When I was completing my post-doc at Uniformed Services University, I reviewed data on weight regain after stopping a diet. This was called weight cycling and was a very common phenomenon due to biological, psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors. Today GLP medications are a powerful tool for weight loss, but an important clinical question remains: what happens when these medications are stopped? Does the weight cycling phenomenon that I reviewed exist with GLP users? Spoiler alert….yes, it does.

If weight loss were simply about willpower, far more people would “just stick to it.” But after years of working with women navigating stress, perimenopause, burnout, autoimmune issues, and metabolic changes, I can tell you this:
Weight regulation ability is not a character trait.
It’s a biological process.
And biology is deeply influenced by hormones and the nervous system.

Over the past few years, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have transformed how many people manage weight and blood sugar. But while these medications can powerfully impact appetite and metabolism, they aren’t magic pills. Some people see profound, lasting results and others don’t. Why the difference?

Ozempic…to take or not to take, that is the question. Semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic) and tirzepatide (marketed at Mounjaro and Zepbound) are peptides similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GIP receptors. These peptide can be purchased in their pharmaceutical form (with the names above) or as compounded peptides with more ability to adjust dosage. These peptides can be used for blood glucose management, obesity management, and many other conditions. But, it’s hard to sort through the information swirling around about these peptides/medications,