Quick answer: Most people regain a meaningful share of the weight they lost after stopping a GLP-1 medication. Analyses published in 2026 estimate that, on average, about 60% of the lost weight returns within a year. That is an average, not a verdict, and it reflects biology rather than willpower: when the medication stops, appetite signals return. If you are thinking about stopping, decide with your prescriber instead of stopping on your own. The habits with the best support for holding your results are regular exercise that includes strength training, meals built around protein and fibre-rich foods, simple self-monitoring, and follow-up support for at least a year.
Why weight tends to return after stopping
GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide, and the related dual-action medication tirzepatide, reduce appetite and help you feel full sooner. They work while you take them. Once the medication clears your system, hunger and fullness signals move back toward where they were before.
The body also actively defends its previous weight. In a study of 50 adults who lost weight on a 10-week low-energy diet, levels of several appetite-regulating hormones, including leptin, ghrelin and peptide YY, were still shifted in a direction that favours regain one year later, and participants still reported more hunger than before they lost weight [1].
This is one reason the World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic condition that needs long-term, person-centred care. Its 2025 guideline made only a conditional recommendation for long-term GLP-1 therapy, partly because data on maintenance and on stopping treatment are still limited, and it stressed that medication alone is not the whole answer [2].
The practical takeaway: regaining weight after stopping is common and expected. It is not a personal failure, and it is something you can plan for.
What the research actually shows
The landmark trials
In the STEP 1 trial extension, 327 adults were followed for a year after stopping once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg. They had lost an average of 17.3% of their body weight over 68 weeks of treatment. One year after stopping, they had regained 11.6 percentage points, leaving a net loss of 5.6% from their starting weight. Improvements in cardiometabolic measures also moved back toward baseline [3].
In the SURMOUNT-4 trial, 670 adults who had lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 36 weeks on tirzepatide were randomly assigned to continue the medication or switch to placebo. Over the next 52 weeks, the placebo group regained 14.0% of their body weight while the group that continued lost a further 5.5%. Notably, 16.6% of the people switched to placebo still kept at least 80% of their weight loss, compared with 89.5% of those who continued [4]. A minority held on to most of their results without the medication.
The 2026 pooled analyses
A systematic review and meta-analysis in The BMJ pooled 37 studies with 9,341 adults who stopped weight management medications. Weight returned at an average of about 0.4 kg per month, and about 0.8 kg per month after the newer medications semaglutide and tirzepatide. The authors projected a return to starting weight in roughly 1.5 to 2 years, and a return of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol markers to baseline in about 1.4 years. Weight came back faster after medication than after behavioural weight management programmes [5].
A second analysis, in eClinicalMedicine, modelled six randomized trials with more than 3,200 participants. It found that regain is fastest early on and then slows: on average, about 60% of the lost weight was regained by one year after stopping. The model projects regain levelling off at around 75%, which would mean roughly a quarter of the weight loss is retained in the longer term [6].
Honest caveats
- These are averages. Individual results vary widely, as the SURMOUNT-4 figures show.
- Follow-up after stopping is still short, especially for the newer medications, so the longer-range figures are projections rather than observations [5, 6].
- In the BMJ review, behavioural support given alongside medication led to more weight loss but did not slow regain afterward [5]. Good habits improve your odds and your health. They are not a guarantee.
The encouraging finding: exercise changes the picture
In a Danish randomized trial, adults first lost an average of 13.1 kg on a low-calorie diet and were then assigned to one year of supervised exercise, the GLP-1 medication liraglutide, both together, or placebo. All treatment then stopped, and 109 participants were followed for one more year. People who had taken liraglutide alone regained about 6 kg more than those who had done supervised exercise. Those who had combined exercise with the medication ended about 5.1 kg lighter than those who had used the medication alone, and their odds of still holding at least a 10% weight loss were about four times higher [7].
This was a small study of an older, once-daily GLP-1 medication, so it is not the final word. It does suggest that the habits you build while on treatment are what you carry with you when treatment ends.
