There’s a new weight-loss buzz in Aotearoa, and it’s not another detox tea or cabbage soup diet. It’s Wegovy: a GLP-1 medication recently approved and now available in New Zealand. It’s been hailed as a “game-changer” for weight loss, but with great buzz comes great responsibility. So, what exactly is Wegovy? How does it work? Is it safe? And is this the future of fat loss or just another fleeting fad?
Let’s dig in.
What is Wegovy?
Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide, a medication originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes under the name Ozempic. It’s part of a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1). In simple terms, it mimics a hormone in your body that:
- Increases feelings of fullness
- Slows down digestion
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- Reduces appetite
The version used for weight loss (Wegovy) is given at a higher weekly dose than Ozempic and is specifically indicated for people who are overweight or obese, particularly those with related health conditions like high blood pressure or cholesterol.
How Does It Work for Fat Loss?
Semaglutide tricks your body into feeling full. It acts on the areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation, which means people taking it often find themselves naturally eating less. This, over time, leads to weight loss, often quite significant.
In the landmark STEP 1 trial (NEJM, 2021), participants taking 2.4 mg semaglutide weekly lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight over 68 weeks, compared to just 2.4% in the placebo group.
Another long-term study, the STEP 5 trial (Nature Medicine, 2022), followed participants over 104 weeks and showed sustained weight loss of 15.2%, with over one-third of participants losing 20% or more of their body weight.
There’s even emerging evidence that semaglutide may help improve cardiovascular health, according to the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial (NEJM, 2023), especially for people who are overweight but don’t have diabetes.
Arguments For Using Wegovy
✅ Effective: Clinical results speak volumes. It can help those who’ve tried everything else without success.
✅ Motivating: Seeing the scale shift can boost confidence and kickstart other healthy behaviours.
✅ Health benefits: Weight loss can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
✅ Support for those with genuine barriers: Some people have physiological or psychological barriers that make weight loss very difficult — this tool could help.
Arguments Against Using Wegovy
❌ Not a magic fix: You still need to focus on movement, nutrition, sleep and stress. The drug helps reduce intake, but doesn’t teach sustainable habits.
❌ Side effects: Common ones include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, and headaches. In some cases, people report fatigue, dizziness, or gallbladder issues. A full list is available in the Novo Nordisk safety summary.
❌ Cost & access: It’s not cheap, and unless subsidised for diabetes, people are paying out-of-pocket.
❌ What happens when you stop? Studies show that many people regain weight after stopping, unless lifestyle changes are firmly in place.
❌ Long-term unknowns: While it’s been studied and used safely for diabetes, long-term safety data for high-dose use in a healthy population is still emerging.
Is It Here to Stay or Just a Fad?
This isn’t another fad like keto gummies or lemon detoxes. GLP-1 medications are a legit scientific development, and their use is growing globally. But will it be for everyone? No.
Expect to see it stick around in medical circles, particularly for people with a clinical need. But as a mass-market fat-loss fix? That depends on how it’s integrated, or misused, by the public and influencers.
How to Use Wegovy Safely (If At All)
If you’re thinking of using it, here’s what a safe, responsible approach might look like:
🔸 Get a proper prescription: Avoid unregulated online sellers or social media “coaches” dishing it out. Work with a GP or specialist.
🔸 Commit to a lifestyle change alongside it: That means regular movement (resistance and cardio), quality food choices, managing stress and getting good sleep.
🔸 Work with a coach or health pro: Someone like a PT, dietitian or health coach who can help you build habits to carry you long after you stop the drug.
🔸 Start slowly and listen to your body: Many side effects can be reduced by easing in and focusing on hydration, fibre, and smaller meals.
🔸 Check your mindset: Are you seeing this as a tool to support behaviour change, or hoping for an easy fix?
Where Exercise and Nutrition Still Matter
No matter what the drug does for appetite, your metabolic health, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, bone strength, heart function, is heavily influenced by:
- Resistance training
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Nutrient-dense food choices
- Social connection and mental wellbeing
Wegovy may shrink your body, but it won’t build strong muscles or teach you how to eat well when you’re no longer on it. Those are skills worth learning.
Final Thoughts
Wegovy can be a powerful tool in the right hands, especially for people with genuine need and solid support. But it’s not a replacement for healthy habits, it’s a bridge. Whether it becomes a long-term option or a stepping stone depends on how we choose to use it.
If you’re considering it, do it with care, clarity and support, and always keep the bigger picture of health in mind.
Want help navigating sustainable fat loss with or without meds?
Book a free 20-minute consult and let’s talk about what long-term success actually looks like for you.