Staying on GLP-1 meds forever?

Shannon95

Shannon95

Well-known member
Saw an interesting article about long-term GLP-1 use. Anyone else see this? What are your thoughts?
 
I think people who only want to drop like, twenty pounds for cosmetic reasons, and have always been relatively healthy, those are the ones who can probably keep the weight off after stopping.

But for the rest of us, you know, with lifelong weight struggles, food cravings, and messed up metabolisms, this is probably a drug we'll need to stay on.
 
That's how I saw it from the start. I started semaglutide knowing it was a long-term thing, like my blood pressure meds. I'm surprised how many people think it's a short-term fix and then act shocked when the weight comes back. It's pretty clear this isn't a band-aid solution. All those people who say "I'll just take it until I lose the weight and then I'll maintain it myself" – if that was possible, you wouldn't need the drug in the first place. Just sayin'.
 
I stopped and then restarted. It wasn't even about the weight. It was the constant thoughts about food. It was exhausting. Now I can focus on other things like work and spending time with my family, instead of food and cravings.

Edit: We need to stop seeing taking medication as some kind of moral failing. Why suffer every single day if medication can help? The only thing that worried me was cost and side effects. There's no 'battle' to win here, just a happier me.
 
It's pretty well established that you have to stay on these meds long-term or you'll put the weight back on. It's something I see repeated a lot - like it's some kind of 'gotcha!' moment to try and paint the drugs as a lazy shortcut.

My response is always the same: Yes, I know. I did my research. My doctor also made it very clear. You still have to work on your diet and exercise, but the drug is a long-term thing.

I'm fine with that. I'd have to change my lifestyle forever anyway, but this is easier. Why wouldn't I be okay with it? I was probably looking at long-term meds anyway, and this one is helping with inflammation and stuff.
 
I paused for six weeks for a medical procedure after losing a lot of weight over a couple of years. My doctor suggested I try going without it. I was constantly hungry and eating much faster. So, I'm back on it. But at a lower dose now.

Could I maintain without it now? Maybe. I understand healthy eating habits better now. But do I want to fight my body every day? No way.
 
Yeah, I knew it was probably a long-term thing. I'm in maintenance now (over a year) and off meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol. And I save money on groceries! Totally worth it, and I'm way happier and healthier now.
 
Rory1977 said:
Yeah, I knew it was probably a long-term thing. I'm in maintenance now (over a year) and off meds for high blood pressure and cholesterol. And I save money on groceries! Totally worth it, and I'm way happier and healthier now.
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That's amazing! Congrats! I'm hoping for similar results.
 
I feel like the long-term aspect is the biggest mental hurdle. It's hard to accept that this isn't a quick fix, but a permanent part of your health management. It's like accepting you need glasses for the rest of your life - you can't just 'fix' your eyesight with a temporary solution.
 
I've seen some people have success with diet and exercise after being on the medication for a while, but it's rare. Most of the time, the weight comes back. It's important to have realistic expectations and understand the science behind these medications. If your body doesn't produce enough of a certain hormone, taking a medication to regulate it is a perfectly reasonable solution.
 
Robin44 said:
I stopped and then restarted. It wasn't even about the weight. It was the constant thoughts about food. It was exhausting. Now I can focus on other things like work and spending time with my family, instead of food and cravings.
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Robin44 I totally agree. The mental freedom is worth it alone. I can actually live my life now instead of obsessing over every calorie.
 
Saw a post about someone who dropped a bunch of weight on sema. Looked like it took 20 years off them! They added weight lifting too. That's my plan!
 
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