Exercise: The Key to Sustaining Weight Loss After Medication

If you’ve been following the conversation around weight loss medications like Wegovy and Saxenda, you’re likely aware of the concerns regarding weight maintenance post-treatment. The common belief is that once individuals stop taking these drugs, the pounds will pile back on. However, a groundbreaking study from the University of Copenhagen and Hvidovre Hospital is challenging this notion and offering a beacon of hope for sustainable weight management.

“Exercise calisthenics #2” by Ed Yourdon is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, the study’s lead, asserts, “It is actually possible to stop taking the medication without large weight regain, if you follow a structured exercise regime.” This statement is a game-changer for those seeking long-term solutions to obesity. The study, published in LANCET eClinicalMedicine, reveals that the majority of participants who combined weight loss medication with regular exercise were able to maintain the benefits for a year after ceasing medical treatment.

The study’s first author, Postdoc Simon Birk Kjær Jensen, emphasizes the importance of physical activity, stating, “Our study shows that people who exercise during treatment do not have the same propensity to put on weight post treatment.” This is significant, considering that typically, individuals regain more than two-thirds of the weight lost within a year of stopping medication.

The research included four groups of participants, each with a different combination of interventions, including a placebo, the weight loss drug Saxenda (liraglutide 3 mg), exercise, and a combination of the drug and exercise. All participants started with a low-calorie diet before being randomly assigned to a group. The findings were clear: just two hours of exercise per week were sufficient to maintain the treatment’s positive effects.

Jensen elaborates on the exercise component, explaining that the intensity can vary based on individual fitness levels. From brisk walking for those with severe obesity and lower fitness levels to running or interval spinning for those more fit, the key is achieving a heart rate that indicates exertion.

The benefits of combining exercise with weight loss medication extend beyond the scale. Participants who exercised reported feeling less tired, more energetic, and experienced better mental health, translating to an overall improved quality of life. This contrasted with those who only received medical treatment and felt more fatigued and less vibrant.

The implications of this study are profound. The researchers suggest that exercise recommendations should accompany prescriptions for weight loss drugs, enhancing the likelihood of sustained weight loss and well-being post-treatment. Jensen and Torekov advocate for a holistic approach, combining medical treatment with regular physical exercise to maintain muscle mass and quality of life.

Torekov cautions against relying solely on medication for weight loss, stressing the necessity of structured, supported exercise routines. She concludes with an encouraging message: “The good news is that post-treatment weight loss maintenance is possible, but only when combined with exercise.”

This study not only provides evidence for the efficacy of combining medication with exercise but also underscores the importance of lifestyle changes in the fight against obesity. It’s a call to action for individuals and healthcare providers alike to embrace a more comprehensive strategy for weight management, one that includes the power of physical activity.