A doctor has shared the key question people should ask themselves before using GLP-1 medications for weight loss, warning that one major misunderstanding often leads people in the wrong direction.
Use of GLP-1 treatments such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound has surged across the US, and recent polling suggests nearly one in five adults have ever used one of these drugs, with around 12 percent saying they are currently taking one. The medicines are prescribed for type 2 diabetes, weight management and, in some cases, cardiovascular risk reduction.
But experts say the popularity of the injections can sometimes obscure an important reality: they work best as part of a long-term plan, not as a short-term reset.
Dr Adam Staten, 43, said there is one simple principle he believes people should follow before starting the injections for weight management: think ahead about how the results will be maintained in the long run.
“The injections are just a tool, and some people haven’t given a huge amount of thought to the aftermath,” he said.
“What lifestyle do you want to end up with?” – is what he describes as the golden question.
The UK-based doctor said problems often arise when people treat the medication like a quick fix instead of part of a broader, lasting plan.
That matters because obesity is now widely understood as a chronic condition, and studies have shown that many people regain weight after stopping GLP-1 treatment unless they have built sustainable habits alongside the medication.
Explaining his approach, he said people should be clear from the outset about the habits they want to have in place by the time treatment ends.
“At the start, you should already have an idea of where you want to be at the end.
“Keeping the weight off after stopping jabs is definitely doable, but you have to have done other things alongside the medication.
“One of those things is implementing a lifestyle that doesn’t feel like a chore to continue.”
He also said one of the largest misconceptions around GLP-1 weight loss treatment is the belief that the drugs alone will do all the work, despite their growing reputation as a breakthrough option.
“People also need to think about increasing their activity levels on a day-to-day basis,” Dr Staten said.
He used exercise habits as an example, noting that people often start too intensely and choose routines they do not actually enjoy, which makes them harder to stick with.
“For example, in January, we see lots of people in the gym but by February they’ve given up, they went in too intensively doing something they don’t enjoy.
“For weight loss to be sustainable, you need to find something that you want to keep doing.
“Building it into a lifestyle means it’s not a chore for them to carry on doing it.”
Dr Staten also stressed that successful weight loss is not only about reducing calories, but also about paying attention to the overall quality of what people eat.
“Losing weight on weight loss jabs is made up of three things – diet, exercise and the medication.”
Doctors also caution that GLP-1s are not risk-free. Common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomach pain, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Health professionals also warn people not to buy unapproved or compounded versions online unless prescribed and dispensed through a legitimate medical pathway.
For people considering treatment, the biggest question may not be whether the medication can help them lose weight, but whether they have a realistic plan for what happens next.