GLP‑1 Medications + Healthy Habits: The Path to Long‑Term Weight Loss Success

healthier lifestyle habits

Updated: 8/6/25

GLP‑1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) are transforming weight loss outcomes when integrated into Medical Weight Loss Clinic (MWLC) programs. These FDA‑approved medications, combined with personalized nutrition plans, strength training, and expert accountability, empower patients to achieve lasting health improvements while avoiding weight regain.

Why Lifestyle Changes Matter When Using GLP‑1 Medications

A recent study conducted by the University of Oxford has found that while patients are losing weight (an average of 15-20 pounds) using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, they are also returning to their original weight within 10 months of stopping the medication.

As Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum, puts it:

“It shouldn’t surprise anyone if people regain weight having used GLP‑1 drugs without seriously attempting to improve their lifestyle … Using GLP‑1 is not the quick fix which many users believe it to be.” Medical Weight Loss Clinic

At Medical Weight Loss Clinic (MWLC), we understand that sustained weight loss requires more than medication—it requires building healthy, long‑lasting behaviors. Since 1986, our clinic has combined one-on-one nutritional counseling and behavioral support to help patients maintain progress well after medications are discontinued.

What This Means for You

1. Medication Alone Is Not Enough
   While GLP‑1 medications can help reduce appetite and promote weight loss, behavior change is essential for preserving results long-term.

2. Build Sustainable Habits
   Incorporate regular movement, balanced nutrition, and mindful eating habits. These help support metabolism, muscle preservation, and emotional well-being.

3. Use Medication as a Tool—Not a Crutch
   Think of GLP‑1 drugs as catalysts. The real magic comes from pairing them with behavior modifications that last beyond treatment.

How MWLC Supports Long‑Term Success

• Long-term Guidance – Our programs integrate prescription support with ongoing coaching to help you establish healthy routines.

• Personalized Nutrition Plans – We design meal strategies focused on satiety, nutrition, and flexibility.

• Behavioral Accountability – Through regular check-ins, our team helps reinforce good habits and adapt strategies as needed.

• Focus on Sustainability – Our goal isn’t just weight loss—it’s empowering lasting transformation through education and support.

Since 1986, Medical Weight Loss Clinic has been providing Midwesterners with 1:1 nutritional guidance and behavioral modification to help patients sustain healthier lifestyle habits. Counseling and support are critical in maintaining a healthy weight for long term results.

Start Strong and Stay Strong

GLP‑1 medications can be powerful allies in your weight loss journey—but lasting results require consistency and commitment. Pairing these tools with healthy habits is what truly makes long-term success possible.

Ready to build a weight loss plan that lasts?

Schedule your free consultation today—our team will help you combine medication options with effective, sustainable lifestyle strategies.

Link to original article: People who stop weight loss drugs return to original weight within year analysis finds

WATCH: Healthy holiday food ideas featured on Fox 2 Detroit

Yes! You can add healthy foods into the mix during the holidays. Our Medical Weight Loss Clinic nutritionist and regional manager, Krysta Sauvie, joined Fox 2 Detroit’s Deena Centofanti to walk through some healthy food swap ideas for the holidays.

Krysta also spoke about the free Medical Weight Loss Clinic Healthy Holiday cookbook that is filled with recipes you can use.

WSYM Morning Blend: We're Hiring!

Medical Weight Loss Clinic is hiring - find out what positions are available and what employees like Kelly love about the company.

UPDATE: Welcome back to Medical Weight Loss Clinic

UPDATED: February 9, 2021 – Medical Weight Loss Clinic is here for you! We have 30 clean, safe locations staffed with pros who are here to help you lose weight at a time when many of us are less active and eating differently.

We are here to help you lose weight! Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations are clean, safe and welcoming spaces where you can count on a team of pros who will guide your weight loss journey.

All Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations resumed regular business as of June 1st, 2020 and are currently open and available to service patients during our regular business hours of Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We know 2020 was a challenging year and our entire team is ready to get your weight loss journey back on track and provide all the tools you need to stay healthy in 2021 and far beyond.

If you are a patient who had an active program at the start of our temporary 2020 closure, your program was placed on hold the day we closed. Any program weeks lost during the time of our closure will all be reinstated.

