Muscle Loss on Semaglutide: What Does Semaglutide Do to Muscles?

So, you have decided to begin your weight loss journey on semaglutide – congratulations! You are now one step closer to getting in the best shape of your life, and feeling more confident than ever. It’s a decision you definitely won’t regret!

However, before you immerse fully into your journey, you probably have a lot of questions that need to be answered. What is the average weight loss on semaglutide? Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic? How fast can you lose 20 lbs on this medication? 

Another question that’s probably running through your head is about muscle loss on semaglutide. Should you worry about losing muscle mass, and if that’s the case, what can you do to minimize it? In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know.

Let’s get right into it:

Will I Experience Muscle Loss on Semaglutide?

So, does semaglutide cause muscle loss?

No…and yes. Hear us out! On one hand, it’s a no, because this medication is designed with the primary goal of reducing body fat, and it won’t cause muscle loss more than any other weight loss medication or strategy that involves calorie reduction.

However…regardless of what strategy you are taking to reduce caloric deficit, there is always some risk that muscle mass could decrease along with fat if you are not taking the right measures to prevent it.

In conclusion, you might experience some muscle loss on semaglutide if your diet lacks sufficient protein or your strength training is neglected, but this medication doesn’t cause direct muscle loss more than any other weight loss approach that focuses on caloric deficit. 

This is great news – it means that you can take preventive measures to ensure that you are effectively minimizing any potential muscle loss.

What Causes Muscle Loss on a Caloric Deficit?

When it comes to muscle loss on semaglutide, we just learned that it’s not the medication itself that causes the loss of muscle mass, but the fact that you are on a caloric deficit. But what exactly causes muscle loss on a caloric deficit?

Well, there are a few reasons why this happens.

First, it’s because you are not meeting your energy requirements. Your body requires energy to function, which is obtained from the calories you consume. When you consume fewer calories than what your body needs, it looks for alternative energy sources.

While fat is a primary energy reserve, muscle tissue can also be broken down into amino acids and used for energy, especially if fat stores are insufficient or if dietary protein is too low to sustain muscle repair and growth.

In addition, the maintenance and growth of your muscle mass depend heavily on your protein intake. If you are not meeting your protein needs – which often happens when you are in a caloric deficit – your body breaks down muscle tissue to access essential amino acids.

Being on a calorie deficit can also affect hormones such as cortisol, a stress hormone that increases your response to perceived starvation. High cortisol levels can also lead to muscle breakdown.

How Can I Prevent Muscle Loss on Semaglutide?

Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent and minimize muscle loss on semaglutide, which, as we mentioned earlier, is really muscle loss due to caloric deficit. Here are some of our main tips:

Don’t Reduce Calories Drastically

If a regular caloric deficit can lead to muscle loss on semaglutide, can you imagine what an extreme caloric deficit can do to your muscles? Your body needs energy to maintain its basic functions – regulating metabolism, ensuring optimal digestion, and many more.

However, when you deprive your body of the calories it needs to function, it may start using your muscle tissue as an energy source. This will not only lead to muscle loss, but will also slow down your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). 

So, we highly recommend avoiding extreme caloric deficit if you are looking to reduce muscle loss on semaglutide. A gradual weight loss of 1 pound per week is a much better approach, so try not reducing your daily calorie intake by more than 500 calories.

For most people, this should allow for enough energy and nutrient intake to support your body functions without leading to severe muscle loss.

Increase Your Protein Intake

Proteins are the building blocks of muscle, so what can you expect to happen if you are not consuming enough protein? You guessed it – muscle loss on semaglutide! 

Proteins serve important functions in the body, especially when it comes to muscle maintenance and repair. This means that enriching your diet with high-quality protein, and ensuring that you are getting enough of it, is key for weight loss without losing muscle mass.

Keep in mind that the amount of protein you need to consume highly depends on your weight. According to the National Institute of Health, you should aim to consume at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, which is 0.36 grams per pound. 

You can also use a protein intake calculator for more precise calculations.

To get high-quality protein, focus on foods such as:

• Lean Meats – Chicken breast, turkey, lean cuts of beef or pork
• Eggs – They are one of the most complete sources of protein
• Fish – Such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines
• Dairy – Milk, yogurt, and cheese are excellent sources of protein

If you are looking for plant-based proteins to prevent muscle loss on semaglutide, focus on consuming legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as whole grains. Tofu and tempeh are other excellent sources of plant-based protein. 

Incorporate Strength Training Activities

Another great way to prevent or minimize muscle loss on semaglutide is to incorporate strength training exercises at least 2 or 3 times per week. Doing this will create small tears in the muscle fibers, which will help your muscles grow stronger and bigger as they repair.

And there is more great news – strength training can help you lose fat while preserving or even increasing muscle mass, which will significantly improve your body composition. This is especially important during a caloric deficit, as it ensures that you are losing mostly fat as opposed to muscle. 

In combination with semaglutide, you will be unstoppable!

To avoid muscle loss on semaglutide, these are some of the best strength training exercises that you can incorporate into your routine:

• Compound Movements – Such as squats, deadlifts, bench press and pull-ups;
• Resistance Training – Leg presses, dumbbell shoulder presses, bicep curls, etc;
• High-Intensity Interval Training – HIIT is a great way to preserve lean muscle mass;
• Functional Fitness – Including planks for core strengthening, and step exercises;
• Bodyweight Exercises – Such as push-ups and lunges;

During your strength training sessions, make sure to target all major muscle groups, as variety can help develop muscular balance. Instead of going all-in, gradually increase the resistance or load as your strength improves. 