Before you stop: talk to your prescriber
People stop GLP-1 medications for many reasons, including cost, supply, side effects, reaching a goal, or planning a pregnancy. Research groups report that about half of people stop within the first year [5, 6]. Whatever your reason, make it a planned decision.
- Do not stop on your own. This matters most if your medication was prescribed for type 2 diabetes, because blood sugar can rise when it is withdrawn.
- Ask about your options. Depending on your health, these may include continuing, changing the dose, or reducing gradually. The authors of the 2026 eClinicalMedicine analysis suggest that individualized dose tapering may help limit regain, while noting that more research is needed [6].
- Raise pregnancy plans early. The WHO recommendation for GLP-1 therapy excludes pregnancy [2], so timing should be discussed well in advance.
- Ask for a follow-up plan. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence now says people should be offered follow-up support for at least 12 months after stopping weight management medication, including regular check-ins and a practical action plan to use if changes start to slip [8]. Wherever you live, it is reasonable to ask your provider for something similar.
Six food-first habits that help you hold your results
1. Keep moving, and keep lifting
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two or more days [9]. People who have successfully kept weight off for years in the US National Weight Control Registry report high activity levels, around an hour a day [10]. Strength training also protects the muscle that keeps your metabolism and mobility strong. For a starting plan, see GLP-1 and Muscle Health in Women.
2. Build every meal around protein
In the DiOGenes trial, 773 adults who had just lost weight were assigned to different maintenance diets for 26 weeks. Those eating a modestly higher-protein diet regained about 0.9 kg less than those eating lower protein, and they were more likely to stay with the plan [11]. Practical choices include eggs, fish, poultry, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, tempeh, lentils and beans. A joint advisory from four nutrition and obesity medicine organizations also lists adequate protein together with strength training as a priority for people using GLP-1 therapy [12].
3. Choose fibre-rich, slowly digested carbohydrates
In the same trial, a lower glycemic index diet reduced regain by a similar amount [11]. In everyday terms, that means vegetables, legumes, intact whole grains such as oats and barley, and whole fruit more often than refined starches and sweetened drinks. These foods are filling for their calories, which helps as appetite returns.
4. Plan for your appetite to come back
Expect to feel hungrier than you did on the medication. That is normal physiology, not a loss of discipline. Structure helps: regular meal times, protein and vegetables first, planned snacks instead of grazing, and less of the foods you tend to overeat within easy reach. Registry members who maintain their weight loss commonly eat breakfast regularly and keep a similar eating pattern on weekdays and weekends [10].
5. Monitor lightly and act early
Regular self-monitoring is one of the most consistent habits among people who keep weight off [10]. Weigh yourself about once a week, or track waist measurement or how your clothes fit. Agree on an action point with your provider in advance, for example a gain of 2 to 3 kg (about 5 lb), and decide now what you will do when you reach it. Small regains are far easier to reverse than large ones. If you have a history of disordered eating, ask your provider what kind of monitoring is right for you.
6. Protect sleep, stress and support
The joint advisory also highlights sleep, mental stress and social connection as part of long-term success [12]. Walking groups, a friend who trains with you, or scheduled check-ins with a dietitian make habits easier to keep. The UK guidance specifically includes peer and community support in its follow-up recommendations [8].
Where Beauty Secret® 20+ fits
Beauty Secret® 20+ (Sachet) is a licensed natural health product for adult women (NPN 80073784). Its authorized uses are to help maintain good health, to provide a source of antioxidants, and to provide a source of fungal polysaccharides with immunomodulating properties.
What it is: a daily powder sachet containing soy seed powder, chaga mycelia, vitamin C, vitamin D3 (400 IU, 10 mcg), vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and astaxanthin per 10 g serving, along with botanical ingredients. If you already built a daily sachet habit during treatment, it can stay as one small, steady part of your routine while other things change. The vitamins it provides contribute to your daily intake.
What it is not: its authorized uses do not include weight loss or weight maintenance, and it has not been studied for preventing weight regain after GLP-1 medication. It does not act like a GLP-1 medication, does not replace one, and does not control appetite. It is not a meal replacement and is not a meaningful source of protein or fibre. It is not required during or after GLP-1 treatment.
