Can You Stop and Start GLP-1s for Weight Loss?
The “holiday pause”, is it a good idea?
GLP-1 medications are highly effective in treating diabetes and weight loss. But is it a good idea to stop or “pause” your treatment for special occasions, vacations, or holidays? In this article we will go over how GLP-1 medications work, why it can be difficult to take them during holidays, and the potential risks of stopping and starting your GLP-1 treatment.
How GLP-1 medications work
GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide work by controlling blood sugars, slowing your stomach emptying, reducing appetite, and decreasing food thoughts and cravings. These medications only work while they are in your system, so when the medications are stopped most people see a fairly quick return of their appetite and rise in blood sugar levels.
Why do people consider stopping GLP-1s for holidays?
For many people, the holidays or vacations are times to relax.. The idea of spending a food-centric holiday or vacation with a low appetite may sound like a challenge, especially if food was something you strongly associate with happiness at the holidays. For these reasons, many people who have been on GLP-1s consider stopping or pausing their medication around these times.
The temptation to go off of your medication in order to enjoy and indulge in certain foods that you may have lost the craving for, is common. But, before you stop your GLP-1, let’s learn more about the risks of stopping and restarting these medications.
Risks of stopping GLP-1s temporarily
Pausing medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide comes with some medical concerns and risks, especially in terms of managing weight loss and diabetes. The risks of stopping your GLP-1 temporarily include:
Weight regain: Most people who take a “pause” from their GLP-1 regain weight. This is due to a combination of things, both related to the medication and the reason for the pause. In regard to the medication itself, once it is stopped, your appetite will likely return quickly. In addition, if the reason to stop GLP-1 treatment temporarily is for the holiday food, you not only have a revved up appetite but are also surrounded by foods that you otherwise might have not have craved while on your GLP-1.
Blood sugar: Once you stop your GLP-1, you lose the beneficial effects the medication has on your insulin and blood sugar levels, which could lead to elevated blood sugar.
Side effects: Many people experience side effects like nausea and vomiting when they restart their GLP-1, even if they had adjusted to the medication and seen a relief in side effects previously. To most people’s bodies, starting back up after a break is no different than starting it for the first time.
Time lost: After restarting GLP-1s it can take some time to adjust back to it and see the original benefits you had before stopping.
Always consult with your prescribing team before making any changes to your medications. Knowing the risks of stopping and restarting GLP-1s may be helpful in your decision making process. The possibility of undoing weeks or months of progress, having elevated blood sugars, and the return of unpleasant side effects can be good reasons to stay the course rather than hitting pause on your GLP-1s.
Deciding to pause GLP-1 treatment
If you do decide to take a break from your GLP-1s for the holidays, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider. They may want to start you back on a lower dose when you restart in order to minimize side effects. While there is no withdrawal from GLP-1, there can be a rebound in side effects for people when they start back at a higher dose after a break.
Navigating the holidays while continuing treatment
It may sound less than ideal, but spending the holidays while on GLP-1s will help you stay on track to meet your goals. . The main thing to focus on is finding new, healthier sources of enjoyment.. Start going on annual family walks, play some games, or listen to music, or These are just some of the ways you can shift attention away from food and still enjoy time with your loved ones. Also, have an open conversation with your loved ones before the holidays to express your concerns. They're likely to be understanding and supportive, helping shift the focus of celebrations. At the very least, they'll understand that food won't be your main focus this holiday season.
Staying consistent with your treatment
Given the risks mentioned above, many people, after speaking with their healthcare team, decide it’s best to stay on their medication rather than pausing or stopping it. There are many ways to enjoy the holidays or a vacation that aren’t food-centric.
Spend your holiday being active, spending quality time with loved ones, and focusing on the gift of health you are giving yourself by eating healthy and prioritizing your wellness.
At Agile, we offer ongoing care in all of our programs in order to help our patients see the most success. This includes monthly check-ins to see how the treatment is going, address any issues, and offer lifestyle recommendations. If you’re interested in learning more about our program, check out our program offerings here!
