{"id":35373,"date":"2026-05-28T06:30:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T06:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/glp%e2%80%911-medicines-what-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T08:35:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T08:35:14","slug":"glp%e2%80%911-medicines-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/glp%e2%80%911-medicines-what-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Weight Loss \u2014 What you need to know about GLP-1s"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Achieving and maintaining a healthy body mass is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce the long\u2011term health risks associated with obesity. For many people, this journey is complex \u2014 shaped by biology, environment, stress, and access to support.<\/p>\n<p>GLP\u20111 medications have emerged as one option that can help regulate appetite and support healthier metabolic patterns, but they are not a quick fix.\u00a0Because these medicines can be powerful, it\u2019s important for anyone considering them to understand how they work, what to expect, and how to use them safely. This fact sheet offers information to help you make informed choices about your health, in partnership with qualified healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>GLP\u20111 Medicines \u2014 What to Know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What GLP\u20111s Are<br \/>\n<\/strong>GLP\u20111 stands for <strong>glucagon\u2011like peptide\u20111<\/strong>, a hormone released in your gut when you eat. It helps regulate appetite, slows stomach emptying, and supports healthy blood\u2011sugar control \u2014 all of which can make weight loss easier.<\/p>\n<p>GLP\u20111 medicines (such as <strong>Ozempic or Wegovy<\/strong>, typically a weekly injection) are <strong>prescription treatments<\/strong> developed for <strong>type 2 diabetes<\/strong>. Some GLP\u20111 medicines are also used to support <strong>weight management<\/strong> under medical supervision.<\/p>\n<p>Before starting treatment, healthcare providers emphasise the importance of understanding:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What results are realistic<\/li>\n<li>How to manage side effects<\/li>\n<li>The role of lifestyle habits<\/li>\n<li>The need for regular check\u2011ins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s Not a Quick Fix<br \/>\n<\/strong>Even if your appetite decreases and weight comes down, <strong>nutrition and strength training remain essential<\/strong>. Without them, you may lose muscle and regain unhealthy visceral fat (\u201cskinny fat\u201d) around your organs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Tips for Success<br \/>\n<\/strong>GLP\u20111s work best when combined with healthy habits and medical oversight.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stick to the prescribed treatment plan<\/li>\n<li>Prioritise protein and nutrient\u2011dense foods<\/li>\n<li>Stay active and include strength exercises<\/li>\n<li>Discuss progress and side effects openly with your healthcare provider<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Should GLP\u20111s Be Taken Long Term?<br \/>\n<\/strong>These medicines are often used as <strong>chronic treatments<\/strong> for ongoing management of type 2 diabetes or obesity.<br \/>\nThey can be costly, so check whether you can afford them privately or through your medical aid or insurance plan.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why Do Some People Stop?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Side effects such as nausea, bloating, or changes in bowel habits are common.<br \/>\nHowever, many people continue treatment if they feel it\u2019s helping with weight loss or appetite control.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What Happens When You Stop?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Side effects usually resolve after discontinuation<\/li>\n<li>Appetite often returns quickly<\/li>\n<li>Weight regain is common within months<\/li>\n<li>Blood\u2011sugar levels may rise, increasing diabetes and heart\u2011health risks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>If You\u2019re Thinking of Stopping<br \/>\n<\/strong>Speak to your healthcare provider first. They may recommend:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adjusting the dose<\/li>\n<li>Switching to another treatment<\/li>\n<li>A lifestyle plan to help maintain progress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Partner With Professionals<br \/>\n<\/strong>If you are considering starting, using, or stopping GLP\u20111s for type 2 diabetes or weight management, it\u2019s important to work with qualified healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>LifeAssist<\/strong> offers health coaching and advice from registered health professionals. Book personal consultations with a dietician or biokineticist to help you to achieve and maintain a healthy body.<\/p>\n<p>This service is available to you and your household dependents.\u00a0<em>*&#8217;Household&#8217; includes you, your spouse or life partner, children over 13, financially dependent relatives, and domestic helpers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Achieving and maintaining a healthy body mass is one of  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":35374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[386,42,46,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2026-june-articles","category-your-wellness-body","category-your-wellness-her-health","category-your-wellness-his-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35373","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}