In collaboration with the BeYou Clinic
Weight management is a challenge for many people, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Among the available options, certain medical approaches—combined with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle—may be considered.
Two semaglutide-based medications have generated a lot of interest for their role in weight loss: Ozempic and Wegovy. But how do they work, and are they suitable for everyone?
Factors That Influence Weight
Your body weight is influenced by several factors—some modifiable, others not. It’s important to be aware of this in order to adopt a realistic and compassionate approach toward yourself.
Factors You Can Influence:
- Diet: Choose nourishing, varied, and balanced foods while finding a meal frequency and schedule that suits your needs.
- Physical Activity: Find a routine that fits your lifestyle.
- Stress: Anxiety and stress can influence your eating habits.
- Sleep: Poor-quality sleep can affect the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety.
- Certain Metabolic and Hormonal Imbalances:
- Insulin resistance can be mitigated by a proper diet and physical activity.
- Conditions such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or high cortisol levels (stress) can slow weight loss, although proper management can help better control them.
Factors Beyond Our Control:
- Genetics: Certain predispositions can make weight management more challenging.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: Certain life stages (such as pregnancy or menopause) can influence weight gain.
- Medications and Medical Conditions: Some treatments or illnesses can affect your metabolism.
A medical evaluation and blood work with the BeYou Clinic team can help you identify and manage any health issues that might affect your weight loss.
How Do Wegovy and Ozempic Work?
These medications contain semaglutide, a molecule that mimics the action of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone naturally produced by the intestine. This hormone plays a key role in regulating appetite and metabolism.
How Do These Medications Aid in Weight Loss?
- Appetite Reduction: They send a signal to the brain to prolong the feeling of fullness.
- Slowed Digestion: Food remains in the stomach longer, which helps limit cravings.
- Improved Insulin Sensitivity : They help the body better utilise insulin, thereby promoting improved blood sugar regulation.
- Reduced Glucose Production by the Liver : This lowers blood sugar levels and limits fat storage.
These combined effects contribute to improved weight management and metabolism (1, 2).
The Main Differences Between Wegovy and Ozempic:
- Ozempic is primarily approved for type 2 diabetes, though some health professionals also use it for weight management. Its maximum dose is 1.0 mg.
- Wegovy, on the other hand, is specifically approved for weight loss and is administered at a higher dose (2.4 mg), which generally results in more significant weight loss (1).
Side Effects to Consider
Like any treatment, Wegovy and Ozempic may cause certain side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Digestive Discomfort (bloating, diarrhea, constipation)
- Excessive Loss of Appetite in Some Individuals
These effects vary from person to person and should be closely monitored by a health professional (3). Moreover, studies have shown that weight regain is possible after stopping treatment, which underscores the importance of a sustainable approach (1).
Furthermore, these medications are expensive and are not always covered by insurance, which can be a barrier for some people.
An Essential Multidisciplinary Approach
Why Medical Follow-Up Is Important
Losing weight isn’t solely about taking a medication. A comprehensive, supervised approach is essential to ensure lasting results. Follow-up by a medical team—including nurses, physicians, kinesiologists, pharmacists, and nutrition professionals such as registered dietitians—allows strategies to be tailored to your individual needs.
The Role of the Registered Dietitian in Weight Loss
A registered dietitian specialised in weight loss plays a key role in guiding you toward sustainable changes tailored to your lifestyle. It isn’t just about knowing which foods to prioritise—it’s about learning to build a healthy, lasting relationship with food, free of unnecessary restrictions or frustration.
Their support allows you to:
- Develop an Eating Routine That Suits Your Reality: Whether you’re travelling, dining out, or on an unusual schedule, you’ll learn to make flexible and satisfying food choices without feeling limited.
- Better Understand Your Body’s Signals: Recognise hunger, satiety, and food cravings so you can eat according to your actual needs—without guilt.
- Integrate Habits That Make You Feel Good: Find a dietary structure that works for you and improves your energy, digestion, and overall well-being.
- Reduce Pressure and Prohibitions: Adopt a compassionate approach that emphasises food enjoyment and balance rather than strict rules.
- Obtain Personalised Support: Have a registered dietitian by your side to adjust your strategies based on your progress and evolving needs.
With or without Wegovy or Ozempic, personalised nutritional support helps you achieve your goals in a sustainable and frustration-free way.
What Alternatives and Habits Should You Adopt for Long-Term Weight Loss?
Regardless of whether you are taking Wegovy or Ozempic, it is important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to promote overall well-being and sustainable weight management.
1. Adopt a Healthy, Tailored Eating Routine
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. Your needs differ according to your body, lifestyle, and preferences. Here are a few key principles:
- Choose Satisfying and Filling Foods: Consume sources of protein, healthy fats, and fibre to promote satiety and aid digestion.
- Hydrate According to Your Needs: Water plays a key role in digestion, energy, and appetite. It’s essential to listen to your thirst and adjust your hydration to your activity level.
- Listen to Your Hunger and Fullness: Eat in response to your needs rather than out of habit or on autopilot.
- Explore Different Meal Structures: Three meals a day? Snacks? Intermittent fasting? There isn’t a right or wrong approach—only the one that works for you.
- Combine Pleasure and Balance: Incorporate foods you love without guilt, while maintaining an overall diet that meets your nutritional needs.
2. The Importance of Physical Activity
It isn’t necessary to spend hours at the gym: a daily walk, some yoga, or strength-training exercises can be enough to improve your fitness and overall well-being.
3. Manage Your Stress and Sleep
- Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.
- Adopt good sleep hygiene to avoid negative effects on hunger and energy.
However, for some individuals, even with all these efforts, weight loss can remain challenging. That’s why it might be beneficial to be supported by a team of health professionals in order to explore the best strategies tailored to your situation.
Conclusion: A Necessary Reflection Before Considering Wegovy or Ozempic
These treatments may be an option for some people, but they do not replace a comprehensive approach. Before making a decision, it’s essential to discuss with a health professional and explore all available options.
Book an appointment with a registered dietitian for personalized support—whether your goal is sustainable weight loss, managing a health condition, or simply adopting healthier eating habits. Together, we’ll find solutions tailored to your reality to help you achieve your goals.
References
- Roldos, Lucas. (2023, June 2). Anti-obesity drug standoff for people with and without type 2 diabetes. Examine.com. https://examine.com/research-feed/study/17Jopd/
- Ma, H., Lin, Y. H., Dai, L. Z., Lin, C. S., Huang, Y., & Liu, S. Y. (2023). Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists versus SGLT-2 inhibitors in overweight/obese patients with or without diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 13(3), e061807. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061807
- Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., Kushner, R. F., & STEP 1 Study Group (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
