Whether from GLP-1 or other medical weight loss solutions, as the number on the scale declines, you’re likely to experience some unexpected but exciting side effects! Side effects are often referred to as negative, but they can be positive too. From increased energy to confidence and improved whole-body health.
#1 Improved biomarkers
Your biomarkers are a method of measuring the biological indicators of your health. You may not feel when your biomarkers are in an unhealthy range, but many come with symptoms. For example, hypertension (high blood pressure) typically has no symptoms, but you may experience headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds.
Transitioning from overweight to a healthy weight creates a positive ripple effect throughout your body. Excess fat, particularly visceral fat that accumulates in your stomach and around your organs, keeps your body from achieving peak performance.
The combination of improved nutrition and reduced fat may improve your:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol levels
- Thyroid
- Triglycerides
#2 Healthy food cravings
As you “clean up” your diet, your body will crave healthier foods. Yes, you may still crave your favorite greasy fast foods, sugary treats, and comfort foods—but your body will crave more of what makes you feel your best.
The first 48 to 72 hours will be the hardest, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Or if you don’t have a sweet tooth, but you eat savory foods with high sugar content. Make it through the first 2 weeks, and your cravings will subside. This is also when new taste buds develop, recalibrating your “taste” for the foods you choose.
What to do when you’re craving something sweet?
When sweet cravings are high, choose fruit or the growing range of desserts made with monk fruit or allulose. Both allulose and monk fruit are sweet, but they’re natural and don’t cause your blood sugar to spike. Also, allow yourself planned indulgences!
Another positive effect of nutritional changes that promote weight loss is that you’ll be more satisfied when you indulge. Once you make it past the initial hump, sweets will be even more satisfying than before. They’ll taste better, and the flavors will be more nuanced. So, when you indulge, savor every bite!
#3 Improved sleep
If you’ve noticed that you’re sleeping better or waking up with more energy, you may have had undiagnosed sleep apnea. Or your diagnosed sleep apnea has improved. Approximately 80% of those with sleep apnea go undiagnosed, and over 40% of those diagnosed are overweight.
Sleep apnea causes temporary blockages in your airway, which may be why you used to wake up unexpectedly in the middle of the night. Or why you used to wake in the mornings feeling exhausted. Be mindful that being overweight isn’t the only thing that increases the likelihood of sleep apnea.
The better you sleep, the more energy you have throughout the day. Sleep is also essential for immunity and anti-aging, as rest is when your body heals and repairs.
#4 The energy to do more
When you’re carrying excess weight, your body must invest more energy in essential bodily functions. This includes breathing, circulating blood, and digesting food. As the fat comes off, your body doesn’t need to invest as much energy in essential functions. This side effect of weight loss boosts your energy and endurance.
Combined with the factors below, you may feel like a whole new person:
- Improved metabolism: GLP-1 injections improve the way your body converts food into energy, providing you with sustainable energy.
- Improved sleep: As mentioned above, the better you sleep, the better your body regulates energy output.
- Improved nutrition: Infusing your diet with a healthy and tailored range of micronutrients and macronutrients provides an all-day energy boost.
Not feeling energized?
If you’re losing weight and aren’t feeling energized, or you’re feeling lower on energy than you were before, let us know. For most, it’s sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is the lean muscle mass wasting that occurs with all causes of rapid weight reduction. Unless you adjust the protein content of your diet and incorporate resistance training 3 days a week, approximately 1/3 of the weight you’re shedding is lean muscle mass. When you lose too much lean muscle mass, you feel fatigued instead of energized.
If you’re eating and snacking less with GLP-1 medications, but you haven’t adjusted what you’re eating—your energy level won’t improve. There could also be another cause of your low energy, including fluctuating hormones. This is one of many reasons to combine your injections with weekly check-ins with a medical weight loss specialist for tailored guidance.
