- May 18, 2024
- 232
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GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are everywhere now, and plenty of people in the gym are using them to lean out.
The question nobody asks enough:
With any aggressive weight loss, it’s normal for 25–35% of the total loss to come from muscle mass. GLP-1 meds are no exception. The faster the scale moves, the bigger the risk of sarcopenia if you don’t train and eat correctly.
The interesting part from the data:
- Ozempic users generally end up with better body composition than people dieting without it
- Compared to bariatric surgery, GLP-1 drugs usually preserve more lean mass
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) seems to improve the muscle-to-fat loss ratio even more, with a lower percentage of the total loss coming from muscle in several trials
In the article we just put together, I go through:
- Why rapid weight loss always carries muscle-loss risk
- How Ozempic and Mounjaro actually affect lean body mass vs fat mass
- Why Mounjaro looks slightly better for muscle preservation
- How to protect muscle with:
- Heavy resistance training 3–5x/week
- 2–3 big protein meals a day (roughly 40–60 g per meal, depending on size)
Full breakdown is here if you’re cutting on these meds or thinking about it
👉 Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Muscle Loss: What You Need to Know
