Ozempic is one of a class of medicines called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, or incretin mimetics. They work by increasing the levels of hormones that help your body produce more insulin when it needs to and supresses the amount of glucose produced by your liver.
Taking Ozempic doesn’t usually cause weight gain, although some people may experience bloating during the first few weeks. But it’s important to keep in mind that no two people are alike and it will take time to see results.
Over-eating
One of the most common reasons why people don’t lose weight while taking Ozempic is because they over-eat. This may seem counterintuitive, since the drug can help reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller more quickly.
However, it’s still important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine when taking this medication. This will allow you to experience more positive results from Ozempic.
A good starting place is to focus on whole foods and eat more fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and whole grains. This type of diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent high blood sugar.
While you’re on Ozempic, be sure to avoid eating refined grains, which are stripped of their nutrient-rich parts and increase your risk for diabetes. Also, limit your intake of alcohol, large amounts of added sugars and fried foods to help keep you feeling fuller longer.
Insulin
In order to help your body control blood sugar, there are several types of insulin available. Typically, your doctor will choose the type that works best for you.
When you eat, glucose enters your blood stream and your body uses this sugar for energy. Insulin helps to keep your blood sugar level under control so that you don’t feel hungry or crave more food.
However, this can also make you more likely to gain weight if you aren’t careful about what you eat and how much you eat.
This is why it’s important to be consistent with your diet and exercise routine. It’s also important to keep up with your medication regimen.
Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy work by helping you stick with healthy habits so that your weight loss stays sustainable, says nurse practitioner Elizabeth Hanna, who specializes in bariatric surgery. Unfortunately, these medications come with a lot of risks if you stop them, Hanna says.
Exercise
Ozempic is a medication that works to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It helps by binding to a certain hormone called GLP-1, which triggers insulin release from the pancreas and blocks glucose production in the liver. It also slows down how fast food leaves the stomach, making you feel full so you eat less.
The drug has been shown to decrease appetite, which can lead to weight loss. However, you should still exercise and eat a healthy diet to lose weight on ozempic.
You should not use this medicine if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. Contact your doctor at once if you have swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath or hoarse voice.
Ozempic can cause hypoglycemia if used in combination with an insulin secretagogue or insulin. This can be severe and may be fatal.
Diet
If you’re noticing that you aren’t losing weight on Ozempic, your diet may be the culprit. You can lose weight more quickly if you eat a healthy, low-calorie diet while taking Ozempic.
The simplest way to do this is to eat more whole foods and fewer high-calorie, fast-digesting carbohydrates. By making small changes to your diet, you can see great results on Ozempic and beyond.
But it takes time to make these changes, and you have to continue to stick with them to see real, long-term weight loss. That’s why we developed Calibrate, our modern medical weight loss program.
Our online program uses behavioural science to help you create sustainable lifestyle changes. It includes doctor-prescribed medication, as well as one-on-one accountability coaching. We’re a team that can help you get the most out of your treatment, achieve real weight loss, and enjoy life more. Learn if you’re a good fit for Calibrate today.