Disclaimer: It’s important to consult with your physician before taking any GLP-1 analogs or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists. This article is only meant to provide a personal trainer’s perspective on GLP-1 drugs but is not to be considered medical advice.
It might be one of the most controversial topics in the fitness industry, sparking heated debates as to whether it’s considered “cheating”. Yes, we’re talking about drugs based on GLP-1 analogs or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists – better known by their mainstream names, Ozempic and Wegovy.
And while these drugs were initially used to battle diabetes, it was discovered that they can help with overall weight loss. But is it wrong, or more importantly, dangerous? Some argue that these drugs are a no-go, while others hail them as the new solution to the obesity crisis and a path to long-term fitness for all.
The truth? It depends on your situation. And it’s not up to a personal trainer, but a medical professional to determine if and how a drug like Ozempic will be used. Ultimately, a trainer's job is to inform, support, and guide their client toward their goals.
We’ve reached out to our expert trainer, Christian Soetebier, to give his take on GLP-1s and explore both sides of the debate.
The good and bad about Ozempic and related drugs
The good
First, let’s look at how GLP-1 drugs impact the body. To put it simply, they mimic a hormone of the human body that tends to be less active in those with excessive weight or people with obesity.
A GLP-1 drug helps release insulin (which in turn reduces blood sugar) and suppresses appetite. This works, in part, by delaying the emptying of the stomach's contents, which makes you feel full longer.
It therefore reduces the risk of damage caused by high blood sugar levels, such as inflammation and increased blood pressure, often seen in pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals.
The appetite-suppressing effect, in particular, makes it easier to eat less without experiencing that intense hunger – a key reason so many people looking to lose weight “fall off the wagon”.
Plus, since taking a drug requires little effort or exertion (unlike exercise), adherence is significantly higher. It doesn’t take a lot of willpower compared to hitting the gym or prepping a low-calorie meal.
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The not-so-good
While there are benefits to taking GLP-1 drugs, that’s not to say there aren’t risks involved. As with any drug, there can be a host of side effects such as:
- Digestive issues like nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, and other problems related to low blood pressure
- Potential allergic reactions such as swelling, rashes, or itching, or even problems with swallowing or breathing
- Cold-like symptoms
If you’re taking a GLP-1 drug, be on the lookout for any adverse symptoms and get in touch with your medical professional as soon as they appear. If you’re working with a coach or personal trainer, make sure to let them know immediately if you’re unsure or feeling unwell during a training session.
With the right treatment plan and supervision by a healthcare and obesity specialist, these issues can be managed. Listen to your body and take action when needed.
When does it make sense to take these drugs?
The decision whether or not to take a new drug like Ozempic, unfortunately, isn’t so straightforward.
We may sound like a broken record here, but as with all things health and wellness, it’s 100% individual and the decision should be made together with your healthcare provider. There’s no blanket recommendation, even if you’re slightly overweight.
However, there are cases where using a drug to support weight loss can make a lot of sense. Take, for example, if you’re someone who has genuinely tried making significant lifestyle changes – you’re cutting out highly processed foods and prioritizing whole foods like fruits and vegetables, exercising – but still fall short. Not because of a lack of effort but the nature of obesity as a multifactorial disease.
And speaking from an “in the trenches” perspective, what if you’re simply too deep into the downward spiral that is obesity? Your energy levels are zapped and your willpower is drained. Even small dietary changes or the simplest workout routine are no longer sustainable.
In these cases, drugs like Ozempic can open a window of opportunity for you to get started and keep going in the right direction.
Risk management and sustainability
Weight loss medications aren’t just a bandaid. They provide an opportunity for people who want to lose weight and improve their health – and with minimal effort.
And while it’s a great way to bring people to a sort of health baseline, taking drugs like Ozempic long-term is not sustainable. As discussed above, GLP-1 drugs come with a lot of risky side effects and they shouldn’t be seen as a permanent solution for weight management.
Without any lifestyle changes, any progress made on these medications can quickly disappear. What happens if the drugs are suddenly discontinued?
That’s why it’s imperative to address the root cause of weight gain. GLP-1 drugs may be effective in reducing the symptoms related to diabetes and aid in weight loss, but they fail to address the why behind the weight gain in the first place.
Often, it all boils down to lifestyle, and people remain stuck in this unhealthy cycle because of other physiological factors that make it difficult to break free.
Even though it might be tempting when weight loss happens effortlessly, GLP-1 drugs shouldn’t be taken in a silo. They should be paired with meaningful and sustainable lifestyle changes, helping to build healthy habits and prevent sliding back into old routines that were holding you and your health back.
The best part? Once changes to your diet and exercise routine become second nature, they’ll help you maintain the results of the drug long after you’ve stopped taking it.
Let’s recap
Risky? Cheating? Worth it? Truth is, the use of new drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss isn’t so black and white.
The reality is that these types of drug interventions can be powerful new tools when used in the right hands for the right individuals who may have exerted all the “traditional” and sustainable paths to weight loss out there.
GLP-1 drugs are easy to use and require minimal effort, but they also come with increased risks of their own – mostly addressing the symptoms of obesity but not the root cause. At the end of the day, the best approach to weight loss is simply going back to the basics: eating a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
By focusing on building small new healthy habits step-by-step, you can turn what once felt like an impossible mountain to climb into a weight loss journey that’s within reach.