The weight loss benefits of medication like Ozempic have been clinically proven. But will the weight you lose be fat, water or muscle? Our experts explain everything. 

What is Ozempic?

Before we go on, let’s first explain what Ozempic is. Weight loss treatments like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy belong to a group of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These weight loss injections replicate the action of the body’s naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone. When we eat, our body releases this hormone, telling it to produce more insulin. The increase in insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels – which is why GLP-1s were originally prescribed to treat people with type 2 diabetes. However, it soon became clear that the medication also slows down stomach emptying which helps you feel fuller for longer. It also sends signals to the brain to help regulate appetite and stop overeating. [1] 

Can Ozempic cause muscle loss? 

For people interested in weight loss injections, or already on your own weight loss journeys, you may already be familiar with the different stages of weight loss when taking GLP-1 medication. This is where the question around Ozempic muscle loss can be explained. 

Why do you lose muscle on Ozempic? 

When you begin to take any GLP-1 medication, you’ll likely have an initial stage of rapid weight loss. There are multiple reasons for this – first of all Ozempic and other GLP-1s help reduce your appetite so you’ll naturally want to eat less. With less calories for your body to get its energy from, it will have to release its glycogen supply (a type of carbohydrate) which is stored in the muscles and the liver. When the body turns glycogen into energy, the process releases water which is why this initial period of weight loss includes loss of water weight as well as muscle mass. [2] However, with strength training and increased protein intake – this can be addressed.  

When will I start to lose fat instead of muscle?

This initial stage of weight loss usually lasts approximately 4-6 weeks –which is how long it takes for the body to use up its glycogen stores. The body then moves onto using our fat stores for energy – and fat is the specific type of weight we want to lose long term, even though the rate at which we will lose weight will slow down significantly.

Why has my weight loss slowed down on Ozempic?

A slowdown or plateau in weight loss can be partly attributed to the loss of muscle mass as people with more muscle tend to have a faster metabolic rate. This is because muscle tissue requires more energy to sustain than fat tissue. Therefore as you lose muscle mass, your resting metabolic rate (the number of calories your body burns at rest) decreases meaning your body burns fewer calories overall, which can slow down the rate of weight loss over time. [2] 

Can I replace the lost muscle mass? 

It’s important to maintain and build muscle mass while taking GLP-1 weight loss medication. Not only is it key to staying strong, balanced and fit for your daily life (especially for women), but to help support a faster metabolism to continue to lose weight and avoid a weight loss plateau. Our experts recommend two key lifestyle changes to help prevent muscle mass loss on Ozmepic (or any other GLP-1 treatment). 

Strength training

Staying active is an important part of successful, long-term weight loss, the most important being strength training. Designed to build muscle without bulking, doing weights, working out with resistance bands as well as doing body weight exercises like squats and push-ups​​ twice weekly is recommended. [3]

Increase your protein intake

Eating plenty of lean protein is another way to help maintain the body’s important muscle mass while taking Ozempic. Not only does protein make us feel fuller for longer than other foods, it also supplies the body with the essential amino acids needed to grow muscle – as well as helping repair and prevent the breakdown of existing muscle. [4]

The science-based way to lose weight

Your Ozempic doses will increase gradually as your weight loss progresses – so that you can keep seeing results while keeping side effects to a minimum. This is called titration. Alongside this, your MedExpress team will recommend eating in a calorie deficit, as well as maintaining muscle mass by strength training and increasing your protein intake throughout your Ozempic journey to keep seeing results. If you’ve got any more questions about muscle loss, or if your weight loss is slowing down or plateauing, get in touch with our clinical team – you can contact them here.

If you haven’t started Ozempic and are interested in weight loss medication, you can discover which treatment is suitable for you on our website.

References:

1. Solan M. Understanding new weight-loss drugs [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2023. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-new-weight-loss-drugs
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Weight loss stalled? Move past the plateau [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. 2018. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-plateau/art-20044615
3. Fitness for People Taking GLP-1 Agonists: A Comprehensive Guide [Internet]. Massachusetts General Hospital. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 4]. Available from: https://www.massgeneral.org/news/article/fitness-for-people-taking-glp-1-agonists  
4. Cleveland Clinic. 4 Ways Protein Can Help You Shed Pounds [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-protein-to-eat-to-lose-weight