What You Should Know:
– A new report released by Virta Health, a leader in diabetes reversal and sustainable weight loss, offers an optimistic counter-narrative to the prevailing belief that weight regain is inevitable after stopping GLP-1 medications. The findings show that a structured, medically guided off-ramp combined with lifestyle support leads to sustained success, challenging the notion that these drugs must be a lifelong commitment.
– In partnership with Wakefield Research, Virta surveyed 500 U.S. adults who had previously used GLP-1s for weight loss and had stopped taking them at least six months prior. The survey, “Life After GLP-1s: The Power of a Planned Off-Ramp,” reveals that how a person transitions off the medication is a critical factor in their long-term success.
Guided Transitions Improve Outcomes by 8x
The report highlights a stark difference in outcomes for individuals who transitioned off GLP-1s with professional support compared to those who stopped abruptly. The key finding reveals that a guided approach is paramount:
- Users who tapered off their GLP-1 medication under medical guidance were eight times more likely to continue losing weight after stopping (56%), compared to only 7% of those who quit “cold turkey.”
Encouragingly, many users are already adopting this approach. Nearly half (45%) of respondents stopped taking GLP-1s by gradually decreasing their dosage with guidance from a medical professional, and 36% combined their taper with a specific lifestyle change or diet plan.
Lifestyle Habits are Key to Lasting Results
The survey underscores that while GLP-1s can be an effective tool to jumpstart weight loss, sustained success hinges on integrating and maintaining fundamental lifestyle habits.
- Among users who stuck with their healthy diet changes after stopping GLP-1s, over half (51%) maintained their weight loss, and a remarkable 43% continued to lose even more weight.
However, the data also points to a challenge in maintaining these habits long-term, as only 36% of users who had been off the medication for 9 to 12 months had maintained their new dietary patterns. This highlights the need for ongoing support and strategies beyond the medication itself.
Consumers Seek an Exit Strategy, Not a Lifelong Drug
Despite pharmaceutical companies often suggesting that GLP-1s are a lifelong commitment, user behavior indicates a clear preference for a defined treatment duration.
- The survey revealed that 43% of users took GLP-1s for 6 to 12 months before discontinuing them.
- Only 26% used the drugs for 12 months or more.
This preference for an off-ramp underscores the need for effective strategies that help users achieve sustainable, medication-free health outcomes.
“The doomed picture of life post-GLP-1s is a myth we’re actively debunking,” said Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, and health coach at Virta. “Our findings show that a personalized, nutrition-first approach, coupled with a professionally guided transition plan, can set people up to not only maintain their weight loss after GLP-1 use, but actually continue their journey. Ultimately, GLP-1s can ignite a path to durable health that lasts far beyond any prescription.”
