Stalls, regain, and what actually works
When weight loss stalls for 4+ weeks at a stable dose. This journey separates real plateaus from measurement noise, then walks through evidence-based interventions in order.
Confirm it's actually a plateau
Weight fluctuates 1–3 kg week to week from hydration and glycogen alone. A real plateau is ≥4 weeks of no downward trend in a 7-day rolling average, at a stable dose.
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Audit protein and resistance training
Plateaus almost always reflect a new metabolic setpoint. Adequate protein and 2–3 resistance sessions per week preserve the lean mass that drives basal metabolism. Without these, dose increases mostly just speed lean-mass loss.
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Evaluate dose adequacy with your prescriber
If protein and training are dialed in and the stall persists, a dose increase is the next conversation. Maintenance doses below the label often plateau early — clinically appropriate dose increases can restart loss.
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Reset expectations for the long arc
Pivotal trials show weight-loss curves flatten at 60–72 weeks. A long plateau at a new lower setpoint is a clinical success, not a failure — the harder problem is maintaining it.
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