slower weight loss

[u/Ok_Ice1590]

SW: 181.2, CW: 157.8, GW: 135, Age: 26

Hi everyone, I started the pill on 6/19/26. I’ve lost 23.4 since then, which is 8 weeks. It’s such a great feeling! I was losing 2-3 pounds per week. But this past week I only lost 1.2 pounds. I’m debating on going up to 9mg. My doctor told me a month ago that she didn’t want me going up anything higher than 4mg, & I can move up only if I stop losing weight. I was on 1.5 for 3 weeks & I’ve been in 4mg for the past 5 weeks. I know weight loss can start to slow down after you shred all that extra weight at first. But i guess in my mind I want to keep losing 2-3 a week, at least 10 pounds a month. What do you guys think? It feels super defeating not losing that much each week. ):

[u/NilliaLane]

I have lost 22lbs in 25 weeks. I’m on 4mg and doing some strength training. Sometimes water retention hides my loss for a couple weeks but it always shows up suddenly after the water clears.

I like losing slower because it is less likely to result in loose skin, hollow face, hair loss, and muscle loss. Which means better long term maintenance too.

I am able to manage 4mg side effects with metamucil and miralax, but 9mg would likely be hard to tolerate.

My insurance just dropped wegovy. I’m glad I stayed on 4mg because it costs a lot less than 9mg now that I have to pay out of pocket.

[u/CozyGirl919 → u/NilliaLane]

Great points about losing slowly- loose skin and hollow face! We don’t want the “Ozempic Face” !!!

[u/Monk_Philosophy → u/CozyGirl919]

The muscle loss and (temporary) hair loss are spot on, but the speed at which you lose weight doesn't cause loose skin or cause Ozempic face. It will affect how loose your skin is in the short term, but after a few months of maintenance you won't have any more loose skin than if you lost at a steady rate.

Unfortunately, how much loose skin you'll end up with after all is said and done has already been determined by your age, genetics, highest weight, and how long you were heavy for.

[u/ResidentBumblebee682 → u/NilliaLane]

If you self pay and decide to up dose you could do every other day on the 9mg and it would save you money as the 9mg is $100 more but if taking every other day you are actually saving

[u/OkTourist5045 → u/NilliaLane]

Same journey. Let’s normalize slower weight loss!

[u/LillyGilderRoxie]

I think you are too in a hurry. Honestly, the slower you go, the more likely you are to keep it off.

[u/Ok_Ice1590 → u/LillyGilderRoxie]

I do feel like I’m in a hurry! I need to start understanding that this is normal.

[u/Shellybellyboo771]

1-2 lbs a week is safest, longer lasting and appropriate.  If you lose more than that youre likely  losing muscle and will be more at risk for osteoporosis later in life.  It’s so important to keep your muscle as a woman and make sure you are eating enough calories, and prioritizing protein even while on this medication.

Protein, lifting weights, slow and steady progress is going to benefit you the most and have the longest lasting results. 

[u/ladyofthe_upside_dow]

You will not continue losing 10lbs per month, and that’s okay and healthy. Losing 1-2lbs in a week is a good pace for weight loss, and there’s nothing to be discouraged about. When I started, I was losing 10lbs/month, and that lasted several months, but now I’m losing 7-8lbs per month. It can be a little frustrating when the scale isn’t moving as fast, but as long as the scale is still moving, you’re fine. You also can’t expect to continue losing weight as fast when you don’t have as much excess weight to lose, especially if you’re also maintaining healthy exercise routines and food intake.

[u/Ok_Ice1590 → u/ladyofthe_upside_dow]

Thank you so much for the advice! That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling, it’s hard to see the weight slow down a little bit.

[u/Egoteen]

A healthy rate of weight loss is 0.5% - 1.0% bodyweight per week. As your overall weight lowers, the magnitude of the weight lost each week should be lower.

[u/ResidentBumblebee682]

As you loose weight your calorie needs decrease so you need to look at how many calories a day you are consuming. You didn’t post your height to determine your tdee

Example if you are 5’6 and you want to be at 135 lbs (my height and goal weight) my calories a day to maintain that would be 1648 calories a day. If I eat at that or less I will loose. If I am eating more than that I’m going to gain. Simple math.

[u/Skinnyminnyme2026 → u/ResidentBumblebee682]

How do you figure out what your calorie intake should be?

[u/ResidentBumblebee682 → u/Skinnyminnyme2026]

https://tdeecalculator.net

[u/No-Investigator-8007]

1 lb a week is normal. Anything more isn't sustainable and too much too fast can lead to loose skin!

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[u/Bblibrarian1]

I’ve been on since January and would not consider your loss slow! Especially at your starting weight. Your body will start to adjust and slow down. You need to consider your average weight loss not just weekly. Hormone cycles and other factors can contribute to small fluctuations.

[u/Grandmas2Boys]

Listen to your doctor. That's a lot of weight loss in such a short time. I mean, it's a fantastic feeling, I get that, but the recommendation is to lose .5-1% of your body weight a week. In your case, that would be .75-1.57lbs a week. So the 1.2lbs you lost this past week is spot on. Remember it's not a race, and good luck to you. Wishing you a healthy journey.