What to expect during your first month on Wegovy

If you’re embarking on a weight loss programme with the aid of medication like Wegovy, chances are you’re curious to know what to expect.

While weight loss isn’t a race, it can be hard not to feel like we’re a horse shooting out of the stable, galloping towards our weight loss goals with the expectation of seeing the pounds fall off immediately. Surely with medication like Wegovy, this is a reasonable expectation? Well, not exactly. 

Weight loss drugs like Wegovy have become increasingly popular in recent years, namely thanks to their effectiveness in aiding weight loss for those who have typically struggled with it in the past.

But just like any weight loss programme, it’s important to not only manage your expectations but also have an understanding of what to expect while taking the medication. 

For any weight loss to be effective, it should be a gradual process. So, if you’re wondering what to expect on your first month on Wegovy, from the amount of weight you’ll lose to side effects and symptoms, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know.

How much weight do people typically lose with Wegovy?

Before we discuss how much weight people typically lose on Wegovy, it helps to first understand how the drug aids weight loss.

Classed as a GLP-1 agonist, Wegovy mimics the action of the body’s own GLP-1 hormone, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and manage appetite.

When taking Wegovy, you can expect feelings of fullness, reduced feelings of hunger, and a reduced appetite for high-fat foods, ultimately reducing overall calorie intake, which can lead to significant weight loss.

Wegovy also reduces blood sugar by promoting the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. With this in mind, research suggests Wegovy can lead to a weight loss of around 16% of one’s body weight, which roughly equates to 16-17kg (around 35-37 pounds) after 68 weights [1].

Most of this weight loss occurs within the first 9 months, at which point it then plateaus as the body adapts to the medication and patients adopt other lifestyle changes that help with sustainable weight management. 

How does this compare to other weight loss medications?

The active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, which is part of a class of medications that include Saxenda and Mounjaro, which act in a similar way.

Longer-acting GLP-1 agonists that are injected weekly, such as the semaglutide medicine Wegovy and the tirzepatide medication Mounjaro, are associated with greater weight loss than shorter-acting GLP-1 agonists such as Saxenda.

Studies found that 84% of participants taking Wegovy lost at least 5% of their body weight, compared to just 63.2% of study participants on Saxenda [2]. 

Ultimately, access to weight loss injections will depend on your health. Weight loss medications like these GLP-1 agonists aren’t appropriate for everyone who wants to lose weight, particularly if you have type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or a history of pancreatitis.

They are also not advised for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and access may be dependent on your BMI (body mass index).

Wegovy first month results: What to expect

Week 1

Don’t expect to see weight loss in the first week of taking Wegovy. Rather, treat this week as one in which you allow your body to get used to the medication and establish something of a routine for administering it in your day. With Wegovy being administered once a week, consider selecting a day of the week and time to take your injection to ensure you don’t forget. 

Typically, patients start with a dosage of 0.25mg. Although small, it is enough for the body to recognise the medication and begin seeing changes.

You may notice the sensation of feeling full, which is one of the main effects of Wegovy. Your appetite will be noticeably smaller than it was prior to taking Wegovy, allowing you to feel fuller for longer after meals.

However, given the early stages of the medication, this feeling may not continue throughout the entire week but instead start to lessen around days 4 or 5. 

Week 2

As your body continues to get used to the medication, you may experience some side effects in the second week.

These include nausea, constipation, mild abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, all of which aren’t uncommon during the early stages of taking Wegovy. While you shouldn’t worry, if your symptoms persist or worsen, it may be worth consulting your doctor. 

In your second week, your body is still adjusting to the medication, so while you will notice changes in your appetite, don’t expect to see significant weight loss. You may lose a couple of pounds in the first few weeks, but it likely won’t be enough to see physical changes.

It’s important to remember that this is natural and not an indication that the medication isn’t working. In fact, weight loss medication like Wegovy typically has the biggest impact after 3 months, which is when most diets fail or hit a weight loss plateau. 

Week 3

At week 3, your body is likely getting used to the 0.25mg dosage of Wegovy. The dosage should be a constant in your body, rather than fluctuating like it did in the beginning.

This means that the feeling of fullness experienced in the first 2 weeks should now be consistent throughout the 7 days. 

While weight loss may still be limited during the early weeks of taking Wegovy, most can expect to start losing weight slowly, somewhere around 5-6 pounds. You may not notice any physical changes at this early stage, but stay committed to your weight loss journey and the results will follow.

Week 4

As in week 3, the effects of Wegovy should be constant at this point. You’ll notice that your appetite is smaller and easier to control.

The feeling of satiety after meals allows you to eat less and curb unhealthy habits like late-night snacking or cravings. It’s important to begin looking at lifestyle changes that can be implemented so you continue losing weight safely and sustainably. 

Consider the healthy habits you need to adopt to maintain a healthy weight like sleep, diet, and exercise, as well as the meals you’ll be eating and whether you’re making nutrient-dense foods a priority.

How to manage the side effects

Most side effects of Wegovy are temporary, lasting just a few days or weeks. While it’s important to discuss side effects with your doctor if they worsen or don’t go away, here’s how you can manage the most common ones.

Nausea and stomach pain

Nausea is expected in the early weeks of taking Wegovy as the body adjusts to the new medication. To help with this, be sure to drink plenty of clear fluids such as water and herbal teas, eat small amounts regularly, drink or sip ginger, peppermint, or fennel teas, and reduce sugar intake and high-fat foods. 

