Can’t choose between weight-loss jabs? This is EXACTLY what to expect in your first 4 weeks on Mounjaro AND Wegovy – and how to know which one is right for you
Medically assisted weight loss is not an overnight process, and it can take time to see results. While some see significant changes within their first month, for others, the desired result takes longer.With Mounjaro and Wegovy now emerging as the dominant players in the weight-loss jabs market, this is exactly what you can expect to happen in the first four weeks using them.And remember: if you’re prescribed these injections, it’s still important to make healthy lifestyle changes. As previously noted, it’s possible to gain weight on Mounjaro and Wegovy if you eat the wrong foods, even with a restricted appetite. MounjaroData from online health service ZAVA shows that after one month on Mounjaro, patients lose on average four per cent of their starting body weight.However, as the dosage increases, patients can lose about 22.5 per cent of their starting weight over the course of 72 weeks.Week 1: Getting startedStarting on the lowest dose of Mounjaro (2.5mg) for four weeks serves as an adjustment period for your body. The first four weeks on weight loss injections can be challenging – here’s what to expect (stock image posed by model)As you follow the Mounjaro dosage schedule, your body acclimates to the medication, but you might still feel some common side effects such as nausea, constipation, reduced appetite or diarrhoea.Week 2: Appetite changesThe second week brings on more obvious appetite changes and starts to affect your relationship with food.You may find yourself eating less and staying fuller for longer. It is important during this stage to stick to your diet and exercise plan.Week 3: Listen to your bodyThis is the time to listen to your body and pay attention to any side effects.While side effects are possible at any point on Mounjaro, they are particularly common at the beginning of the treatment and during any change in dosage.This is also the week to order your next dose (as week 4 is the final week on 2.5mg) and re-evaluate increasing the dosage if your side effects are strong. After four weeks on any weight loss drugs, you should weigh in and check your progress (stock image)Week 4: Progress check-inTime for a quick check-in! It is likely you’ve lost some weight at this point, if you have been able to stick to a consistent diet and exercise plan.By now, your body should be getting more used to Mounjaro and managing how it affects you.WegovyWegovy helps patients lose an average of 17 per cent of their starting weight.But during the first month, users see an average loss of just two per cent from where they started – so it’s a slow beginning.Week 1: Getting startedIn the first week, Wegovy is started at the lowest dose of 0.25mg. This increases slowly every four weeks.Within the first week, you should start noticing some initial changes in your appetite, including a reduction in appetite, and feeling fuller for longer.This is the ideal time to reduce food intake and start adding some exercise to your routine.Week 2: More appetite changesAfter the second dose, you should feel more of a reduction in appetite and stay fuller for longer after meals. This is a sign that your body is responding to the treatment.There may even be small changes on the scale, but don’t worry if it hasn’t happened yet.Week 3: Monitoring side effectsBy the third week, you’ll notice some Wegovy side effects and changes to your appetite.Side effects can happen at any point throughout the treatment, but they tend to be mild and go away over time.If you are feeling nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting, stick to small plain meals and increase your water intake. Be sure to see a doctor for any vomiting and severe abdominal pain to rule out serious causes.This is also the week to order your next dose (as week 4 is the final week on 0.25mg). If you are tolerating the medication well, consider increasing the dose to 0.5mg.Week 4: Check your progressAfter you’ve completed your first month on Wegovy, weigh in and check your progress while you prepare for month two.Your body is acclimatising to Wegovy, so do not be discouraged if you have not lost much weight. By now, you should be adjusting to Wegovy and learning how best to manage its impact.Factors that can affect weight-loss resultsMany different factors affect the results you get with both Mounjaro and Wegovy.Setting realistic expectations is an important part of embarking on your weight loss journey.Also, be sure to share any factors that may apply to you with your doctor, as they can then tailor a plan that best supports your goals.AgeAs you get older, weight loss can become harder due to a slowing metabolism, hormone changes, and lower activity levels. However, this does not mean weight loss is impossible. Weight loss in some older people is achieved by staying active and reducing caloric intake alongside weight loss injections.DietMounjaro works best alongside a healthy diet. By reducing appetite and helping you feel fuller for longer, it supports weight