Weight management is an ongoing learning process. Your body will change with age, health conditions and other life events, such as giving birth. Weight loss drugs are helping people navigate those fluctuations, but don’t guarantee results. Learning why people have different experiences with them could clarify if a prescription might be right for you.
What Are Weight Loss Medications?
Weight loss medications help people lose weight and avoid putting on more weight when they have concerning body mass index (BMI) results. Health care professionals note that people with BMI ratings between 25 and 30 are considered overweight, while anyone who has over a BMI of 30 is considered obese. They may have tried traditional weight loss methods and struggled to achieve or maintain results.
How Weight Loss Drugs Get Results
Weight loss drugs achieve results in numerous ways. Some prescriptions directly address underlying conditions like metabolic syndrome by stimulating the body’s ability to burn fat. Others make the brain produce signals that tell the stomach it’s full when it’s satiated. Some prescriptions also prevent hunger cues from reaching the brain to reduce a person’s frequent snacking habit.
Having numerous options addresses the many causes of obesity, which helps more people get results.
Why Medications Don’t Work For Some People
Although FDA-approved weight loss prescriptions are effective for many people, they aren’t a good fit for everyone. They may not work for various reasons, so it’s crucial to communicate with your doctor along your journey.
1. Other Lifestyle Factors Remain Unchanged
While a prescription drug could engage your brain or metabolism in much-needed ways, it might not make a difference if nothing else changes. You wouldn’t expect yourself to run a marathon if your training sessions didn’t happen alongside a protein-rich diet to strengthen your muscles.
People may not see sustained weight loss results when taking medications if they continue eating an unbalanced diet and never exercise. Nutrient-dense foods strengthen your body’s processes, while exercising sheds unnecessary weight. Making minor changes like jumping rope to burn calories could help you improve your results without feeling like too much change simultaneously.
2. Medication Use Is Inconsistent
Taking a weight loss drug just a few times won’t help you achieve long-term results. You might encounter this experience if you forget about your new medication routine. Some people also struggle with medication consistency if their insurance changes or they live on unpredictable income sources.
3. Your Body Has Hit A Plateau
Plateaus are a common experience while losing weight. Once your body optimizes its caloric burn for your new diet and exercise routine, it enters a plateau to help you maintain your lifestyle. These plateaus won’t last forever, but they can be a frustrating experience. You might think your medications aren’t working once a plateau begins. People may adapt by varying their workout routine with more intense exercises to jump-start their body’s ability to lose weight.
Alternatives To Weight Loss Prescriptions
While weight loss drugs are a viable option for many people, they’re not the only way. If you have a negative experience with a weight loss drug, you can also try things like:
- Nutritionist-directed dietary changes
- Exercise routines created by a personal trainer
- Doctor-recommended weight loss surgery
The most important thing you can do is give yourself time. Keep in touch with your primary care physician, nutritionist, trainer or other professionals supporting you during your journey. If you have a disappointing experience with a weight loss prescription, they’ll be your sounding board for any concerns or ideas that could be more effective.
Talk To Your Doctor About Your Options
The weight loss drug craze remains strong because many people have positive results from their prescriptions. Your results may differ depending on how your body reacts to the medications you try. If you decide to join the trend, get your doctor’s recommendations to get the best advice for your health history.
