It should come as no surprise that GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionized the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome. These drugs have shown extraordinary promise in regulating appetite, promoting weight loss, and improving blood sugar control. Nearly one in eight adults (twelve percent) have taken a GLP-1 agonist, and forty-three percent of adults diagnosed with diabetes have used these therapies, numbers likely to have increased further in the last year according to a May 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll. However, as more patients stop taking these medications (due to factors such as cost, limited access, side effects, or simply meeting their health goals), this brings to question: Can patients sustain their progress without the help of these drugs?

This question underscores a pivotal shift in our approach to treating obesity and similar conditions. While GLP-1s have shown that metabolic health can be temporarily enhanced through medication, sustained improvement in overall health hinges on establishing long-term, maintainable habits. Digital health tools, such as wearable health trackers, have the potential to play an important role in supporting these habits. By offering continuous biometric data, personalized insights, and subtle yet actionable reminders that encourage healthier behaviors, these technologies can help people realize health improvements both during and after GLP-1 therapy.

Managing the GLP-1 aftermath

Weight regain is a common symptom once GLP-1 therapy is stopped. In the STEP 4 trial, those who ceased semaglutide treatment regained two-thirds of their weight within a year. This highlights the critical role of behavioral support in enhancing the effects of medication.

Further complicating the matter, previous legal restrictions on compounded GLP-1s had limited access to more affordable options. And recent regulatory adjustments or changes in availability have led some patients to still face challenges in finding suitable alternatives, underscoring the importance of sustainable, non-pharmacologic support.

Looking at the essential foundations of metabolic balance

While diet modification and exercise are often touted as being instrumental in weight management, factors such as stress, sleep, and recovery are often overlooked. Getting fewer than seven hours of sleep a night can lead to higher insulin resistance, increased appetite (by as much as thirty percent), and poorer glucose regulation, according to most studies. On the contrary, nine or more hours of sleep may disrupt metabolic function, impeding the body’s ability to process food for energy.

The good news is that poor sleep hygiene is not a one-way street. Metabolic health can be restored with as little as two nights of proper sleep, although chronic deprivation requires longer recovery. Understanding the science behind sleep debt is key, as well as developing good sleep hygiene habits before or during GLP-1 treatment to maximize long-term benefits.

Wearables enhance daily health commitments

To sustain meaningful changes in one’s overall health, consistency and continued timely feedback are essential. While wearables cannot replace the expertise and empathy of a clinician, they can offer continuous, personalized insights and actionable guidance that encourages healthier behaviors. Wearables, like Oura Ring, see impressive engagement rates, with members interacting with and checking their app upwards of three times daily. This ongoing feedback loop plays a key role in supporting long-term changes.

Wearables can also improve adherence to exercise and weight loss goals, according to one study. For those discontinuing GLP-1 medications, wearables can track fluctuations in appetite, energy, and other physiological changes, providing real-time data that helps individuals adjust their lifestyle accordingly. For example, the Oura Ring sets daily activity goals and delivers subtle, personalized reminders regarding sleep patterns, stress levels, and other biometric data.

Connecting lifestyle and clinical care

Stopping GLP-1s is more than discontinuing a medication; it is a lifestyle shift. The appetite-regulating and metabolic effects of the drugs can often obscure deeper behavioral patterns. Once the medication is stopped, these vulnerabilities tend to resurface, and the need for continued support becomes critical.

Current health care systems are not designed to offer 24/7 monitoring of behaviors such as sleep, stress, or physical activity. And, the amount of clinical intervention required to fully understand patterns is costly, requiring significant expense of time and resources. This is where wearables can provide supplemental value, offering continuous insights that traditional care models often cannot. When worn consistently, wearables can detect shifts in sleep quality, heart rate variability, and stress levels, all signals that patients may need additional support. These devices can even integrate with continuous glucose monitors, creating a fuller picture of how day-to-day behaviors affect metabolic health.

The true power of wearables lies not just in tracking, but in fostering long-term, real change. Integrating insights from wearables with evidence-based interventions—such as sleep coaching, stress recovery programs, or therapies for emotional eating—can help individuals make the leap from passive data collection to active, sustainable health management.

Looking ahead: a collaborative future for metabolic health

I envision a world where metabolic health is no longer solely dependent on medications. Instead, we will see a more integrated model that combines pharmacological interventions with personalized, data-driven behavioral support and digital health technologies to promote lasting health. It is crucial we bring together clinicians, technologists, and patients to create a new ecosystem for metabolic care, one that is more sustainable, more affordable, and more accessible. The goal is not just to manage weight, but to provide individuals with the tools they need to live healthier, more resilient lives. It is an exciting time, and I look forward to working with like-minded innovators to make this vision a reality.

Ricky Bloomfield is a physician executive.