We’ve all seen the headlines — “most people regain weight after stopping weight loss injections”. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) 66% will regain their lost weight within a year of stopping treatment.
But we believe that the key to lasting success starts before you even take your first dose?” We know that the weight loss treatments work by suppressing cravings, appetite, as well as helping the body handle sugar more efficiently so that there is less fat storage and more stable energy levels. These taken together make it easier to lose weight and eat less.
When the medication is withdrawn, the body’s drivers of hunger and fat storage return. This is all because the body is wired to regain weight after a period of weight loss, and without a plan, weight gain is likely. This is why support with lifestyle modification after transitioning off or reducing the dose of weight loss medication is essential, not optional.
Thinking beyond the prescription
Before starting treatment, some important questions I ask my patients are, “what’s your long-term goal (s)? “How will you maintain your results when the treatment is no longer doing the heavy lifting?” I know, I know… it’s not the most glamorous part of the process, but it’s probably the most important one!
I encourage patients to see treatment as a tool to help them make sustainable changes, rather than a solution, or a permanent fix. It encourages patients to think beyond the treatment and more towards longer term outcomes. I also ask patients to consider any potential obstacles that might make progress more difficult — these can be practical challenges such as a demanding work schedule, emotional triggers, or even unhelpful comments or beliefs from those around them. Recognising these factors early allows us to plan strategies to navigate them before they become barriers.
Protecting your investment
Given the significant cost and commitment, it represents a considerable investment, and long-term success requires a strategy that protects that investment. Without ongoing commitment to lifestyle changes, the results — and the resources spent — can quickly be lost.
It’s the steps you take afterwards that determine whether you stay on track. By focusing on lifestyle, such as nutrition and regular physical activity, ongoing accountability, your mindset and consistency while on treatment, you’re protecting that investment and ensuring your efforts truly pay off in the long term.
Planning for long term success
Here are some of the strategies I encourage patients to adopt:
- Establish a support package with a nutritionist – Regular reviews help keep you accountable, identify nutritional gaps, and adapt your diet as your body and appetite change.
- Plan for transitions – Always discuss transitioning with a health care professional. If you’re tapering off (recommended), do it with guidance. Gradual adjustments allow your body to stabilise and your habits to take over naturally.
- Prioritise protein and balanced meals – Protein helps preserve muscle and supports satiety, while balanced meals prevent blood sugar dips that trigger cravings.
- Keep moving – Aim for a mix of strength training, walking, or activities you genuinely enjoy. Consistency matters more than intensity.
- Track progress mindfully – Regular weigh-ins or measurements can help you notice early changes
- Address emotional triggers – Work on recognising patterns like stress eating or boredom snacking and explore coping strategies to address these. Your nutritionist can help with healthy snack choices.
- Stay connected – Whether it’s through your clinic team, a peer group, or a health coach, ongoing accountability makes it far easier to stay on track.
We would love to hear about your weight loss journey! What worked, and what didn’t? What were your barriers?
The weight loss treatment can be life-changing, but the real transformation happens when you take what you’ve learned beyond the medication — into how you eat, move, and think every day. The best outcomes come from those who start their treatment with the end in mind: a clear plan for how to protect their results, stay accountable, and navigate any obstacles that arise.
What happens after treatment doesn’t start when you stop —it starts before you even begin
At 2Me Clinic we have a ‘what happens next’ maintenance program. If you would like to find out more please reach out to us at admin@2meclinic.com
