GLP‑1 Off‑Ramp: Keep Results with a Weighted‑Vest Load‑Replacement Plan
Why You Need an “Off‑Ramp”
GLP‑1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide are powerful—yet as many as 36 % of patients regain a quarter of their lost weight within 12 months of stopping and 1 in 5 regain it all. Axios
Regain happens partly because dieting and appetite suppression strip away calorie‑burning lean mass, slowing resting metabolic rate (RMR). Peter Attia
A brand‑new pilot randomized control trial on weight loss and weighted vests offers a potential solution: older adults who wore a weighted vest during a 6‑month diet halved weight regain and preserved resting metabolic rate ("RMR") two years later.
The same strategy could turn your GLP‑1 exit into a glide path instead of a crash.
How the Weighted‑Vest “Load‑Replacement” Method Helps
| GLP‑1 Challenge | Vest Counter‑Move |
|---|---|
| Appetite and activity rebound | External load raises calorie cost of every step or chore. |
| Muscle & RMR loss | Sustained mechanical stress preserves lean tissue and stopped the –237 kcal d⁻¹ RMR drop seen in diet‑only controls. |
| Psychological “scale creep” | Weekly weight‑adjustment make progress tangible and self‑reinforcing. |
Suggested 6‑Week GLP‑1 Off‑Ramp Protocol
| Week | Vest Load (% Body‑Weight) | Daily Wear Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‑2 to 0 (still on drug) | 5 % | 4 h | Build habit before taper. |
| 1–2 | 7 % | 6 h | Match lost pounds 1:1. |
| 3–4 | 10 % | 8 h | Transition fully off injections here. |
| 5–6 | 12 – 15 % | ≥ 8 h | Add strength or ruck sessions. |
| 7+ | Maintain 10 – 15 % | ≥ 6 h | Re‑weigh monthly & adjust. |
Choose the vest that fits your ceiling—FIT to 10 %, ELITE to 15 %, PRO to 20 %.
Exercise Stack (Optional but Powerful)
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Zone‑2 walk / ruck: 30–45 min 3× week wearing the vest (boosts calorie burn ≈ 13 % at 10 % BW).
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Full‑body strength: 2× week; keep vest on for push‑ups, lunges, rows for muscle.
Real‑World Scenarios
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Cost‑Driven Stop: Can’t afford $1k+/month scripts? Start the vest at least two weeks before your last dose.
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Side‑Effect Pause: Nausea making workouts impossible? A low‑profile FIT at 5 % BW quietly maintains load without stressing the GI tract.
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Athletic Upgrade: Already training? Use a PRO capped at 20 % BW to convert calorie‑sparing weight loss into performance gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start wearing the vest?
Ideally 2 weeks before your final GLP‑1 injection so your body “expects” the extra load during the taper.
Will the vest interfere with injections?
No—steel bars sit on the torso, far from common thigh/abdomen injection sites. Just un‑zip for dosing.
What if I’m still losing weight off‑drug?
Great! Keep replacing lost pounds with vest weight up to your target ceiling, then maintain.
Ready to protect your progress?
Pick the Hyper Vest that fits your goals, follow the 6‑week ladder, and step off GLP‑1s with confidence.
Take the Vest Match Quiz →
