How Long Does It Take Semaglutide To Suppress Your Appetite? 

Semaglutide begins suppressing your appetite during the first 1-4 weeks of your treatment. Patients may notice effects such as reduced appetite, decreased cravings, and increased feelings of fullness after eating. 

This can also trigger early weight loss as you begin to quickly shed water weight due to decreased sodium intake. It is important to maintain a healthy, well-rounded diet while on semaglutide.

How Long Does Weight Loss Take On Semaglutide?

Weight loss on semaglutide happens within the first month. In this study, 175 patients had lost 6% of their body weight by month 3 and 11% by month 6. This is a substantial amount of weight to lose in such a short period and will be well illustrated by an example.

A 250lb person who loses 11% of their body weight in 6 months is a 27-pound reduction! This means that the person in the example will have lost over 4 pounds per month, or over a pound per week. 

Since semaglutide works by decreasing the number of patients’ appetite, as soon as the drug is administered and the patient achieves a caloric deficit, they will begin to lose weight. 

How To Speed Up Weight Loss On Semaglutide

Above, we covered that semaglutide helped patients lose – on average – 11% of their body weight by month 6 of treatment. By all means, this is an impressive statistic, but if you wanted to speed up the results, how would you do it?

Exercise 

The most obvious answer here is exercise; since weight loss is a matter of consuming fewer calories than you burn, the more calories you burn, the more weight you will lose. 

But what type of exercise is the most effective for losing weight?

Anything that gets you moving is a net positive for weight loss, so try to find a type of exercise that you enjoy and could see yourself doing multiple times a week. 

Low-Intensity Steady State Cardio (LISS) is one of the more popular types of exercise when it comes to losing weight. That’s because its easy, less stressful on the body and mind, and can be done almost anywhere. 

Walking is a great example of this, try setting your treadmill to 9-12 on the incline with a 2-3 speed. Attempt to keep your heart rate in the 120-140bpm zone (depending on age) and continue this for 15 to 30 minutes 3-4 times per week. 

This is a great option for many people as it has a low barrier to entry and you can easily distract yourself with a TV show, book, or podcast while performing it!

Diet

Maintaining a well-balanced diet that includes an adequate intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fats is crucial for promoting healthy and effective weight loss. Each macronutrient plays a unique role in supporting overall health and metabolic function. 

Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle mass, and promoting satiety, which can help control appetite and prevent overeating. Carbohydrates provide energy for daily activities and exercise, while fats are necessary for hormone production, nutrient absorption, and cell structure.

Additionally, the thermic effect of food (TEF) is an important concept to consider in weight management. TEF refers to the energy expenditure required for digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients in food.

 Protein has the highest thermic effect among the three macronutrients, meaning that a significant amount of energy is expended during its digestion and utilization. This can contribute to a higher metabolic rate and increased calorie expenditure, supporting weight loss efforts.

By following a balanced diet that includes adequate protein, carbohydrates, and fats, individuals can promote healthy weight loss, support muscle maintenance, and optimize metabolic function, all of which are essential for long-term wellness.

Sleep 

Quality sleep plays a pivotal role in weight loss by regulating hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin, boosting metabolism for increased calorie burn, reducing stress and cortisol levels linked to abdominal weight gain, promoting energy and motivation for physical activity, enhancing cognitive function for better food choices, and supporting muscle recovery and maintenance. 

Prioritizing 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night is a crucial component of a successful weight loss journey, contributing to overall health and well-being.

Why Am I Not Losing Weight On Semaglutide?

There could be several reasons why you may not be experiencing weight loss while taking Semaglutide (Wegovy):

Insufficient Dosage: It’s possible that the dosage of Semaglutide prescribed to you may not be optimal for achieving weight loss. Your healthcare provider may need to adjust the dosage based on your response to the medication.

Diet and Exercise: While Semaglutide can aid in weight loss, it works best when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. If your diet and exercise habits are not supporting weight loss, it may hinder the effectiveness of Semaglutide.

Other Medications or Health Conditions: Certain medications or health conditions can interfere with weight loss efforts. It’s important to discuss any medications you are taking or underlying health issues with your healthcare provider to determine if they could be impacting your weight loss.

Individual Response: Each person’s response to Semaglutide can vary. Some individuals may experience significant weight loss, while others may not see as much of an effect. Factors such as metabolism, genetics, and lifestyle can influence how your body responds to the medication.

Time Frame: Weight loss can be a gradual process, and it may take time to see noticeable results. It’s essential to be patient and consistent with your treatment plan while monitoring your progress with your healthcare provider.

Takeaway

When using Semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight loss, it’s important to remember that individual responses can vary. Factors such as dosage, diet and exercise habits, other medications or health conditions, and time frame can all influence the effectiveness of Semaglutide. If you’re not experiencing the desired weight loss, consult with your healthcare provider to evaluate and adjust your treatment plan as needed. Consistency, patience, and open communication with your healthcare team are key to achieving successful weight loss outcomes with Semaglutide.