03/08/2026
Will I regain weight after stopping a GLP-1?
The honest answer is many people regain weight— but it isn't inevitable.
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, increase fullness and quieten "food noise." When treatment stops, these effects gradually wear off and your body's natural weight-regulation systems become more active. Hunger increases while fullness decreases, making weight maintenance more challenging.
📊 What does the research show?
• In the STEP 1 extension trial, participants regained around two-thirds of the weight they had lost within one year of stopping semaglutide. Despite this, they still remained below their starting weight on average.
• A 2026 BMJ systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 studies involving more than 9,000 participants estimated that people regained weight at an average rate of 0.4 kg per month after stopping weight-loss medication, with a projected return to pre-treatment weight by around 1.7 years on average. For newer GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, the projected time was around 1.5 years. These are modelled averages, so individual experiences vary.
The good news? Weight regain isn't inevitable.
Long-term success is more likely when healthy habits continue after treatment, including:
✅ Eating enough protein to preserve muscle
🌾 Getting plenty of fibre each day
🏋️ Strength training
🚶 Staying physically active
😴 Prioritising sleep
👩⚕️ Working with your healthcare team to develop a long-term maintenance plan.
For some people, this may include ongoing medication or a gradual reduction in dose where appropriate.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition, not a failure of willpower. For many people, GLP-1 medications are part of long-term management, just as medicines for high blood pressure or cholesterol are.
💚The goal isn't just about losing weight—it's building habits that help you maintain your health for the long term.
📚 References
• Wilding JPH et al.Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism(2022) – STEP 1 extension.
• West S et al.BMJ(2026) – Systematic review and meta-analysis of weight regain after stopping weight management medications.