If you’re taking weight loss medication and the weight has stopped dropping, you might be wondering: has the GLP-1 medicine stopped working?
This article explains what plateaus are in a weight loss journey, what the evidence shows about plateaus on GLP-1 medications, and how to handle these plateaus.
Plateaus and weight loss
A weight-loss plateau is when your weight trend slows down or levels off for a period of time, even though you haven’t changed anything. It can be frustrating because early weight loss often feels more noticeable or motivating, and a plateau can make it seem as if progress has stopped.
Plateaus are common in weight-loss journeys because the body adapts as weight comes down. A lower body weight usually means lower energy needs, and biological signals can make continued weight loss happen more slowly over time.
First, check whether it’s a true plateau
Before changing anything, it’s worth checking whether progress has truly stopped. The scales can fluctuate, especially week to week.
- Look at your progress for at least several weeks, not a single weigh-in
- Many factors can cause ‘scale noise’. For example, constipation, hormonal fluctuations and normal fluid shifts can temporarily hide progress
- Sometimes the scale isn’t moving, but that doesn’t mean there’s no progress. Your waist circumference, how clothes fit, appetite, energy and fitness can improve even when weight remains the same
Remember, your scales don't just measure fat, but muscle, bone and water weight in addition to your essential organs. If you are building muscle whilst losing fat mass, the scales might not change, but your body and your health are, for the better. This is where body composition assessments can be helpful. For example, bioimpedance scales use a small electrical signal to estimate body fat, lean mass and body water, allowing you to track changes over time.
Plateaus in GLP-1 medicines
GLP-1 medicines (such as Wegovy and Mounjaro) can support weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, regulating blood sugar levels and helping reduce overall intake, but they still work within your body’s normal responses to weight loss. Most Wegovy users in clinical studies reached a plateau at week 60, whereas Mounjaro users reached a plateau at week 72.
Researchers have highlighted that with GLP-1-based treatments, some of the weight lost can be muscle as well as fat. Because muscle helps your body burn energy, losing muscle can mean you burn fewer calories day to day, which may contribute to plateaus. This is why strength training and adequate protein intake are recommended to help support your muscle mass and metabolism. As weight comes down, the same eating and activity pattern that helped you lose weight at the start may later become what your body needs to maintain it.
Long-term, personalised support matters as much as the prescription for your long-term goals. When the scales stop shifting, it becomes the right moment to review the plan.
What may help
A helpful way to approach a plateau is to treat it as a checkpoint: a moment to look at where you are in your journey and check what might be influencing the weight loss. That way, you can decide what change is most likely to help you move forward.
There are a few things you can do:
- Meals: aim to include a source of protein and fibre in most meals
- Movement: reviewing your weekly routine, including regular walking and some strength-building activity if you can
- Sleep and stress: even small improvements can make routines easier to stick to
- Medication: keep taking your medicine exactly as prescribed and speak to your doctor about your dosing plan
If the trend still isn’t shifting, that’s often the right moment to review your plan, alongside staying consistent with your prescribed dosing schedule.
Key messages
- Plateaus can be an expected part of any weight-loss journey, including with GLP-1 medicines
- Before changing anything, check the trend and consider scale noise
- Review your lifestyle and habits if you feel stuck or unsure
What our clinical experts say
Weight-loss plateaus aren’t failures but a natural part of weight loss. At Genwell, we use these moments to review, personalise and adjust your plan. With further exploration and tweaks to your strategy, we can help you move forward with long-term support at every stage of your journey.
Dr Caroline Butler
Genwell reflections
A plateau can feel like a setback, especially when you’ve been putting in the effort. But remember that plateaus are part of any weight loss journey.
If you hit a plateau, it’s time to step back and make a plan to move forward.
At Genwell, we support you not just with your prescriptions. We look at your goals, your health, your lifestyle, and how to make the treatment work for you long term.