[00:06]
Last week, a friend of mine sent me an article from The Times in the UK. The headline said something along the lines of: “Drug users told to lift weights or risk aging by 10 years.”
Last week, a friend of mine sent me an article from The Times in the UK. The headline said something along the lines of: “Drug users told to lift weights or risk aging by 10 years.”
[00:21]
Obviously, it’s a great headline. But at the same time, there’s a lot of truth behind it. The article referenced research compiled by UK Active, where they looked at people losing weight on weight-loss drugs.
Obviously, it’s a great headline. But at the same time, there’s a lot of truth behind it. The article referenced research compiled by UK Active, where they looked at people losing weight on weight-loss drugs.
[00:33]
What they found was pretty alarming: around 50% of total weight loss was coming from lean body mass, not fat.
What they found was pretty alarming: around 50% of total weight loss was coming from lean body mass, not fat.
[00:43]
What doctors and UK Active are really pushing is this: if you’re going to use drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, or any other weight-loss injection, you must pair them with strength training and adequate protein intake.
What doctors and UK Active are really pushing is this: if you’re going to use drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, or any other weight-loss injection, you must pair them with strength training and adequate protein intake.
[01:02]
Without those two things, your risk of losing lean body mass goes through the roof.
Without those two things, your risk of losing lean body mass goes through the roof.
[01:07]
Now, this becomes a bigger issue when you look at who typically uses these drugs. Most people drawn to weight-loss injections are over 30, 40, or 50 — sometimes even in their 60s.
Now, this becomes a bigger issue when you look at who typically uses these drugs. Most people drawn to weight-loss injections are over 30, 40, or 50 — sometimes even in their 60s.
[01:16]
After 30, muscle mass naturally declines if you don’t actively do something about it.
After 30, muscle mass naturally declines if you don’t actively do something about it.
[01:27]
So when you add a weight-loss injection into the mix — where weight loss is driven by calorie restriction — but you don’t strength train or manage protein intake, the result isn’t just weight loss.
So when you add a weight-loss injection into the mix — where weight loss is driven by calorie restriction — but you don’t strength train or manage protein intake, the result isn’t just weight loss.
[01:44]
You lose strength.
You lose mobility.
Frailty increases.
You lose strength.
You lose mobility.
Frailty increases.
[01:50]
And according to the research, the impact is roughly equivalent to aging yourself by about 10 years.
And according to the research, the impact is roughly equivalent to aging yourself by about 10 years.
[01:57]
Now, the exact numbers don’t matter as much as the message.
Now, the exact numbers don’t matter as much as the message.
[02:01]
If you’re thinking about using weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Ozempic, you must pair them with strength training, protein intake, and a full lifestyle approach.
If you’re thinking about using weight-loss injections like Mounjaro or Ozempic, you must pair them with strength training, protein intake, and a full lifestyle approach.
[02:17]
So in today’s podcast, I want to break down what’s actually going on with weight-loss drugs — how they work, whether they work, and what you need to consider if you’re thinking about using them.
So in today’s podcast, I want to break down what’s actually going on with weight-loss drugs — how they work, whether they work, and what you need to consider if you’re thinking about using them.
[02:32]
This is especially relevant right now because it’s the time of year when a lot of people start considering “the jabs.”
This is especially relevant right now because it’s the time of year when a lot of people start considering “the jabs.”
[02:44]
And I want to make sure that if you are thinking about it, you’re approaching it with the right perspective.
And I want to make sure that if you are thinking about it, you’re approaching it with the right perspective.
The Weight-Loss Drug Industry
[02:50]
The weight-loss drug industry is going absolutely mental.
The weight-loss drug industry is going absolutely mental.
[02:54]
It’s expected to reach $400 billion by 2030, which is insane growth.
It’s expected to reach $400 billion by 2030, which is insane growth.
[02:57]
And it’s not surprising. You inject a drug and experience rapid weight loss — it feels like the holy grail.
And it’s not surprising. You inject a drug and experience rapid weight loss — it feels like the holy grail.
[03:04]
It’s similar to using Xanax for anxiety. Instead of doing the psychological work, you take a pill and feel better.
It’s similar to using Xanax for anxiety. Instead of doing the psychological work, you take a pill and feel better.
[03:17]
The problem is, there’s no identity shift.
The problem is, there’s no identity shift.
[03:20]
As soon as you come off the drug, weight rebound is likely — just like coming off a diet without changing habits.
As soon as you come off the drug, weight rebound is likely — just like coming off a diet without changing habits.
[03:42]
That doesn’t mean weight regain only happens with drugs. It happens with any diet if the underlying behaviors don’t change.
That doesn’t mean weight regain only happens with drugs. It happens with any diet if the underlying behaviors don’t change.
How Common Are These Drugs?
[04:03]
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss drugs.
Around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss drugs.
[04:08]
In the US, by mid-2024, roughly 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 adults had either used or tried them.
In the US, by mid-2024, roughly 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 adults had either used or tried them.
[04:23]
There are also new drugs constantly coming to market.
There are also new drugs constantly coming to market.
[04:33]
I recently saw another article about something called PYY-based drugs, which target appetite hormones differently from Ozempic or Mounjaro.
