Have you ever stopped to think about fitness and the term “working out” itself? There is a reason why working out and workout starts with “work.” Fitness requires work. There is no getting around that fact. If you want to be fit, then you have to put in the work. It begins with a mindset change from one of disdain for the work to one of anticipation and readiness for the work along with a focus on the results of the work. I had a football trainer who used to tell me all the time, “get your mind right,” and it stuck. One phrase can change everything.
That said, there are tools out there that can enhance the effects of the work that you put into your fitness program. HOTWORX is one such tool. The brand motto is MORE WORKOUT, LESS TIME, and it is a tool to help you achieve your fitness goals faster and with more health benefits, but the work still has to be done.
As a fitness trainer, I see a concerning trend out there. Everyone knows that taking pills and getting shots for weight loss is all the rage right now. Millions of people are getting weight loss results with these drugs that were designed for treatment of diabetes. These drugs help people avoid the “work” of weight loss in the short term, but it is unclear what will be the long term effects. For weight loss, these drugs trick your digestive system and your brain into thinking you are full. Ozempic is approved by the FDA for adults with type 2 diabetes, not for general public use and weight loss. Again, it remains to be seen what the long term side effects of its use by the masses will be. Early reports are concerning, though. Please proceed with caution and keep up your workouts if you opt in on this.
The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug's own website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. The thought of continuous nausea and abdominal pain is an unpleasant one for sure.
Here’s one additional note: “The stomach and brain are so connected that intestinal issues can lead to stress, anxiety and depression — it's what's known as the "gut-brain connection." (1)
The more serious side effects are thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, vision issues, hypoglycemia, gallbladder problems, cancer and kidney failure. Some people have experienced severe gastro-intestinal related problems which includes cases of paralysis of the stomach known as gastroparesis, which is the basis of a recent lawsuit that claims that the makers of Ozempic failed to warn consumers.
Even if someone decides to use the drugs for weight loss, they will need to continue the work of workouts or they will end up a smaller version of the same unfit body composition that they were before the use of the drug. Basically, they will be a weaker and more slim version of the same untoned body. The goal along with weight loss should always be to increase lean muscle tissue and build strength to achieve more body tone.
The research journal Obesity recently published a research paper entitled Physical Activity in the New Era of Antiobesity Medications. Here is a relevant quote from that paper:
Physical activity may attenuate the loss of lean mass that is observed with AOM treatments and may enhance the quality and function of muscle. Physical activity is a key behavior for holistic health within this era of contemporary AOMs [antiobesity medications] that warrants appropriate attention within the clinical care of patients. (2)
Simply put, it is not healthy to take weight loss drugs without the practice of some form of fitness routine. If you are considering the use of AOMs, please remember that a workout routine must be a part of your holistic health program.
The work of working out cannot be avoided if fitness is the goal!
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