Maybe it’s been a few years since you’ve come to us for weight loss help. Maybe you’ve never even walked in our doors. Perhaps you have a friend who could use our help. If you fall into any of those categories, we are here for you and we are extending our best pricing on all programs to absolutely everyone. You can start by scheduling a free consultation here.

We have always kept our Clinics clean, but we will continue to be taking additional measures to sanitize the Clinics, and all Clinic staff will be required to wear face coverings.

With the safety and health of our staff and patients a priority, we will be enforcing the following safety protocols within our Clinics:

We ask that patients please stay home and reschedule your visit if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.

Patients must wear a face covering (mask) within the Clinics.

To adhere to the 6 ft social distancing rule, we ask that if there are more than 2 people in the waiting room, please return to your car to wait. You may also call the clinic to secure a place in line and we will call you when we are ready to see you.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to find a location near you or book an appointment, please visit our website: https://mwlc.com.

Thank you for your understanding and we sincerely look forward to seeing you soon.

-Medical Weight Loss Clinic

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Diabetes 101: A Guide to Understanding Risk Factors and Prevention

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in our country. This chronic condition targets people of all ages, genders and ethnicities around the world. However, in taking better care of ourselves, we are able to help drastically lower the instances of type 2 diabetes.

By educating yourself and your loved ones, you can better understand the risk factors and methods of prevention associated with this life-altering condition.

What is Diabetes? 

When we digest food, carbohydrates and starches break down into blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. This triggers our bodies to produce insulin, a hormone naturally made by the pancreas to regulate glucose levels in the blood. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t provide enough insulin, or doesn’t provide any at all. As a result, in managing this condition you must not only eat carbohydrates in moderation on a regimented schedule, but ensure your body has enough insulin to compensate. This metabolic condition can be a result of age, race, medical history, genetics, stress, diet and exercise, especially with type 2 diabetes.

What are the Types? 

• Type 1 diabetes: Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes. With this form, the body cannot produce insulin at all. Only 5% of the population is affected by type 1 diabetes.

• Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes. Although there is no cure, type 2 can be managed with exercise, diet and medications (if prescribed). It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or the body’s insulin is unable to store excess blood sugar properly. Being overweight impacts the body greatly and is an underlying cause of type 2 diabetes. Remember, type 2 diabetes is preventable with healthy lifestyle changes.

• Prediabetes: A diagnosis for this condition is given when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed type 2.

• Gestational Diabetes: This form of diabetes occurs in pregnant women when their body is not producing enough insulin or they are unable to store excess blood sugar. It’s typically diagnosed around week 24, and is subject to all women regardless of their history of diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes during their first pregnancy are 66% more likely to have it in the future. However, it’s important to note that gestational diabetes can resolve itself post-birth.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors vs. Controllable Factors

When it comes to preventing diabetes, there are certain risk factors that are out of our control. While some are genetically predisposed to diabetes, others can be impacted due to their race, ethnicity, age and medical history. Conversely, there are lifestyle choices that can help to lower the risk of diabetes.

Weight gain is one of the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, nutritious, well-balanced and portion-controlled meals are important. Be sure to add fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and heart-healthy fats to your everyday diet. Exercise and physical activity are also keys to regulating weight and living a healthy lifestyle. Though many people do not think of high stress and lack of sleep in relation to diabetes, these factors can impact a variety of hormones in the body, which can cause weight gain.

Link to original post: https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2019/11/04/diabetes-101-a-guide-to-understanding-risk-factors-and-prevention/

Medical Weight Loss Clinic on Fox 47's Morning Blend

Medical Weight Loss Clinic was featured on Fox 47's Morning Blend in Lansing, Michigan. Krysta discusses strategies for healthy eating as the holidays near.

Lose weight with Medical Weight Loss Clinic

If weight loss is a part of your plan to get healthier this year, Medical Weight Loss Clinic can help!

5 Ways Weight Loss Affects Your Whole Body

Have you been thinking about starting a weight loss program?  If so, here is some great news:  Losing even just 5% of your body weight can improve your health in major ways, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You'll see benefits in different parts of your body and in controlling chronic conditions.

1. HEART HEALTH Shedding only a few pounds can lower blood pressure, increase levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol and decrease levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol.

