The Weight Loss Regimen Taking the World by Storm

 
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important goals you can set for yourself. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are crucial to achieving this goal, but sometimes, you need more than that to get you where you want to be.
 

Let me introduce you to a medication called Semaglutide. Semaglutide, also known as Ozempic or Wegovy, is a GLP-1 agonist medication that’s been used for more than 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes. It has recently been used for overweight patients and has quickly become one of the most effective weight management medications. In this article, we’ll explore why combining semaglutide with a healthy diet and exercise is essential for achieving lasting results from your weight-loss journey.
 

Semaglutide is a once-weekly injection. It slows down gastric emptying, signaling feelings of fullness to the brain. By leveraging the patient’s natural insulin production, this medication helps suppress appetite, leading to medically assisted weight loss. Semaglutide side effects are generally mild, especially when compared to the complications of being overweight or obese. When taking semaglutide for weight loss, side effects may include dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, headache, and stomach discomfort. Starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing may help reduce these side effects.
 

When taking semaglutide, prioritizing a healthy diet and exercise is vital to a patient’s weight loss journey. We asked a local Registered Dietitian, Alison Kaplanes what her approach is when working with a client taking semaglutide for weight loss:
 

“As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, my focus is always optimizing nutrition,” said Alison Kaplanes, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES and owner of AlisonRD, LLC. “Even though semaglutide often reduces appetite, the body still needs to be fueled with the right amount & quality of calories for good health, energy & disease prevention. Skipping meals is not the goal. Due to the decrease in hunger that this medication can have, it can also help people explore their eating habits and behaviors, and work on changing unhealthy habits. Regular physical activity is also essential for overall well-being and muscle mass preservation. No medicine can replace the beneficial effects of exercise. Consulting with a Registered Dietitian while taking semaglutide can provide additional guidance to ensure optimal nutrition and overall wellness for long term success.”
 

Prioritizing protein consumption at every meal is also a must. Not only does it help combat muscle loss, but it also plays a vital role in reducing blood sugar spikes. By curbing post-meal glycemic response and enhancing satiety, protein intake prevents overeating. To ensure you’re getting enough protein, aim for it to make up approximately 10 to 35% of your daily calorie intake.
 

It’s also crucial to prioritize muscle maintenance through exercise and weight training. Regular exercise ensures that fat is targeted explicitly for reduction rather than weight loss. The goal should be to improve body composition, achieving a healthy fat-to-muscle ratio rather than simply becoming a smaller version of oneself.
 

A healthy weight is an attainable goal with the right amount of dedication and commitment. Semaglutide can be a supportive tool to help you on your journey. Diet and exercise are still vital ingredients when managing weight, so pay attention to what you’re eating and be mindful of how much time you dedicate to physical activity. If you’d like to learn more about how semaglutide could work for you, please contact us.