{"id":360364,"date":"2025-03-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chiefexecutive.net\/?p=360364"},"modified":"2025-07-10T10:12:04","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:12:04","slug":"when-a-prescription-isnt-enough-support-for-weight-loss-medications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chiefexecutive.net\/when-a-prescription-isnt-enough-support-for-weight-loss-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"When A Prescription Isn\u2019t Enough: Support For Weight-Loss Medications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Editor\u2019s Note: With a bevy of stressors, every CEO knows\u2014and fears\u2014the truth about this job. It can be a killer. That\u2019s led\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Chief Executive<\/strong>\u00a0to team with the renowned faculty at\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Mayo Clinic Executive Health<\/strong><\/em><\/a>\u00a0to help you rethink some of the most important\u2014and too-often overlooked\u2014aspects of maintaining good health as CEO. <\/strong><\/em>We\u2019ve collected the articles in a growing library<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. We hope you find this new initiative useful. \u2014 Dan Bigman, editor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It seems like weight-loss medications such as semaglutide<\/a>\u2014better known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy\u2014are ever-increasing in popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people have used these medications to achieve significant weight loss. But even so, these drugs aren\u2019t a magical<\/a> weight-loss solution. And for many people, a prescription isn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re taking or considering a weight-loss medication, it\u2019s important to make sure you know how to handle potential side effects, how to support your health goals through nutrition and exercise, and how to proceed if you\u2019re considering stopping the drug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing diet, exercise and side effects with weight-loss medications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Weight-loss injections\u2014which include semaglutide, liraglutide (Saxenda) and tirzepatide (Zepbound)\u2014are not \u201cget it and forget it\u201d medications. You still need to take care of your body with nutrient-rich foods and physical activity, or you may experience negative effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, you need to make sure you\u2019re eating or drinking enough. In particular, it\u2019s important to make sure you\u2019re meeting your protein needs and are sufficiently hydrated. This can sometimes be difficult because your appetite is low or because you\u2019re experiencing common side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If these concerns aren\u2019t addressed, you may be undernourished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, even if you\u2019re eating enough food, it\u2019s important to make sure your diet provides all the nutrients you need. Since you tend to eat less on these medications, habits like mindless eating or snacking on foods that don\u2019t offer vitamins, minerals or protein (think pantry snacks) can more easily replace a well-balanced diet. If that happens, you miss out on essential nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, you\u2019ll want to avoid eating habits that can worsen side effects<\/a>. For example, dehydration can cause headaches or dizziness, which are already possible side effects of these medications. It\u2019s best to eat slowly, stay hydrated and avoid large portions of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, while it\u2019s impossible to avoid muscle loss (this happens during any kind of weight loss), you should practice strength training on a regular basis to reduce loss of lean mass, also known as non-fat mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discontinuing a weight-loss medication<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

People on a weight-loss medication also may wonder, \u201cWhat happens when I stop taking it? Will I gain all the weight back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight regain is a common and legitimate concern for those who may not want or be able to stay on their medication long-term. Hunger and what is sometimes called \u201cfood noise\u201d (that pesky voice in your head that won\u2019t stop talking about food) are likely to return to baseline levels when you stop taking a weight-loss medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why establishing healthy habits is key for the long haul. Healthy eating and regular exercise are crucial for any weight-loss intervention, including the use of medications or weight-loss surgery. That means that tools like weight-loss surgery and medications are not an \u201ceasy way out\u201d\u2014and certainly come with unique risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeking support for weight-loss medications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, a prescription doesn\u2019t always come with the necessary support. Some people who are prescribed weight-loss medication feel like they have to deal with side effects, put together a balanced diet, and figure out if and when to stop the medication on their own. If this describes how you feel, try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n