What's next after reaching target weight on Zepbound (weight loss program)?

After Reaching Target Weight on Zepbound: Maintaining Your Success

After reaching your target weight on Zepbound, you should transition to a comprehensive weight maintenance program that includes continued lifestyle modifications, regular physical activity (200-300 minutes/week), ongoing self-monitoring of weight, and possibly continued medication use based on individual needs and response. 1, 2

Long-Term Weight Maintenance Strategy

Continued Lifestyle Modifications

• Implement a long-term (≥1 year) weight maintenance program with at least monthly contact with trained professionals 1
• Continue following a balanced nutrition plan that creates a slight energy deficit or energy balance, based on your individual needs 2
• Maintain regular self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, and body weight (weekly or more frequently) 2
• Be prepared for some degree of weight regain, which is common and biologically driven, but can be minimized with ongoing adherence to maintenance strategies 1

Physical Activity

• Increase physical activity to 200-300 minutes per week for long-term weight maintenance 1, 2
• Include both aerobic activity and resistance training for optimal health benefits 3
• Maintain consistency in physical activity across weekdays and weekends 4

Ongoing Medical Support

• Schedule regular follow-up visits (at least every 6 months) to monitor weight and assess for any weight-related comorbidities 1
• Continue to work with healthcare providers to adjust medications for comorbid conditions, preferring those that are weight-neutral or promote weight loss 1
• Discuss with your healthcare provider whether continued use of Zepbound is appropriate for your individual situation 5

Medication Considerations

Continuing Zepbound

• For those who responded well to Zepbound (≥5% weight loss), continuing the medication may be considered as part of a long-term treatment strategy 1
• The FDA label for Zepbound shows that continued use through 72 weeks helped maintain significant weight loss compared to placebo 5
• Benefits and risks of extended pharmacotherapy must be evaluated individually 1

If Discontinuing Zepbound

• Be aware that some degree of weight regain is common after stopping weight loss medications 1
• Implement more intensive lifestyle modifications and more frequent monitoring if discontinuing medication 2
• Consider a gradual tapering approach rather than abrupt discontinuation (discuss with your healthcare provider) 1

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Abandoning self-monitoring: Continue tracking weight, food intake, and physical activity as these behaviors are strongly associated with long-term success 4, 6
• Returning to previous eating patterns: Maintain the dietary changes that led to weight loss, as consistency in eating patterns is crucial for maintenance 4
• Insufficient physical activity: Recognize that successful weight maintenance typically requires more physical activity than weight loss alone 3
• Inadequate professional support: Continue regular contact with healthcare providers, as ongoing interaction with professionals is associated with improved long-term outcomes 1
• Setting unrealistic expectations: Focus on maintaining your weight within 3-5% of your goal rather than expecting perfect maintenance 6

What Success Looks Like

• Research from the National Weight Control Registry shows that approximately 20% of individuals are successful at maintaining significant weight loss long-term 4, 6
• Successful maintainers typically engage in high levels of physical activity (about 60 minutes daily), eat a low-calorie diet, regularly eat breakfast, self-monitor weight, and maintain consistent eating patterns 4, 7
• Weight maintenance may actually become easier over time - after successfully maintaining weight loss for 2-5 years, the chances of longer-term success greatly increase 6
• Even if some weight regain occurs, maintaining a weight below your pre-treatment baseline and preserving improvements in obesity-related complications should be considered success 1, 8

Remember that weight maintenance is an ongoing process that requires continued attention and effort, but the health benefits of maintaining your weight loss make it well worth the commitment.