Expert Q&A

I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the weighing scale, I am feeling demotivated, can anyone guide me, isn’t mounjaro for me on a low-carb or ketogenic diet

Why No Scale Drop in Week 2 on 2.5mg Mounjaro Is Common

As the expert behind the CFP Weight Loss method, I've guided thousands through similar frustrations. At 2.5mg, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) primarily works on blood sugar control and appetite signals rather than rapid fat loss. Many see 1-3 pounds lost in the first 14 days, but water retention, hormonal shifts around age 45-54, and initial metabolic adaptation can mask progress. Your body is adjusting to reduced calories without you even tracking them—trust the process before weighing daily.

Combining Mounjaro with Low-Carb or Ketogenic Diets

Low-carb or ketogenic diets pair exceptionally well with Mounjaro because both enhance insulin sensitivity. Aim for 20-50g net carbs daily on keto to stay in ketosis, which can accelerate fat burning once the medication's full effects kick in around weeks 4-8. Track ketones with urine strips or a blood meter to confirm. Avoid strict calorie cuts below 1,500 daily; Mounjaro already suppresses hunger, so focus on protein (100g+) and healthy fats like avocado and olive oil to preserve muscle and ease joint pain.

Practical Strategies to Overcome Demotivation and Plateaus

Measure non-scale victories: tighter clothes, lower blood pressure readings, or steadier energy despite diabetes management. Walk 20 minutes daily post-meal instead of intense gym sessions that flare joint issues—consistency beats intensity. In my CFP Weight Loss approach, we emphasize simple meal templates: eggs with spinach for breakfast, grilled chicken salad for lunch, and salmon with broccoli for dinner. No complex plans needed. If insurance barriers or past diet failures loom, remember Mounjaro often qualifies under diabetes codes; consult your provider for titration to 5mg after four weeks if tolerated.

Addressing Hormonal Changes and Long-Term Success

Perimenopausal hormonal fluctuations make weight loss harder, but Mounjaro's dual GLP-1/GIP action helps regulate them better than diet alone. Stay hydrated (3 liters daily) to combat constipation and false plateaus. Reassess in week 4—clinical trials show average 15-20% body weight loss over 72 weeks at higher doses. You're not failing; this is early adaptation. Focus on sustainable habits from CFP Weight Loss to maintain results even if medication changes. You've taken the hardest step by starting—keep going with patience and data over emotion.

💬 What the Community Says

Users on forums like Reddit's r/Mounjaro and diabetes support groups report similar experiences in the first two weeks at 2.5mg, with many noting zero scale movement despite strict low-carb or keto eating. The general sentiment is one of initial discouragement that often lifts by week 4-6 as appetite suppression strengthens and doses increase. Most share stories of losing inches or seeing blood sugar improvements before pounds drop, especially those managing joint pain or hormonal issues. A common debate centers on whether keto accelerates results or causes more fatigue early on—opinions split evenly, with some swearing by 30g carbs daily and others preferring moderate low-carb for sustainability. Beginners frequently mention feeling embarrassed about slow starts but find encouragement in non-scale victories like better energy and clothing fit. Overall, the community emphasizes patience, warning against daily weigh-ins, and highlights that past diet failures don't predict Mounjaro outcomes when combined with realistic expectations.
Clark, R. (2026). I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the w. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/i-am-on-my-second-week-of-mounjaro-2-5-mg-dose-but-there-is-no-drop-on-the-weighing-scale-i-am-feeling-demotivated-can-anyone-guide-me-isn-t-mounjaro-for-me-on-a-low-carb-or-ketogenic-diet
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Can you take vitamin D with a tbsp of oil on an extended water fast for people with insulin resistance during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs — what the research actually says? ▸ Got diagnosed today, where do i go from here — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ These electrolyte tabs, how often — evidence-based answer for CFP patients specifically for women over 40? 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ Can autophagy regenerate muscle during physically active prolonged fast and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ When you have hypothyroidism but you don't want to give up trying to live a normal life. 🥲 when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ How many were first diagnosed with OCD for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Does drinking Sparkling Ice (flavored sparkling water - 5 calories per bottle) during my fasting window break my fast and the role of cortisol and stress hormones during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Amylopectin A — The specific starch found in modern wheat that causes rapid, dangerous spikes in blood glucose and promotes belly fat st… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Fitter or kidding myself: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What are some things you loved from your childhood that you (virtually) never see/experience anymore during the weight loss plateau phase on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ What happens when Has anyone here experienced skin benefits from autophagy for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Can chicken and beef tallow replace beef for people with insulin resistance: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What is your immediate go to for some relief during ha — what most people get wrong about this — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ How much protein should I eat if I weigh 280 pounds and want to cut a 100 pounds of fat off of my body? 📖 Hidden Hunger — A state where the body is overfed but undernourished, leading to constant cravings because the brain isn't receiving the… ▸ What are the scientific ways to promote autophagy on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Weight loss without GLP-1 — what does the research actually say while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ How long does it take to Is Autophagy? 8 Amazing Benefits Of Fasting That Will Save Your Life: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. ▸ Should I be worried yet, been sitting for 5 days no movement while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ The cost of meat is soaring, especially beef. What are y’all doing to stay on budget on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this — what the research actually says? 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Im eating so well that I accidently put my body in ketosis and how it connects to gut health and inflammation and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Sugar free 2020, who's with me — what most people get wrong about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ These electrolyte tabs, how often — evidence-based answer for CFP patients while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Are people who get no effect just using bad product for people with insulin resistance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances — what the research actually says? 📖 Metabolic Flexibility — The body’s ability to efficiently switch between burning carbohydrates and burning stored body fat based on availability… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Does mental health predict diabetes as much as BMI? Interesting ML study results: how to talk to your doctor about this for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ What is a super quick "Mix some of this in" to make coconut oil (purely in liquid form) taste ok to make it easy to consume: how to talk to your doctor about this during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Why is almost all the focus in treating PCOS on fertility: what to track and how to measure progress while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ How does autophagy only happen whilst we sleep for sustainable results when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ I am on my second week of mounjaro (2.5 mg dose ), but there is no drop on the weighing scale, I am feeling demotivated, can anyone guide me, isn’t mounjaro for me for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ What to do if you have to eat late dinners?? How to process the dinner quicker so I'm not burping all night long while doing intermittent fasting and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 The Clark Protocol — Our evidence-based framework that combines clinical nurse practitioner expertise with personal experience to solve the o… ▸ Sugar free 2020, who's with me — what most people get wrong about this: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Do yall ever daydream of who you were before your diagnosis when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Do you guys eat 100% clean all the time — what does the research actually say for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Traveling with IBS-D to a 5-day conference in San Diego: how do you manage food — what most people get wrong about this during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Good calorie amount? Advice to get high volume low cal and more protein when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ If a random dance partner app existed .. would you try it: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 Smart Cycling — The strategic alternating of medication doses with planned 'off' periods to prevent receptor desensitization and ensure … ▸ I wanted to ask what is the science behind not allowing any fat during the fat burning phase like how critical is it if I ever had a tiny bit of half-and-half or a tiny bit of olive oil? Is it really do something to the body. ▸ How long until I start losing weight this way — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances?