94: New Findings for Tirzepatide Users: Why the Start of Your Weight Loss Journey Matters

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At a recent business conference, one statement really struck me: "Your biggest competitor is always the status quo." They were talking about this in a business context, but immediately I thought, this applies so much to health. It’s easy to fall into old habits or default to what feels familiar, even if it’s not helping us progress. The status quo keeps us stuck in a cycle, and unless we actively challenge it, we remain exactly where we are.

When people come into my clinic, this idea of the status quo often comes into play. It's a huge commitment—mentally, emotionally, and financially. People ask themselves, “Am I willing to do the work? Is this the right path for me?” Many of my patients struggle with the thought of changing their approach to health, even if they’re not seeing the results they want. They’ve been managing on their own, thinking they don’t need help. But here’s the thing—the status quo isn't always working for them.

Most of the time, they’ve been prescribed medication by their primary care doctor, but they’re not getting the support they need to address all the other aspects of health—nutrition, exercise, muscle gain, and mindset. This is where they get stuck. They may have lost weight, but now they’re realizing they need to focus on building muscle, or maybe they’re hitting a plateau and don’t know how to break through. The thought of changing their routine, trying something different, or asking for help feels overwhelming, but the truth is, it requires a shift in mindset to see that their current way might not be optimal.

I see this a lot with strength training. It’s something we all need to incorporate into our routines, whether it's lifting weights, using resistance bands, or even bodyweight exercises. But for many people, this feels like a challenge because it's unfamiliar territory. If you didn’t grow up lifting weights or aren’t sure how to get started, the status quo—whether it’s avoiding it, forgetting about it, or not prioritizing it—wins unless you make a conscious decision to change.

Just like in business, where changing a vendor or system is uncomfortable and requires a lot of effort, changing our approach to health can feel daunting. But it’s only when we confront that status quo head-on and push through the discomfort that we start to see lasting transformation.

Breaking Free from the Status Quo: The Power of Habit Stacking and Small Wins

One of the strategies I use most often with patients to break free from the status quo is habit stacking. This is a simple yet powerful way to combine a new habit with something you already do. It’s about building on what’s familiar and integrating something new into your routine without overloading yourself. For example, I’ve had a morning walk routine for the past five or six years. I don’t have time to circle back later for another exercise session, so I stack my strength training right after my walk. That’s when it happens—no excuses, no other time.

Habit stacking is all about finding that sweet spot where your new habits flow naturally into your existing ones, making it easier to stay consistent. And I’m not the only one who swears by this method—James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, emphasizes this concept. (If you haven’t read it yet, I *highly* recommend it!). 

One of the most powerful concepts from Clear’s book is the idea of 1% upgrades. Instead of making big, overwhelming changes, start small. How can you make the bar so low that you can easily step over it without resistance? The easier it is to begin, the more likely you’ll stick with it.

Take strength training, for example. I often challenge my patients to start with something so simple it’s hard to say no to—like two minutes of squats or a few pushups against the wall. No need to get on the ground, no fancy equipment, and no need for resistance bands. It’s not about making it complicated or buying extra gear; it’s about getting started in the simplest way possible. Of course, once you build consistency, you can level up, but the goal here is to remove barriers so you can start now.

Making a change doesn’t have to be a monumental task. The status quo often wins because it feels safe and familiar, but if you take small, intentional steps to break free from that cycle, you can make lasting changes. This process takes effort and intention, and most of the work I do with my patients is helping them navigate this shift. It's about breaking free from autopilot and making health a priority in a way that feels manageable and sustainable.

If you feel like you are stuck in a rut, doing the same things day in and day out, don’t panic—it’s completely normal for our brains to thrive on routines. But if you’re ready to change, you need to get intentional about setting new goals, creating reminders, and doing something different. Trust me—it’s possible, and it doesn’t require perfection, just progress.

SURMOUNT Trial Results: The Impact of Tirzepatide on Long-Term Weight Loss

In the same way that breaking free from the status quo requires intentional effort, achieving lasting health results often demands patience and perseverance. It’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting immediate results, but the reality is that change—whether in business, life, or health—takes time. This is something we see clearly in the Surmount trial, a long-term study of tirzepatide (Zepbound and Mounjaro), where the results tell an important story about the journey to weight loss success.

The study focused on comparing early responders to non-early responders, with key findings showing how different individuals react to treatment in varying timelines.

Key findings from the trial:

• Early Responders: Those who lost 5% or more of their body weight in the first 8 weeks went on to lose an average of 25% of their total body weight by the end of the study.
• Non-Early Responders: Those who didn’t see dramatic early weight loss still experienced impressive results, with an average total weight loss of 18%. While this was a bit lower than early responders, it’s still a significant achievement compared to other weight loss methods.

Key Takeaways:

• Slow progress doesn’t mean failure: Even if you don’t see dramatic results right away, there’s still potential for significant weight loss over time.
• Trust the process: Weight loss varies from person to person, and it’s important to be patient as you progress.
• Be encouraged: If you're experiencing slower weight loss at the start, know that the long-term results can still be highly successful.

The SURMOUNT trial highlights a crucial aspect of weight loss: not everyone responds the same way, and success doesn’t always look the same at the start. Whether you experience early weight loss or progress at a slower pace, the key takeaway is that sustained efforts lead to long-term success. It’s important to stay patient and trust the process, even when immediate results don’t come quickly. By sticking with your plan and working alongside healthcare professionals, you can continue making progress toward your goals, no matter where you begin.

Ready to break free from the status quo and take control of your health?

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