With more than 15 million Americans taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, experts say patients could lose more than just fat if they aren’t careful.”The key to weight loss and especially weight loss maintenance is always going to be diet and exercise,” said Dr. Peminda Cabandugama, of Cleveland Clinic’s obesity medicine & endocrinology departments.Related video above: Weight-loss drugs may lower cancer risk in people with diabetes, a study suggestsStudies have shown that 15-60% of weight loss for patients on GLP-1 medications is lean muscle mass. That means, if a patient loses 50 pounds, they could lose anywhere from 7.5 to 30 pounds of lean muscle.That’s why Cabandugama says strength and resistance training is crucial for people taking these medications.”Things like free weights, things like the weight machines help. And a lot of my patients who might be a little bit older I recommend things like water exercises,” he said.Each week, Cabandugama says adults taking GLP-1 medications should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activities such as a brisk walk, water aerobics, pushing a lawn mower or playing a sport.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, which could include jogging, running, swimming or playing basketball. Cabandugama says protein is key for building muscle. On average, he recommends about 35 grams of protein with every meal. “We want them to make sure that, you know, they are still preserving muscle or even maybe gaining a little bit of muscle while they are technically losing weight,” he said.
With more than 15 million Americans taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, experts say patients could lose more than just fat if they aren’t careful.
“The key to weight loss and especially weight loss maintenance is always going to be diet and exercise,” said Dr. Peminda Cabandugama, of Cleveland Clinic’s obesity medicine & endocrinology departments.
Related video above: Weight-loss drugs may lower cancer risk in people with diabetes, a study suggests
Studies have shown that 15-60% of weight loss for patients on GLP-1 medications is lean muscle mass. That means, if a patient loses 50 pounds, they could lose anywhere from 7.5 to 30 pounds of lean muscle.
That’s why Cabandugama says strength and resistance training is crucial for people taking these medications.
“Things like free weights, things like the weight machines help. And a lot of my patients who might be a little bit older I recommend things like water exercises,” he said.
Each week, Cabandugama says adults taking GLP-1 medications should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activities such as a brisk walk, water aerobics, pushing a lawn mower or playing a sport.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week, which could include jogging, running, swimming or playing basketball.
Cabandugama says protein is key for building muscle. On average, he recommends about 35 grams of protein with every meal.
“We want them to make sure that, you know, they are still preserving muscle or even maybe gaining a little bit of muscle while they are technically losing weight,” he said.