Happy New Year!
Are you one of the millions of people who began the year with a goal of losing some weight and thinking that one of the weight loss drugs would greatly assist the process? Consider the entire plan before diving in. The main weight loss drugs on the market, Wegovy and Ozempic, can be effective. But to maintain weight loss, you may need to take these expensive drugs forever. By instituting a moderate exercise routine and sensible eating habits in addition to the weight loss drugs, you are far more likely to maintain long-term success. As the experts at the Mayo Clinic note:
There are many possible drawbacks to using weight loss drugs. UC Health lists 8 examples here.
- Wegovy and Ozempic are not for everyone. Ozempic is approved for people with Type 2 diabetes. And Wegovy is approved for people with obesity or those who are overweight and have health problems related to excess weight.
- If you lose weight with new drugs, you likely will need to keep taking the medications forever to keep the weight off. People who stop taking Wegovy and Ozempic often gain weight back relatively quickly.
- The drugs are expensive, and in general, insurance plans don’t cover them for weight loss (although they often do for people with diabetes).
- The popularity of the new drugs has led to some shortages.
- The drugs can cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting
- A small percentage of people who take the drugs can suffer from a diabetes eye complication called retinopathy. Along with consulting with your primary care provider or endocrinologist, you should also see your eye doctor.
- The drugs tend to suppress a person’s appetite but to lose weight, you’ll still need to reduce your intake of desserts, sugar-sweetened beverages and fatty foods. And, of course, exercise is important to keep your body healthy.
- Some people have complained about looking older due to “Wegovy or Ozempic face.” While many people taking weight loss drugs are pleased to shed some pounds, some say they’re dropping weight in the wrong place: their face. Some have complained of looking old and gaunt due to fat loss in the face.
Truly being healthy is not just measured by that number on your bathroom scale. Having the energy to get through your day and the strength to perform daily tasks are crucial factors as well. At Premier Fitness Source, we can show you some easy exercises to prevent your body from losing muscle mass as part of your overall weight loss. Strong muscles keep your metabolism humming along, (for even greater weight loss!) protect your joints, and aid in stability. Whether you want to spend just a few dollars for some fitness bands or invest in a versatile functional trainer to tone up your whole body, we have the products and information to help you reach – and maintain – your health and fitness goals.
Let us help you on your journey.
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* Premier Fitness Source is not a medical institution and the decision to take weight loss medication is one that should be made between you and your doctor.