Hi
I know a lot of people are excited about weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound. As the medications have skyrocketed in popularity, some people saw them as an easy solution to their weight issues.
They truly are effective and help many people lose weight quickly because they inhibit hunger and regulate blood sugar. You feel full
faster and longer, so you want to eat less.
But while they usually work powerfully, they warrant a word of caution, too. (I’ll even leave the conversation about potential side effects for another day)
Actually, today what I’ll share is not so much caution as seeing an opportunity to understand how your body works – and even to combine principles about exercise and diet in one.
If you and your doctor have decided this is a path for you,
please remember this: You will need to practice strength training and to consume enough protein every day. You don’t want to lose muscle mass or bone density, which can happen with rapid weight loss.
Strength training is important for everyone throughout life. People naturally lose a certain percentage of muscle mass as they age, starting in the 30s, unless they work to maintain it.
Consuming enough protein goes hand in hand with this. Some people using this
class of drugs find it a challenge to eat enough, at least in the early stages, because they don’t seem to be hungry.
But they still need to consume enough calories and nutrients from a well-balanced diet - including protein from a range of sources. I always recommend at least 1g of protein for every pound of body weight.
You can supplement your meals with protein drinks. But be careful those aren’t jacked up with sugar or that you rely on them too
much.
This is a helpful reminder to some of you - and a headline to others.
Regardless, I’m here to help you stay focused on hitting your goals on both strength training and protein. It’s all about maintaining a healthier body composition and the weight loss will be more sustainable in the long term.
Love Nicki xx
