What causes weight loss plateaus on GLP-1 medications?

Weight loss plateaus occur as the body adapts metabolically to reduced calorie intake and lower body weight. Adaptive thermogenesis causes metabolism to slow by 10-15% during weight loss. As you lose weight, your body requires fewer calories to maintain itself, so the same calorie deficit produces smaller results. Hormonal adaptations increase hunger hormones (ghrelin) and decrease satiety signals. GLP-1 medications help counteract these effects but don't eliminate them entirely. Plateaus typically occur around months 6-9 and can last weeks to months. Breaking through may require increasing physical activity, optimizing nutrition quality, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, or adjusting medication dose if not at maximum.