How much weight can you lose on Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) can be a game changer when it comes to weight loss and management for people with overweight or obesity. But just how much weight can you lose on Wegovy? 

To answer that question, we reviewed the research and talked to healthcare providers who specialize in obesity medicine. Read on as we share the average weight loss on Wegovy and offer tips for maximizing your weight loss on the medication.

Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication that should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for two indications:

• To reduce body weight and support long-term weight loss in people with obesity or with overweight and a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea

• To reduce the risk of experiencing a major cardiovascular event, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people with heart disease and obesity or overweight

As a GLP-1 medication, Wegovy works by mimicking a gut hormone produced naturally by your body called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. Wegovy works for weight loss by slowing down digestion, so you feel full sooner and longer, and acting on brain receptors that regulate your appetite.

How much weight you can lose on Wegovy depends on several factors, including your dosage, starting weight, and adherence to lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, exercise). 

“Weight loss on Wegovy varies from one person to the next, but clinical trials provide general expectations,” says Audrey Wells, MD, a physician double-board certified in sleep medicine and obesity medicine. 

Here’s a quick look at what studies have found regarding the average weight loss on Wegovy: 

• A large-scale clinical trial of over 1,900 adults found that Wegovy produced an average weight loss of 14.9% and 33.7 pounds over 68 weeks (about a year and a half). Those taking a placebo lost just 2.4% and 5.7 pounds in the same time period. 

• One study looked at the impact of combining Wegovy with an intensive weight loss program that included diet and exercise counseling. Those who only dieted and exercised lost nearly 6% of their starting weight in 68 weeks. Those who took Wegovy (alongside behavioral modifications), on the other hand, lost 16%.

• When compared to Saxenda (liraglutide), another GLP-1 weight loss injection, Wegovy led to significantly more weight loss over 68 weeks. In clinical trials, participants lost 15.8% of their body weight on Wegovy vs. 6.4% on Saxenda.

• A longer-term two-year study found that people experienced an average weight loss of 15.2% on Wegovy, compared with just 2.6% for those taking a placebo.

How much weight can you lose with Wegovy in one month?

Wegovy follows a ramp-up dosing schedule to help your body acclimate to the medication and its common side effects. It can take up to four months (or longer) to reach your final maintenance dose. For this reason, most studies observe a longer period than one month, with 68 weeks (a year and a half) being a typical time frame. During the first month of Wegovy, most people are still on the lowest dose of Wegovy (0.25 mg). 

Having said that, people often do experience some weight loss during that first month. In the large-scale clinical trial cited earlier, participants lost a bit more than 2% of their body weight during the first month and another 2% during the second month. By the third month, they had lost about 6% of their body weight.

“In the first month [of Wegovy], one can expect between 2% and 4% total body weight loss with a typical dose escalation,” Dr. Wells says. “Some patients lose 5% or more of their total body weight; less weight loss may be related to a slower ramp-up with the medication.”

Weight loss on Wegovy occurs fairly quickly, although individual results may vary. 

“People [taking Wegovy] may lose around 2%--3% of their body weight in a month, on average, and 15%--18%, on average, in a year,” says Supriya Rao, MD, DABOM, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in obesity medicine and lifestyle medicine.

In clinical trials, about a third of the participants lost 20% or more in a year and a half.  “Weight loss usually peaks around the year mark,” Dr. Wells says. “A higher body mass index (BMI) often leads to more pounds lost.”

To maximize weight loss with Wegovy, Dr. Rao recommends approaching Wegovy as part of a more comprehensive weight loss program that includes diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. 

“Weight loss medications should not be used in isolation,” Dr. Rao says. “They’re one tool in an entire toolbox of options, and they’re great options. They’ve turned the tide for the landscape of obesity, heart disease, sleep apnea, and other issues.” That said, there are a few tactics you can implement to try to boost your results. 

1. Upgrade your diet

Weight loss drugs like Wegovy work best when combined with a low-calorie diet. But it’s not just about eating fewer calories; it’s also about making sure the calories you do eat pack a bigger nutritional punch. “Where diet is concerned, I recommend three things: eat as many unprocessed foods as possible, make sure you get enough protein to support your muscles, and make sure you get enough fiber,” Dr. Wells says. 

Dr. Rao recommends adopting a Mediterranean diet, which focuses on healthy fats from nuts and olive oil, lean meats like poultry and fish, and high-fiber fruits and veggies. It’s also a good idea to reduce your alcohol consumption while taking Wegovy, she adds. Alcohol can interfere with weight loss by adding empty calories  and potentially increasing appetite. Additionally, since Wegovy slows gastric emptying, alcohol may have a stronger or prolonged effect, increasing the risk of side effects like nausea, dizziness, or low blood sugar. 

