Most people using a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro are unknowingly risking the one thing that’s hardest to get back once it’s gone: muscle.
Even back in the days when slimming world, weight watchers or the likes were more prevalent this was always the biggest risk. This drug now is essentially just speeding up that process and I think for the right person, GLP-1s are hugely valuable but the misuse and long term expectations are the biggest danger.
As with most short term success, there’s a long term trade off..and vice versa.
The medication itself doesn’t burn fat.
It reduces your appetite and quietens the food noise, making it easier to eat less. That’s what drives the weight loss. Eating less.
But without proper strength training and enough protein, your body doesn’t just lose fat..it loses muscle too. When you lose muscle it makes it harder longer term for you to ‘tone up’ or gain lean muscle tissue. The more muscle you have the easier it is longer term.
Research has shown that a significant percentage of weight lost while taking GLP-1 medications can come from lean muscle tissue. The muscle that may have taken years to build can disappear in a matter of months if you’re not taking the right steps to preserve it.
Here’s the part many people aren’t warned about:
Most people don’t stay on these medications forever.
Over the last 20-30 years the slimming club was never the issue.
The issue was do-ability longer term. You can’t count points forever, heck although a more accurate way of doing it…you can’t count calories forever.
Will drive you nuts.
So when ANYTHING stops, appetite often returns, and so can the weight.
Unfortunately, the muscle lost during the process doesn’t automatically come back.
Many people regain fat faster than they rebuild muscle, leaving them with a higher body fat percentage and a physique that’s less healthy and less functional than when they started.
The good news?
It doesn’t have to happen.
Studies have shown that when people combine GLP-1 medications with a structured strength training programme and adequate daily protein intake, they can preserve the vast majority of their muscle while still achieving excellent fat loss results.
Same medication.
Completely different outcome.
Whether you’re considering a GLP-1 medication, currently taking one, or want to make sure you’re getting the best possible results, strength training shouldn’t be seen as something to kick down the road or an option for when you feel better. It needs to be a necessity.
The goal I would like for anyone undertaking anything should be losing fat while maintaining the muscle that keeps you strong, healthy, and able to sustain your results long term.
If you’re currently using Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or a similar medication and would like guidance on how to preserve muscle while maximising fat loss, simply reply to this email and we’d be happy to help.
Dan 😃