#5 Increased Confidence
Another one of the positive side effects of weight loss is that you may feel more confident than before. This isn’t just a matter of feeling better about your body, as you may feel a sense of pride in achieving your goal and improving your health. That said, you may be motivated to flaunt your new body, or you just can’t stop looking at yourself in the mirror. We’re here for it!
Not feeling confident yet?
Your body image issues may have less to do with the number on the scale than you initially imagined. Or maybe you’re struggling with skin laxity and skin folds. Your skin will gradually tighten with time, but med Spa Skin Tightening can accelerate your results. Also, consider talk therapy or joining a live or online weight loss community to establish or rebuild your confidence.
#6 Cost savings
Yes, GLP-1 medications and medical Weight Loss Programs are a new expense, but they often save you money in other areas of your budget. Consider reinvesting the money you save back into health and wellness.
It’s different for everyone, but your cost savings may include:
- You may spend more money at the grocery store, but ditching the drive-thru, soda, high-sugar coffee, and preparing more meals at home may reduce your total food spending.
- Losing weight often improves your cardiovascular health and blood sugar. In some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop taking, or reduce, medications for cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- With improved biomarkers and whole-body health, you may require fewer trips to the doctor. Even if your biomarkers have improved, continue with your annual physical and tailored health care plan.
#7 Your skin looks amazing
If your skin is glowing or looks healthier than it did, it’s not your imagination. Topical anti-aging products get the most attention, but supporting your skin from the inside out is essential for rejuvenation. The combination of improved nutrition and increased physical activity can work wonders for your skin.
- Exercise helps your body circulate antioxidants. This promotes glowing skin and anti-aging.
- Increased fiber intake regulates your gut microbiome, which can improve rosacea, boost collagen production, and accelerate wound healing.
- Excess sugar intake degrades collagen and creates aging cross-linking in collagen fibers, accelerating fine lines, wrinkles, and cellulite.
- Exercise heats and stretches the tissues in the body, releasing tight fascia that causes cellulite.
- Increasing your hydration and electrolytes naturally plumps and smooths your skin.
- Tailored nutrition may improve adult acne, dehydrated skin, and a range of skin conditions.
#8 You feel happier
If you feel more joyful, optimistic, and motivated, it’s more than the “win” of improving your health and achieving your goal. Yes, your sense of accomplishment is part of your improved mood, but tailored nutrition, improved sleep, and reduced fat have the positive side effect of hormonal regulation.
Losing just 5% of your weight can reduce symptoms in those with diagnosed depression, but even those without diagnosed mental health conditions may feel happier.
The key weight-related hormones that impact mood include:
- Insulin: The key hormone regulated by GLP-1s, which also plays a role in regulating your mood.
- Cortisol: Whole foods and healthy habits regulate this stress hormone, some foods more than others.
- Leptin and ghrelin: These 2 appetite hormones are also regulated by your weekly injections. Both play a role in regulating your mood.
#9 Less pain and inflammation
From the aches and pains of natural aging to preexisting injuries, and occupational pain, such as the pain of sitting all day—less pain and inflammation are positive side effects of decreasing your weight. Anti-inflammatory nutrition and exercise may improve your symptoms, but continue to incorporate stretching, massage therapy, fascia work, hot and cold therapy, and other pain-reducing wellness practices.
- Physical strain: Carrying excess fat places strain on your body, particularly your knees, hips, and back.
- Reduced sugar: Consistently eating more than a day’s worth of sugar triggers internal inflammation that can intensify pain and contribute to a range of serious health risks.
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition: Antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole foods activate your body’s natural anti-inflammatory response.
- Improved circulation: The more you move your body, the more you circulate the restorative nutrients in your foods throughout.
Ignite the positive side effects of weight loss
If you have yet to explore medical weight loss solutions, let’s discuss what’s right for you! We offer a range of proven solutions, including GLP-1 medication and Monthly Programs that support whole-body health.
For your convenience, we have locations in Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe, and Chandler (Coming Soon!).
