GLP-1 Medications: What Women Need to Know Before Jumping In

Over the last few years, GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda have exploded in popularity. You’ve probably seen them all over social media, heard celebrities endorsing them, or maybe even know a friend who’s using them. At their core, these drugs were originally designed to help people with type 2 diabetes regulate blood sugar. But more recently, they’ve been prescribed for weight loss—and that’s where so many women are getting interested. After our recent new program launch (Rediscovery), I have had the chance to talk to some awesome new women in Milton Keynes about about health and I can't help but notice how many women are taking GLP-1 - Hence my urge for writing this.

What Exactly Is GLP-1?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It’s a hormone your body naturally produces after eating, helping regulate blood sugar and signaling your brain that you’re full. The medications mimic this hormone, slowing down digestion, reducing hunger, and ultimately leading people to eat less.

This can result in significant weight loss—sometimes 10–15% of body weight or more. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise these drugs are being seen as a quick fix for weight struggles. For women juggling careers, family, and constant pressure around appearance, GLP-1s can seem like a no-brainer.

Why So Many Women Are Turning to It

• Effectiveness: The weight loss results are real, and faster than what most people experience with diet and exercise alone.

• Control over cravings: Many women describe feeling “free” from food noise for the first time.

• Health benefits: For those with insulin resistance, PCOS, or diabetes, GLP-1s can improve blood sugar control and reduce health risks.

But as with most quick wins, there’s more to the story.

The Downsides You Don’t Hear About Enough

1. Loss of Lean Mass When you lose weight rapidly, you don’t just lose fat—you also lose muscle. For women, this can be a serious issue. Lean mass is critical for metabolism, bone health, and long-term strength. Less muscle can mean a slower metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight loss once the medication stops. Muscle is hard to come by, particularly for women, so its critical women are doing everything they can to grow and protect it.

2. Unknown Long-Term Health Risks These medications are still relatively new in the weight-loss space. We don’t yet fully know the impact on women’s health over decades. New research is alluding to scary health risks making this choice to take GLP-1 or not a real roll of the dice. I won't label any risks as it's not fair to say without concrete evidence.

3. Avoiding the Hard but Crucial Work of Habit Change This is where I see the biggest issue. A movement/trend that avoids the honest hard work. That is likley making it harder in the long run anyway. But the honest hard work is something we truly pride ourselves on at CJPT. This is the build of sustainable habits around nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep. GLP-1s can create weight loss, but they don’t teach you how to build those habits. If anything, they can delay that process. Many women worry about regaining the weight if they stop taking the injections, which creates a cycle of dependency.

My Perspective as a PT

I’m not here to say GLP-1s should never be used. For some women—especially those with serious metabolic conditions—they can be a powerful medical tool (even though I'd argue there are still things we can manipulate for success). But for the majority, the drawbacks deserve real consideration. The loss of muscle, the unknowns about long-term safety of health, and the avoidance of lifestyle change can all work against the very goals most women are chasing: strength, confidence, and lasting health.

The slower, less glamorous path—building nutrition and exercise habits you can stick with—is ultimately the one that lasts. Quick fixes may take weight off, but it’s the daily actions you choose that will keep it off and protect your health in the long run. Also, GLP-1 is not a cheap fix, the same money would land you some quaility support from a PT...

If you're based in Milton Keynes and wish to join a community of like-minded women committed to honest hard work, send me a message today and let's chat.