GLP-1 & OMMS

GLP-1 Maintenance: Why Keeping Weight Off Can Be Harder Than Losing It

Reaching a lower weight does not necessarily mean obesity treatment is finished. The episode reframes maintenance as an active phase of chronic disease care and explores the biological and psychological adjustment that can happen when the goal changes from continued loss to stability.

FROM THE WEIGHT & MEASURE CONVERSATION

This guide summarizes Weight & Measure’s maintenance conversation with obesity medicine physician Dr. Leslie Golden and clinical psychologist Dr. Robyn Pashby.

IN THIS GUIDE
  • Is a weight plateau always a problem?
  • Why can maintenance feel harder than expected?
  • Do people stay on treatment during maintenance?
  • How can success be measured beyond continued weight loss?

Is maintenance the same thing as a stall?

Dr. Pashby points out that “stall” and “maintenance” can describe the same stable weight while carrying very different emotional meanings. The conversation asks listeners to reconsider the assumption that a scale must keep moving downward for treatment to be working.

Why can maintenance feel psychologically difficult?

After months or years of pursuing weight loss, changing the goal can require substantial mental reframing. The episode discusses body image, expectations, fear of reoccurrence and the challenge of accepting stability as success.

Does maintenance mean stopping treatment?

The discussion treats obesity as a chronic disease and emphasizes that the treatment supporting improvement may still be part of maintenance. Medication or other treatment decisions are individualized and belong with the patient and care team.

What else can become a goal?

The conversation broadens success beyond scale weight to include health, function, strength, quality of life and maintaining improvements over time.

GO DEEPER

Listen to the Weight & Measure conversation

GLP-1 Maintenance: Why Keeping Weight Off Is Harder Than Losing It

You Lost the Weight. Now What? GLP 1 Maintenance, Mindset, and Long Term SuccessMany people focus on how to lose weight.Far fewer talk about what happens after.For many individuals using GLP 1 medications, pursuing Bari…

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