Dosing

If a dose is working, stay on it as long as you can. If your insurance is moving you up, that’s one thing, but if your doctor is trying to move you up every month, advocate for yourself. Communicate with your doctor and educate them—many aren’t well-versed in nutrition.

How do you know a dose is working? If you can stay in a healthy calorie deficit with ease, the dose is working. To find your deficit, click here to use the TDEE calculator. Even if the scale doesn’t move every month, the dose is effective if you can maintain that range easily. Moving up too quickly can cause bad side effects, stop the meds from working, or suppress your appetite to an unhealthy degree. Aim for sustainable, healthy weight loss.

Manage Your Expectations

These medications don’t work right away for everyone. There’s no guarantee you’ll lose weight immediately. Once the meds begin to work, average weight loss is about 0.5–2 pounds per week. There will be weeks where you lose nothing, and that’s normal if you’re doing everything right. A real stall is 6–8 weeks. Click here for more info on stalls. If you’re diabetic, weight loss may take longer. Always work closely with your physician when regulating your A1C and dosing.

Compound Medication

Units are not your dose. Always follow your pharmacy’s prescription. If you have questions, call the pharmacy first, then your physician. Dosing is measured in milligrams; units measure the liquid containing your dose. Know what dose you’re on and always read your prescription carefully. You might also want to purchase extra syringes or alcohol pads.

Always wipe the vial’s top with alcohol before drawing medication and clean your injection site. For video guides on handling medications, check out our YouTube channel.

Injection Sites

Popular injection sites include:

  • Stomach: 2 inches out from the belly button (rotate locations like a clock).
  • Back of the arms: Use the fatty area.
  • Thighs: Use the fat on the top or sides.

Don’t use the same location repeatedly, as it can cause scar tissue. Avoid stretch marks if possible. Try all sites to find what works best for you, as this can change over time.

Injection Days & Times

This is personal preference. Start by choosing a day where you can rest the next day, in case of side effects. Many prefer nighttime for this reason. You can experiment with different times to see what works best. If you want to change your shot day, wait at least 72 hours between doses, but longer is better when possible. For example, if moving from Friday to Tuesday, shift gradually by a day or two each week.

Healthy Weight Loss

  1. Calorie Deficit: Eat fewer calories than you burn. Use the TDEE Calculator to check your daily needs.
  2. Protein Intake: Aim for 0.8–1g per pound of ideal body weight.
  3. Balanced Diet: Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats.
  4. Supplements: Consider vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients if needed.
  5. Hydration: Drink 80–100 ounces of water daily. Increase if you’re exercising.
  6. Exercise: Mix cardio and strength training to stay active. Resistance training helps preserve muscle during weight loss.
  7. Sleep & Stress: Prioritize quality sleep and manage stress, as both impact weight loss.

Traveling

Always carry your medication on board; don’t check it. Brand-name meds can stay unrefrigerated for 21 days if used within that timeframe. For compound meds, refrigerate them upon arrival. Consider using a travel case with an ice pack. Always bring your prescription and avoid pre-loading syringes.

Maintenance

Maintenance is a personal journey. Some people stop meds completely and resume a low dose after a month. Others titrate down gradually. The goal is to find a dose and frequency (7–14 days) that helps you maintain your weight with minimal side effects.