loss. But lasting results come from making sustainable dietary changes, which can help keep weight off after the treatment. Without a balanced plan, weight loss can be harder to achieve and maintain.ExerciseThe more active you are, the more calories you burn, the more weight you lose. If you neglect exercise, it can take longer to achieve the weight loss results you want.Sticking to your dosage scheduleTaking weight loss injections inconsistently can slow down weight loss progress. For best results, stick to injections at the same time daily to maintain optimal levels in your body.Pre-existing health conditionsHealth conditions like PCOS, hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes cause weight gain and make it harder to lose weight, even when medically assisted.When starting treatment, it’s important to keep your doctor informed of new symptoms or existing health conditions.How to get the best results from weight-loss injectionsSimple lifestyle changes and habits you make can ensure that you get the best results from weight loss injections.Commit to an exercise routineExercise can increase your metabolism and burn calories in any healthy lifestyle. In combination with your treatment, it can help you maintain muscle mass as you lose weight.Exercise does not have to be intensive to start with, but instead, we recommend focusing on trying a diverse range of exercises that focus on:1. Cardio – running, walking, dancing, cycling2. Strength – weight training, callisthenics3. Flexibility – yoga, PilatesGyms are great, but not a necessity to have a good exercise routine. Start off with a walk around the neighbourhood, simple exercises that can be done at home, or access the many exercise resources on the internet for an at-home class.The endorphin or ‘happy hormone’ rush from exercise can also help build confidence and morale in your weight loss journey with weight loss injections.Lower calorie consumptionReducing the number of calories you consume can aid in the weight loss results from jabs like Mounjaro and Wegovy.To do this, we recommend reducing the intake of carbohydrates and saturated fats. This means cutting back on foods like cake, fizzy drinks, chocolate, butter, fast food, or packaged foods.To achieve this, always check food and drink packaging beforehand to see if they support your health and weight loss goals. Some also find it helpful to track daily calorie intake as well to maintain progress.Increase the nutritional value in your dietEating a healthy and balanced diet is crucial to making sure that weight loss injections are effective for you. This can seem like a daunting lifestyle change to make, but start with small changes, which can include:● Substitute bread or processed carbohydrates for vegetables or wholemeal alternatives● Substitute processed meats for oily fish or lean protein made from whole foods● Substitute milk chocolate for dark chocolateStay hydratedIt may sound too obvious to be true, but drinking plenty of clear fluids can enhance your weight loss journey on Mounjaro or Wegovy.Sometimes, side effects, particularly gastrointestinal ones like vomiting and diarrhoea, can lead to dehydration. Staying hydrated supports your health during side effects and may minimise complications.Additionally, drinking water may aid weight loss by boosting metabolism, reducing bloating, and helping to control your appetite, as thirst is sometimes mistaken for hunger.Why you’ve stopped losing weight on Mounjaro – and how to fix it: These are the sleep, alcohol and diet issues standing in your way… and the harsh truth about ‘microdosing’ By Polly Taylor Weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro have become a cultural and clinical phenomenon – and it’s easy to see why.Social media is saturated with before-and-after photos of formerly overweight patients, casting these medications as miraculous interventions.But while many celebrate their rapid results, others find themselves frustrated, wondering why their own medically assisted weight loss isn’t so transformative.A minority of patients see stalled progress – or no progress at all – on Mounjaro and similar drugs, according to online doctor service ZAVA. The reasons range from medication issues to lifestyle factors and even unrealistic expectations.Here are six reasons you may not be seeing the results you hoped for on Mounjaro – and how to fix it.1. Incorrect use or dosageMounjaro’s power often increases with the dosage – but only if you’re consistent. Patients typically start on a low dose to manage side effects, slowly stepping up to a maintenance level of up to 15mg per week.Delaying dose increases, missing injections or skipping steps can all blunt the medication’s effect. A minority of patients on Mounjaro see stalled progress – or no progress at all – and the reasons range from medication issues to lifestyle factors and unrealistic expectations (stock image) ‘While Mounjaro is an effective medication for weight loss, it’s normal to encounter a plateau at some point,’ says Dr Crystal WyllieThat’s worth remembering as the dubious trend of ‘microdosing’ Mounjaro – the idea that