In recent years, GLP-1 receptor agonists—drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy—have exploded in popularity as effective tools for rapid weight loss. These medications help people lose weight by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion, leading to lower food intake and, subsequently, significant weight reduction. However, while the rapid results can be tempting, there’s a deeper and often overlooked risk: the potential loss of muscle mass along with fat.
What Happens When You Lose Weight Too Quickly?
When people drop weight quickly, as is often the case with GLP-1s, they are not just shedding fat but also lean body mass, which includes muscle. According to studies, 40-60% of the weight loss from GLP-1 medications can come from muscle mass. While losing fat is the goal for many, losing muscle mass is a serious concern, especially when it comes to long-term health and weight management.
The Importance of Muscle Mass and Basal Metabolic Rate
Muscle mass is crucial for more than just physical strength. It plays a vital role in your basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the number of calories your body burns at rest. Simply put, the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns each day just to maintain basic functions like breathing and circulation. Conversely, the less muscle you have, the fewer calories you burn.
When muscle mass is lost, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to maintain weight loss. This is a common reason why many people regain the weight they lost after stopping GLP-1 medications. Without adequate muscle, your body is burning fewer calories, which can lead to weight gain unless you drastically reduce your caloric intake—something that isn’t sustainable for most people.
The Long-Term Risks of Losing Muscle Mass
Losing muscle mass has far-reaching implications for your health. In the short term, it reduces your strength and endurance, making everyday tasks more difficult. In the long term, it can lead to sarcopenia—age-related muscle loss—which increases the risk of falls, fractures, and other mobility issues. Furthermore, muscle mass is closely linked to metabolic health. A lower BMR means your body is less efficient at burning calories, making it easier to gain weight, even when you’re eating less.
How Done Done Fitness Can Help
This is where Done Done steps in. We understand that while medications like GLP-1s can be helpful for jumpstarting weight loss, they’re not a long-term solution, especially if muscle mass is sacrificed in the process. Once you've reached your weight loss goal, the real challenge is building muscle and maintaining a healthy body composition that supports long-term success.
Here is an example. After losing over 19 pounds, 14.3 inches (11.6 off waist) on GLP-1, and increasing lean mass 3% a client came to us at a crossroads. She had hit her goal weight, but she was unsure of the next step. Should she stay on the drug forever? What would happen if she stopped taking it?
Recently she transitioned off GLP-1 and their concern came true. She gained about almost 2 pounds in the following two months. However, after conducting STYKU 3D body scans, we discovered that this wasn’t weight gain in the form of fat—it was muscle. In fact, she had gained over 2 pounds of muscle, while her body fat remained the same. Even more encouraging was the fact that her BMR had increased by 47 calories per day. This means her body now burns more energy at rest, simply by having more muscle.
The Benefits of Strength Training Post-Weight Loss
At Done Done, we focus on transitioning our clients from skinny to strong. Strength training plays a critical role in tightening loose skin, building muscle, and increasing your body’s energy expenditure. More importantly, it helps you keep the weight off for good by maintaining and increasing your muscle mass, which is essential for long-term metabolic health.
The truth is, relying solely on GLP-1 medications without incorporating strength training and muscle maintenance can lead to a cycle of weight loss and regain. These drugs work by dulling your brain’s hunger signals, essentially forcing you to eat less. But this approach doesn't address the underlying issue of muscle loss, and it’s not sustainable for lifelong health.
Let Us Help You Build a Strong, Healthy Body for Life
At Done Done, our goal is to help you transition from medication-based weight loss to a holistic approach that emphasizes strength, muscle, and metabolic health. We don’t just help you lose weight—we teach you how to maintain and build muscle so that you can live a strong, healthy life without relying on medications long-term.
Ready to make the switch from "skinny" to strong? Let us guide you through a sustainable path to health that keeps the weight off for life—even when using GLP-1 drugs,
Contact Done Done today and let us help you build a body you’ll feel strong in for years to come.
