GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have changed the way we treat obesity. But as the number on the scale goes down, another number may be dropping too: your lean body mass.
At Boli, we believe patients deserve the full picture — and the right tools to protect not just their weight, but their health.
Weight loss is not just fat loss
When people lose weight quickly, they don’t just lose fat. They often lose muscle too. This is particularly true with GLP-1 drugs, which significantly reduce appetite and caloric intake.
A major study published in Obesity in 2023 by Wharton et al. followed 1,000 patients treated with semaglutide. It found that 39% of total weight lost came from lean mass, including skeletal muscle.
This phenomenon isn’t unique to GLP-1s — it’s common in all forms of rapid weight loss. But it matters. Because muscle is not just for strength. It supports metabolism, protects against injury, improves insulin sensitivity, and helps prevent weight regain.
Why this matters for patients on GLP-1
Muscle loss during GLP-1 treatment can:
- Slow your metabolism
- Reduce functional strength
- Increase fatigue and frailty
- Make it harder to maintain your weight later
And yet, few patients are told about this risk. Even fewer are guided on how to prevent it.
At Boli, we don’t just support patients on the medication. We support their entire metabolic profile — including muscle.
What you can do to preserve muscle
Protecting lean mass during GLP-1 therapy requires simple, targeted actions:
- Prioritize protein intake: aim for at least 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day
- Add resistance-based activity: even short, bodyweight exercises can help
- Avoid extreme caloric restriction: quality matters more than quantity
- Track energy levels and strength over time
Muscle loss is not inevitable. With the right support, you can preserve — and even build — lean mass during treatment.
How Boli helps
Boli was built to make GLP-1 therapies work better in real life — and that includes muscle protection.
We provide:
- Personalized nutrition guidance, focused on adequate protein
- Simple, GLP-1-adapted movement programs
- Weekly check-ins on strength, fatigue and activity
- Clear education on the difference between weight loss and health loss
GLP-1s offer a unique metabolic opportunity. But to use it well, you need more than a prescription — you need a plan.
You’re not just losing weight. You’re building health.
At Boli, we believe your body deserves more than a smaller size. It deserves strength, energy, and resilience. That’s why we help you lose fat — without losing muscle.
Reference
Wharton, S., Kuk, J. L., Luszczynska, A., et al. (2023). Changes in body composition during semaglutide treatment: a prospective real-world study. Obesity, 31(6), 1127–1135. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23753
