Real-world GLP-1 weight loss results: Why some users lose more weight than others
Peter Paumgardhen | Last update: 19th June 2025
Weight loss results of up to 15% with Wegovy and 20% with Mounjaro sound impressive, but they’re not guaranteed. Starting the jab is just the beginning. Real-world results often fall short, especially if treatment is stopped early or doses remain low. New research highlights a clear trend: staying the course matters. If you’ve just begun your GLP-1 weight loss journey, here’s why persistence can make all the difference.
TL;DR
- Real-world results show the average weight loss on GLP-1 jabs is lower than the headlines promise.
- But if you stay on treatment and get the correct dose, success is possible
- Early quitters saw only 3.6% weight loss after 1 year, vs. nearly 12% for those who stuck with it
- The most significant results came from high-dose Mounjaro users who stayed consistent
- Emotional support, shared experience and practical tips can help you stay the course
What the new study reveals about real-world GLP-1 weight loss results
A new study of nearly 8,000 people using semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) found a clear pattern:
- Those who stuck with their treatment for a year lost an average of 11.9% of their starting weight.
- Those who quit after just a few months? Just 3.6%.
That’s a massive gap. And while the headlines often say you can lose up to 15% on Wegovy or 20% on Mounjaro, those results come from clinical trials with strict plans and high-dose support.
In the real world, many of us are juggling side effects, cost, or patchy supply. So the average weight loss for most users was lower — but those who stayed on the plan saw real success.
Why the type and dose of your weight loss jab matters
One of the study’s most striking insights?
- Users on high doses of their weight loss jab saw bigger drops on the scale
- Those taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide) lost more weight than Wegovy (semaglutide) users overall
People who took high-dose Mounjaro and never quit saw an average of 18% weight loss after a year.
The data also showed women tended to lose more than men, and that staying on the same jab (not switching between types or dosages) made a difference too.
Quitting doesn’t just slow weight loss — it impacts your health
The study also looked at people with prediabetes, and the findings were just as clear:
- 68% of those who stayed on treatment saw their blood sugar return to normal
- Only 33% of early quitters achieved the same
And in terms of weight loss goals? Users who stuck with their jab for a whole year were 4.7x more likely to hit the big milestone: losing 10% or more of their body weight.
So why do so many people stop early?
The study didn’t explore that part, but at SlimrChat, we hear about it all the time:
“I couldn’t get my repeat dose for weeks. I gave up.”
“The nausea floored me — I thought it wasn’t worth it.”
“I just expected the weight to drop off. When it didn’t, I lost motivation.”
The first two to three months of any weight loss plan are the toughest, whether it’s side effects, cost, or the mental toll of slower progress.
Your SlimrChat takeaway
Think of your weight loss jab like a Netflix series.
You only get to the good part if you don’t quit after episode 3.
If you’re starting out, don’t panic if the results aren’t instant. The data shows that real progress comes with patience, dose adjustments, and consistency.
Join us in the SlimrChat Forums to share your experience, swap tips, and stay on track.
You’ve got this.