While everyone's weight loss journey is unique, women often face greater challenges than men in dropping pounds and achieving a slimmer figure. Genetics, hormonal differences, a naturally lower metabolic rate and many other complex factors can make the process feel much slower and impossible at times. Fortunately, weight loss medications for women can address those hurdles and facilitate fast yet sustainable results.
But what are the limits to how much weight you can lose? In this blog, you'll learn more about what experts consider to be a healthy weight loss rate and how medical weight loss can help you reach your goals. Let's dive in!
What's a Healthy & Sustainable Rate of Weight Loss?
It’s a common misconception that quick weight loss requires women to go to great extremes in their diet or exercise routine. In reality, losing weight quickly with an over-the-top approach is often unsustainable. You may see results quickly from extreme methods, but unless you stick to the strict routine that got you there, it's only a matter of time until you regain the weight.
Rapid weight loss is an attainable goal for women who want to slim down and promote wellness, but losing too much weight too quickly can actually harm your health. Pushing things too far for fast weight loss can cause many concerns, including dehydration, malnutrition, gallstones, and hair loss. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, a modest weight loss rate is easier to attain and better for your heart health than overdoing it to see swift results.
Sudden changes to your body can take a toll, so your weight loss journey should prioritize good health and long-term sustainability. Medical experts recommend aiming for one to two pounds (0.5 to 1 kg) of weight loss a week and roughly 4 to 8 pounds (2 to 4 kg) a month. It's a great starting point for healthy weight loss that encourages long-term maintenance. Factors like your starting weight and body mass index (BMI) may allow you to lose weight faster, but you should consult a medical professional to see what's healthy and realistic for you.
Though slimming down in a snap sounds desirable, a more measured approach to weight loss is the way to go, helping you avoid risks to your health and reduce the potential to rebound once you reach your goals.
Factors That Affect How Fast Women Lose Weight
Several factors prevent women from successfully losing weight by affecting how quickly and realistically they can shed pounds. Here are some of the most impactful.
Body Composition: Body composition plays a big part in how fast women can lose weight. Women naturally have less muscle mass than men, making it more challenging to lose weight. Low muscle mass can lower your resting metabolic rate, affecting how quickly you burn calories. Fewer muscles and more body fat often result in a slower weight loss rate.
Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI, a measure of body fat based on height and weight, is related to the rate of weight loss, though many other factors, which we’ll continue to explore, come into play. A higher BMI generally means more weight to lose, and typically, the initial goal of weight-loss therapy is to reduce body weight by about 10 percent from baseline.
Hormones: Hormonal fluctuations can affect your appetite, metabolism, and ability to manage weight. Periods of significant hormonal changes like pregnancy and menopause and chronic health conditions like PCOS that cause hormonal imbalances can lead to weight gain and hinder weight loss.
Genetics: Studies suggest that a significant portion of changes in body weight can be attributed to genetics, with estimates ranging from 40% to 70%. Genes can influence basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories the body burns at rest, and can affect how hungry or full a person feels, impacting food intake. Genetics can also determine where fat is stored in the body.
Diet: Even on a calorie-restricted diet, what you eat can change how quickly you lose weight. A great diet is more than just fewer calories. Where you get those calories matters, too. Instead of getting 1,500 calories from highly processed or fatty foods, get those calories from whole foods like fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy grains. Unhealthy foods contribute to the production of fat, while nutrient-dense foods support fat reduction.
•Exercise Routine: The time you spend exercising and your activities to burn calories can influence your weight loss rate. For the biggest impact, experts recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activities that increase your heart rate like brisk walking, jogging, and swimming.
Despite weight loss roadblocks outside our control, women can still lose weight successfully with the latest strategies available. Medical weight loss is a clinician-backed alternative when other methods aren’t cutting it, helping women break down biological barriers and lose weight month-to-month.
How Medical Weight Loss Can Accelerate Your Results
Medical weight loss involves the guidance of a licensed healthcare practitioner who can help you lose weight at a healthy rate. First, a weight loss doctor determines your eligibility for treatment based on your health history. Then, your provider prescribes you weight loss medication from the many options available.
The treatments available include GLP-1 medications like Ozempic weight loss injections, Wegovy weight loss injections, and Rybelsus weight loss pills. These medications contain semaglutide, an active ingredient that can balance blood sugar levels and enable better weight management.
GLP-1 medications mimic the action of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas when blood sugar levels get too high. GLP-1 medications regulate glucose in the blood, making it a great treatment option for those with Type 2 diabetes.
For women struggling with weight loss roadblocks, GLP-1 medications can be a key part of a life-changing treatment plan. Semaglutide medications signal the brain to promote feelings of fullness and slow down stomach emptying, contributing to increased feelings of fullness, reduced food intake, and potential weight loss.
When taken under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider and paired with a healthy diet and exercise, GLP-1 medications can help you lose weight rapidly and sustainably.
Realistic Weight Loss Goals with GLP-1 Medications
But how much weight can women lose when taking GLP-1 medications? The amount of weight loss women can achieve from taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus varies and depends on many factors.
Weight loss doctors advise slow titration with GLP-1 medications. That means you begin with the lowest dose, and your provider slowly increases your dosage, keeping in mind your progress and goals. Results can be slow in the beginning, but as your body adjusts to the semaglutide, you may start to shed weight quickly.
It's common for women to experience significant weight loss by the eighth week of treatment, and after that, the losses typically continue. Many women lose 10 to 15 percent of their body weight over the course of a year, and some lose up to 20 percent of their total body weight using GLP-1 medications.
Because your overall health history and weight loss potential is unique, consulting a weight loss doctor can help you understand what you can realistically achieve.
Overcome Weight Loss Hurdles in a Healthy Way
Though there’s a complex combination of factors that can stand in your way, biological barriers don’t mark the end of your weight loss journey. Medical weight loss is a life-changing strategy to support healthier habits and a sustainable calorie burn.
If you’re struggling with conditions outside of your control, connecting with a weight loss doctor can help you reach the results you’re looking for.
