Ozempic-A Tool, NOT a Solution

I have mixed emotions about Ozempic. Different types and dosages of Ozempic—or any GLP-1 product—can affect people differently. Here’s what I like: it jump-starts people and begins a cycle of positive momentum that encourages healthy eating habits. I can’t tell you how many people come into the gym saying, “Now that I’ve lost weight, I want to start building muscle.”

Personally, I don’t think you need to lose weight before starting a gym program—but as long as it’s moving people in a positive direction, I’m all for it.

Another thing I like is that it helps break food addictions—particularly to sugar and processed foods—which is a really hard habit to kick.

Where I get concerned is when I hear about dosages that suppress appetite so much people are eating just one meal a day—or fewer than 500 calories. Consistently getting under 1,000 calories a day can wreak havoc on your metabolism. So if or when the time comes to stop taking Ozempic, your metabolism may be in the dumps, which could lead to gaining back all the weight—and then some.

I also worry about whether the few calories people are eating are protein-rich. If you’re not getting enough protein and you’re not working out, you’ll likely lose fat and muscle almost equally. So, for anyone taking Ozempic, I highly encourage starting a weight training program at the same time to help prevent muscle loss.

There are also a lot of unknowns when it comes to the long-term health effects of Ozempic—which I guess we’ll discover in the future. However, if you’re considered obese, I’d argue that the risk of not losing weight might be greater than the risk of the long-term effects of Ozempic.

So, if I were in your shoes, it might be a risk worth taking—but always consult with your doctor.