What is GLP-1?

The utilization of GLP-1 agonist, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, has taken the world by storm.  The first question is do these medications work?  The second question are these medications the magic bullet for weight loss?  Let’s explore that…

GLP-1 agonists work in several different ways that benefit weight loss.  First, they block the GLP-1 receptors in your brain.  The GLP-1 center is the appetite center in your brain.  These medications help suppress your appetite and cravings.  Secondly, they slow the speed of digestion so you feel fuller longer, and cannot eat as much food at each meal.  Both mechanisms lead to a decrease in caloric intake, which is the recipe for weight loss.  You must be in a caloric deficit to loss weight.  What is a caloric deficit?  It is when you burn more calories in a day then you consume.  How do you know how many calories you should be eating in a day?  You can calculate your basal metabolic rate, or BMR.  I like to use an online calculator at https://www.calculator.net/bmr-calculator.html.  Your BMR tells you how many calories you need to consume to maintain your weight.  The reason why I like this particular calculator is it includes a table that takes exercise into consideration.  This will put you in a greater caloric deficit.  So, the more you burn, the more you are allowed to eat.  All in all, it is as simple as find your BMR and eat less to lose weight.  The greater the deficit, the greater the weight loss.  Then comes the choice of food you put in your body, or the nutrition plan.  Why not utilize food for fuel during this time when you are not craving, or starving?  Let’s look at that next.  

What is the worst part about a diet?  Its typically that you are hungry all the time.  This is miserable.  Imagine if you did not have that nasty side effect of a diet.  Imagine if you could choose proper food and less of it so that you can lose weight.  This is where GLP-1 agonists come into play.  This is when you can put food in your body that is beneficial for it.  Food for fuel!  I am on board with any plan that clients have had success with in the past.  The premise of all diets is the same.  You are manipulating some part/aspect of your food consumption to end up in a caloric deficit.  Choose the plan that you like.  You will more than likely succeed if it is one you like, versus one you are forced to do.  I have a nutrition plan that I provide, along with a recipe book and guidance for those that do not have a plan they prefer.  

These medications do work for weight loss, but they really help you diet successfully.   You still have to put in the work to maximize the results.  These medications are not the magic bullet for losing weight.  They help bridge the gap of the negative aspects of dieting, which in return helps you stay successful on your weight loss journey.  The key is to set up good lifestyle changes while you are on the medication, and then keep them once you stop.  No one wants you to keep the weight off more than me.