Constipation

You may be at higher risk of constipation when you first begin taking Wegovy. Consider talking to your doctor about it as they may be able to recommend constipation relief in the form of an over-the-counter treatment.

You can also try increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, drinking plenty of clear fluids, eating small fruits such as prunes, figs, or grapes, and incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine. 

Diarrhoea

As one of the more common side effects reported in clinical trials, diarrhoea was experienced by some when first taking Wegovy.

If you notice diarrhoea, consider taking an over-the-counter treatment. The key thing is to stay hydrated, rest, and consider oral rehydration salts. 

Vomiting

More than 1 in 10 people on Wegovy experienced vomiting in the early stages of the medication.

Once again, staying hydrated is crucial if you’re experiencing vomiting, as well as eating small amounts regularly and drinking ginger or peppermint tea. An over-the-counter antacid medicine may help your body adjust to Wegovy, but if you’re vomiting more than 3 times a day it’s important to speak to your doctor. 

Injection site reaction 

You may experience an injection site reaction when first taking Wegovy, with common side effects including redness, bruising, itching, and swelling.

While this tends to settle as your body gets used to the drug, you can consider taking an antihistamine tablet or local antihistamine cream. If your rash gets worse or is spreading, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Lifestyle changes to maximise your weight loss results

When it comes to sustainable weight loss and healthy weight management, it’s important to take a holistic view of your health.

While weight loss medications like Wegovy can certainly assist you, a healthy lifestyle is crucial when it comes to optimal health and well-being. So, if you want to maximise your weight loss results and ensure your weight loss journey is a sustainable one, consider these lifestyle changes. 

1. Drink plenty of water

Sugary beverages like soda and diet soda have been linked to weight gain as they contribute additional calories to your daily intake that you might not even be aware you’re consuming.

A review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that participants who drank 1 litre of full-sugar soda daily gained 22 pounds over 6 months, while those who drank diet soda gained 3 pounds [3].

In contrast, water consumption only has added benefits. Whether you opt for water or sparkling water with no added sugar or flavours, it not only helps with hydration but can also help you feel satiated so you don’t overeat or snack throughout the day.

As the body struggles to determine thirst from hunger, those perceived hunger cues might actually just be your body reminding you to stay hydrated. Not surprisingly, studies have found several links between water consumption and weight loss [4]. 

2. Establish an exercise routine

According to a 2013 study of overweight adults, burning 400 or 600 calories per aerobic exercise session 5 days per week for 10 months resulted in clinically significant weight loss [5].

Exercise doesn’t just help you burn calories to support sustainable weight loss though, it’s also vital for optimal functioning and cardiovascular health and fitness. Strength training can help with preserving muscle mass and bone density while losing weight, and also helps you to burn more calories at rest. 

For adults, it’s recommended that you complete 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 70-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. 

3. Make healthy dietary changes 

A healthy diet is imperative for any weight loss journey and should be one that focuses on nutrient-dense foods and those that are rich in fibre.

According to a 2019 study of 345 participants, increasing the dietary fibre intake helped to promote weight loss amongst overweight and obese adults when supported with a calorie-restricted diet [6]. Research has also shown a correlation between diets high in ultra-processed foods and increased risks of obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Fibre helps you feel fuller for longer, which can help you cut down on how much food you’re eating and reduce the likelihood of snacking.

When it comes to your diet, incorporate foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and brown rice. Be sure to increase these gradually, though, as you don’t want to experience digestive issues by going all-in too quickly.  

4. Practice mindful eating

While a balanced diet is vital to any sustainable weight loss journey, so too is how you eat. If your diet is too restrictive, you’ll only crave food more, leading to emotional turmoil as you experience feelings of frustration, guilt, and failure.

We recommend focusing on mindful eating. Pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues and ensure that when eating, you take the time to sit down and savour your food.

This can help prevent overeating and foster a healthy relationship with food. 

5. Get plenty of sleep

Sleep might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to weight loss, but it’s incredibly important for optimal health. Not only does sleep deprivation slow your metabolic rate, but studies have also found a direct correlation between lack of sleep and late-night snacking which causes weight gain [7]. 

This is because lack of sleep disrupts your hormones, including ghrelin which regulates your hunger.

Not surprisingly, you’ll find yourself reaching for sugary sweets or highly processed foods when sleep-deprived. Instead, aim to get 7 hours of sleep or more a night. 

While lifestyle changes are certainly important for sustainable weight loss, what proves most effective is having expert guidance and support available to you every step of the way.

That’s exactly what makes Juniper’s Weight Reset Programme so successful, with the average person losing over 13% of their body weight in one year. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to losing weight, so you shouldn’t expect that in a weight loss program.

By taking a medical approach, Juniper’s Weight Reset Programme ensures it’s tailored to each individual and their own weight loss goals. Designed by practitioners and dietitians, the program uses personalised medication in the form of Wegovy to effectively suppress appetite and improve metabolic function. 

If eligible for medicated weight loss, you’ll receive access to the medication, along with digital health coaching and weight loss tracking to guide you every step of the way. With a private community of women to help keep you accountable to your weight loss goals, Juniper’s Weight Reset Programme gives you the tools to make informed decisions.

With this empowering approach, you’ll find it easier to reach your goal weight, welcoming a healthier and happier version of yourself. 

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