6 Tips For The Best Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Results

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are very effective FDA-approved weight loss medications. Here are six tips for getting the maximum benefit from your liraglutide or tripeptide.

What you eat still matters.

By eating foods that are high in fiber and protein, you will feel fuller for longer because it will take longer for your stomach to digest these.  Also, it takes more energy to digest these foods, resulting in a higher caloric expenditure than carbohydrates and fats. Concentrate on making most of your meals high in fiber (such as fruits and vegetables) and lean proteins.

Take it slow and steady.

A good and healthy weight loss rate on this medication 1 to 2 pounds a week. At this rate of weight loss, you can avoid side effects from rapid weight loss such as loose skin, loss in muscle mass, metabolism derangement, and extreme feelings of tiredness. Research shows that this rate of weight loss is the ideal rate in which you can maintain long term weight loss after the medication is stopped. The faster the weight loss per week, the harder it is to maintain over long-term, and the easier the weight will come back.

Remember to eat.

It is very common when people start this medication that they will eat a small breakfast and then go the rest of the day without eating because they are feeling full. What can happen is at the end of the day you can become dizzy, lightheaded, and worst case scenario may faint from hypoglycemia. Your body still needs calories to function normally, so please remember to eat especially if you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

Lose the fat, keep your muscle.

Whenever a person loses a pound of weight from caloric restriction, of the 20% of that can be muscle. It’s not the muscle you want to lose, it’s the fat mass. We do recommend eating a minimum of 0.5 g of protein per pound per day.  To calculate this, take your current weight in pounds and divide that in half. That is the amount of protein you should be eating per day divided across meals. We also recommend some sort of weight training exercise to stimulate your muscles, so that they do not undergo atrophy (shrinking).

Drink plenty of water.

A side effect of changing your diet drastically is constipation. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day to help prevent this.

Use only what you need.

Although there is a recommended maintenance dose for the medication, we do recommend staying at the lowest dose where you are having a slow and steady weight loss and not becoming too hungry. When it comes time to stop the medication, it’s best if you are at the lowest effective dose so that weight loss maintenance is easier after you stop.

Stop medication when you reach your weight loss goal.

Congratulations on achieving your weight loss goal! Now, it’s time to consider discontinuing the medication, but it’s crucial to understand that maintaining your weight loss requires a commitment to ongoing healthy eating habits and regular exercise. It’s important to remember that the weight you’ve lost with semaglutide or Tirzepatide is not permanent, and there is a risk of it returning if you don’t manage your calorie intake and energy expenditure wisely.

We can gradually reduce your medication dosage over time, allowing you to feel comfortable without it while successfully maintaining your weight through your efforts. So, while reaching your goal is a significant accomplishment, remember that maintaining it will require continued dedication to a healthy lifestyle.

By following these tips, you can expect to have great lasting results from Semaglutide or Tirzepatide.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.