If you’ve been exploring ways to lose weight, chances are you’ve come across the term “GLP-1”.
From doctors’ clinics to social media, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have sparked a global conversation about modern weight management. Originally designed to manage type 2 diabetes, these medications have quickly made their way into the spotlight for their effective appetite-suppressing, slimming effects.
As more people turn to GLP-1s as a weight loss solution, there’s also growing awareness around what these treatments do (and don’t do) for the body. We’ve often asked: Is GLP-1 safe? How does it work? And what happens once you’ve lost the weight?
Let’s break it all down.
Meet GLP-1
GLP-1 or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone naturally produced by the body. It plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels and signaling the feeling of fullness after you eat.
GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic this hormone. When taken regularly, they help slow digestion, reduce hunger cues, and lower calorie intake. This is what makes them effective in aiding weight loss, especially in people who have struggled with other methods in the past.
These medications include Semaglutide (sold under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy), Liraglutide (Saxenda), and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), typically taken weekly via injection, or depending on the prescription.
The science behind the weight loss
GLP-1s target key receptors in the gut and brain that regulate appetite and digestion. They help people feel full faster and stay full longer, often leading to a significant drop in food intake.
In a clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2021), participants taking semaglutide lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks, far more than those in the placebo group.
For many, GLP-1 can be life-changing. But like any treatment, it’s not without its limitations.
The benefits and the trade-offs
There’s no denying that GLP-1s can be effective in jumpstarting weight loss. For individuals dealing with obesity or weight-related health conditions, these medications can make
measurable improvements in someone’s physical and psychological well being.
But it doesn’t work like magic. While the scale may go down, what’s being lost isn’t just fat. GLP-1 users can also experience loss of muscle mass, especially if strength training and protein intake aren’t optimized. And because rapid weight loss can leave the skin with less time to adjust, skin laxity can become more noticeable, particularly around the arms, stomach, or face.
It’s also worth noting that the effects of GLP-1s stop once the medication is discontinued. Without a structured plan, some people may regain weight or struggle to maintain the new habits long term.
Side effects like nausea, bloating, or fatigue are also fairly common, though manageable with the guidance of a healthcare provider.
What comes after weight loss?
GLP-1s can help you lose weight, but maintaining your results go beyond the scale. When the weight comes off, your body enters a new phase that needs a new kind of care. Restoring muscle, tightening the skin, and supporting metabolic health help keep the pounds off and the body maintained.
Marie France Supports Your Journey Beyond Slimming
GLP-1 medications can be life-changing, but they’re not a complete solution on their own. Marie France will support you through what comes next.
Our holistic wellness programs help your body adapt by rebuilding strength, refining contours, and helping you feel more confident.
These personalized programs are designed for individuals currently using GLP-1s or have already achieved weight loss and are ready to take the next step. With science-backed treatments that firm the skin, technologies that rebuild and tone muscle, and consistent expert service, we help turn temporary results into lasting change—safely and sustainably.
