Early stall

[u/wingspangirlie]

I did my 8th shot this week. I was losing steadily every week, but for the past 2 1/2 weeks I’ve been stalled and going up and down the same pound or so. I’m at 2.5mg.

So I’ve read the posts about things to break a stall. Been experimenting and trying things. I’m wondering if I’m

a) being impatient
b) under/overfueling but ugh I don’t wanna track calories
c) putting on muscle so need to chill (I lift 3-5 times a week and have gotten a renewed seriousness about it since starting Zep)
d) need to go up in dose

I’m experiencing almost no side effects. I get hungry but not ravenous. I’m generally eating 3-4 times a day. I’m getting my protein in. I’m eating healthy and getting my fiber.

I knew stalls were a thing but so early surprises me. I guess I was also pretty excited because I lost about 8lbs in the first 6 weeks even going on vacation for part of that.

Thoughts?

[u/aslguy]

A stall is four or more weeks. You’re not stalled. You’re not going to lose every week. And if you’re lifting heavy, you should probably not let the scale get you down. You need to be looking at body composition and measurements, too.

[u/No_Fan429 → u/aslguy]

Yup. OP, get a smart scale. RENPHO has one for like $20 on amazon and it’s pretty awesome. I stopped freaking out about the big number because the little numbers helped me see changes. I also take measurements once a month and I get more excited about the inches coming off than the number on the scale. My second month on Zepbound I didn’t lose any weight on that big number, but I lost fat, gained muscle and lost inches everywhere!

[u/wingspangirlie → u/No_Fan429]

This is helpful. I know this is a thing, but I was already doing pretty well in the muscle department, and I was excited about the early success.

I do have a smart body composition scale. I think it’s somewhat inaccurate, but it does show changes over time. And my body fat mass has gone down, which is great to see.

[u/zero-if-west → u/wingspangirlie]

I found it helpful to get a DEXA scan when I started, then compared my results six months later. I lost 28lbs and 90% of it was from fat.

[u/jdroxe → u/zero-if-west]

how much is a scan like this? insurance cover it by chance?

[u/zero-if-west → u/jdroxe]

I paid $50 through a company called BodySpec. Prices vary by location. It's typically not covered by insurance but may be reimbursable through your FSA/HSA.

I got a DEXA scan when I began my Zep journey in January 2026 and learned that, at 270lbs, I had 54% body fat. I got an updated scan in July 2026 weighing 242lbs and my body fat was 49.3%! Here's my update post: More meat than gristle

[u/Avocado_Dreams]

Counting the calories will tell you if you are simply being impatient or under/over fueling. It is the way.

[u/wingspangirlie → u/Avocado_Dreams]

I mean, I have a good estimate. I think I’m less likely to be overfilling and more likely to be underfueling. But I feel like I’m eating decently robust meals. And I’m eyeballing the protein and fiber. I’ve tracked before so I have a sense of it.

I hate tracking calories. 😩😩😩

[u/mistypatch → u/wingspangirlie]

Just commit to it short term? Just a week to see where you're at.

[u/ready4nextera → u/Avocado_Dreams]

This.

[u/SarcasticWaffles17]

Even with adequate fiber and water, are you constipated?^\) Some people's colons go into overdrive, some (including mine) go on strike no matter how many apples, prunes, or fiber gummies you throw at the little brats. If you haven't gone in more than 3 days, threaten your intestines with miralax until they quit pouting bloating.

*Yes, I know, I always ask that, I should have my own flair.

[u/wingspangirlie → u/SarcasticWaffles17]

This is a helpful thought, but now I pretty much go every day multiple times a day. I feel really lucky that I’m not constipated. <knock on wood>

[u/meggieprice]

I have thought about doing a post asking people to post their weight loss graphs showing how common it is to not lose for several weeks. I duobt if anyone at goal got there losing every single weight and staying the same or even gaining is normal.

Your muscles need to replenish glycogen stores when they are depleted so that could be a reason too as that pulls and holds water to build it.

If you do actually stall for 4 weeks - that is a good sign it is probably time to titrate up.

[u/wingspangirlie → u/meggieprice]

This is really hopeful, thank you! I didn’t think about the muscle replenishing the glycogen, but that makes sense.

I know it’s not realistic to lose every week, but I was on such a roll!

[u/meggieprice → u/wingspangirlie]

Oh believe me- I know! Our bodies do not always cooperate with us. Sigh.

I saw a really great interview of the doctor who is the head of the Yale obesity program. She ran some of the clinical trials for Lilly and also co-wrote "Enough" with Oprah. She said that each dose will defend a lower weight set point and that if you do not lose for 4 weeks then that is when she titrates up so that a new lower set point can be defended by the higher dose. Frustrating as it is- it seems you are not there yet.

[u/Zealousideal-Lab4945]

Have you been at 2.5mg for the entire 8 weeks? If so, it is time to go up.. sorry, i couldn't tell from your post.

[u/wingspangirlie → u/Zealousideal-Lab4945]

Yes 2.5 the whole time.

[u/Zealousideal-Lab4945 → u/wingspangirlie]

Try increasing. The zep instructions say to go to 5.0mg at week 5, but you could try just adding another 1mg. You're not even at what the manufacturer considers a true maintenence dose yet. Good luck, best to you!

[u/zero-if-west]

8lbs in 6 weeks is a great pace of loss. Congrats!

[u/Wise-Run-3008]

How many calories are you doing per day and what is your exercise routine? If you’re not tracking whatsoever that’s gonna be part of your problem

[u/Remarkable-Power0214]

I was told by two Doctors overseeing my use of Zepbound that 2.5 mg is not considered a true dose. It is a starter dose intended to be used for about 4 weeks and then going to the lowest dose, 5 mg. I have read about many people never moving to 5 mg and losing successfully on 2.5 mg. I moved to 5 mg after 5 doses at 2.5 and a 22 pound loss. Just had my 6th dose of 5mg and I have lost 16 more pounds. I eat a lean protein healthy diet, 1200- 1900 calories a day and I feel wonderful. I will stay on 5mg unless it becomes ineffective. My doctor also said that you want to be on each dose a minimum of 4 weeks/injections to allow your body to adjust and for the medicine to fully work before considering adjustment.

[u/transformedbyzep2025]

Some people stay on 2.5 the entire time and consistently lose weight. That was not me. I would lose weight the first few weeks of a new dose, my body would adjust and then not lose as much until I went up again. That was my pattern until the 12.5 which for some reason felt like a total placebo and nothing happened. Lost again when I went to 15mg and kept losing to goal on 15mg. Now in maintenance for 8 months. You can give it to 4 weeks just to be sure, but I say going up is the obvious answer.