2. EASE KNEE AND FOOT PAIN Every pound you lose reduces the pressure on your knees when you walk. Losing weight reduces stress on bones and other structures in your feet.

3. SLEEP APNEA Weight loss can reverse mild obstructive sleep apnea and improve sleep.

4. DIABETES Losing 10 to 15 pounds can help you control your blood sugar levels with lower doses of medication.

5. FEWER BACK ACHES Losing excess body fat can relieve pressure on disks in the lower spine.

We'd love to help you feel and look your best - give us a call today at 1-800-GET-SLIM or book a complimentary consultation here at one of our 30+ convenient locations: https://mwlc.com/book-your-consultation

13abc Visits Medical Weight Loss Clinic

The crew from Toledo's 13abc visited the Perrysburg, Ohio Medical Weight Loss Clinic location and spoke with Lynsey, the clinic manager. She talked about getting patients back on track with their weight loss goals.

The Quarantine 15: Medical Weight Loss Clinic on Fox 2 Detroit

Fox 2 Detroit visited Medical Weight Loss Clinic to talk about "the Quarantine 15" – the extra weight that many patients say they've added these last several months.

Vitamin B: Are You Getting Enough?

All hail the B vitamins!  They largely run the show in your body, but are you getting enough of them? While we know that they are extremely important for overall heath, researchers are still discovering the extent of their powers. We know most of our bodies' 13 essential vitamins by a single letter:  vitamin A, vitamin C and so on.  But eight of these begin with the letter B, with each of them being so chemically distinct that each has an important role essential to our well being. They help us convert carbs, fats and proteins into fuel.  Vitamins B2, B3 and B7 help with skin health. Vitamins B5, B6, B9 and B12 help us form red blood cells.

But those are just some of the well-established biological functions. New research is uncovering just how far reaching B vitamins' effects are.

BRAWN: Researchers have found that physically active individuals with low levels of B vitamins perform worse during high-intensity exercise than those with adequate levels. The study also found that low levels of B vitamins contribute to the reduction in the body's ability to repair muscles and build muscle mass.

BREATHE: B vitamins may reduce negative effects of air pollution. A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports led researchers to believe there may be a role for B vitamins in countering the very dangerous effects of air pollution on cardiovascular and immune system functions. In the small study, healthy non-smokers who took B-vitamin supplements nearly reversed the negative effects of two hours of exposure to fine particle pollution.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that over 90 percent of the world's population live in areas where air pollution exceeds WHO limits.  According to the WHO, about 6.5 million deaths each year are linked to exposure to air pollution; health impacts include cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.

BRAIN: B vitamins may help maintain brain health in older people with memory problems. But researchers, studying 266 older people with mild cognitive decline over a two-year period, found that supplementing with B vitamins was more effective in those with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The researchers concluded that for some older people, a combination of omega-3 supplements and B vitamins may help improve thinking and memory.

Announcing the temporary closure of all Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations

UPDATE: We have issued new information regarding our temporary closure pursuant to new executive orders from the governors of Michigan and Ohio. Read the latest here.

For more than 30 years, my family and the Medical Weight Loss Clinic team have dedicated ourselves to providing life-changing ways for our neighbors to live more healthy lives. Today, a new threat is forcing us all to focus on the health of our community.

It is with great reservations that I am announcing the temporary closure of all Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations effective Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 1 p.m., through Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 9 a.m. Our corporate office will also be shutting down during this time, but will reopen on Monday, April 6, 2020, so we can prepare for the re-opening of the clinics on Tuesday, April 7.

This decision was not made lightly as I feel a great responsibility to our patients to continue services and the opportunity for our staff to continue receiving income. However, the risk has become too high that we could unnecessarily and unknowingly expose our patients and staff to the COVID-19 Virus.

For your safety, the safety of your family and the community we all live in, I urge each of you to use this time to stay home and self-quarantine.


David Paull
President
Medical Weight Loss Clinic, Inc.

A letter to the Medical Weight Loss Clinic Community

Dear MWLC Community

We are living in uncertain times and conditions are rapidly changing by the hour.  At this time, Medical Weight Loss Clinic will remain open and will continue to evaluate the happenings with COVID-19.  We are continuing to stay vigilant in our commitment to provide a safe work environment consistent with CDC guidelines, while still being able to provide services to our patients.   Due to growing concerns about spreading COVID-19, we will continue to take all the steps we can to keep our patients and staff safe while preventing the spread of the virus. 

