No Longer Taking GLP-1s for Weight Loss? Here’s How to Prevent Weight Regain
Hello, I hope your 2026 is off to a great start!
If your employees or clients are taking GLP-1 medication for weight regulation, you’ll want to continue reading. GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications used for blood sugar regulation and weight management, have demonstrated positive results for many looking to lose weight, but it is common practice that people often regain the weight once they stop taking the medication.
It is important to educate and support participants while on GLP-1s. And when they wish to stop taking the medication.
According to a new study in theBMJ, “Weight Regain After Cessation of Medication for Weight Management: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” former GLP-1 users regained lost weight after approximately only 18 months. Those ceasing to take GLP-1s such as Ozempic, Wegovy and other similar medications regained weight four times faster than controls who were not taking GLP-1s and who were solely focused on diet and exercise, key behavioral components in weight loss and maintenance.
The review found that cessation of the weight management medication is followed by rapid weight regain and reversal of beneficial effects on cardiometabolic markers. These findings suggest caution in short-term use of these drugs without a holistic approach to weight regulation, inclusive of healthy eating and exercise.
My 12-Fix Program, with its focus on eating well and moving one’s body, is a key component to incorporate into both one’s weight-loss and weight-maintenance phases for improved regulation. Adding my step-by-step, proven program to guide, coach and educate your employees who are on GLP-1s will drastically improve success outcomes!
My recent Wellness in Action newsletter focused on how your company or organization’s health and wellness program can support individuals taking GLP-1 medications by ensuring their nutrition and energy needs are met while taking these medications. And now you’re up to speed on how my 12 Fixes program can also support those interested in weight maintenance after they stop taking GLP-1s.
The 12-Fix Program: Taking Employees’ GLP-1 Medications Into Account
The 12-Fix Program meets employees where they are at - including those who are taking GLP-1 drugs. The 12-Fix Program takes a non-diet approach to wellness in a Challenge format that is based on a whole-food, fiber-rich lifestyle. Help them manage weight while protecting their health: the 12-Fix Program dietitians show them how. Participants start by adopting just one new Fix; additional Fixes are introduced one at a time throughout a 12-week time period.
A registered dietitian nutritionist leads groups in implementing each of the 12 Fixes, in turn, using the 12 Fixes to Healthy book and 12 Fixes app. Together, the participants focus on just one Fix and continue to add each of the 12 Fixes one at a time as the challenge progresses over 12 weeks, allowing participants time to concentrate and adopt sustainable changes.
Why This Challenge Over Other Corporate Wellness Programs?
Makes space for employees taking GLP-1s - provides nutrition and food education in support of employee weight loss goals
User-friendly app that tracks participants’ progress and displays Challenge Program points
Practical, easy-to-adopt education and daily interaction and encouragement from the dietitian lead
98% of Challenge program participants continue following new behaviors - which means improved weight management outcomes!
Contact me to learn more about the 12-Fix Program and how it supports your employees taking GLP-1s. If you’re a dietitian interested in offering the 12-Fix Program, let’s talk!
