Blog post —
The Weight Loss Conundrum
Updated on May 2, 2026
Have you been on a diet or weight loss program only to hit a plateau?
This point of stagnation, where suddenly it seems you can’t lose any more weight, can be a confidence breaker, but perhaps you can take consolation that it is a common problem for many.
But why does it happen?
The Gender Factor
Almost 85% of women find it hardest to lose weight from the lower abdominal area, hips, and thighs [3].
This predicament is because women are predisposed to store fat in these areas to aid the body during pregnancy.
Common solutions to address these trouble spots include adopting a calorie-deficient diet, avoiding fattening foods, and adding cardio and strength training to your exercise program.
The results often vary, and not everyone achieves their goals.
The Hormone Effect
Hormones play a crucial role in our daily well-being.
They affect a series of processes in our body, from reproduction to metabolism and mood.
Hormones like leptin, ghrelin, and insulin control your body’s metabolism, and they respond to changes in your body weight [4].
High testosterone levels are generally associated with lower body fat.
Stress levels are also crucial in weight loss and can impact hormones like cortisol.
A balance must be achieved among these hormones to achieve successful weight loss and reset your body's weight set point.
Losing weight and breaking that body weight set point barrier is a process that takes effort [5] in every aspect of your daily life – from what you eat to the kind of exercises you do, and, most importantly, maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your stress in check.
Body Weight Set Point
The particular weight, or range of specific weights, that your body seems adamant about clinging to despite your efforts, is known as a body weight set point [1].
Our body is a marvel.
For example, when something is wrong, our body strengthens its defence mechanisms to prevent illness or further deterioration.
Apparently, it’s the same when it comes to weight loss.
This auto-regulation kicks in around our body’s weight set point to adjust to sudden changes and maintain balance.
Maintaining homeostasis keeps us balanced [2].
When it comes to losing weight, our bodies are better equipped to protect against starvation than against sudden weight gain.
“It is believed that the body appears to have a ‘set point’ for body weight. Any deviation triggers a compensatory response in the opposite direction to restore the ‘set point’. For example, in response to weight loss, energy expenditure is reduced accordingly to resist further loss. This allows the ‘set point’ to be restored. Weight regain after weight loss may be a physiological response rather than a failure of conscious effort,” shares Dr Ivan Puah, who also holds a Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine. Dr Puah has over 20 years of clinical experience treating people with weight problems.
For some people, resistance to weight loss can persist for years despite weight gain. This, unfortunately, predisposes them to excessive weight gain in the future.
This is why a lot of people lose weight unhealthily and unsustainably, only having to regain more weight than they lost.
Doctor-led weight loss and management
The Amaris B. Weight Loss & Management Program is multi-pronged. It includes dietary modification, personalised nutrition counselling, and fitness recommendations.
Dr Ivan Puah will also prescribe GLP-1 medications to help patients suppress the neuroendocrine pathway for more sustainable weight loss.
Studies have shown that exercise alone rarely results in more than 3% weight loss, whereas diet and exercise can achieve 5% to 15% weight loss. The highest proportion of weight loss (11.85%) was achieved with a combination of exercise, diet, and GLP-1 medications [1,2].
| Strategies | How it will help |
|---|---|
| Personalised nutrition counselling | Tailored dietary guidance based on health goals, medical history, lifestyle and metabolism. |
| Dietary modification | Adjusting food intake and food prep to encourage weight loss, improve health and correct nutrient deficiencies. |
| Fitness recommendations | Provides customised guidelines for effective physical activity and exercise. |
| GLP-1 medications | Mimics a gut hormone to increase insulin, slow digestion and reduce appetite. |
Throughout the programme, patients will be closely monitored.
Schedule a private consultation with Dr Ivan Puah today for a healthier you.
FAQ
Why am I not losing weight on GLP-1 medications?
You may have an underlying medical condition that you may not be aware of. Talk openly with your doctor or get a thorough health check-up.
What to expect after the first GLP-1 medication?
The first week after your initial Wegovy injection is an important adjustment period as your body begins responding to the medication. Some individuals may notice changes in appetite, mild digestive symptoms, or gradual shifts in energy levels.
Who is a good candidate for GLP-1 medication?
A good candidate includes:
- High BMI (Obesity or overweight)
- Diagnosed with one weight-related medical problem
- No underlying health conditions
Can I lose 10kg in 2 months on GLP-1 medications?
Most people lose about 2% of their body weight over 30 days from the day of use. Bear in mind that the rate can vary depending on your starting weight, fitness habits, dietary modifications, and metabolism.
How safe are GLP-1 medications for weight loss?
As with all medications, GLP-1 can cause side effects. This is why it is important to take such medications only under the doctor's close supervision, so you can attend follow-up consultations.
How long do you stay on GLP-1 medications?
Depending on your weight, metabolism and condition, the doctor will monitor your condition and ensure high patient safety and comfort.
Reference
- Müller MJ, Bosy-Westphal A, Heymsfield SB. Is there evidence for a set point that regulates human body weight? F1000 Med Rep. 2010 Aug 9;2:59. doi: 10.3410/M2-59. PMID: 21173874; PMCID: PMC2990627.
- Wen, W., & Turrigiano, G. G. (2024). Keeping your brain in balance: homeostatic regulation of network function. Annual review of neuroscience, 47.
- Ryan, A. S., & Harduarsingh-Permaul, A. S. (2014). Effects of weight loss and exercise on trunk muscle composition in older women. Clinical interventions in aging, 395-402.
- Hajishizari, S., Imani, H., Mehranfar, S., Saeed Yekaninejad, M., Mirzababaei, A., Clark, C. C., & Mirzaei, K. (2022). The association of appetite and hormones (leptin, ghrelin, and Insulin) with resting metabolic rate in overweight/obese women: a case–control study. BMC nutrition, 8(1), 37.
- Binsaeed, B., Aljohani, F. G., Alsobiai, F. F., Alraddadi, M., Alrehaili, A. A., Alnahdi, B. S., ... & Jumah, M. (2023). Barriers and motivators to weight loss in people with obesity. Cureus, 15(11).