Because it contains botanical ingredients, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using it if you take prescription medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition. Product availability and labels vary by country.
Signs to discuss with your provider
- Weight returning quickly over a few weeks or months
- Rising blood sugar or blood pressure readings, especially if you have diabetes or prediabetes
- Intense hunger, constant thoughts about food, or episodes of binge eating
- Low mood, anxiety or distress about your weight or body
- Difficulty eating enough protein, or noticeable loss of strength
- Stopping because of cost, supply or side effects, since there may be other options
- Plans to become pregnant
Frequently asked questions
How much weight will I regain after stopping a GLP-1 medication?
It varies widely. On average, studies suggest about 60% of the lost weight returns within a year of stopping [6], and in the STEP 1 extension people regained about two-thirds of their loss after a year off semaglutide [3]. Some people regain less, and a minority keep most of their results [4].
Can I keep the weight off without the medication?
Some people do. In SURMOUNT-4, about one in six people who were switched to placebo kept at least 80% of their weight loss a year later [4]. Regular exercise, higher-protein and fibre-rich eating, self-monitoring and ongoing support improve the odds [7, 10, 11], though none of them guarantees it.
Is it better to taper off than to stop suddenly?
Possibly, but the evidence is still limited. Researchers have suggested that individualized tapering may reduce regain and have called for more studies [6]. Any dose change should be planned with your prescriber.
Do I have to take a GLP-1 medication for life?
Not necessarily, and it is an individual medical decision. Health authorities increasingly treat obesity as a chronic condition that needs long-term care, and the WHO conditionally recommends long-term GLP-1 therapy for adults while noting the limits of current long-term data [2]. Your provider can help you weigh benefits, risks, cost and your own goals.
Can a supplement prevent weight regain?
No supplement replaces a GLP-1 medication or the habits described above. Beauty Secret® 20+ is authorized to help maintain good health and as a source of antioxidants. It is not authorized or studied for weight maintenance.
The bottom line
Stopping a GLP-1 medication is a transition to plan, not a cliff to fall off. Expect appetite to return, know that some regain is common, and put your effort where the evidence is strongest: stay active and keep lifting, eat protein and fibre-rich foods at every meal, check in with yourself weekly, and ask your provider for follow-up through the first year. A daily supplement can be one steady part of your routine, but it cannot do the work of movement, food and medical follow-up.
For more on building those foundations, see GLP-1 Nutrition for Women: What to Eat and When Supplements May Help.
Disclaimer: This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. It does not replace the guidance of your doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian. Do not start, stop or change any medication or supplement without speaking to a qualified healthcare provider. Supplement availability, labels and regulations vary by country.
Sources
- Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge EA, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(17):1597-1604. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1105816
- World Health Organization. WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity. 1 December 2025. who.int
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2022. doi:10.1111/dom.14725
- Aronne LJ, Sattar N, Horn DB, et al. Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: the SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2024;331(1):38-48. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.24945
- West S, Scragg J, Aveyard P, et al. Weight regain after cessation of medication for weight management: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2026;392:e085304. doi:10.1136/bmj-2025-085304
- Budini B, Luo S, et al. Trajectory of weight regain after cessation of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a systematic review and nonlinear meta-regression. eClinicalMedicine. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.103796
- Jensen SBK, Blond MB, Sandsdal RM, et al. Healthy weight loss maintenance with exercise, GLP-1 receptor agonist, or both combined followed by one year without treatment: a post-treatment analysis of a randomised placebo-controlled trial. eClinicalMedicine. 2024;69:102475. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102475
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). People need support to keep weight off after treatment ends (quality standard QS212, overweight and obesity management). 2025. nice.org.uk
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult activity: an overview. cdc.gov
- Wing RR, Phelan S. Long-term weight loss maintenance. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005;82(1 Suppl):222S-225S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/82.1.222S
- Larsen TM, Dalskov SM, van Baak M, et al. Diets with high or low protein content and glycemic index for weight-loss maintenance. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363(22):2102-2113. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1007137
- Mozaffarian D, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. 2025. obesity.org