Posted: November 2, 2026 | Jerry Neria, MD
For some, being on a medication means the infection goes away. For others, it could mean the pain goes away. And yet for others, taking their medication means they can sleep or control their blood pressure. It’s understood that some medications will only last a week, and some seem to be a life sentence. So where do the GLP-1 medications fall in that list? Is it a temporary fix or a lifelong commitment?
According to a study published in 2022 by the Journal of Diabetes Obesity & Metabolism, the patients in the study regained two thirds of the weight they had lost while on the medication. This included any associated risk factors they had prior to starting the medication. [1]
So, how do we combat this?
First, we plan on it! The moment you start a GLP-1, you should already have the mindset of coming off from the medication. Whether it’s an insurance issue, a side effect, or financial reason, at some point you will eventually stop taking the medication. This is why it frustrates me to see patients taking these medications without changing their eating habits or starting some form of a resistance program. I already know whatever results they get will be temporary.
Second, consider the GLP-1 as an add-on, an adjunct, supplementary to what will bring about meaningful long-term weight loss, which are: prioritizing protein calories and resistance training. Don’t consider it the end-all final answer to weight loss. Otherwise, in the end, you’ll be disappointed at what type of weight was actually lost. Yes, the scale went down, but the majority of that weight was your metabolically active lean muscle mass, while your actual body composition worsened.
Finally, keep the goals realistic. It’s not a miracle drug, it’s a tool. Use this tool to assist you on your journey. Prioritize protein while on the medication, start a resistance program, and get regular body scans to ensure you’re losing body fat and not muscle.