tiny amounts can deliver results without side effects – gains traction online, despite scant clinical backing.’While Mounjaro is an effective medication for weight loss, it’s normal to encounter a plateau at some point,’ advises Dr Crystal Wyllie from ZAVA. To enhance your results, it’s important to follow the prescribed dosing schedule and aim to reach the appropriate maintenance dose, as higher levels are generally associated with greater benefits.But if you’re experiencing side effects, it’s perfectly acceptable to step up at a slower rate.Your doctor may recommend staying on a lower dose for longer until your body adjusts. Comfort and tolerability should always guide the pace of titration.2. Poor diet and lack of exerciseWeight-loss jabs reduce appetite – but they can’t override the basic maths of calories in versus calories out.Even with less hunger, exceeding your daily energy needs will stall progress – and it’s still possible to consume more calories than recommended while taking medications such as Mounjaro. Many patients fall into the ‘I’m eating less’ trap, which doesn’t necessarily result in weight loss – if the food you are eating is energy-dense or carbohydrate-heavy (stock image)For consistent weight loss, general guidelines suggest men aim for about 1,900 calories per day (down from 2,500), and women about 1,400 (down from 2,000), though individual needs vary based on age, activity level and metabolic health.The ‘I’m eating less’ trapMany users feel less hungry on Mounjaro, but portion size and food choices still play a role.Mounjaro doesn’t override poor eating habits. If your food intake is still energy-dense or carbohydrate-heavy, you might be in a calorie surplus despite reduced appetite.Tracking your intake using apps such as MyFitnessPal or Chronometer may reveal hidden sources of calories. Snacking, sugary drinks and frequent ‘cheat meals’ can all counteract the calorie deficit that Mounjaro is meant to create.Healthy diet tips:Be strict with calorie tracking until portion control becomes second nature Aim for a 600-calorie daily deficit to lose weight steadily Prioritise whole foods over high-sugar, high-fat processed options Follow a diet plan tailored to your needs, and explore healthy recipe ideas to stay on track Dr Wyllie notes that early weight loss on Mounjaro may partly reflect water loss, especially if you’ve reduced salt or started exercising.As your body adjusts to the medication and lifestyle changes, weight loss may temporarily plateau or even appear to reverse.Finally, stay hydrated and limit alcohol. Booze can interfere with your metabolism and reduce the effectiveness of Mounjaro.3. Stress and sleep sabotageConstant stress and poor sleep can stop weight loss in its tracks.High cortisol keeps fat locked around your middle, while sleep deprivation messes with hunger hormones, making cravings worse.Sleep deprivation increases ghrelin (the hunger hormone) and decreases leptin (the fullness hormone), making you more likely to overeat and less likely to move.You are also more impulsive and less motivated when sleep-deprived, making it harder to stick to your diet and exercise routine. Dr Wyllie advises managing stress and aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep a night. With better sleep comes better results.4. Health conditions and other medicationsUnderlying medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes or thyroid issues – and some common medications – can counteract your efforts.There is no straight answer to this – as a multitude of health issues and drugs can impact the effectiveness of weight-loss jabs in various ways.So keeping your doctor in the loop is critical.’If progress stalls despite these efforts, consulting your healthcare provider is essential to evaluate your plan and make necessary adjustments,’ Dr Wyllie says. 5. Unrealistic expectationsIt’s natural to hope for rapid results, especially with a promising medication such as Mounjaro.But it’s crucial to remember that weight loss is a long-term process. Initial drops – often water weight – can be misleading. Progress will slow, and that’s okay.Dr Wyllie advises against comparing yourself to others or obsessively checking the scales.’Focus on consistency, not speed. Your journey is unique, and sustainable weight loss takes time.’6. Lack of supportMotivation by itself isn’t always enough, Dr Wyllie points out. ‘Lean on friends, family, or join support groups or doctor-recommended programs to stay accountable,’ she adds.Online communities, dietitians and coaches can make the journey less lonely – and much more successful.If Mounjaro’s not working for you If you’re struggling, Dr Wyllie says there are alternatives medications including Wegovy and Saxenda.’Each treatment has unique advantages and considerations, so working closely with your doctor ensures you receive the safest and most personalised approach to achieve your goals,’ she says. Disclaimer: Always consult your doctor before starting any weight-loss medication. Treatments like Mounjaro may not be suitable for everyone.
Δημοσιεύτηκε: 2025-11-20 12:07:00
πηγή: www.dailymail.co.uk
