Maximizing the Benefits of Your Weight Loss Medications

Weight loss can be a challenging endeavor for many individuals, often requiring significant lifestyle changes and discipline. Although diet and exercise are the cornerstones of weight management, there are medications available to help you stick to your nutrition plan and make the most of your body composition goals.

If you currently utilize medications such as Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), below you will find useful tips to get the most out of these medications.

1. Understand That Medications Are Not A Magic Potion

These medications do not burn fat or increase metabolism. Instead, they work by helping you to create and maintain a calorie deficit to lose weight. They do this by keeping you full after a meal longer, and, in some individuals, by helping to reduce cravings. They should ideally complement a comprehensive weight management plan comprising a balanced diet and regular physical activity. The function of these medications is chiefly to support lifestyle modifications, assisting in reducing appetite or enhancing the feelings of satiety.

2. Eat Enough Protein

When in a caloric deficit, your body will burn fat as fuel. It will also burn lean body mass AKA muscle tissue. To tip the scales toward fat loss and not muscle, make sure your protein intake is adequate and consistent throughout the day, ideally spread across three or more small meals or snacks. Protein can help maintain as much lean tissue as possible when dieting, and also helps to keep you satiated longer as well.

3. Do Some Resistance Training

Resistance training is crucial during a diet as (just like protein intake) it helps to preserve muscle mass that often reduces when losing weight. By including resistance training in your regimen, you can not only reach your weight loss targets more quickly, but you also keep your body firm, strong, and robust. Resistance training contributes to lasting physical health, establishing it as a key practice during dieting. If you do not have access to a gym, you can start at home with bodyweight exercises, then progress to light dumbbells and bands. Fortunately, there are countless free at-home workout routines available online via a quick Google or YouTube search. Aim for at least 2 to 3 days of resistance training per week.

4. Don't Forget Your Cardio

Cardiovascular exercise is great for weight loss as it typically burns a good amount of calories for the duration of the effort. In addition, it's great for mental health and well being, brain clarity and function, and of course has numerous cardiovascular and other health benefits. The American Heart Association recommends to aim for a weekly total of either 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise, or a blend of both, ideally distributed across the week.

5. Be Patient and Consistent

Finally, yet most importantly, patience and consistency are key as weight loss medications take time to show results. Remember, healthy and sustainable weight loss is typically gradual. Keeping consistent with your medication, diet, and exercise can help enhance the effectiveness of the drug and ultimately, sustain your weight loss.

Which Diet Is Right For You?

There is no "right" diet for everyone. Ultimately, the right diet is the one that you can stick with long term. It has to be enjoyable, affordable, and sustainable. Multiple studies have shown that, when calories are equal, no one diet is more effective for weight loss than the other. It is imperative, however, that you include protein, fiber, and enough micronutrients from fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to ensure maximum health optimization. Also, please keep in mind, carbohydrates are essential when you are aiming for maximum performance, muscle building, and recovery from exercise.

Topical Fat Reducing Cream Now Available to Work Alongside Your Current Weight-Loss Program

Lipo Sculpt Cream AKA Aminophylline/Glycyrrhetinic Acid Cream is a non-invasive, targeted fat reduction cream ideal for dieters struggling with stubborn body fat in troubled areas, aiding their weight loss efforts.

This topical treatment helps by reducing subcutaneous fat thickness. By permeating through the skin and into the bloodstream, the cream's bioactive ingredients create temporary dehydration, enhancing fat utilization and leading to weight loss.

Aminophylline/Glycyrrhetinic Acid can increase cAMP (which prompts increased fat breakdown), promote lipolysis, and help counteract stubborn body fat for improved weight loss. It can also help balance disproportionate body areas following weight loss or body changes due to workouts. Consistent topical application has been shown to assist in preventing fat storage.

Side Effects are rare but may include skin redness or irritation, loss of appetite, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, excessive sweating, tremors, and restlessness.

Lipo Sculpt won't work by itself, but, combined with diet and exercise, it can help target areas of the body with more fat deposits or fat cells and be a great adjunct to your current weight-loss regimen. Currently, Lipo Sculpt is available starting at $140 for a one month supply (price will vary depending on the amount used/size of targeted area).

For more information about Lipo Sculpt book a Drop-In appointment with one of our providers.

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Armanini, D., Nacamulli, D., Francini-Pesenti, F., Battagin, G., Ragazzi, E., & Fiore, C. (2005). Glycyrrhetinic acid, the active principle of licorice, can reduce the thickness of subcutaneous thigh fat through topical application. Steroids, 70(8), 538–542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2005.01.007

Caruso, M.K., Pekarovic, S., Raum, W.J. and Greenway, F. (2007), Topical fat reduction from the waist. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 9: 300-303. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1326.2006.00600.x

Moon, M. H., Jeong, J. K., Lee, Y. J., Seol, J. W., Ahn, D. C., Kim, I. S., & Park, S. Y. (2012). 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits adipogenic differentiation and stimulates lipolysis. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 420(4), 805–810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.03.078

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