We understand the benefit of health and mental well-being for all of us, now more than ever.  To ensure the health and wellness of everyone in the MWLC Community, we are implementing the following protocols:

• Hand washing & cleanliness

  • Employees should wash their hands with soap and water in between each patient visit.

  • Patients should be instructed to please wash their hands with soap and water before and after their visit.

  • All work areas (surfaces, phones, keyboards, lab, bathrooms, touchscreen, etc.) will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant several times throughout the day.  

• Social distancing – patients should maintain a minimum of 6 feet distance from one another when in the waiting room.  If there is not enough space available for a patient to wait in the waiting room, patients will be asked to wait in their cars until space is available to respect social distancing protocols.

• We anticipate that our suppliers may have issues fulfilling orders in the coming weeks. In an effort to accommodate all of our patients, we respectfully ask patients to limit the number of products they take out to a maximum 2 week supply.  This should ensure that we are able to maintain appropriate stock levels for all patients.

• We require employees and patients who have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 AND who is showing symptoms to please stay home and contact their doctor or local Health Department and then notify MWLC of exposure.

  • Programs can be placed on hold for patients that are infected, or are in a high-risk category that mandates they are placed under quarantine, until they are able to return to the clinic.   

• If you are sick or feeling off, please stay home. 

In addition to implementing measures suggested by the CDC, Medical Weight Loss Clinic is taking the following additional precautions within our clinics: 

• All Clinic Taste Testing (samples) are suspended.  We will reassess the safety of providing samples in April and respond accordingly.

• Taking patient blood pressures and measurements will be stopped immediately.

These are unique and quickly evolving circumstances where we are all learning more daily and we will continue to closely monitor and evaluate the situation - we truly appreciate your cooperation and support in the meantime.  We will maintain our efforts to mitigate exposure to and transmission of infectious disease and ask that each of you please do your part in continuing to ensure your own health and well being and that of your friends, family and neighbors in your community.   We will keep you posted on any developments via email and our website. Please contact your clinic with any questions. 

Medical Weight Loss Clinic

Amy talks about her 80 lb weight loss journey on WOOD-TV's eightWest

Amy Rummelt says she feels like a different person after losing 80 lbs. with the help of the Medical Weight Loss Clinic program at the Grandville, MI location. She says she appreciated the accountability of the Medical Weight Loss Clinic program.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic on Lansing's Fox 47 Morning Blend

Did you see us on TV? Medical Weight Loss Clinic was featured on the Morning Blend segment on Lansing's Fox 47. On TV, Lansing Clinic Manager Rosie Royce explains our programs and the lifestyle change that's at the heart of our patients' success.

Refined Sugar vs. Saturated Fat: What’s More Likely To Cause Heart Disease?

Saturated fats from animal products like meat, poultry and dairy were first blamed for causing high rates of heart disease in the 1950’s, when scientist Ancel Keys observed individuals who ate diets high in saturated fats also had higher rates of heart disease. However, those same individuals were also consuming a lot of refined sugar as well. Most recently, a study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking sugary drinks each day increased dangerous fat in the body and increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, which also lead to a much greater risk of coronary heart disease compared to patients maintaining a healthy diet. Another study found that consuming at least two sugary drinks per day can increase risk of heart failure by 25 percent.

Consuming large quantities of processed sugars such as high fructose corn syrup and table sugars can lead to leptin resistance. What is leptin?  Leptin is a hormone responsible for regulating normal body weight.  The World Health Organization recommends that sugar intake should be kept below 10% of an individual’s total caloric intake, and ideally below 5%.  Learn to read food labels and familiarize yourself with other aliases that “sugar” can lurk within, such as anything ending in "-ose".

Full article here:  http://www.medicaldaily.com/refined-sugar-vs-saturated-fat-whats-more-likely-cause-coronary-heart-disease-369530

CDC says 1 in 5 adolescents and 1 in 4 young adults have prediabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a significant amount of young Americans are now at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The CDC reports that overweight young people were significantly more likely to have prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels, but have not reached the threshold to be considered diabetic).

