I started on tirzepatide in June 2025 and lost 11 pounds in the first two months. I suspect most of that was just water weight and reduced inflammation, because I’ve been completely stalled ever since. Nothing has changed.
Some people suggested I wasn’t eating enough and might be in ‘starvation mode,’ so I increased my intake by 300-400 calories daily for the last few weeks. Instead of breaking the plateau, I actually gained weight.
Now I’m at a loss for what to do next.
Context: 39F, 5’8" - SW: 187, CW: 175, GW: 145. Currently on a 12.5mg dose of compounded tirzepatide.
I focus on high protein and don’t binge; my appetite is very well-controlled on the medication. I saw progress initially, but then hit a brick wall.
Note: I have good appetite suppression but also experience fairly strong side effects. Increasing calories led to gain, not loss. I’m feeling discouraged because it worked at first and now it feels like my body has adapted. I’d really appreciate hearing from others who have pushed past a stall.
What dosage are you on currently? Have you been titrating up?
What are your height and weight measurements? Also, have you considered a different pharmacy? Some compound versions aren’t as potent. I had success with Hallandale but didn’t see results with a different source.
I think you might be consuming too many calories. Have you tried lowering your intake to see if that helps? I used a TDEE calculator once that was way off, suggesting about 700 calories more than I actually needed.
It sounds like your calorie count might still be too high. Have you tried cutting back a bit to see if that changes anything? I’ve noticed some TDEE calculators can be way off—one gave me a number 700 calories higher than it should have been.
I noticed you didn’t include your current weight or your starting weight in the post… Without those details, it’s really hard to tell why you’re plateauing. My best guess is that you’re eating at a maintenance level, or perhaps you’re under-eating and your body has gone into a protective mode.
Following this thread because I’m worried about the same thing. I was on Ozempic for 8 months and only lost 10 lbs. I’ve been on 9mg of Tirzepatide for 3 weeks now and nothing has moved yet. I know it’s early, but I’m definitely concerned.
Have you looked into carb cycling? I’m so sorry you’re dealing with a stall; it’s incredibly frustrating.
If adding calories caused weight gain and you’ve been stuck at your usual level for over a month, then you’re likely consuming more than you’re burning. You could simply eat less, but the more effective route is usually building muscle and doing regular cardio. Lifting heavy helps increase your burn. You can’t really escape the calories in vs. calories out rule, but you can improve your burn rate by building lean mass.
How much more weight are you trying to lose? What’s your daily calorie intake? Are you switching up your injection spots? Also, where are you getting your medication?
I think the others have covered the basics, but don’t forget that age and hormones start to play a huge role. Being female means our hormones often run the show. It might be worth checking for other symptoms like sleep issues, cycle changes, or night sweats—perimenopause has a long list of signs. I wonder if the medication impacted your hormones; when I lost my first 15 lbs, it threw my system off and I had to adjust everything. I’d suggest more exercise, specifically strength and resistance training. Once a week isn’t enough; as women, we really need that.
Are you staying consistent with the fundamentals? You can enjoy most things in moderation as long as you stay in a healthy deficit. Use a TDEE calculator (like the one on calculator.net) and recalculate every 10-15 pounds. Aim for at least 100g of protein (real food like lean meats is better than just shakes), 80-100oz of water, and 25g of fiber daily. Also, make sure you’re moving—walking and strength training are key. Don’t ditch carbs entirely; your body needs them to lose weight.
There are so many variables like stress and hormones. I’m 37 and going through perimenopause, so my progress has definitely slowed down. Try focusing on inches rather than the scale; fat loss doesn’t always show up as a lower number. Check your clothes and take photos. It’s a tough reality, but the scale and the meds are just tools, and there are other ways to track your success.
You’ve gotten a lot of advice, but honestly, it sounds like you might be a non-responder. A good chunk of people don’t see significant weight loss on tirzepatide. It might still have other health benefits for you, but for actual weight loss, you might need to try a different approach. I personally found that adding CitrusBurn helped get my metabolism moving again without the harshness of other options.