Make Sure to Drink Enough Water

Are you forgetting to drink your water? Studies have shown that a whopping 80% of people don’t drink enough water, even though more than 60% of our bodies – and 90% of our brain – is water. This is simply mind-blowing!

Image source: garmin.com 

Well, ensuring adequate hydration is absolutely essential if you want to maintain optimal muscle function and recovery after workouts. Drinking enough water can minimize the breakdown of muscle proteins that occur during a caloric deficit. 

In addition, drinking enough water can help with muscle loss on semaglutide by ensuring that your muscles can contract properly, allowing you to endure more during your workouts – which is key for maintaining muscle mass.

Water is a critical component of many metabolic processes, including the synthesis of proteins, which are the building blocks of muscle. Adequate hydration ensures that your body can efficiently synthesize proteins, aiding in muscle repair and growth.

You may ask – so, how much water should I drink per day on semaglutide? According to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day, and men should drink about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day.

Keep Track Of Your Progress

Paying close attention to your progress is extremely important if you are looking to prevent and reduce muscle loss on semaglutide. It allows you to determine if you are losing muscle or fat, and adjust your diet and exercise accordingly.

One way you can keep track of your progress is to use a body composition scale or a DEXA scan to get accurate measurements of your muscle mass vs fat mass. In addition, taking measures of the circumference of your muscles regularly can provide practical indicators of musle maintenance. 

We also recommend you to keep a log of your workouts, including:

• Type of exercises
• Frequency
• Intensity
• Duration

This will help you observe patterns, and make adjustments as needed. If you notice muscle loss, you might need to increase resistance training or adjust your recovery periods.

What Are The Most Common Signs of Muscle Loss on Semaglutide?

If you are experiencing muscle loss on semaglutide, there are some signs that you should look for that will indicate what’s going on inside your body. 

We highly recommend that you are paying close attention to your potential muscle loss – here are some of the most common signs to watch for:

• Your Muscle Strength Has Decreased – If you find it harder to lift objects that you used to handle easily, or you see a decline in your overall performance during physician activity, it could be due to muscle loss on semaglutide. 
• Your Muscle Size Has Decreased – Another common sign of potential muscle loss is smaller muscle size. If you notice visible thinning or shrinking of your muscles over time, this can be a direct sign of muscle atrophy. 
• You Are Experiencing More Fatigue – If you notice that you are experiencing more than the usual fatigue after training, and you lack energy overall, this could also suggest that you are losing muscle mass.
• Your Muscle Texture Has Become Flabbier – If your muscles feel softer or not as firm as before when you are touching them, this could also indicate that you are losing mass and strength.
• You Have Difficulties Performing Daily Tasks – Do you suddenly experience difficulties when performing daily tasks, such as going up the stairs or carrying groceries? It could be due to muscle loss on semaglutide.
• You Require a Longer Recovery Time – If you find that your recovery time after physical activity has become significantly longer, it could indicate muscle loss. Muscle atrophy can make it harder for your body to recover and rebuild effectively after exercise.

Can I Get Compounded Semaglutide For Free?

Does getting compounded semaglutide for free sounds just way too good to be true? Well, it isn’t! You can get your free meds with FancyMeds by signing up for our Referral Program, and sharing your unique $75 coupon code with 3 friends or family members. 

We are excited to see you reach your goals! Join now!

About FancyMeds

We are a state-licensed pharmacy that specializes in the compounding of customized medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. 

While they contain the same active ingredients as Ozempic and Mounjaro, our medications are customized to meet your specific health needs.

By combining high-quality, FDA-approved ingredients with precise, expert formulations, we ensure that each medication not only adheres to rigorous safety standards, but also aligns perfectly with your prescriptions as advised by healthcare providers. 

FAQ

Can I lose weight on semaglutide without losing muscle?

Yes, you can lose weight on semaglutide without losing muscle by incorporating strength training exercises and ensuring a protein-rich diet. It’s important to maintain a balanced caloric intake that supports muscle maintenance while you lose fat. 

Regular monitoring of muscle mass and adjusting your diet and exercise regimen accordingly will help preserve muscle as you use semaglutide for weight loss.

Does semaglutide directly cause muscle breakdown?

Semaglutide does not directly cause muscle breakdown. It primarily affects appetite and blood sugar levels, which can lead to reduced calorie intake. 

However, without adequate protein intake and strength training, the lower calorie consumption might indirectly lead to muscle loss. It’s important to balance your diet and maintain an exercise regimen to preserve muscle mass while on semaglutide. 

How often should I exercise to maintain muscle while on semaglutide?

To maintain muscle while on semaglutide, aim to engage in strength training exercises at least two to three times per week. This frequency helps stimulate muscle growth and preservation, even under reduced calorie intake. 

It’s important to include a variety of resistance exercises that target all major muscle groups to ensure balanced muscle maintenance.

What are the signs that I might be losing muscle mass on semaglutide?

Signs of muscle loss on semaglutide include decreased strength and endurance, muscles feeling flabbier or less firm, and possibly noticing a decrease in muscle size. You might also experience increased fatigue during activities that previously felt easier. 

Monitoring these changes can help you adjust your diet and exercise regimen to better support muscle maintenance.

What type of exercise is best for preserving muscle on semaglutide?

The best type of exercise for preserving muscle on semaglutide is strength training. This includes lifting weights, using resistance bands, or engaging in bodyweight exercises such as push-ups and squats. 

These activities help stimulate muscle growth and maintenance, which is crucial for counteracting potential muscle loss due to reduced calorie intake associated with semaglutide.