Plateaus are completely normal — they happen to almost everyone at some point, and they don't mean the medication has stopped working. Here's how to think about them and what to do.
Why plateaus happen
- Your body adapts — as you lose weight, your maintenance calorie needs drop, so the same intake stops creating the same deficit
- Hormonal shifts — your body fights back against weight loss with its own hunger and energy signals
- Compensation — without realising it, many people eat slightly more or move slightly less once weight is coming off
- Water retention can mask fat loss
What to do
- Look at the trend, not the daily number — weight fluctuates day to day. Look at the 4-week trend
- Check your protein — under-eating protein is the most common cause of stalls
- Review your activity — has step count or training quietly dropped off?
- Look at sleep and stress — both directly affect weight regulation
- Track honestly for a week — not forever, just enough to see what's actually happening
- Talk to your coach — fresh eyes spot things you can't
Should the dose go up?
Possibly — but not always. A plateau isn't automatically a sign you need more medication. Your clinical team will help you decide whether a dose increase makes sense or whether the issue is lifestyle.
The mindset thing
Plateaus are part of the journey, not a sign you're failing. Body composition often changes during a plateau even when the scale doesn't move — clothes fit differently, measurements drop, energy and strength improve. Trust the process.
Reviewed by Dr Liam · Clinical Lead
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