what the journey is probably going to look like.
How fast can you lose weight on a GLP-1?
While the total amount of weight you can lose on a GLP-1 is pretty significant — studies show Weight Watchers Med+ members lose an average of 21% of their body weight after a year* — it doesn’t all happen at once.
For one thing, your provider will start you out on a low dose and then slowly increase the dose as long as you’re not experiencing severe side effects, says Dr. Holly Lofton, M.D., professor of medicine and surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone Health in New York City. This means it can take months until you’re at the dose that will result in the most weight loss.
But even on the lowest dose, you’ll start to feel some changes immediately. “On average, patients experience a reduction in appetite once the medication is started,” says Dr. Robert Kushner, M.D., professor of medicine and medical education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
That downturn in hunger kicks off the weight loss. Anecdotally speaking, “most patients start to see some weight loss results in the first two months,” says Lofton. And it is pretty significant: Studies show that the average person will lose around 5 percent of their weight after three months.
What impacts how quickly you’ll lose weight on a GLP-1
The exact timeline of weight loss will vary from person to person. How fast you lose weight can depend on “how well the individual receptors in the brain and stomach bind” to the drug, says Lofton. And your pace may be slower if you take longer to go up in doses. (No, you can’t just start with the highest possible dose off the bat, since that may worsen its side effects, according to Kushner.)
How to maximize your weight loss on a GLP-1
While GLP-1s make a big difference in weight loss, they work best when paired with certain lifestyle changes. Healthier habits like prioritizing nutritious foods and getting enough exercise can help manage side effects and maximize weight loss — and that’s precisely what the GLP-1 Success Program is for.
By prioritizing foods high in nutrients and drinking plenty of water, Kushner says you can reduce your risk for constipation and ensure you’re getting enough fiber and protein, even with a lower appetite. And moving your body, like going for a walk and lifting weights, is also key when taking a GLP-1. “Physical activity and exercise are important to maintain muscle mass and for increased cardiorespiratory fitness,” Kushner says. Plus, if you’re creating an additional calorie deficit by taking an extra walk during your day on top of using the medication, you may lose weight more quickly, says Kushner.
Learn more about what healthy habits to prioritize when taking a GLP-1
*In a study of 3,260 Weight Watchers Med+ members, patients that were prescribed a GLP-1 lost on average 21% of their body weight at 12 months. See important GLP-1 safety information.