How to maximize the weight loss benefits of Ozempic with easy tips

Ozempic is definitely the hottest buzzword in our culture today. But we still have a lot of questions about the type 2 diabetes drug turned weight loss wonder drug, like how long does Ozempic take to work? The short answer is that it can be fast and slow. We asked an obesity doctor to break down what you can expect, plus how you can speed up your results.

How long does Ozempic take to work?

Although Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, it is often used off-label to help people lose unwanted pounds along with diet and exercise. “You tend to lose weight slowly, about one to two pounds per week, which is a good, healthy cadence,” says obesity medicine physician Michael L. Glickman, MD.

He explains that patients taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy, typically reach their plateau weight after 52-60 weeks of treatment for chronic weight control. During that time period, overweight or obese people lose an average of 15 percent of their body weight, according to a 2021 study in the The New England Journal of Medicine.

Although it may take about a year to see the full results of Ozempic weight loss, some people begin to achieve scale-free victories almost immediately. “There are ‘early responders’ who feel better as soon as first weekreporting fewer cravings, decreased appetite, or reduced food cravings (intrusive thoughts about food),” reveals Dr. Glickman.

Which side effect of Ozempic are you most concerned about?

How to speed up weight loss results on Ozempic

It’s safe to say we’d all love to join the “early responders” club. But first, the basics: The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg, injected every seven days, Dr. Glickman says. “We can ramp up from there based on the patient’s response, but we don’t ramp it up unless we need to.” It adds that the highest possible dose of Ozempic is 2 mg (and 2.4 mg for Wegovy).

No matter what dose you use, read on for some simple, doctor-approved tips to help you optimize the effects of Ozempic.

Grab your water bottle

Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, urges Dr. Glickman. Drinking good old-fashioned H20 will not only help stave off cravings and keep you full, but it will also prevent constipation, a common side effect associated with Ozempic.

Get lots of Zzzs

Sleep is to weight loss what Taylor Swift is to pop music: we can’t imagine one without the other. In fact, carving out some quality time with Sandman helps restore healthy blood sugar levels, increase the satiety hormone leptin, and decrease the hunger hormone ghrelin, all of which Ozempic gives a helping hand – it That is why Dr. Glickman encourages getting “at least seven to eight hours of sleep per night.”

Pump some iron

While Ozempic decreases unwanted body fat, it can also decrease something we really like to maintain, especially as we age: muscle mass. That’s the word from a 2024 review of studies Expert opinion in pharmacotherapy

Fortunately, avoiding this potential pitfall can be as easy as incorporating strength training into your routine two or three days per week. “In addition to resistance-based exercise, go for a walk for at least 10 minutes after your biggest meal of the day,” adds Dr. Glickman. A 2018 study nutrients shows that taking a short walk after a meal helps lower blood sugar levels.

Consider intermittent fasting

You know how to fill yourself with healthy vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes. But you might be surprised to learn that “some patients do well with the addition of intermittent fasting” to their weight loss arsenal while on Ozempic, reveals Dr. Glickman. This is largely because intermittent fasting increases the response of GLP-1 (the key appetite-regulating hormone that Ozempic stimulates), according to a 2020 study in Endocrine connections.

Avoid common side effects

“There are many benefits of (GLP-1 drugs) such as decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, reversal of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and slowing of chronic kidney disease,” explains Dr. Glickman. But for all its demonstrable benefits, Ozempic sometimes causes side effects like nausea and constipation. Best ways to avoid GI upset? “Eat slowly to let satiety set in and avoid fast food and fatty foods,” she says.

Celebrate non-scale victories

The benefits of Ozempic extend beyond quantifiable results, and just taking a moment to recognize your progress can help increase your long-term success. “Medication tends to give people the freedom and leverage to make really substantial lifestyle changes, like eating more mindfully and taking a little time off to do things like ask themselves if they want to cook something healthy tonight,” says Dr. Glickman.

“People tend to be more active, exercise more often and have more energy; they generally feel like better versions of themselves,” she adds. Bottom line, whether you’ve lost two pounds or 20 on your journey so far, patting yourself on the back along the way will keep your momentum going as you reach your weight loss goals.

For more information about Ozempic:

Your Guide to Ozempic and New Weight Loss Drugs: Top Experts + Real Women Tell It All

What happens when you stop taking Ozempic? How to stop weight loss medication safely

How much weight can you really lose with Ozempic or Wegovy? A doctor explains the results of GLP-1

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your doctor before following any treatment plan.