No one likes feeling frumpy, blobby, or blah about their weight. Unfortunately, for many people daily, weight is a mental block that disrupts their ability to feel like the happiest, healthiest versions of themselves. At Sota Wellness, we want you to feel your best, which means looking your best, and while your best is subjective, we want to help you accomplish your weight loss goals and ultimately attain your idea of “best.”
At Sota Wellness, we’ve discovered that combining diet and exercise with GLP-1 medications aids in sustainable weight loss. GLP-1 medications are transformative in and of themselves, but it’s an even more powerful approach when combined with diet and exercise.
Read on to learn more about GLP-1 medications, how they work, and how you can support long-term weight management with effective lifestyle changes.
What are GLP-1 Medications and How Do They Work?
Also known as glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1 medications have been used for years to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes. However, it was recently discovered that they can mimic hormones required for long-lasting weight loss by regulating blood sugars and reducing appetite. By stimulating insulin production and slower gastric emptying, you feel fuller for longer after a meal, meaning you consume fewer calories and ultimately lose weight.
GLP-1 medications give you back control over your appetite and eating habits. For many people, the production of ghrelin, the hunger-causing hormone, is stimulated by emotions because they’ve trained themselves to eat out of boredom, sadness, or celebration. With the proper medications, ghrelin is suppressed, making it easier to eat when genuinely hungry and cutting down on emotional eating.
Enhancing Weight Loss Results: Diet and Exercise
Weight loss is calories in and calories out. However, it’s not as simple as the statement. Your appetite and lifestyle choices affect your calorie intake, so you may not realize how much or how little you eat in a day. Proper diet and exercise can significantly impact your efforts to lose weight, especially when paired with GLP-1 medications, because an overactive appetite is no longer a factor.
Fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats like chicken and turkey, whole grains, and healthy fats like avocados are examples of a nutritious diet. These foods support overall mental and physical health and fulfill nutritional needs. Processed foods and sugar-laden treats are okay in extreme moderation but can hinder weight loss efforts in large doses. Steer clear of sugary, fake, fatty foods when taking GLP-1 medications.
Regular exercise is essential, but most people dread it because they haven’t found an exercise they like yet. You don’t have to walk on a treadmill for hours. There are plenty of ways to be physically active. Get your heart pumping and your muscles moving with something you love, like kickboxing, yoga, or lifting weights. Strength training will bolster your metabolism, leading to fat burning to help make GLP-1 medications more effective.
Supporting Long-Term Weight Management
Without lifestyle changes, GLP-1 medications will only work temporarily. Diet and exercise routines are essential for long-term weight management and success. Crafting a sustainable way of life would be best, allowing yourself the occasional treat without going overboard. GLP-1 medications are great as a starting point, but long-term commitment to weight management is up to you.
Do you have problems with stress? Meditate, practice mindfulness and deep breathing, or do something you enjoy, like reading or crocheting, to relieve stress. Cortisol feeds on stress, making it harder to lose weight. Reducing stress levels and developing techniques to handle stressful situations are vital for long-term success.
Get on board with medical monitoring. Go to routine checkups to ensure your lifestyle changes and GLP-1 medications work as they should. After you’ve achieved your weight loss goals, keep going. Routine medical care will create another layer of accountability, helping you adjust weight management goals to maintain where you want to be.
Tips for Integrating Diet, Exercise, and GLP-1 Medications
- Be consistent. Create a nutritious diet plan and exercise routine to combine with your GLP-1 medications, then stick to it. Keep going until you’ve accomplished your weight loss goals, then readjust your routines to meet new maintenance goals.
- Consult with Sota Wellness professionals regularly. If you feel burnt out or unmotivated, let us help you through it. We can monitor your progress, address your concerns, and give you suggestions on how to optimize your treatment plans.
- Write everything down! Document your weight loss journey with meal plans and tracked exercise routines. Push yourself to manage calorie intake and portion control while working out to achieve optimum weight loss.
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated moves the GLP-1 medications through your system. It supports a healthier metabolism, promotes proper digestion, and further decreases appetite so you can discern between false hunger and genuine hunger.
- Seek support from friends, family, support groups, or fitness coaches. Sharing your journey with others will keep you motivated and bolster your accountability.
Possible Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications, like any medications, have mild possible side effects, but they typically clear up within 2-4 weeks of consistent dosage. Common side effects include:
- Low blood sugar levels. You may feel dizzy or unsteady, indicative of a drop in blood sugar.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Nausea or stomachache.
- Headache, especially if you are used to consuming large quantities of sugar daily.
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated: How We Can Help
Sota Wellness is a supportive environment, offering personalized guidance to help you navigate the challenges and pitfalls of your weight loss journey. We help you strive for success by encouraging you to combine diet and exercise with GLP-1 medications while being your cheerleader to maintain motivation. We offer access to educational resources, exercise tips, and nutritional guidance to help you make the most out of your GLP-1 medications.
Combining GLP-1 medications with a nutritious diet and regular exercise can achieve optimal weight loss. With commitment and lifestyle change, you can keep the weight off, becoming a happier, healthier you. Call Sota Wellness for more information!
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