Reduced Athletic Performance
Users on Reddit report a variety of experiences regarding athletic performance while taking GLP-1 medications, with many noting a decline in stamina, strength, and overall energy levels. Some attribute this to the medication's mechanism of action, while others focus on mitigating these effects through diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Experiences with Reduced Athletic Performance:
Fatigue is a commonly cited reason for reduced performance. A user noted, "I would say I definitely feel wayyyyy more tired than usual. "[2] Another shared, "My most major side effects was being very fatigued the day after injection. "[10]
Some users experience difficulty with endurance activities. One person described, "Difficult in performing endurance activities I would normally do. "[6]
The impact can be significant enough to affect motivation for exercise. A user shared, "I was absolutely listless on the medication… I stopped lifting for four months because I had no energy whatsoever… getting myself to go for walks even felt impossible and my mood Was very low… the mood effects/listlessness were the reasons I stopped and it also took many months for my normal motivation to return to get back to the gym/exercising. "[13]
Another user on Semaglutide experienced "lost a lot of muscle (my running speed dropped to about 30% off my peak) and was really, really tired. "[4]
One user on Trulicity, a competitive powerlifter, stated, "About the time I started taking trulicity I had a significant loss of strength. I went from benching 460 to barely hitting 315 in about 6 months. "[14]
A user on Tirzepatide mentioned, "The hardest part is the sheer lack of energy when it comes time to work out. "[9]
Some users find that hard exercise becomes more difficult. One user said, "its made hard exercise a little harder. "[11]
Reasons Suggested for Reduced Performance:
Another user believes, "My understanding is that your performance drops just while you are on the med. I have read reports from others who say their strength and stamina returns as soon as they come off the med. I think it has to do with your body’s ability to access glucose during physical stress. "[16]
Muscle loss is a concern for some, with one user stating, "Something else to add, you will definitely lose muscle mass and strength. So plan on working out if you want to minimize that loss. "[12] Another commented, "Basically every diet causes muscle loss if you don't work out. "[17]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Protein Intake: Maintaining protein intake is frequently recommended to combat muscle loss. "She has helped so much to explain the importance of protein and exercise and I truly hope that it will help me keep the weight off when I stop the GLP1!!! "[20] Another user mentioned, "Thats why it’s super important to eat protein. So I try to eat my protein first at every meal before I fill up and also do protein shakes in between lunch and dinner. "[21] A user who lost weight without significant muscle loss said, "I focused a lot on listening to my body (both OTF and food-wise), made sure I had some protein the mornings before OTF, and once I got used to the workouts, lifting on the heavier side to build muscle instead of just losing weight. "[15]
Strength Training: Incorporating weight or resistance training is suggested to preserve muscle mass. "Muscle mass loss can be counteracted with weight training and a protein rich diet"[22] and "She basically explained that the mounjaro is ‘doing the cardio for me’ and to focus more on muscle building and less intensive forms of exercise. So walking and weight resistance. "[21]
Dietary Adjustments Before Exercise: One user found it helpful to "try not to eat anything heavy for a few hours before the workout" to avoid nausea during exercise. [19]
Listen to Your Body and Adjust Exercise: Users recommend being mindful of how the medication affects them. "Take it easy on the OTF workouts until you know how the medication affects you. "[15]
It's worth noting that not all users experience a decline. One user on tirzepatide shared, "I’ve been on tirzepatide (branded) for 4 months and my lifts have gone up quite a bit... No problem hitting my calorie goals either.
Experiences with Reduced Athletic Performance:
- Several users explicitly state a decrease in their athletic capabilities.
Reasons Suggested for Reduced Performance:
- One user explained, "GLP-1s reduce how quickly your body converts food into energy, and reduces the amount of energy you consume.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Electrolytes and Hydration: Several users emphasize the importance of electrolytes.
It's worth noting that not all users experience a decline. One user on tirzepatide shared, "I’ve been on tirzepatide (branded) for 4 months and my lifts have gone up quite a bit... No problem hitting my calorie goals either.