Fact checked by Derick Wilder
GLP-1 medications have become a mainstream treatment. Nearly 1 in 8 U.S. adults — 12% — report taking a GLP-1 medication to lose weight or treat a chronic condition, according to a 2025 KFF Health Tracking Poll.
As medications such as Wegovy, Zepbound, and Ozempic grow in popularity, Disha Narang, MD, endocrinologist and director of obesity medicine at Endeavor Health, says people should focus not just on how much weight they lose, but on what else they’re losing along the way.
“Everybody’s so caught up with the amount of weight people are losing that we’re losing sight of what we’re actually treating,” Narang says. “What we’re actually treating is cardiometabolic illness.”
She adds, “The medication is just a resource. The day-to-day of what somebody is doing is still the most important marker of long-term success.”
For people taking GLP-1 medications, that means getting enough protein and fiber, strength training, staying active, and making sure appetite suppression doesn’t prevent adequate nutrition.
Prioritize protein
Because GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, it can be harder to get enough protein and other nutrients. Make sure to include a source of protein with each meal and snack.
Good options include eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken, fish, beans, lentils, and tofu. Protein needs vary by age, body size, activity level, and medical history, so ask your physician or a dietitian how much you need.
And don’t overlook fruits, vegetables, and other fiber-rich foods. Fiber can help with constipation, a potential side effect of GLP-1 medications. Drink enough fluids, too, especially if nausea or a reduced appetite makes it harder to eat or drink.
Strength train weekly
Adults should do muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week, according to federal physical activity guidelines. Examples of exercises include squats or chair squats, push-ups or wall push-ups, resistance band rows, and dumbbell presses.
Start slowly and add resistance or repetitions as you get stronger. Older adults, people who are frail, or those with medical or mobility issues should talk with their healthcare provider or a qualified exercise professional before starting.
Cardiovascular exercise matters, too. Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
Don’t let appetite suppression become undernutrition
Narang cautions that some people become so full on GLP-1s that they struggle to eat enough.
“If they’re too full to meet their nutrition needs, then their dose is probably too high,” she says. “Me starving the patient is not the goal here.”
Persistent nausea, vomiting, or an inability to eat or drink enough warrants a conversation with the prescribing clinician. Don’t change your dose on your own.
Look beyond the scale
Narang cautions against comparing results with friends, family members, or people on social media.
“Because your neighbor lost 50 pounds doesn’t mean that you’re going to lose 50 pounds,” she says. “Everybody is different, and everyone’s story is going to be different.”
Instead, consider other measures of health: Are you getting stronger? Can you walk farther or climb stairs more easily? Are blood pressure, blood sugar, or other cardiometabolic markers improving?
Keep up with long-term maintenance
Clinical trials have found that participants who discontinued GLP-1 medications regained much of the weight they had lost.
“We do not stop because someone lost the weight,” Narang says. “Weight maintenance is as much a part of the treatment as weight loss was. The medication on its own is not a magic wand.”
Originally published in the Fall 2026/Winter 2027 print issue.
Catherine Gianaro, a freelance writer and editor based in Chicago, has written about healthcare and higher education for more than three decades. With 90-plus awards in communications, she is well-versed in storytelling.
