Life After GLP-1s: New Report Shows How to Avoid Weight Regain

What You Should Know: 

– A new report released by Virta Health, a leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss, offers an optimistic counter-narrative to the prevailing belief that weight regain is inevitable after stopping GLP-1 medications. The findings show that a structured, medically guided off-ramp combined with lifestyle support leads to sustained success, challenging the notion that these drugs must be a lifelong commitment.

– In partnership with Wakefield Research, Virta surveyed 500 U.S. adults who had previously used GLP-1s for weight loss and had stopped taking them at least six months prior. The survey, “Life After GLP-1s: The Power of a Planned Off-Ramp,” reveals that how a person transitions off the medication is a critical factor in their long-term success.

Guided Transitions Improve Outcomes by 8x

The report highlights a stark difference in outcomes for individuals who transitioned off GLP-1s with professional support compared to those who stopped abruptly. The key finding reveals that a guided approach is paramount:

Users who tapered off their GLP-1 medication under medical guidance were eight times more likely to continue losing weight after stopping (56%), compared to only 7% of those who quit “cold turkey.”

Encouragingly, many users are already adopting this approach. Nearly half (45%) of respondents stopped taking GLP-1s by gradually decreasing their dosage with guidance from a medical professional, and 36% combined their taper with a specific lifestyle change or diet plan.

Lifestyle Habits are Key to Lasting Results

The survey underscores that while GLP-1s can be an effective tool to jumpstart weight loss, sustained success hinges on integrating and maintaining fundamental lifestyle habits.

Among users who stuck with their healthy diet changes after stopping GLP-1s, over half (51%) maintained their weight loss, and a remarkable 43% continued to lose even more weight.

However, the data also points to a challenge in maintaining these habits long-term, as only 36% of users who had been off the medication for 9 to 12 months had maintained their new dietary patterns. This highlights the need for ongoing support and strategies beyond the medication itself.

Consumers Seek an Exit Strategy, Not a Lifelong Drug

Despite pharmaceutical companies often suggesting that GLP-1s are a lifelong commitment, user behavior indicates a clear preference for a defined treatment duration.

The survey revealed that 43% of users took GLP-1s for 6 to 12 months before discontinuing them.Only 26% used the drugs for 12 months or more.

This preference for an off-ramp underscores the need for effective strategies that help users achieve sustainable, medication-free health outcomes.

“The doomed picture of life post-GLP-1s is a myth we’re actively debunking,” said Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, and health coach at Virta. “Our findings show that a personalized, nutrition-first approach, coupled with a professionally guided transition plan, can set people up to not only maintain their weight loss after GLP-1 use, but actually continue their journey. Ultimately, GLP-1s can ignite a path to durable health that lasts far beyond any prescription.”