We Need To Talk About Ozempic…

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OZEMPIC…

I’ve been having a lot of conversations about Ozempic lately. Well not just Ozempic, but Wegovy, Mounjaro and all the other weight loss medications that are popping up at the moment.

Firstly, I think these medications are fascinating. The results people are achieving can be incredible, and for many people, they’ve genuinely changed their lives. I’m certainly not here to criticise them!

But as a physio, there’s something I’ve been noticing more and more in the clinic lately that I think deserves a bit of attention. People are losing weight. But they’re also losing strength. And in some cases, it’s causing problems.

I’ve seen a number of patients recently who’ve lost significant amounts of weight, often quite quickly, and are now struggling with injuries, weakness or old problems that have suddenly decided to make an unwelcome comeback.

And when you think about it, it makes sense. When you lose a substantial amount of weight, particularly over a relatively short period, you don’t just lose body fat .. you can lose muscle mass as well.

Now, I want to be clear. Losing weight doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to get injured. And these medications aren’t necessarily the reason someone’s old knee or back injury has flared up.

But what I am seeing is people making enormous changes to their body composition without necessarily giving much thought to maintaining their physical strength and capacity along the way. And I think that’s something we need to get better at.

So what should you actually be doing? Strength training.
…. I know. A physio recommending strength training. Groundbreaking stuff.

But seriously. If you’re taking one of these medications, I think having a structured strength program should be a really important part of the process. It doesn’t mean you need to become a gym junkie or start deadlifting twice your body weight. It just means regularly challenging your muscles, gradually building strength and making sure your body is capable of keeping up with the changes you’re making.

Ideally, this starts alongside your weight loss journey, not six months down the track when something starts hurting. And of course, adequate nutrition, particularly protein intake, is important too.

Want somewhere to start?
I’ve put together a really simple 10-minute baseline home strength program. It’s nothing fancy. Just a handful of basic exercises that give you a starting point if you’re currently doing very little strength training.

For plenty of people, particularly those who’ve had previous injuries, are experiencing weakness or have lost a substantial amount of weight, there’s a lot more we can and should be doing. That’s where a more comprehensive, tailored strength program can be incredibly valuable.

We can assess where you’re at, identify any weaknesses or limitations and build something that actually suits your body, your history and your goals.
But I also appreciate that not everyone is ready to jump straight into a full program.

So if you’d like my basic 10-minute home strength routine, just get in touch with us and I’ll send it through.

And if you’d prefer something more comprehensive, you’re always welcome to book in with one of our physios and we can help you put together a proper plan.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tom