Popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are at the frontline of combating obesity in this country. With the recent Biden/Harris proposal allowing these products to be covered by Medicare/Medicaid, more of the population will have access to and begin using these drugs. It is therefore important to understand the benefits and risks of these products and if you are going to use them, how to do so effectively. To be upfront and honest, it is my personal belief that these drugs can be used positively, however the vast majority of people could benefit from a simple diet and exercise regimen instead.
How do they work? Popular weight loss drugs work by intercepting and shutting down your hunger hormone, making it extremely effective. One of the biggest issues people face is uncontrollably eating processed foods and by shutting down the appetite hormone, people are less likely to do that, putting them into a caloric deficit which initiates weight loss. Something to consider is that these products are NOT MEANT to be used for long periods of time… meaning at some point those downregulated appetite hormones are going to turn back on and they are going to be ravenous. Understanding this process and realizing that the hunger cues will be there and will most likely be very intense when first coming off of the drugs is an important side effect to anticipate.
Second, it is important to understand the difference between weight loss and fat loss. Your body is the perfect machine. When you are in a caloric deficit, your body will lose weight, but it does not distinguish between fat and muscle. What that means is you could lose 20-30lbs and become fatter. Think about that. You could lose 20lbs but go from 20% body fat to 22% body fat because you lost muscle mass instead of body fat. That is why it is IMPERATIVE that you incorporate strength training into your weekly regimen while using the weight loss drugs. Heavy resistance training sends a hormonal signal to your body that you are using muscles, and therefore when the body decides where to remove the weight, it comes from body fat and not muscle mass. Muscle mass is also what gives your body shape, you will notice yourself becoming “flat” (male and female) if you lose weight without incorporating strength training.
Products like Ozempic and Wegovy are extremely helpful for people who are morbidly obese, have a severe medical issue, or genuinely don’t know where to start and need some help. Your best course of action is to develop a plan for an overhaul of your lifestyle and movement habits while in conjunction with these drugs. You need to engage in resistance training to keep the muscle mass you have and to facilitate body fat loss. You should also formulate a plan of attack for food when you come off. Learning to eat nutritiously and learning what you need for your body is of vital importance to keep the weight off when removing yourself from the drugs. I would encourage anyone reading this to find a knowledgeable trainer for weightlifting and a knowledgeable nutritionist to formulate a plan around your food.
Ozempic and Wegovy are tools in the toolbox to be used when appropriate.