“The prevalence of prediabetes in adolescents and young adults reinforces the critical need for effective public health strategies that promote healthy eating habits, physical activity, and stress management,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “These lifestyle behaviors can begin early in a child’s life and should continue through adolescence and adulthood to reduce onset of type 2 diabetes.”

The CDC also notes that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy food, and being active.

Link to original article here: https://www.wxyz.com/news/national/cdc-says-1-in-5-adolescents-and-1-in-4-young-adults-have-prediabetes

Did you know that Medical Weight Loss Clinic can help children with healthy lifestyle changes as young as 10 years old? We can! Book a free consultation today https://mwlc.com/book-your-consultation

Holiday Maintenance Tips

MWLC Regional Director Erika, Maria from Grand Rapids clinic and Teressa from Grandville clinic joined EightWest’s Jordan Carson to discuss holiday weight loss and maintenance.

Patrick's Weight Loss Journey

Kalamazoo clinic patient Patrick appears on WOOD-TV's EightWest in Grand Rapids to talk about his weight loss journey with Medical Weight Loss Clinic as someone living with diabetes.

Get Moving: The Importance of Walking and Light Activity

Many people think of exercise as a set time of day when you head to the gym or go outside for a run. While there are many health benefits of vigorous exercise, the truth is other less intense forms of movement matter a great deal, too. According to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, doing plenty of light physical activity throughout the day and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle can make a big difference in preventing disease and improving health as you age.

Here, a look at the science, how many minutes of light physical activity to aim for and how to get started:

THE SCIENCE

Researchers found participants who got the most light physical activity throughout the day had a lower risk of death from heart disease (42%) and a lower chance of developing heart disease all together (22%) compared to those who fell on the lower end of the activity spectrum.

It’s important to note that light physical activity included not only walks around the neighborhood and short bike rides, but also small daily activities that involve movement, such as completing chores around the house, checking the mail and shopping for groceries.

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
According to this study, participants who lowered their risk of coronary heart disease and received the largest boosts to their overall health performed light exercise for 300 minutes (5 hours) per day. Those who were less active averaged about 4 hours, which falls in line with the national averages for elderly Americans who, according to this study, are sedentary for 60% of their waking hours.

Depending on where you fall within these two groups, staying active for 5 hours could seem like a daunting task. However, keep in mind light activity includes almost all the things you do throughout the day, from vacuuming the house to walking the dog.

What’s more, according to the study, just upping your current activity count by 30 minutes to 1 hour per day can pay dividends toward lowering your risk for heart disease by as much as 14%.

HOW TO UP YOUR ACTIVITY LEVELS
Small changes over time yield big gains. Instead of looking at 300 minutes of light activity as impossible, try to increase your current activity by 30 minutes each day for a few weeks, and then try to up that number by another 30 once you’ve gotten used to being more active.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. USE A FITNESS TRACKER
A good fitness tracker like MapMyRun can be a motivating tool to get you up and moving. You can also log your exercise with an Apple iWatch or Fitbit so you can track any movement throughout the day. Get friends involved for some friendly competition to keep motivation high.

2. MAKE SHORT WALKS ROUTINE
Get into the habit of a short, leisurely walk around the block as soon as you wake up. This helps boost your metabolism and gives you more energy to keep moving throughout the day. You can also try a short walk to aid digestion in the evening. Invite your significant other or a friend and use this time to catch up. Park just a little further when you are at the office or running errands with you car. Sometimes, the longer walk can actually save you time from waiting for the space that is closer to your destination to open up.

3. GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR STEPS AT THE OFFICE
Sitting at your desk for long periods of time can increase your risk for obesity, muscular imbalances and other health problems. Instead, get up for a minute every hour, walk to the water cooler and try to go outside for your lunch hour. Some tracking devices such as an iWatch will even notify you when it’s time to get up and move!

4. ADD SMALL AMOUNTS OF STRENGTH TRAINING
Consider adding a set of 10 squats, sit ups or lunges during commercial breaks in front of the TV. Want more of a challenge? Do 11 squats, sit ups or lunges the next day and add 1 for each day following. Planks or push-ups can be modified by using your knees.

Want to get moving WITH us? Come join us this summer at any of our community walk events! https://mwlc.com/events