Weight Loss After Liraglutide: Can Exercise Prevent Regain?

The study published in EClinicalMedicine suggests that combining exercise with GLP-1 medications like liraglutide may be the key to maintaining weight loss after stopping treatment. The research, conducted in Copenhagen, followed participants for two years to understand how different treatment approaches affected long-term weight maintenance. The study found that people who combined exercise with GLP-1 medications regained less weight after stopping treatment compared to those who took medication alone or exercised alone. The researchers suggest that this combination approach works better because exercise helps develop lasting healthy habits and creates beneficial changes in metabolism and body composition. The study's findings have important implications for patients and healthcare providers, as it suggests that combining medication with exercise could be a more sustainable and effective approach to weight management

Key points

• .Combination Therapy is Key: The study found that combining exercise with GLP-1 medications like liraglutide led to significantly better long-term weight maintenance compared to either treatment alone.

• Exercise Benefits Persist: Even after stopping supervised exercise programs, participants who had exercised during treatment were more likely to remain physically active and maintain weight loss.

• Sustainable Results: The combination therapy group was more likely to maintain a 10% weight loss compared to the other groups.

• Improved Body Composition: Participants who combined exercise with medication had better body composition, with lower body fat percentage and waist circumference.

• Behavioral Changes: Exercise programs help develop lasting healthy habits that contribute to long-term weight management.

• Physiological Adaptations: Regular exercise creates beneficial changes in metabolism and body composition that can help prevent weight regain.

• Future Research: The study's findings suggest that further research is needed to explore different combinations of medications and lifestyle interventions for optimal weight management.

Exercise + GLP-1 Medications: The Key to Sustainable Weight Loss?

New research suggests that combining exercise with GLP-1 medications like liraglutide may be the secret to maintaining weight loss after stopping treatment. This groundbreaking study offers hope for the millions of people seeking lasting solutions for obesity management.

The Challenge of Long-Term Weight Management

Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that keeping it off is often harder than losing it in the first place. This challenge becomes even more complex with the rising popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda (liraglutide). While these medications can lead to significant weight loss, a major concern has emerged: what happens when you stop taking them?

Recent data shows that up to half of the people who start these medications discontinue treatment within the first year, often due to cost or side effects. Even more concerning is that most people regain substantial weight after stopping the medication. Until now, there hasn't been a clear solution to this problem.

A Breakthrough Study

A new study published in 2024 offers a potential answer: combining exercise with GLP-1 medications might be the key to maintaining weight loss after stopping treatment. The research, conducted in Copenhagen, followed participants for two years to understand how different treatment approaches affected long-term weight maintenance.

Study Design

The researchers divided participants into four groups:

• Placebo (control group)

• Exercise only

• Liraglutide (GLP-1 medication) only

• Combined exercise and liraglutide

All participants first completed an 8-week low-calorie diet to lose weight. Then, they followed their assigned treatment for one year. The crucial part came next: researchers tracked what happened in the year after all treatments were stopped, simulating real-world conditions.

Key Findings

The Power of Combination Therapy

The results were striking. One year after stopping treatment:

• People who had taken liraglutide alone regained about 9.6 kg (21 lbs)

• Those who had combined liraglutide with exercise regained only 7.1 kg (15.6 lbs)

• The exercise-only group had the smallest regain at 3.6 kg (7.9 lbs)

Even more impressive, the combination therapy group maintained better body composition, with lower body fat percentage and waist circumference compared to those who took liraglutide alone.

Exercise's Lasting Impact

Perhaps the most encouraging finding was that exercise benefits persisted long after the supervised program ended. People who had participated in exercise programs (either alone or with medication) were more likely to remain physically active one year later:

• Exercise groups reported 225-240 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week

• The liraglutide-only group reported just 30 minutes per week

• The placebo group reported 150 minutes per week

Sustainable Results

The study found that participants who received combination treatment were:

• 7.2 times more likely than the placebo group to maintain a 10% weight loss

• 4.2 times more likely than the liraglutide-only group to maintain a 10% weight loss

Why This Matters

These findings are particularly significant given the current landscape of obesity treatment. While GLP-1 medications have revolutionized weight management, their high cost and potential side effects make long-term use challenging for many people. The discovery that exercise can help maintain results after stopping medication offers a more sustainable path forward.

Understanding the Mechanism

Why does this combination approach work better? The researchers suggest several reasons:

• Behavioral Change: Exercise programs help develop lasting healthy habits that continue after supervised training ends.

• Physiological Adaptation: Regular exercise creates beneficial changes in metabolism and body composition that persist even after stopping formal programs.

