GLP-1 medications continue to make headlines as the game-changer in weight management. Patients often see rapid results, and many clinicians are excited about their potential. Clinical studies show that these medications can produce up to 15% weight loss in just a few months, yet real-world data suggest nearly half of patients regain weight after discontinuing the medication without ongoing support, and the cost for employers can be significant.
But if losing weight were only about taking the right medication, success would be easy. The reality is that lasting results require more than a prescription. Without a plan, coaching, and ongoing support, even the most powerful medication can only take patients so far.
Why Medications Alone Aren’t Enough
GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, work by regulating appetite and improving blood sugar control. Clinical trials show impressive short-term weight loss for many patients. These medications have opened doors for patients who have struggled for years to see results. However, their adoption has also contributed to rising costs for employers, and questions remain about long-term cost-effectiveness. In 2025, GLP-1 medications used for weight loss account for 10.5% of total annual claims, up from 8.9% in 2024, evidence of how quickly these therapies are becoming part of modern care strategies.
Yet relying on medication alone is like expecting a quarterback to win the season without a team. Rapid initial outcomes are encouraging, but long-term success, and value, depends on consistent guidance and structured support, and thoughtful strategy for employers and patients alike.
Behavior change remains the foundation of effective weight management, but it is highly individualized and typically requires ongoing support. That’s where human connection makes the difference;when patients feel heard, supported, and guided with empathy, they’re more likely to sustain results. Health and wellness coaching has been shown to positively impact nutrition, exercise, and stress management while empowering patients to adopt lasting healthy habits.
Ultimately weight management is about more than losing pounds. It is about creating habits that improve overall health and quality of life. GLP-1s can jump-start progress, but sustainable change requires integrating evidence-based behavioral strategies alongside clinical treatment.
Supporting Patients for Lasting Success
Lifestyle programs that combine GLP-1 therapy with coaching, nutrition guidance, and regular check-ins with a dietician help patients build healthy habits that last. Comprehensive support not only helps maintain weight loss but also improves blood sugar control, cardiovascular risk, and overall wellness.
A Season-Long Approach Wins
Media stories often highlight dramatic, short-term results with GLP-1s, but sustainable weight management is a season-long game. According to a January 2025 JAMA Network article, rates of GLP-1 discontinuation at 1 year are high and vary widely, from 37% to 81%, indicating that staying on therapy is often the biggest challenge. And when patients can’t stay the course, long-term results become harder to maintain. Just as success on the field depends on teamwork and strategy, lasting patient outcomes require more than a star player; they depend on structure, coaching, and ongoing support.
How True Rx Health Strategists Supports Patients
With 36% of employers now providing coverage of GLP-1 drugs for both weight loss and diabetes, access to these therapies continues to expand.
Should employers get in the game? Coverage decisions should be guided by strategy and measurable outcomes. Success can mean better results, cost control, or overall employee well-being, and coverage criteria should be built to support it. Pairing medication with behavioral and clinical support can drive lasting results and keep programs accountable to measurable goals.
At True Rx Health Strategists, we understand that real outcomes require combining innovative therapies with compassionate care. Central to this is the True Experience, a patient-first approach built on personalized guidance, open communication, and proactive support.
Our weight management program, True Outcomes: Weight Management, complements GLP-1s with personalized coaching, nutrition planning, and clinical oversight. After six months of an pilot, participants achieved an average weight loss of 6% to 15%, including continued reductions among those who had previously plateaued. Engagement remained high, with 90% participating in monthly virtual visits. By blending medication with human support, patients gain both measurable results and lasting confidence.
The True Outcomes: Weight Management program has allowed me to pair a GLP‑1 with lifestyle changes to lose 45 pounds this year. True Rx’s registered dietitian helped me implement sustainable changes to my diet and exercise, and I have finally reached a healthy BMI for the first time in my adult life.
- True Outcomes: Weight Management Program Participant ”
Looking Ahead
GLP-1 medications have changed the game in weight management, and by 2030, up to 12.7% of participants in a typical employer health plan could be using Wegovy®, Zepbound® or similar drugs (BenefitsPRO, September 2025). Yet real success requires more than medication alone. Programs that combine coaching, clinical guidance, and personalized support help patients sustain results, turning short-term wins into lasting victories.
The future of health care depends on partnerships that put people first, where innovation, service, and strategy come together to truly improve lives.
Just like a championship football team, weight management is a season-long effort. With the right strategy and support, patients can reach their weight goals while attaining long-term health outcomes.
