dickybob
GLP-1 Apprentice
Why You Shouldn’t Panic About GLP-1 Muscle Loss https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/....GXan.omLK2eCUD6wQ&smid=nytcore-android-share
Why You Shouldn’t Panic About GLP-1 Muscle Loss NY Times:
- Thread starter dickybob
- Start date
- Status
People wouldn't have to worry about muscle loss on GLP-1s at all if they would eat the proper amount of protein and lift weights. Most people do the absolute bare minimum of simply eating in a deficit.
CNCCurrency
GLP-1 Specialist
Here is what I think is the relevant points in this article. Just my take!
not all muscle is created equal, Dr. Jakicic said, and it’s unclear what kind people lose on these medications. Is it the strong, high-performing muscle, or the low-quality muscle that’s infiltrated with fat and doesn’t contract, regenerate or perform well?
Some decades-old evidence of low-calorie diets suggests that weight loss may disproportionately draw down this lower-quality, fat-laden tissue. A 2025 study also suggested that patients lost a similar amount of muscle volume on tirzepatide as other forms of weight loss, but the fat inside their muscles dropped by more. However, this study just focused on thigh muscles and didn’t measure these muscles’s strength or function.
“The initial loss is probably going to be from the muscle tissue that the body is trying to shed anyway,” Dr. Jakicic said, although more GLP-1-specific research is needed to be sure, including following patients over time.
not all muscle is created equal, Dr. Jakicic said, and it’s unclear what kind people lose on these medications. Is it the strong, high-performing muscle, or the low-quality muscle that’s infiltrated with fat and doesn’t contract, regenerate or perform well?
Some decades-old evidence of low-calorie diets suggests that weight loss may disproportionately draw down this lower-quality, fat-laden tissue. A 2025 study also suggested that patients lost a similar amount of muscle volume on tirzepatide as other forms of weight loss, but the fat inside their muscles dropped by more. However, this study just focused on thigh muscles and didn’t measure these muscles’s strength or function.
“The initial loss is probably going to be from the muscle tissue that the body is trying to shed anyway,” Dr. Jakicic said, although more GLP-1-specific research is needed to be sure, including following patients over time.
FarmgirlRebel
GLP-1 Enthusiast
Interesting article.
I've always thought that obese people have to have esp strong leg muscles to keep the body upright...I have lost an incredible amount of weight and yes, some muscle loss is in there, but my legs are still very strong.
I'm not too worried about it, strength training, protein intake will help me get my muscles back, esp the arms, but overall the loss of 140 lbs so far has made me back into the incredibly active person that I used to be.
I've always thought that obese people have to have esp strong leg muscles to keep the body upright...I have lost an incredible amount of weight and yes, some muscle loss is in there, but my legs are still very strong.
I'm not too worried about it, strength training, protein intake will help me get my muscles back, esp the arms, but overall the loss of 140 lbs so far has made me back into the incredibly active person that I used to be.
CNCCurrency
GLP-1 Specialist
I was very muscular until my metabolism went to shit, I can see the definition coming back and my calf size or biceps have not decreased after 90lb loss, So that doc maybe on the right track questioning if its useless fat in the muscle. I should mention I am on a low dose of hgh? Time will tell.FarmgirlRebel said:
FarmgirlRebel
GLP-1 Enthusiast
That is awesome...doesn't it feel great to get that weight off? I feel like I'm floating and gravity doesn't beat me down like it used to. My calf size has pretty much stayed the same, I did lose inches off the thighs but not extreme. My arms have become a little chicken wingy, lol, but I'm lifting so I can still get a saddle on my horse this spring.CNCCurrency said:
CNCCurrency
GLP-1 Specialist
Men have always had the muscle advantage, I wouldn't worry.FarmgirlRebel said:
Lovedog100
GLP-1 Apprentice
The muscle loss is real. Join a gym, and use it three times a week. Do at least 30 minutes of cardio, (You may have to work your way up to it) and do some weight training. If you don't know how, then pay a trainer for a session or two. The easiest is the machines, most have pictures showing what muscles they work on. Walk around and try them all out, some you will like, others you will hate. One really great side effect is weight loss will accelerate. A second is, you may make a few friends.dickybob said:
lessthanhalf
GLP-1 Specialist
I have read in more than one study that GLP's improve muscle quality and function and reduce intramuscular fat based on muscle biopsies.
While they definitely reduce muscle mass, in practical terms the total mass and fat loss very substantially improve day to day function. I would expect many on this forum have experienced the difference walking up some stairs while obese versus the same after weight loss from GLP's. For me feels effortless by comparison. Most people who are overweight carry some of that extra mass in muscle. I remember a weightlifting friend being extremely annoyed I could bench press as much as he could despite no exercise and me being very overweight. Losing this extra muscle with weight loss in most circumstances does not matter, given overall physical functionality improves. And losing the extra leg muscle needed to move a heavier body does not matter either.
There may be some people who are already on the edge of sarcopenic obesity where this is a real problem, but presumably this is much more of an issue with advanced age or chronic illness. Presumably mid to late 60's and older, with some exceptions. Yoyo dieting with GLP's is probably a bad idea as this could make this issue worse.
High protein intake while losing weight is a good idea as is resistance training , but realistically a large percentage of obese people are not that great at sustaining regular exercise, which is one of the reasons for their obesity. I have not done any resistance training and I know my upper body strength is lower than while obese but in practice it is still much much easier to carry heavy or large objects without a large gut in the way and getting out of breath or exhausted in no time.
While they definitely reduce muscle mass, in practical terms the total mass and fat loss very substantially improve day to day function. I would expect many on this forum have experienced the difference walking up some stairs while obese versus the same after weight loss from GLP's. For me feels effortless by comparison. Most people who are overweight carry some of that extra mass in muscle. I remember a weightlifting friend being extremely annoyed I could bench press as much as he could despite no exercise and me being very overweight. Losing this extra muscle with weight loss in most circumstances does not matter, given overall physical functionality improves. And losing the extra leg muscle needed to move a heavier body does not matter either.
There may be some people who are already on the edge of sarcopenic obesity where this is a real problem, but presumably this is much more of an issue with advanced age or chronic illness. Presumably mid to late 60's and older, with some exceptions. Yoyo dieting with GLP's is probably a bad idea as this could make this issue worse.
High protein intake while losing weight is a good idea as is resistance training , but realistically a large percentage of obese people are not that great at sustaining regular exercise, which is one of the reasons for their obesity. I have not done any resistance training and I know my upper body strength is lower than while obese but in practice it is still much much easier to carry heavy or large objects without a large gut in the way and getting out of breath or exhausted in no time.
- Status
