Table of Contents
- What to expect in the first few weeks
- Why the scales sometimes don’t move
- Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss
- Looking beyond the scales to measure progress
- Progress takes time
- References
You step on the scales after a week of doing everything right. You’ve taken your Wegovy Pill as prescribed, built healthier meals and stayed active. But the number hasn’t changed.
Does this mean the Wegovy Pill isn’t working?
Usually, no.
The Wegovy Pill helps regulate appetite and increase feelings of fullness, making it easier to build healthier eating habits. However, medication is only one part of the journey. Looking at your progress over weeks and months, rather than one weigh-in, gives a much clearer picture of how you’re doing.
Many people expect to lose the same amount of weight every week, but healthy weight loss rarely works like that. Weight loss is influenced by many factors, including your starting weight, lifestyle, sleep, stress, medical conditions and how your body responds to treatment. This is why no two journeys look exactly the same. NHS guidance and NICE recommend a weight loss rate of around 0.5 to 1 kg per week as a safe and sustainable target.¹ Even within this range, progress naturally varies. Some weeks you may lose more than expected, while other weeks the scales may stay the same or increase slightly.
What to expect in the first few weeks
Everyone’s experience is different. Some people notice changes within the first few days, while for others, they develop more gradually as the dose increases.
For many people, one of the first changes is not the number on the scales but a shift in appetite. You may find yourself satisfied with smaller portions, leaving food on your plate without thinking about it or feeling less interested in snacking. Some people also notice a reduction in “food noise”, the constant thoughts about what to eat, when to eat or cravings that previously occupied a lot of mental space.
During these first few weeks, focus on building routines rather than rapid results. Regular meals, good hydration, nutritious food choices and taking your medication consistently will set you up well for the weeks ahead.
If your progress feels slower than expected, try not to compare your journey with someone else’s. Your starting weight, medical history, lifestyle, sleep and stress levels all influence how your body responds. The habits you build now matter more than any number on the scales.
Why the scales sometimes don’t move
The scales measure much more than body fat. Your weight naturally changes from day to day, and these fluctuations don’t necessarily reflect your progress.
Temporary changes can be caused by:
- Water retention, particularly after eating salty foods
- Changes in carbohydrate intake, which affect glycogen and water stores
- Digestion and bowel habits
- Hormonal changes, including the menstrual cycle
- The time of day you weigh yourself
A temporary increase on the scales doesn’t automatically mean you’ve gained body fat. Looking at your weight over several weeks provides a much more accurate picture of your overall progress.
Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss
At some point, you may notice your weight stays the same for several weeks. This is known as a weight loss plateau. Plateaus are a normal part of almost every weight loss journey. They don’t necessarily mean you’ve reached the limit of what treatment can achieve.
As you lose weight, your body naturally requires less energy than before, so the rate of weight loss may slow.⁴˒⁵ This doesn’t mean the Wegovy Pill has stopped working.
Before making changes, review your routine and give your body time to adapt. Often, patience and consistency are more effective than making drastic changes. If your weight hasn’t changed for around three weeks, it’s a great opportunity to check in with your Health Coach. Together, you can review what’s working well, identify any barriers and create a plan that supports your continued progress.
Look beyond the scales
The scales are only one way to measure success. Many people notice meaningful improvements in their health and wellbeing before reaching their goal weight.
You may also notice:
- Feeling fuller sooner.
- Less food noise.
- Clothes fit more comfortably.
- More energy.
- Better mobility.
- Improved sleep.
- Feeling more confident around food.
These non-scale victories are important signs that positive changes are happening and can help keep you motivated, even during weeks when the scales don’t move.⁶
Progress takes time
Healthy, sustainable weight loss is built through the small choices you make every day. There will be weeks when the scales move, weeks when they don’t and occasional weeks when they increase slightly. That’s a normal part of the process.
While the Wegovy Pill can help regulate appetite, what you eat still matters. Choosing balanced, nutritious meals supports your health throughout treatment and helps you make the most of your smaller appetite. To learn more, watch our Superintendent Pharmacist, Andre, explain why nutrition remains an important part of treatment in the video, “Why Does Nutrition Still Matter on a GLP-1?”
If you need personalised support along the way, your Health Coach is there to help. Whether you have questions about nutrition, want help building sustainable habits or need support navigating challenges, they’re here to work with you and help you get the most from your treatment.
Book a Health Coach call
Every healthy choice you make is an investment in your future health. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your progress and remember that lasting change is built one step at a time.
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Obesity: identification, assessment and management. Clinical guideline CG189. London: NICE; 2014. Available from: nice.org.uk/guidance/cg189
- Murray B, Rosenbloom C. Fundamentals of glycogen metabolism for coaches and athletes. Nutr Rev. 2018;76(4):243–259. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuy001
- Kanellakis S, Skoufas E, Simitsopoulou E, et al. Changes in body weight and body composition during the menstrual cycle. Am J Hum Biol. 2023;35(11):e23951. doi:10.1002/ajhb.23951
- Benton C, Young R, Aragon V, et al. Management of weight loss plateau. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576400
- Martin A, Fox D, Murphy CA, Hofmann H, Koehler K. Tissue losses and metabolic adaptations both contribute to the reduction in resting metabolic rate following weight loss. Int J Obes. 2022;46(6):1168–1175. doi:10.1038/s41366-022-01090-7
- Linde JA, Jeffery RW, Finch EA, et al. Are unrealistic weight loss goals associated with outcomes for overweight women? Obes Res. 2004;12(3):569–576. doi:10.1038/oby.2004.65
- Rakova N, Kitada K, Lerchl K, et al. Increased salt consumption induces body water conservation and decreases fluid intake. J Clin Invest. 2017;127(5):1932–1943. doi:10.1172/JCI88530
