Patients trying to lose weight with either drug should work with a dietitian for a guided meal plan, but in general, they should aim to eat 1,200 to 1,800 calories a day depending on their initial weight, Rubin says.
Still, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications will be most effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Generally, eating healthy foods and avoiding foods high in sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats while taking Ozempic helps.
As mentioned above, Ozempic should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise. For those starting with Ozempic, health professionals may recommend beginning with 150 minutes per week of physical activity, such as walking.
When taking Semaglutide to lose weight, it's generally recommended that you plan to eat between 1200-1500 calories a day. If you currently eat more than this, we'd recommend gradually reducing your calorie intake rather than cutting to 1200kcal straight away.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Once you begin using Ozempic, some people can find it takes several weeks to see any weight loss, yet others may see some weight loss within a week or 2. While it can be difficult, try to remain patient — change looks different for everyone.
GLP-1 is also thought to directly affect the appetite control area of your brain, as well as certain hunger hormones. By mimicking the effects of GLP-1, Ozempic can help curb your appetite and make you feel full so you consume fewer calories. This can result in weight loss.
Ozempic should be injected just under the skin into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Change injection sites each week so that you are not injecting into the same bit of skin every week. Always inspect the injection and do not use Ozempic if it contains particles or discoloration is seen.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
The prescription drug Ozempic helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar. But its wild popularity is due to a side effect: rapid weight loss.
A study found that at the highest dose of Wegovy (2.4 mg), patients lost on average 15% of their total body weight after 1 year. In patients with diabetes, one study showed that taking Ozempic at the highest dose of 2 mg led to on average ~15 lbs (6.9 kg) weight loss after 40 weeks.
Ultra-processed carbohydrates, or refined carbohydrates, lack fiber and most vitamins. But they still raise your blood sugar, which can make it harder for Ozempic to do its job. Try to limit refined carbohydrates, like: White bread.
Lean protein sources from eggs, low-fat cheese, Greek yogurt, chicken, turkey, fish, nuts, tofu, and beans are all excellent ways to bulk up on protein while eating healthy if you take Ozempic. Lean proteins usually require little to no insulin (if you're on insulin), and are a great building block of a healthy meal.
On average, people lose about 3% of their total body weight in the first month of Ozempic treatment for weight loss. The amount of weight lost can vary from person to person, depending on several factors including: Your starting weight and body mass index (BMI).
The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, which works by inducing satiety. This feeling of being satisfied or “full”, suppresses appetite. This is why it works for weight loss. Semaglutide also helps the pancreas produce insulin, which is how it helps manage type 2 diabetes.
Study 1: Patients using Ozempic 0.5 mg dose lost on average 8 lb (3.6 kg), those using 1 mg dose lost 10 lb (4.5 kg), and those taking placebo (an inactive treatment) lost 3 lb (1.4 kg). Study 2: Patients using the Ozempic 1 mg dose lost on average 12 lb (5.5 kg), and those using the 2 mg dose lost 14 lb (6.3 kg).
Ozempic helps reduce cravings and suppress appetite, which helps you consume fewer calories. Each person has a different starting weight, metabolic weight and possibly even different underlying health conditions.
It's used to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg injected once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, your dose is moved up to 0.5 mg once weekly.
But unless it's being used long term for serious health problems, the once-a-week injection might lead to weight gain in the long term. Although Ozempic is specifically for those with Type 2 diabetes, it is commonly prescribed off-label to help those who deal with obesity lose weight.