Once you become a WeightWatchers member, you will answer a few questions in the app and tell us if you are taking a weight-loss medication. Based on your answer, you may be able to follow the GLP-1 Program.

While the Points Program gives members a Points Budget, the GLP-1 Program focuses on three daily nutrition targets: protein, fruits and veggies, and water. Both programs include activity targets, but the GLP-1 Program target is daily. What’s not different: The award-winning WW app filled with recipe and meal inspo, trackers, and behavior-change tips. Plus, a strong support system of expert WW coaches and fellow members.

GLP-1s aren’t all the same. First-gen GLP-1s have a smaller impact on appetite and food noise than second-gen GLP-1s. As a result, they lead to less weight loss. The GLP-1 Program was specifically designed to help those taking a second-gen GLP-1. People taking a first-gen GLP-1 should use our Points Program since it helps support weight loss with the milder reduction in appetite brought on by those meds.

While GLP-1s are prescribed to manage weight and diabetes, the GLP-1 Program is designed for those taking them for weight management. People living with diabetes need a program that takes their condition into account, like our Diabetes Program. It encourages members to weigh, measure, and track the foods that may have the biggest impact on blood sugar levels. It also provides a list of ZeroPoint® foods that align with guidelines from the American Diabetes Association.

GLP-1s are prescription meds that mimic a naturally-occurring hormone. They were originally used to help control blood sugar and manage type 2 diabetes, but they have also been found to lead to weight loss. At the moment, there are three GLP-1s approved by the FDA for weight management: liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound).

We’ve always been dedicated to following the science of weight loss. As the medical community’s understanding of obesity has changed, so has the approach to treating it. For some, the Points Program works on its own. Others may need a lifestyle program and prescription weight-management medication. WeightWatchers will continue supporting all of our members.

No. It’s true that some people may benefit from pairing prescription weight-management medications with our program. But for many others, they’re successful on the Points Program alone.

No. The program is designed for everyone managing their weight with a second-generation GLP-1, no matter who their prescription provider is. If you already have a healthcare provider guiding your treatment, there’s no need to switch. If you’re still looking for one, WeightWatchers Clinic can connect you with board-certified clinicians trained in obesity medicine.

Everyone has the same targets for fruits and veggies (four servings per day), hydration (8 cups per day), and activity (30 minutes per day). That said, protein targets may be different since they are individualized based on what you weigh at the beginning of the program (0.8g of protein per 1 kg starting body weight). Ultimately, when it comes to your diet, always follow the recommendations as provided by your healthcare provider.

Everyone’s daily target is 30 minutes. This helps you work towards the expert recommendation of at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and strength training at least twice a week.

The GLP-1 Go-to Food list is made up of foods that form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern–especially for those taking prescription weight-management medications. It includes foods high in protein, as well as fruits and vegetables to help you reach your nutrition targets. Find it in the What to Eat tab.

Members on the GLP-1 Program will receive complimentary access to tailored Virtual Workshops. You can access these through "Find a Workshop" in the WW app or here. There’s also a Connect group called “GLP-1 Program” where you can interact with others interested in GLP-1s.

Right now, seven medications are approved by the FDA: bupropion-naltrexone (brand name: Contrave), semaglutide (brand name: Wegovy), liraglutide, (brand name: Saxenda), orlistat (brand names: Alli and Xenical), phentermine-topiramate (brand name: Qysmia), phentermine, and tirzepatide (brand name: Zepbound).

Ozempic is the brand name for a form of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide; right now it’s only FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. That said, some physicians do prescribe it off-label for weight management. A higher-dose version of semaglutide, under the brand name Wegovy, is FDA-approved to treat obesity.

We’ll leave medication recommendations to medical experts. You should consult with a healthcare provider—whether a general practitioner or a clinician from WeightWatchers Clinic—to determine which, if any, chronic weight-management medications may be right for you.

It depends on the medication and the type of insurance you have. Newer generation medications can be very expensive ($900-$1200 a month in the US for out-of-pocket costs), and insurance companies vary greatly on whether and how much they cover.

The FDA has approved these medications for individuals living with obesity—defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30—and also individuals with a BMI over 27 who have a qualifying health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

The quickie answer: most suppress your appetite. They do this by targeting your brain and gut to manage hunger and signal feelings of fullness.

Weight loss varies across medications, ranging from 5% to 15%, with newer medications producing the more significant results.

The consensus of the medical community—including both researchers and healthcare providers—is that lifestyle factors like food, activity, sleep, and mindset form the foundation for any weight-loss treatment, including prescription medication and even surgery. For people whose biology makes losing weight more challenging, medications help level the playing field—but they can’t make you eat healthier or move more or shift your mindset. Thus, experts say that these medications should be used as an adjunct to a lifestyle modification program.

These medications are designed to treat a chronic disease—obesity—and you have to take them long-term, alongside a lifestyle modification program, to optimize weight loss and health.

All medications have side effects, and your healthcare provider should go over them if and when you discuss medication options. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, with most patients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms that are relatively short-term. More serious side effects are also possible, but far less common.