2. Develop a regular exercise routine

Because muscle mass is directly related to basal metabolic rate (i.e. the amount of calories you burn at rest), strength training is important. Described as “the best for weight maintenance” by Dr. Wells, strength training exercises (e.g. squats, deadlifts, resistance band work) can help you preserve the muscle mass you do have while continuing to lose weight on Wegovy.

Current expert guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine and The American Heart Association recommend strength training at least twice a week and at least 150 minutes or more of cardiovascular exercise for weight loss.

For optimization, Dr. Rao recommends an exercise routine that includes:   

• Strength training three times a week 

• Walking 10,000 steps per day 

• An additional cardio or yoga session

3. Enjoy a better night’s sleep

“For patients who need medication to treat obesity, it's important to note that results are optimized and maintained with a healthy foundation of smart sleep, food, and exercise choices,” Dr. Wells says. “Lack of sleep can actually increase muscle loss with the fat loss, and this is metabolically unfavorable. Sleep loss also affects decision-making and emotions, so your choices and motivation around food and exercise can be affected negatively.”

Inadequate shut-eye is associated with increases in the hunger hormone ghrelin, increased snacking, and weight gain.

To make sure your sleep isn’t messing with your weight loss efforts, Dr. Rao recommends prioritizing getting 7–9 hours of sleep per night that’s restful and uninterrupted. “Create a new shutdown sequence. Improve your sleep hygiene, and get technology out of the bedroom,” she says.

Other sleep hygiene tips (that may help boost how much weight you can lose on Wegovy) include:

• Following a consistent sleep schedule

• Practicing relaxation exercises before bed

• Using your bed for sleep and sex only

• Avoiding alcohol, heavy meals, and caffeine in the evening

• Quitting smoking

4. Keep your stress levels in check

Stress can worsen sleep quality and lead to weight gain. Similar to short sleepers, people who are chronically stressed out tend to binge eat, especially on high-calorie, sugary foods. 

Mindfulness exercises can help people deal with stress, Dr. Rao says. Mindfulness helps you tune into the present moment, focusing on your thoughts, senses, and feelings without judgment. Popular options include:

• Meditation, including visualization and guided meditation

• Deep breathing exercises

• Progressive relaxation exercises

5. Build your support network

Working with other health professionals besides the healthcare provider who prescribed you Wegovy can set you up for more success on your weight loss journey. Dr. Rao recommends that her patients meet with a nutritionist to optimize the amount of fiber, protein, and macronutrients they eat and reduce their intake of processed foods and animal proteins. 

Finding a weight loss “buddy” can also be a good idea. “Having that camaraderie of going through this with somebody and having familial support can help people maximize their weight loss,” Dr. Rao explains. Indeed, a 2018 study of over 700 people in an online weight loss program found that those who chose buddies lost more weight and inches off their waistlines than those who went at it alone.

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Clinical trials show impressive weight loss results on Wegovy, but it’s worth remembering how much weight you can lose on Wegovy differs from person to person. Factors like your diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels can all play a role in maximizing your slim-down results.

• Weight loss on Wegovy typically begins early in treatment, with most people losing 2% of their body weight or more in the first month. Clinical trials show an average weight loss of around 15% of body weight over 68 weeks, with a small amount of individuals losing 20% or more. 

• Diet and exercise are key to maximizing weight loss on Wegovy. Experts recommend eating a nutrient-dense, high-fiber, and protein-rich diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. Exercise, especially strength training, can help preserve muscle and sustain long-term weight loss. 

• Your sleep quality and stress levels can also impact weight loss success on Wegovy (and, TBH, in general). Poor sleep can contribute to weight gain, while getting 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night supports long-term weight management. Meanwhile, managing stress can prevent overeating and weight regain and can be done via mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. 

• Having a strong support system in place can also improve average weight loss on Wegovy. In addition to consulting your prescribing provider, working with healthcare professionals and having a weight loss buddy can help you feel more motivated to stick to your new healthy habits and reach your weight loss goals.

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Editorial Guidelines | Medical Review Process

Current version

March 26, 2025

Written by

Amelia Willson

Fact checked by

Beverly Tchang, MD, DABOM and Raagini Yedidi, MD

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About the medical reviewers

Beverly Tchang, MD, DABOM

Beverly Tchang, MD, DABOM, is an Obesity Medicine Advisor for Ro. She is also an assistant professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York and triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, and Obesity Medicine.

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.