If you’re a fan of Hollywood and social media, you might have noticed that a new drug called Ozempic is helping socialites and celebrities drop weight. It’s a type of diabetes medication known as semaglutide, or Wegovy (the other brand name of Ozempic).
This new class of drugs mimics key hunger hormones in order to help people lose weight. But when people stop taking them, they often regain the pounds they lost.
1. You’re not following a healthy diet and exercise routine
Getting and staying healthy requires a combination of a great diet and regular exercise. Eating right can help improve your immune system, while a great workout can strengthen your heart.
Using a self-injectable medication like Ozempic or Wegovy to lose weight is a great idea for many patients, but it is important to follow a healthy diet and exercise routine while taking the medication.
This means avoiding processed foods, refined grains and added sugars (added sugar is usually hidden in the ingredient list of many foods, like yogurt, some nutrition bars and granola). Increased fibre is another way to improve your health.
A healthy diet will also help keep your blood sugar levels within a safe range, and can help you avoid serious heart conditions and diabetes-related complications. It will also boost your energy and mood, so you can feel your best.
2. You’re not taking the medication as prescribed
Taking the right medicine as prescribed is essential for managing or preventing disease, especially chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In fact, research shows that patients who take the best medications have less frequent trips to the emergency room and fewer hospitalizations over time.
You may be lucky enough to have a doctor who makes it easy for you to stick to your prescription, but if you’re not fortunate, there are still a few tips and tricks to help ensure you don’t forget your medications. The best way to remember your medications is to keep them in a daily pill box that you can easily grab at the beginning or end of the day. Using a smartphone alarm or a reminder app will also help you stay on track. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Your doctor will likely be more than happy to assist you with the most effective medicine management plan for your condition.
3. You’re experiencing side effects
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping your body make more insulin when blood sugar levels are high.
It’s injected under the skin, usually once a week at any time of day with or without food. It is a very slow-acting medication, so it may take a few weeks for it to start working properly.
When taking this medicine, you should always use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This includes following all instructions on the prescription label and reading all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Keep track of your side effects, especially episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Keeping notes will help you share this information with your doctor if necessary.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have any signs of pancreatitis, a severe and rare side effect that can be very dangerous. This condition can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, and difficulty urinating.
4. You’re not eating enough
If you are not losing weight while on Ozempic, there could be a few different reasons. Whether it is because you are not eating enough or because you are putting on weight, the most important thing to remember is that you need to be committed to your new diet and exercise routine.
Keeping your calorie intake low and focusing on healthy, nutritious foods is key to achieving lasting results. This may mean reducing processed food and increasing fibre-rich whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
It is also important to eat enough protein to help reduce hunger and promote fullness. This should be a significant part of your daily meals. Eating more protein can help control your blood sugar levels, which can help you lose weight and keep it off.