Club Times January/February 2024

f itness & nutrition Considering Weight Loss Medications? AAC Trainer, Josh Brown, Weighs In In recent years it has become an increasingly popular practice to use GLP-1 agonist medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda and Mounjaro for weight loss. These drugs were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes but have since proven very effective for weight loss in those without diabetes. I have had several clients enjoy success with GLP-1s and have dozens of others ask me about these drugs. I am obviously not a doctor so there is little guidance I can provide other than to consult your physician.... but one thing I can confidently say is that studies and anecdotal evidence both indicate that there is a significant amount of lean muscle loss, or atrophy, associated with the rapid weight loss brought on by these products. Possible deleterious effects associated with that atrophy are loss of strength, decreased energy, stamina and basal metabolic rate which could lead to more rapid weight gain upon cessation of use. I advise my clients and anyone considering GLP-1s to complement their use with a strength training program specifically designed to mitigate muscle loss. Let me create an individualized workout plan that works specifically for you to maximize the benefits and improve your overall health: jbhealthfit@yahoo.com

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ABOUT JOSH Josh received his Masters of Science degree in kinesiology from Georgia Southern University in 2009 and has most recently added certification in golf fitness from the National Academy of Sports Medicine to his list of credentials. During his 23 years at AAC Josh has worked with hundreds of clients of all ages and fitness levels, many of whom have been training with him for over a decade. He enjoys all aspects of fitness training from sports performance to fat loss but has a particular interest in the area of corrective and functional exercise for improved posture, balance/stability, flexibility, joint mobility and spinal health/low back pain reduction. He takes a highly individualized and client centric approach to exercise programming, as he has found that “the most effective diet and exercise plan is the one that the individual enjoys enough to stick to it long term.”