Weight-Loss Plateau

Deep dive

Weight-Loss Plateau: complete reference

A weight loss plateau на GLP-1 therapy is a period of weeks-to-months where weight loss stops despite continued treatment. Three common plateau windows: (1) Early plateau around weeks 8-12 during dose titration — body adapting to current dose, usually resolves with next dose escalation; (2) Mid-treatment plateau around months 6-9 — body reaching new metabolic equilibrium; (3) Final plateau around weeks 60-68 — STEP-1 trial showed most weight loss achieved by this point. Final plateau is not failure но the destination — body has reached a new defended set-point. Strategies для breaking plateaus: increase dose if not at maximum, ensure protein intake adequate, evaluate liquid calorie intake (often the culprit), increase resistance training, address sleep/stress, consider switching molecule classes (semaglutide → tirzepatide). Some plateaus simply reflect achievement of personal maximum response — not all patients reach trial-averaged 15% loss. Setting realistic expectations (5-25% individual range) prevents frustration.

In practice

You lose 1-2 lbs/week для 8 weeks on Wegovy, then suddenly stop losing for 3 weeks. That's often a normal mid-titration plateau — usually resolves with the next dose increase.

Clinical context

Three predictable plateau windows. Final plateau is the new equilibrium, not failure.