As the weight loss medications continue to become popular worldwide, so does the understanding that medication alone is not a magic solution. While these medications have transformed weight management for many, sustainable success often hinges on a more comprehensive, holistic approach.

With the popularity of these medications growing rapidly, one question is emerging: Can weight loss medications replace diet and exercise? The short answer: No. 

Here’s what happens when you stop these medications and why building muscle is your best defense against weight rebound.

When you're on weight loss medications, it might seem like exercise becomes less of a priority since the numbers on the scale are moving in the right direction. But losing weight isn’t only about hitting your target weight; it’s about maintaining your health, strength, and appearance along the way.

Cardio exercises boost heart health, increase energy, support weight loss, and help manage blood sugar. Starting with simple workouts like a 15-minute walk or a full-body beginner routine builds confidence and stamina.

Building muscle is just as important as losing weight when it comes to improving overall fitness and long-term health.

For women with gestational diabetes, it’s important to closely monitor your blood sugar. It’s recommended that blood glucose levels be tested regularly. A fasting blood glucose level should be checked each morning, and the level should also be checked one to two hours after eating. Treatment will focus on keeping glucose levels as close to the normal range as possible, which helps to reduce the risk of complications.

The true power of a CGM lies beyond just numbers on a graph. It’s about what those numbers can tell you about your lifestyle, diet, exercise, and metabolic health. 

Dr Peter Attia, a physician and longevity expert, introduced the concept of the “Four Horsemen of Chronic Diseases” – these are the four chronic diseases that are responsible for the majority of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key hormone of the reproductive system in both men and women. FSH triggers the development of mature eggs or sperm in the ovaries or testes.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that’s important for the function of many different body systems. Both men’s and women’s bodies produce testosterone, though the levels are much higher in men.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain.

CGMs help track blood sugar fluctuations, allowing you to optimize diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices for steady energy.

CGMs have changed diabetes management by eliminating the need for frequent finger pricks and providing continuous glucose monitoring.

The CICO model suggests that willpower is all an individual needs to lose weight. However, a commonly overlooked fact is that the CICO model is imperfect because not all calories are processed and absorbed the same way. According to the dual intervention point model, non-motivation-related factors influencing weight loss include biological mechanisms and environmental influences.

GLP-1 RAs and dual GIP/GLP-1 RAs help with weight loss by regulating appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and enhancing insulin secretion. But they are not a magic solution. Sustainable weight loss requires lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.

Triglycerides are a type of fat that the body uses to store energy. Some triglycerides are absorbed from the diet, and the liver also makes triglycerides whenever the body has excess energy available.

High-density lipoproteins, or HDL, act to scavenge excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and return it to the liver to be processed and eliminated.

LDL, also known as “bad cholesterol,” serves to carry cholesterol to the body’s tissues. High LDL levels cause excess cholesterol to accumulate in the blood, where it can cause damage.