I recently saw another article about something called PYY-based drugs, which target appetite hormones differently from Ozempic or Mounjaro.
[04:57]
These drugs aim to suppress appetite and may have longer-lasting effects even after stopping — though they’re still in early stages.
These drugs aim to suppress appetite and may have longer-lasting effects even after stopping — though they’re still in early stages.
How Do Weight-Loss Drugs Work?
[05:39]
Most weight-loss drugs fall under GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Most weight-loss drugs fall under GLP-1 receptor agonists.
[05:44]
They were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes.
They were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes.
[05:49]
They cause weight loss mainly by:
They cause weight loss mainly by:
• Suppressing appetite
• Reducing food noise
• Slowing digestion
• Reducing food noise
• Slowing digestion
[06:19]
When you feel full longer and think less about food, weight loss happens quickly — without much effort.
When you feel full longer and think less about food, weight loss happens quickly — without much effort.
Do They Work?
[06:33]
Yes. Absolutely.
Yes. Absolutely.
[06:34]
Most people lose 15–25% of their body weight, which is huge.
Most people lose 15–25% of their body weight, which is huge.
[06:43]
But here’s what they don’t do.
But here’s what they don’t do.
[07:01]
They don’t build muscle.
They don’t build muscle.
[07:03]
They don’t build habits.
They don’t build habits.
[07:07]
And without strength training, up to 50% of the weight lost can be muscle, which is never a good thing.
And without strength training, up to 50% of the weight lost can be muscle, which is never a good thing.
[07:16]
That’s why around two-thirds of people regain the weight within a year after stopping.
That’s why around two-thirds of people regain the weight within a year after stopping.
Other Downsides
[07:24]
There are side effects — nausea being one of the most common.
There are side effects — nausea being one of the most common.
[07:35]
They’re also expensive. In many cases, costs range from $1,000 to $1,600 per month.
They’re also expensive. In many cases, costs range from $1,000 to $1,600 per month.
[08:17]
And there’s still stigma, although that’s reducing as usage becomes more common.
And there’s still stigma, although that’s reducing as usage becomes more common.
Who Are These Drugs For?
[08:52]
I’m not anti-drugs — but I am anti-using drugs when you don’t need them.
I’m not anti-drugs — but I am anti-using drugs when you don’t need them.
[08:57]
If you’re morbidly obese and have 70–100+ pounds to lose, they can be a useful kickstart.
If you’re morbidly obese and have 70–100+ pounds to lose, they can be a useful kickstart.
[09:06]
But if you only have 20–60 pounds to lose, I don’t think they’re worth it.
But if you only have 20–60 pounds to lose, I don’t think they’re worth it.
Real-World Example
[09:17]
One of our clients lost 41 kg. She used GLP-1s to kickstart her journey and is now completely off them.
One of our clients lost 41 kg. She used GLP-1s to kickstart her journey and is now completely off them.
[09:33]
That’s the goal. Most people don’t want to be on these drugs forever.
That’s the goal. Most people don’t want to be on these drugs forever.
[09:44]
The only way to come off successfully is by building structure.
The only way to come off successfully is by building structure.
What Actually Works Long-Term
[10:09]
You need:
You need:
• Sleep
• Hydration
• Protein
• Strength training
• Routine
• Accountability
• Hydration
• Protein
• Strength training
• Routine
• Accountability
[10:37]
Otherwise, you’ll come off the drugs, regain the weight, and become another statistic.
Otherwise, you’ll come off the drugs, regain the weight, and become another statistic.
[11:10]
GLP-1s can help you lose weight — but they cannot change your identity.
GLP-1s can help you lose weight — but they cannot change your identity.
[11:14]
And identity is what determines whether weight stays off.
And identity is what determines whether weight stays off.
Final Summary
[11:39]
If you’re morbidly obese and struggling with food noise, weight-loss drugs may help kickstart progress.
If you’re morbidly obese and struggling with food noise, weight-loss drugs may help kickstart progress.
[11:45]
But if you use them, you must do the work in parallel — strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle change.
But if you use them, you must do the work in parallel — strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle change.
[11:59]
Otherwise, they become an expensive habit with poor long-term results.
Otherwise, they become an expensive habit with poor long-term results.
About RNT Fitness
[12:06]
If you’re a high-performing professional who’s been stuck in cycles of yo-yo dieting, all-or-nothing thinking, and inconsistency, this is your moment to change it.
If you’re a high-performing professional who’s been stuck in cycles of yo-yo dieting, all-or-nothing thinking, and inconsistency, this is your moment to change it.
[12:18]
At RNT Fitness, we help busy people get into the best shape of their lives — and actually stay there.
At RNT Fitness, we help busy people get into the best shape of their lives — and actually stay there.
[12:24]
No extremes. No guesswork. Just a proven, structured transformation system built around your lifestyle.
No extremes. No guesswork. Just a proven, structured transformation system built around your lifestyle.
[12:36]
Book a free strategy call to see what your personalized roadmap would look like.
Book a free strategy call to see what your personalized roadmap would look like.
Next Steps
-
Book a 1-1 strategy session with my team to find out more:
👉 https://www.rntfitness.com/applynow
-
Find out if you’re ready for a transformation:
👉 https://www.rntfitness.com/transform
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