By April Marasco
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May 3, 2024
In the quest for weight loss in menopause, weight loss for diabetes, reducing hormonal weight gain or simply looking to lose some fat, many individuals turn to pharmaceutical aids like Ozempic and other GLP Agonists. While these drugs promise quick results, it's essential to understand their limitations and potential risks, especially when compared to safer but slower alternatives. At Ideal Nutrition Weight Loss Clinic our fat loss coaches teach the Ideal Protein Protocol, and we advocate for holistic, yet medically backed approaches that prioritize sustainable lifestyle changes over quick fixes, and here's why: How Does Ozempic and GLP Agonists Work? I bet you’ve searched for the best diet plan for weight loss and maybe somewhere in your searches you’ve come across weight loss drugs. Ozempic (a type of semaglutide which is just medical speak for a type of drug) and other GLP Agonists belong to a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. They work by acting like a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control blood sugar by increasing insulin and reducing glucagon, as well as slowing down how fast your stomach empties. These drugs can also cause weight loss, so they're sometimes used to help with obesity, even though they're not officially approved for that purpose. Weight Loss… But At What Cost? While the prospect of fast weight loss may seem appealing, it's crucial to recognize the drawbacks of relying solely on pharmaceutical interventions for weight loss. Research has shown that extreme weight loss, such as that induced by Ozempic, GLP Agonists or other weight loss drugs, can lead to the loss of substantial lean muscle mass along with the fat mass. This might actually be doing more harm than good on the inside because our lean muscle mass is the organ that helps us keep our weight off long-term! In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, researchers found that individuals treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, experienced a notable reduction in lean body mass compared to those who did not receive the medication. Lean body mass includes muscles, bones, organs, and other non-fat tissues in the body. Losing muscle mass can have detrimental effects on metabolism because muscles are metabolically active tissues that burn calories even when you're at rest. Muscle loss from GLP-1 receptor agonists can slow down your metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight loss over time. This is because a lower muscle mass means your body burns fewer calories, making it easier to regain lost weight. Additionally, maintaining muscle mass is important for overall health and function. Reduced muscle mass can lead to decreased strength, mobility, and increased risk of injury. It's important to note that while GLP-1 receptor agonists can be effective for weight loss, they may also cause muscle loss as a side effect. This highlights the importance of combining medication with other strategies such as exercise and strength training to preserve muscle mass and support long-term weight management. Working with a weight management program or medical weight loss clinic can provide guidance on incorporating these strategies into your lifestyle for optimal results. Maintaining Weight Loss After Taking Ozempic: While Ozempic and GLP Agonists may offer initial weight loss benefits, they do not address the underlying behaviors and habits that contribute to weight gain in the first place. Without addressing these root causes, individuals may struggle to maintain their weight loss over time and may be at risk for regaining lost weight faster once they discontinue the medication. In contrast, adopting a comprehensive approach to faster weight loss (like the Ideal Protein Diet) that includes personalized coaching and support, can empower individuals to make lasting changes that promote long-term success. By focusing on building confidence through healthy habits and getting educated about nutrition, our local weight loss clinic aims to help clients achieve their health goals in a way that prioritizes their overall well-being. Here are some key strategies to help you keep the weight off even after stopping the medication: 1. Focus on Building Muscle: After discontinuing Ozempic, it's essential to focus on building and maintaining muscle mass. Resistance training exercises such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises can help preserve lean muscle tissue and prevent the loss of metabolism-boosting muscle mass. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue. By incorporating strength training into your routine, you can increase your resting metabolic rate, making it easier to maintain weight loss. Consider working with a fat loss coach to develop a personalized diet plan for weight loss and muscle maintenance. 2. Adopt a Balanced Diet: Transition to a balanced, nutrient-dense diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid restrictive diets or extreme calorie-cutting, as these can lead to rebound weight gain. This approach is especially important for individuals dealing with hormonal weight gain or weight loss in menopause. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients that support overall health and metabolism. For those struggling with hormonal weight gain or weight loss in menopause, a personalized diet plan for weight loss that focuses on hormone balance may be beneficial. Working with a certified dietitian, nutritionist or weight loss coach can help you develop a plan that meets your unique needs. 3. Practice Mindful Eating: Pay attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues, and eat slowly to give your brain time to register feelings of satisfaction. Avoid emotional or stress eating by finding alternative ways to cope with negative emotions. This approach is also beneficial for individuals participating in a diabetic weight loss program or blood sugar management program. Mindful eating helps you develop a healthier relationship with food and prevents overeating. By tuning into your body's signals, you can better regulate your food intake and avoid mindless snacking or binge eating. This is particularly important for individuals with diabetes, as blood sugar management is crucial for overall health. 4. Stay Active: Continue to incorporate regular physical activity into your routine, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Find activities you enjoy and make them a regular part of your lifestyle. Working with a fat loss coach can help you design an exercise program that supports your weight loss goals. Exercise not only burns calories but also helps maintain weight loss by preventing metabolic slowdown and promoting overall well-being. It's an essential component of any weight loss program, especially for individuals with diabetes or those participating in a diabetic weight loss program. Regular physical activity can improve blood sugar management and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes. 5. Monitor Your Progress: Keep track of your weight, food intake, and physical activity to stay accountable and identify any potential areas for improvement. Regular self-monitoring can help you catch and address any weight regain early on. Monitoring your progress allows you to identify patterns and make adjustments as needed to maintain your weight loss success. It's a valuable tool for staying on track and preventing relapse, especially for individuals participating in a blood sugar management program or diabetic weight loss program. Maintaining weight loss after taking Ozempic (or any weight loss drugs) requires a commitment to healthy habits and lifestyle changes. By focusing on building muscle, adopting a balanced diet, practicing mindful eating, staying active, and monitoring your progress, you can keep the weight off and enjoy long-term success in your weight loss journey. Our Ideal Protein Program focuses on a sustainable approach that maintains muscle mass and burns fat. Plus our health coaches meet weekly with clients to ensure their muscle mass is safe, they are in an optimal fat burn and to guide them through the weight loss journey mentally. Whether you’re dealing with hormonal weight gain (from PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), Diabetes, imbalanced blood sugars, emotional eating, self-sabotage, or just ready to make a serious change to your lifestyle - personalized coaching and tailored medical weight loss protocols can be particularly beneficial. Research has shown that lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and increased physical activity, are effective in managing symptoms of PCOS, Diabetes or blood sugar imbalance and promoting weight loss. In Conclusion While pharmaceutical aids like Ozempic and GLP Agonists may offer a quick fix for weight loss, they come with potential risks and limitations, including the loss of lean muscle mass. At Ideal Nutrition Weight Loss Clinic, we advocate for safer, more sustainable alternatives that prioritize holistic health and long-term maintenance. By focusing on personalized coaching, ideal nutrition, and lifestyle modifications, we empower our clients to achieve their weight loss goals in a way that supports their overall well-being for years to come. Here at Ideal Weight Loss Clinic in White Rock, we are here to help you not only learn how to combat your hormonal cravings, diabetes management, and menopausal weight gain,… We are here to help you make a lifestyle change you can be proud of and actually achieve! We are a weight management clinic (facilitating the Ideal Protein Diet) that helps you get to your weightloss goals! Get coached with a meal plan so you have the structure and knowledge you need to succeed. With our weight loss coaches and Ideal Protein diet, weight loss AND weight management can be achieved! Give our clinic a call to schedule a FREE nutrition consultation with our professional nutritionists for weight loss. Whether you’re looking for weight loss in White Rock, Surrey, Langley, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam or beyond (hello virtual coaching), our team is here to help.