Wegovy is a popular medication for people trying to lose weight, but it’s most effective when it’s used as part of a healthy lifestyle.
One of the most important aspects of a healthy lifestyle is regular exercise, so someone planning on making lifestyle changes while using Wegovy might consider developing a fitness routine.
But the thought of doing so can be quite daunting, particularly if it’s been some time since they last exercised – where do you start?
Here, we’ll look at the importance of exercise while on Wegovy, as well as the different types of exercise to consider, and how frequently people should work out.
How does Wegovy work?
Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 medication, also known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone that controls hunger by slowing digestion and reducing appetite, and it’s produced by the gut after we eat.
GLP-1 medications like Wegovy mimic the hormone, telling the brain that the person feels full. These drugs were first developed to help treat type 2 diabetes, but now, people with obesity and related health conditions also use Wegovy to suppress their appetite and reduce food noise, persistent, unwanted thoughts about food.
Using Wegovy alongside sensible lifestyle changes, like regular exercise, can help you lose weight at a steady pace while preserving muscle mass.
The benefits of exercise on Wegovy
It’s no secret that exercise is important for good health, and that’s no different for people using Wegovy.
While Wegovy helps people lose weight, it’s more effective when it’s taken at the same time as lifestyle changes are made. If someone using a GLP-1 eats a balanced diet, aims to get enough sleep, and ensures they work out regularly, they’re more likely to see the weight loss results they’re after.
When we exercise, we burn more calories. This can help create a calorie deficit, where you’re burning more calories than you’re taking in. This helps people lose weight. Because Wegovy suppresses appetite, people eat less, and this combination of eating less food and exercising helps with weight loss.
Not only that, but exercise also has mental health benefits. For some people, eating is connected to emotion – eating unhealthy food or large portions when stressed, upset or anxious – so exercising may help them feel better.
What exercise is best when taking Wegovy?
There’s no single right answer here. Any exercise is beneficial, whether you’re taking part in a class at the gym or you’re going for a walk in the park. Activities like gardening, dancing, and even housework burn more calories than sitting still, even if we might not consider them conventional exercise.
You might decide to join a gym and use their cardio equipment, resistance machines or free weights, start going to an exercise class, or take up jogging or running. Any exercise will help you on your weight loss journey, and the main thing is finding something you enjoy.
The NHS recommend that adults do strengthening activities that work the major muscle groups – legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms – at least twice a week, so this could be a good starting point.
Cardio is effective when losing weight, while incorporating strength training can help preserve muscle mass, too, because this can be lost along with fat when losing weight. The best workouts on Wegovy will involve both, but any regular exercise will help.
How much exercise should I do on Wegovy?
The NHS advises that adults aged between 19 and 64 should do some form of physical activity every day, with at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, spread out over at least four to five days. This applies to people who want to exercise to help with weight loss on GLP-1 medications, too.
Be careful not to overdo it, particularly if you haven’t exercised for a while or you have other medical conditions. Speak to your clinician to formulate a sensible exercise plan that will help you lose weight but reduce the risk of getting hurt.
Staying motivated when exercising on Wegovy
Whether you aren’t seeing the weight loss you’re hoping for, you feel self-conscious working out in front of others, or it’s just cold and dark outside, keeping that motivation to exercise can be tricky sometimes. You could try one of the following to help stick to your routine:
- Keep exercise as part of your daily routine. Just as you brush your teeth or load the dishwasher every day, make exercise a constant that you don’t even have to really think about.
- Bring a loved one. Invite your friend for a run, get your partner to join you on a walk – having some company can be a pleasant distraction from the exercise.
- Remove excuses. Can you never find your trainers? Make sure they’re always by the front door so you know you can’t back out. Phone battery low? Make a habit of charging it before it’s time to work out.
- Put your headphones on. Make a playlist of your favourite high-energy songs or listen to that audiobook or podcast you’ve been meaning to get around to.
- Look back at your progress. Consider how far you’ve come on your weight loss journey, and think about the goals you’re working towards.
If you’re thinking of getting started on a weight loss journey of your own, the clinical team at The Virtual Slimming Clinic can offer some advice, creating a plan that includes regular exercise you feel at ease with. You could start an assessment with us today to find out if Wegovy could be a good fit for your lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Should I join a gym on Wegovy?
It’s entirely up to you. Some people find that they enjoy the different mix of activities a gym offers, and the freedom to exercise on their own, with friends, or as part of a class. Others prefer working out at home or running outside.
Do I need to exercise every day on Wegovy?
It’s recommended that adults do some form of physical activity every day, but it doesn’t have to be conventional exercise. Housework or walking instead of taking the car both count. However, the NHS advice is that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, spread out over at least four days.
Does exercise make Wegovy side effects worse?
Among the common side effects are nausea and dizziness, so if you’re already experiencing them, intense exercise may not make you feel any better. But on the other hand, exercise creates endorphins, hormones that improve mood, so it may help with the potential mental side effects. And, light exercise may help with mild nausea and bloating.
Above all, there’s no concrete evidence that exercise will have a big impact on the side effects, so it’s important to listen to your body and speak to your clinician if you’re unsure.