More than 9 million people are taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or a similar drug prescribed to help with type 2 diabetes and weight loss.
For people who need them, these drugs can be life-changing, helping lower the risk for life-threatening health conditions, such as heart problems.
While drugs like these are beneficial, it would be a mistake to think that they are a complete substitute for eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and getting regular exercise.
If you’re taking a weight loss drug, you may be wondering what exactly you should know when it comes to exercise. Is there one type of workout that will help you see results faster and for longer? Here, an obesity doctor shares everything you need to know.
Dr. Jihad Kudsi, MD,the Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at the University of Chicago/LaGrange Hospital, Chair of Surgery at Duly Health and Care, and the author of Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery Unleashed, explains that semaglutide, the genetic form of Ozempic, works in three ways to lower blood sugar.
First, it helps the pancreas produce more insulin when blood sugar is high. Second, it prevents the liver from making and releasing too much sugar. Third, it slows down food leaving the stomach.
“Ozempic is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adults with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar, along with diet and exercise, and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.
While not for weight loss, Ozempic may help people lose some weight,” Dr. Kudsi says.
Wegovy works by slowing down the emptying of food from the stomach. It also binds to the GLP-1 receptor, boosting the release of GLP-1. GLP-1 is a hormone that regulates appetite and provides the feeling of fullness.
For these reasons, people taking Wegovy eat less, which leads to weight loss.
Dr. Kudsi emphasizes that maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are still important if someone is taking a weight loss drug like Ozempic or Wegovy. “Ozempic could help people lose some weight.
However, the drug alone won’t guarantee good health and a healthy lifestyle is essential,” he says.
Dr. Kudsi says that exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, whether you’re taking weight loss medication or not.
“Exercise can help burn calories, boost metabolism, promote general health and well-being and keep your heart healthy,” he says. Dr. Kudsi adds that taking Ozempic could lead to some degree of muscle loss, another reason why exercise is important while taking the drug.