• Different Mechanisms: While GLP-1 medications work primarily through appetite suppression, exercise affects multiple systems in the body, including:

  Metabolism

  Muscle mass

  Cardiovascular health

  Mental well-being

Practical Implications

For Patients

If you're considering or currently using GLP-1 medications for weight management, these findings suggest that:

• Start Exercise Early: Don't wait until after medication treatment to begin exercising. The benefits appear to be greatest when exercise is combined with medication from the start.

• Focus on Sustainability: Choose exercise routines you can maintain long-term, even after stopping medication.

• Set Realistic Expectations: Some weight regain after stopping medication may be normal, but exercise can help minimize it.

For Healthcare Providers

This research suggests that:

• Comprehensive Treatment Plans: Consider recommending structured exercise programs alongside GLP-1 medications.

• Patient Education: Emphasize the importance of physical activity for long-term success.

The Exercise Prescription

The study used a specific exercise program that proved effective:

• Two supervised group sessions per week

• Two individual exercise sessions per week

• Combination of:

  Vigorous-intensity indoor cycling

  Circuit training

  Moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities of choice

Looking Forward

This research opens new avenues for obesity treatment, suggesting that the future of weight management might lie in combination approaches rather than medication alone. Future studies might explore:

• Optimal exercise types and intensities

• Different combinations of medications and lifestyle interventions

• Strategies to maintain physical activity after supervised programs end

Limitations and Considerations

While promising, the study had some limitations:

• Relatively small sample size

• Single-center study in Denmark

• Used liraglutide rather than newer GLP-1 medications

• Higher dropout rates in the placebo group

Conclusion

The fight against obesity has never been about finding a single perfect solution. This research suggests that combining pharmaceutical and lifestyle interventions might offer the best path forward. By pairing GLP-1 medications with structured exercise programs, we may finally have a strategy that helps people not just lose weight, but keep it off even after stopping medication.

The key takeaway? If you're using or considering GLP-1 medications for weight management, starting a structured exercise program alongside the medication might be crucial for long-term success. The habits and physiological changes developed through regular exercise could be your best defense against weight regain when it's time to stop medication.

Remember: sustainable weight management isn't just about what you take—it's about what you do. The combination of medication and exercise might just be the breakthrough many have been waiting for in the journey toward lasting weight management.

FAQs

1. What are GLP-1 medications? GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda, are drugs that mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. They can help with weight loss by reducing appetite and slowing down the emptying of the stomach.

2. How do exercise and GLP-1 medications work together? The study suggests that combining exercise with GLP-1 medications can lead to better long-term weight maintenance. Exercise helps develop lasting healthy habits and creates beneficial changes in metabolism and body composition, while GLP-1 medications can help reduce appetite and promote weight loss.

3. Do I need to be a certain age or fitness level to benefit from this combination? No, people of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from combining exercise with GLP-1 medications.

4. How often should I exercise if I'm taking GLP-1 medications? The study used a specific exercise program that included two supervised group sessions per week and two individual exercise sessions per week. However, the exact frequency and intensity of exercise may vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences.

5. Can I stop taking GLP-1 medications after achieving my weight loss goal? It's important to discuss your treatment plan with your healthcare provider. While some people may be able to stop taking GLP-1 medications after reaching their weight loss goal, others may need to continue taking them to maintain their weight.

6. Are there any side effects associated with GLP-1 medications? Common side effects of GLP-1 medications include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These side effects usually improve over time.

7. Can I combine GLP-1 medications with other weight loss strategies? Yes, you can combine GLP-1 medications with other weight loss strategies, such as a healthy diet and lifestyle changes. However, it's important to consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

8. Is it safe to start exercising while taking GLP-1 medications? Yes, it's generally safe to start exercising while taking GLP-1 medications. However, it's important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts.

9. What if I don't have access to a supervised exercise program? There are many ways to incorporate exercise into your routine, even if you don't have access to a gym or fitness classes. You can try walking, running, swimming, biking, or doing home workouts.

10. Can I lose weight without taking GLP-1 medications? Yes, it's possible to lose weight without taking GLP-1 medications. However, the combination of exercise and GLP-1 medications can help you achieve and maintain weight loss more effectively.

This article is based on research published in 2024 and reflects current understanding of obesity treatment. Always consult with healthcare providers before starting or changing any treatment plan.

Related Article:

Reduce Sitting, Boost Heart Health: New Study on Sedentary Behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness

How Visceral Fat Can Damage Your Organs: The Link Between Obesity and Chronic Disease with Aging

Journal Reference

Jensen, S. B. K., Blond, M. B., Sandsdal, R. M., Olsen, L. M., Juhl, C. R., Lundgren, J. R., Janus, C., Stallknecht, B. M., Holst, J. J., Madsbad, S., & Torekov, S. S. (2024). 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, 69, 102475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102475

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