3 Proven Tips to Lose Even More Pounds on GLP-1 Drugs
Dr. Jennifer McCann, a board-certified in OB-GYN and obesity medicine specialist, recently shared her top three tips for enhancing weight loss while taking GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in a new YouTube video. These medications have gained widespread attention for their effectiveness in helping individuals shed significant weight, but Dr. McCann emphasizes that medications alone aren't a magic solution. To achieve maximum results and maintain a healthy weight, adopting specific lifestyle changes is essential.
In her video, Dr. McCann explains how GLP-1 drugs work to suppress appetite and reduce glucose production, while offering practical advice for those looking to amplify their results. She highlights key areas like eliminating sugary drinks, increasing protein intake, and incorporating regular exercise into daily routines. For those on GLP-1 medications, these strategies are crucial for achieving long-term success and overall wellness beyond the medication itself. Here's how to get started.
Understanding GLP-1 Medications
Before diving into the tips, Dr. McCann explains how these medications work: "Well, they work by several different mechanisms. First of all, they work by inhibiting glucagon release, which is what makes you hungry. They decrease glucose production from the liver or decrease gluconeogenesis. It delays gastric emptying and it also decreases appetite. And all of these do lead to what can be significant weight loss," she says in the video.
She also notes that these medications aren't suitable for everyone:
"These medicines are not for everybody. There are several contraindications listed by the manufacturers, which include a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or other endocrine problems or cancers."
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Tip 1: Eliminate Sodas and Sugary Drinks
"Okay, so tip number one and one of the most important lifestyle changes that you need to make is stop all sodas. Yes, I said all sodas and sugary drinks like slushes or other sugary coffee beverages that you might like drinking," she says in the video.
Dr. McCann emphasizes the impact of this change:
"One can of soda can make you gain 15 pounds over the year, over one year, one can a day, 15 pounds over one year. So this is a very important step to lose the amount of weight that you want and to be able to keep it off," she says.
For those worried about caffeine, she offers alternatives:
"Coffee is a great alternative, especially either black coffee or mixed with a little bit of stevia or a sugar-free skinny latte is also a great option, so you don't have to give up your caffeine, but you do need to give up all soda," she says in the video.
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Tip 2: Prioritize Protein Intake
"Tip number two is protein, protein, protein. Make sure that when you feel like eating, you get your protein. Specifically lean protein," she says in the video.
Dr. McCann explains the importance of protein:
"So protein is what builds your muscle, and your muscle is what burns calories. So, if you don't take in enough protein, you will lose your muscle, and you won't be able to burn as many calories as you did before losing that muscle. So protein increases your metabolism by increasing your muscle, and that again, lets you burn more calories," she says.
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Tip 3: Incorporate Regular Exercise
"And the third tip is exercise. So you've probably already guessed this, but exercise is very important for weight loss, for keeping the weight off, for losing it for your cardiovascular health. And you may not know, but it actually is a natural remedy for anxiety because it releases cortisol," she says in the video.
For beginners, she recommends:
"If you're just starting out 20 minutes, four times a week through a high-intensity training, something like kit classes, we'll be just fine starting out," she says in the video.
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She also advises:
"As you start exercising and start losing weight, you are going to want to increase the time and the intensity," she says.
By following these tips while on GLP-1 medications, Dr. McCann believes patients can maximize their weight loss and set themselves up for long-term success in maintaining a healthy weight. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.
