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Weight Loss

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Your GLP-1 Agonist Outcomes

Healthy habits may improve your weight-loss results when using GLP-1 agonists (such as semaglutide).

Lauren Smith, MAPatricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Updated on April 1, 2026
Featuring Preeti Parikh, MDReviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH | April 1, 2026

GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide have been a groundbreaking tool for weight loss. These medications can be very effective for many people, but a healthy lifestyle is still needed to get the best results. 

Two lifestyle changes you will need to make to meet your treatment goal centers on your diet and moving your body.

When it comes to exercise, experts recommend 150 minutes of activity per week. That could be broken up into 20 minutes of exercise each day. It's OK to take small steps to establish more active habits. You can do this by incorporating movement into activities you already enjoy. 

Some activities that count as aerobic exercise, or cardio, include:

  • Dancing

  • Swimming

  • Brisk walking

  • Playing golf without a cart

  • Cycling on a flat road or stationary bike

As for your diet, keeping things simple can help make these changes sustainable. Focus first on building balanced plates with:

  • Lean proteins, such as fish or poultry

  • Complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains

  • Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflower

  • Healthy fats, such as olive oil or avocados

You can also check with your insurance provider to see if they will cover an appointment with a nutritionist.

Medication paired with these lifestyle changes can help you achieve your health goals long term.

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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