What is a normal amount of weight loss with modern obesity medicines?
Modern weight loss medicines can result in clinically significant weight loss in people living with overweight and obesity. In large clinical trials, treatment with semaglutide (Wegovy) resulted in an average weight loss of around 15 per cent of body weight after 68 weeks, while tirzepatide (Mounjaro) has shown an average weight loss of around 20 per cent or more after 72 weeks of treatment.
The medicines work by affecting the body's systems for hunger, fullness and energy balance. They mimic hormones that are naturally released from the gut after meals, which can increase feelings of fullness, reduce appetite and make it easier to eat less over time. Many patients also find that thoughts about food and cravings between meals decrease during treatment.
It is important to remember that the results from the clinical trials were achieved in combination with advice on diet and physical activity. The medicines are therefore not a replacement for healthy lifestyle habits, but a tool that can support long-term weight loss and weight stability.
In addition to weight loss, treatment can contribute to improvements in several metabolic risk factors, such as blood sugar control, blood pressure and blood lipids. The goal of treatment is not only a lower weight, but also improved body composition, metabolic health and quality of life.
Why does the rate of weight loss vary between different people?
Weight loss rarely happens at the same rate for everyone. How quickly a person loses weight is influenced by several factors, including starting weight, body composition, age, genetics, hormones, lifestyle habits and any medical conditions.
It can therefore often be misleading to compare your own weight journey with someone else's. Two people who follow similar diet and exercise habits may still achieve different results depending on how their bodies regulate hunger, energy expenditure and fat storage.
Starting weight and energy requirements
People with a higher body weight often have greater energy requirements and may therefore experience faster weight loss at the beginning of treatment. As weight decreases, energy requirements gradually decrease, which means that the rate of weight loss often slows over time.
Muscle mass, age and hormones
Muscle mass plays an important role in the body's energy expenditure. As we age, muscle mass naturally decreases if it is not stimulated through regular physical activity, particularly strength training. Hormonal changes, for example during menopause, can also affect body composition, appetite and fat distribution.
Sleep, stress and recovery
Good sleep and recovery are important for the body's regulation of hunger, fullness and energy balance. Long-term stress or insufficient sleep can affect appetite, energy levels and the ability to maintain healthy habits, which can indirectly affect weight loss.
The most important thing is therefore not how quickly your weight changes compared with other people's, but that progress is moving in the right direction and that the habits you develop are sustainable over time.
How do you manage a weight plateau when the scales stop moving?
It is common for weight loss to slow down or stop after a while, even if you continue with the same habits as before. One important explanation is that the body's energy requirements decrease as body weight decreases. A smaller body requires less energy to maintain its functions and to move in everyday life, which means that the energy deficit that previously resulted in weight loss may gradually become smaller.
At the same time, the body may undergo biological adaptations that affect energy expenditure, hunger and appetite. For example, spontaneous everyday movement may decrease during periods of energy deficit. Small movements such as walking, standing, changing position and moving between different activities contribute to total energy expenditure and can influence changes in weight. These adaptations are sometimes described as metabolic adaptation.
A weight plateau therefore does not mean that treatment or lifestyle changes have stopped working. In many cases, it can be helpful to review eating habits, physical activity, sleep and recovery to identify factors that are affecting progress. For some people, adjustments to the treatment plan and medication may also be appropriate in consultation with a healthcare professional.
It is also important to remember that weight naturally varies from day to day. It can therefore be valuable to monitor progress over time rather than focusing only on individual weigh-ins. Maintaining a lower weight and continuing with healthy habits is an important success in itself, even during periods when weight remains stable. Weight loss often happens unevenly over time and may sometimes stop temporarily even when treatment is working.
How support and treatment can contribute to long-term weight loss
At Yazen, medical treatment is combined with support from a multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors and coaches, as well as dietitians, physiotherapists and psychologists when needed. Together, the team works to create the conditions for sustainable weight loss by supporting healthy lifestyle habits, helping to preserve muscle mass and improving long-term metabolic health.
Frequently asked questions about how long it takes to lose weight
How long does it take before you see weight loss on the scales?
How quickly weight changes varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as starting weight, body composition, diet, physical activity, hormonal factors and any medication. Many people see a change on the scales within the first few weeks, while for others it may take longer.
Weight loss is influenced not only by changes in fat mass but also by fluid balance and the contents of the gastrointestinal tract. Weight can therefore vary from day to day without reflecting long-term progress.
With sustainable weight loss, it is common for weight to decrease gradually over time. It can therefore be valuable to monitor progress over several weeks rather than focusing on individual weigh-ins.
It is also important to remember that progress is not always visible on the scales. Changes in waist circumference, body composition and metabolic health can be just as significant as the number of kilograms.
Why does weight loss suddenly stop?
It is common for weight loss to slow down or stop after a while. As body weight decreases, the body's energy requirements also decrease, which means that the energy deficit that previously resulted in weight loss may gradually become smaller.
At the same time, the body undergoes biological adaptations that can affect energy expenditure, hunger and appetite. A weight plateau is therefore a normal part of many weight journeys and does not mean that treatment or lifestyle changes have stopped working. In many cases, it can be helpful to review medication, eating habits, physical activity, sleep and recovery together with your healthcare team to continue making progress.
How should you approach achieving a healthy weight in the long term?
A healthy weight is not about reaching a specific number on the scales, but about creating habits that promote good health over time. For many people, this means focusing on sustainable changes to diet, physical activity, sleep and recovery rather than quick fixes or short-term diets.
Weight is influenced by a complex interaction between biological, psychological and environmental factors. The path to a healthy weight therefore looks different for different people. For some, small lifestyle changes may be sufficient, while others may need more extensive support or medical treatment.
The most important thing is to aim for long-term improvements in health and quality of life. Even moderate weight loss can have positive effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids and the risk of several weight-related diseases.
How long do I need to take medication to maintain my weight?
How long treatment is needed varies between individuals and depends on factors such as changes in weight, health goals, any associated health conditions and how the body responds to treatment. For many people living with obesity, medication may need to continue for several years to support long-term weight loss and weight stability.
Obesity is now regarded as a chronic disease, which means that the biological mechanisms affecting hunger, fullness and energy balance often remain even after successful weight loss. When treatment is stopped, there is therefore an increased risk that hunger will increase and weight will gradually return.
The goal of treatment is not only to lose weight, but also to maintain the results over time. How long medication is appropriate is always determined through an individual medical assessment in consultation with the doctor responsible for your treatment.
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