What you need to know before you do Ozempic
The two questions you need to ask your doctor before starting Ozempic.
Introduction: Losing weight can be an arduous journey, especially if you’ve struggled with conventional weight loss methods like counting point or calories with Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. You might be feeling desperate and considering the use of Ozempic, a medication gaining popularity for its potential weight loss benefits. At ShiftSetGo, we understand your frustration and concerns with wanting to lose weight. In this blog, we’ll provide you with valuable information about Ozempic and its side effects, and the two most important questions you need to ask your doctor before you start so that you can reach your weight loss goals safely and effectively.
If you’ve been on a rollercoaster of diets and programs without lasting success, it’s natural to consider more drastic measures, such as Ozempic. Before you make this decision, let’s delve into the critical aspects you need to consider.
To explain the first question you will need to ask your doctor before starting Ozempic, we’ll start with two women, we will call them Mia and Sophie and they are identical and height, weight and age.
Mia is doing ShiftSetGo and Sophie is doing Ozempic. They are both starting with the same body composition and stats. They each weigh 200 pounds and are 50% body fat percent which is 100lbs lean/muscle and 100lbs fat.
This brings us to the first question you need to ask your doctor before you start taking Ozempic is “What is your plan to help me preserve my lean mass?”
Before we dive into what the answer should be, we need to understand why this is a vital question, and why it’s crucial for you to preserve your lean mass.
You might be thinking, “Who cares about that if I can finally lose the weight I have been desperately wanting to lose.”
Without your lean mass you will not burn as many calories per day. This means if you are losing lean mass you must eat less and less each day to stay the same weight. The higher you can keep you lean mass, the easier weight maintenance will be. Studies show that users of Ozempic lose approximately 40% lean mass. That’s four pounds of muscle for every ten pounds lost. (1)
While it might be nice to see weight loss on the scale, you could be working backwards in having an effective and efficient metabolism.
Here is Mia and Sophie each with a 50lb weight loss. Due to Sophie losing 40% lean mass on Ozempic, she is now at 46% body fat.
Mia lost mostly fat with the fat loss program by ShiftSetGo. Her body fat is now 35%.
Now if you are still considering using Ozempic, the second question we want you to ask your physician, “What is my weight maintenance plan and expectation?” The current case studies have shown that users will regain the weight (and it will be a fat gain not muscle gain) when/if they stop taking the medications. Assuming you do not want to be on this medication for life, you will need a plan to maintain the new weight. (2)
Let’s look back at Sophie, she now has 20 pounds less muscle mass than before she started her weight loss journey so maintaining this new weight will be even harder.
Without coaching and a plan to maintain, and with less lean mass to help her burn calories each day, odds are she will regain some (if not all) of what she lost. Shown here is a 25lb weight regain. And remember, we only gain fat when we regain.
Now in maintenance Sophie is a HIGHER body fat percent than she was before she lost weight. Even if Sophie is thrilled with her 25lb weight loss she is maintaining, it’s harder for her to maintain with less lean mass.
If she was to then do another round of Ozempic, the same situation would happen. She could lose another 50lbs, with 40% being lean mass, and then if she regained 25lbs she would then be 60% body fat. This would be a GAIN on 10% body fat over the course of her weight loss journey. It will now be much harder for her to maintain her new weight due to such a low lean mass and high body fat percent.
Each and every time she does a round of weight loss in this way, she is working herself backwards from being able to maintain her goal weight.
If you doctor does not have a plan to preserve your lean mass and to maintain your weight without continuing the drug, you are in the right place, we can help!
Before deciding to use Ozempic, we urge you to explore our ShiftSetGo program. The program is tailored to help you shed pounds while preserving your lean mass and achieving a healthier body composition.
Why Choose ShiftSetGo?
- Lean Mass Preservation: Unlike some medications like Ozempic, ShiftSetGo focuses on preserving your lean mass. Our certified weight loss coaches will guide you through exercises and nutrition plans that promote muscle retention.
- Educational Empowerment: We believe that knowledge is the key to lasting success. With your ShiftSetGo coach, you’ll gain invaluable insights into nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes that will benefit you long after your weight loss journey.
- Sustainable Outcomes: Our program is meticulously designed to help you lose fat while maintaining muscle mass. This means you’ll be better equipped to sustain your weight loss achievements once you reach your goals.
We understand the importance of making an informed decision when it comes to your weight loss journey, particularly in the context of Ozempic and its potential side effects (3). While Ozempic may seem like a quick solution, it’s essential to be aware of how it can affect your lean mass and overall health.
Consider giving our ShiftSetGo program a try. We’re here to provide unwavering support, helping you attain your weight loss goals while safeguarding your lean mass and ensuring long-lasting results. Together, we can help you become a healthier, more confident version of yourself.
Book your Free Consult with a ShiftSetGo coach today to see if the program is a good fit for you.
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