GLP1 and no weight loss

I just finished my first Zepbound Qwikpen. The first week, I lost 9 lbs. , the second week 2 lbs. . I haven’t lost anything since. It’s a little frustrating and a lot confusing!

I don’t take these meds but it’s my understanding that the dose is gradually increased to therapeutic levels. As prescribed by your doctor if course.

My advice is to give it more time to do its magic. Zepbound helps with cravings, but to lose significant weight I needed to do 30 minutes of HIIT cardio, 6 days each week, along with 15 more minutes of alternating strength training and stretching. I lost 100 pounds in 16 months.

When I lost insurance coverage, I stopped the med and struggled to stay on my food plan. I mostly kept up my exercise and lost an additional 10 pounds in 2026. Without big results, I find I am not as motivated to exercise. I am hopeful to get KwikPen approval so I can afford to use it again. For me, quieting the food noise really helped. Seeing positive results on the scale gets me off the couch and on the treadmill.

Hang in there! The life change is worth it. So many things I do now that I couldn't 3 years ago.

@sandylakes - this is helpful and encouraging information. When you talked about doing 6 days of 30 minutes of HIIT cardio, will you explain in more detail about what that consisted of?

Sure, I have a treadmill and signed up for Apple Fitness+. They have a good selection of HIIT cardio workouts to follow. Basically, HIIT cardio means varying the speed and intensity during your workout. In a 30-minute video, you spend a couple of minutes warming up, then increase speed to moderate (you decide what feels like moderate for you) for a minute or so, ending with a burst to 'all-out' (as fast as you can go) for 20 seconds to one minute, then lower your speed down to easy for 30-60 seconds to re-build your energy. After a quick sip of water, the routine starts again. Some video increase speed only, others add hills that get steeper for those 'all-out' seconds. My favorites have both higher speed intervals and steeper hills. I like variety. Apple Fitness+ was a logical choice for me with my Apple watch. There are tons of free videos that are just as good out there.

I started my weight loss journey with a free coach (employee benefit). It really helped. She said one day I would find that I could enjoy exercise and miss it if I couldn't due to weather or injury. I said no way, I have had to force myself to workout or even go for a short walk for over 40 years. Well, 10 months into my journey, I woke up and actually wanted to use my treadmill. I couldn't believe it! Like someone flipped a light switch. And when I twisted my ankle and had to rest a few days, I got cranky cuz I missed exercising. How crazy is that? This old dog learned a new trick!

Good luck to anyone starting this journey. Sending wishes to all that your light bulb moment happens too.

@sandylakes , how inspirational! I had a similar experience with fitness a couple of years ago. I do my own workout playlists, but think I’ll try your Apple suggestion.

Hi!
I am wondering if anyone else is a slow responder and if Zepbound ever worked for them.
I have been on Zepbound 16 weeks, 4 weeks at each dose, 2nd week at 10mgs. No side effects, no appetite effects. During the 2nd week of 7.5mgs I thought it started working because I felt full eating very little for 2 days, but then it went back to no effects.

@tarakeeg - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That's rough that your tirzepatide (Zepbound) is having very little or no effects.

I moved your post here where another member was talking about a similar situation with tirzepatide (Zepbound):

- GLP1 and no weight loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/glp1-and-no-weight-loss/

Fellow members here such as @sandylakes @celia16 @samwho and others may also have some input on being what you called a slow responder.

I am not a medical professional, but personally, I, too, have dealt with this. I took tirzepatide (Zepbound) 2 years ago when I lost 53 pounds on semaglutide (Wegovy), but had terrible GI side effects. I got all the way up to the top dose of tirzepatide (Zepbound), and my insurance said I'd maxed my coverage. I had only lost 1 pound on it by then.

My husband did not lose any weight on tirzepatide (Zepbound) till he got to the highest dose.

What does your medical professional overseeing your care say about this lack of effect so far?

@tarakeeg I also struggled with losing weight at 10 mg a week, so my doctor increased the dose to 20 mg a week. I still am a slow loser (4 pounds a month), but my weight loss is steady. Maybe ask for an increase.