GLP-1 weight loss medications (such as Wegovy or Mounjaro) can help reduce appetite and make it easier to eat less. But progress is not the same for everyone. In this article, we’ll explain why weight loss varies from person to person, why comparison to others can be unhelpful, and what practical steps to consider if your results feel slower than you expected.
Your GLP-1 treatment journey is unique
It’s understandable to look at others and wonder why your progress looks different. When you’re putting time and energy into something, comparison can be normal. The difficulty is that comparison is rarely helpful and usually based on incomplete information.
Bodies respond differently to any intervention, and GLP-1s are no exception. If you’re looking at transformations in social media, remember that what you’re seeing is the highlights of someone’s journey, not the full picture (plateaus, dose changes, side effects, stop-start treatment). What you see doesn’t show context, like health history, sleep, stress, routines, or support. Comparison can create unnecessary pressure – and pressure rarely supports sustainable change.
A more helpful question about your own journey is: what is changing for you? This could include steadier appetite, fewer cravings, improved energy, greater confidence around meals, or other small improvements that add up over time.
Weight loss can look very different on GLP-1 medication
People’s results can vary on GLP-1 weight loss medications, even when treatment plans look similar on paper. Some people notice steady changes over time, while others experience slower shifts or plateaus.
One study followed 483 adults with obesity who were taking either Wegovy or Saxenda (two GLP-1 medications). On average, people lost around 12% of their starting weight, but outcomes varied widely:
- Around 1 in 5 people lost less than 5%
- Just under half lost 5% to 15%
- About 1 in 3 lost more than 15%
Researchers in this study were not able to reliably predict who was going to lose more weight. This reinforces something many people don't hear often enough: variation is normal, and differences in response are not simply effort or 'willpower’.
What can influence what you see on the scales
- Your starting point
If two people both lose the same percentage of weight, the person starting at a higher weight will lose more weight, so comparisons can be misleading - Which medication are you using?
Different medicines can produce different average outcomes. In a head-to-head trial in people with obesity, Mounjaro led to greater average weight loss than Wegovy over 72 weeks - Whether you have ongoing support alongside the medication
Guidance for both Wegovy and Mounjaro recommends using medication alongside lifestyle support such as nutrition, movement, and behavioural strategies rather than stand-alone treatment. Evidence from supported programmes also shows people can achieve meaningful differences when medication is combined with coaching and behavioural support. In a large digital weight management programme for people taking Mounjaro, those who actively engaged with the app/coaching support lost about 22.9% of their starting weight at 12 months, compared with about 17.5% in those who were not engaged.
What you can do to move the needle
If you feel “stuck” or discouraged, your doctor or wellbeing coach can help. These steps can make the next conversation much more productive:
- Zoom out to look at your weight trends, not day-to-day fluctuations
- Revisit the foundations. Regular meals, fibre-rich foods, and balanced meals tend to support weight management and overall health
- Prioritise protein and strength-focused activity, which can help protect muscle while losing weight
- Ask for a review of your medication. A lack of response should be reviewed with your doctor.
Key messages
- Weight loss results on GLP-1 medicines vary widely
- Comparisons to others are usually misleading because you don’t see the full context
- Slow progress can be normal, but a review of dose, side effects, nutrition, and strength activity can help you get on track
- Adding support alongside medication can help you keep moving forward
What our clinical experts say
Not everyone responds to GLP-1 medication in the same way, and that isn’t a reflection of effort or commitment. When weight loss is slower than expected, our role is to step back and review the full picture, including medication dosing, nutrition, activity, sleep, stress and medical history. At Genwell, we take a personalised approach to ensure each plan is adapted to the individual, with a focus on steady, sustainable progress and long-term health
Bogomila Tosheva
Genwell reflections
Not losing weight as quickly as you expected can feel discouraging, especially when online stories make it look effortless. The evidence is clear that responses vary widely, and that many common “predictors” do not reliably explain who will lose more or less weight.
At Genwell, the focus is on steady, long-term progress. That includes setting realistic expectations and goals, providing practical nutrition and activity support, and helping people build habits that still work when motivation dips or life gets busy.