Q&A: GLP-1 for Weight Loss: The Science, Side Effects & How to Protect Your Muscles
Release Date: 03/04/2025
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info_outlineAmy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher explore the rise of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss.
They discuss how these drugs work, why muscle mass, not just body weight, is the true marker of health, and why many people who lose weight too quickly end up weaker, not healthier. Tune in to hear the long-term risks of GLP-1 use and how strength training can help you maximize the benefits of GLP-1 medications.
- Dr. Fisher starts by explaining what GLP-1s are and how they work. Originally designed as a treatment for diabetes, GLP-1 medications help regulate blood sugar and insulin production.
- He further adds that their ability to slow digestion and reduce appetite has made them a popular option for weight loss.
- Amy and Dr. Fisher cover why GLP-1s are effective for weight loss.
- Unlike traditional diets that rely on willpower, GLP-1s make you feel full longer by delaying stomach emptying and reducing appetite, leading to natural calorie reduction.
- Dr. Fisher explains why drug companies have shifted their focus from diabetes treatment to weight loss.
- With millions more people struggling with obesity than diabetes, the financial incentive to market GLP-1s as a weight-loss solution is undeniable.
- How many people are using GLP-1s? According to Dr. Fisher, around 7% of U.S. adults have taken or are currently taking GLP-1 medication specifically for weight loss.
- Amy shares why people have always wanted a magic pill for weight loss. People have long searched for an easy way to shed pounds. GLP-1s might be the closest we’ve come, but the big question is, do they really work in the long run?
- If a drug could replicate the benefits of exercise—muscle retention, cardiovascular health, metabolic improvement—everyone would take it. But exercise does far more for the body than just burning calories, and no pill can truly replace it.
- The side effects of GLP-1s. GLP-1 drugs can help with weight loss, but they aren’t without risks. Dr. Fisher explains that users report nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness.
- Dr. Fisher on the long-term effects of being on GLP-1s. While short-term studies show weight loss benefits, there are concerns about long-term muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and potential dependency on the drugs.
- Why GLP-1s cause muscle loss along with fat loss. Rapid weight loss isn’t just about losing fat—it also leads to muscle loss. And without strength training, a significant portion of the weight you lose comes from muscle, which can be disastrous.
- The importance of strength training while losing weight – Dr. Fisher stresses that anyone using weight-loss medication must incorporate strength training. Otherwise, they risk losing lean muscle, which is essential for metabolism, strength, and long-term health.
- Why weight loss alone isn’t a marker of health. Amy explains why weighing less doesn’t necessarily mean being healthier. Muscle mass, strength, and metabolic health are better indicators of overall well-being than just body weight alone.
- The "fat but fit" paradigm – research shows that being overweight but physically strong is healthier than being at a "normal" weight but weak.
- Dr. Fisher goes over the dire consequences of muscle loss. Losing muscle accelerates aging, reduces mobility, and makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight as we grow older.
- The problem with yo-yo dieting--what your personal trainer is not telling you about rapid weight loss.
- Many people regain lost weight within a year, but the worst part is that they don’t regain the muscle they lost. This cycle leaves them with a higher body fat percentage and a lesser muscle mass than before.
- According to Dr. Fisher, if you lose weight but don’t maintain muscle, then regain the weight without rebuilding muscle, you’re in worse shape than before—both physically and metabolically.
- Amy and Dr. Fisher discuss the real metric for fitness success. Instead of focusing on the scale, look at muscle mass and strength as key indicators of progress.
- Dr. Fisher’s advice for anyone considering weight loss drugs: if you’re thinking about taking GLP-1s, make sure you have a plan to preserve muscle. Your personal trainer can guide you on how to use strength training to develop a stronger, fitter, and healthier body.
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