“Fat Jabs” - the good, the bad and how to use (and come off) them properly
The Good
GLP‑1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy or Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) have taken the world by storm. Originally developed for Type 2 diabetes, they’ve proven exceptionally powerful in obesity treatment, enabling weight reductions of around 15–20% of body weight in clinical trials. Simply put, it has made weight loss possible for millions who were otherwise not succeeding - with all the health and other benefits a lower body fat implies including cardiovascular health, liver function, and even mental health.
The Bad
These drugs reduce your appetite which means you consume fewer calories and force your body to burn fat for energy. Just ‘eating less’ - sometimes dramatically less - can, however, cause issues and fails to address the reason for the unhealthy weight in the first place. People taking or considering these drugs should be aware of the following risks:
1. Nutritional deficiencies
Emerging evidence indicates that within 6 to 12 months of using GLP‑1 agonists, 12.7% of users are diagnosed with nutritional deficiencies—and this rises to 22.4% within a year—with vitamin D deficiency being especially common
2. Loss of muscle mass (lean body mass)
Rapid weight loss can come at a cost: studies from the American Diabetes Association estimate that 15–40% of total weight loss may consist of lean body or muscle mass. Others suggest even higher losses—between 20% and 50% of lean mass—much more than what’s typically seen with traditional diet-and-exercise approaches. Lean mass is critical for health and longevity (not to mention stregth) and should be preseved to the extent humanly possible - if not increased!
3. Weight regain once you stop
There is growing body of evidence that stopping GLP‑1 therapy often leads to rapid weight regain. Up to 95% of users regain weight within months of discontinuing the medication. That’s because the underlying behavioural and physiological drivers of weight gain such as habits, diet and lifestyle have not been addressed.
It is now abundantly clear: the notion that one can just take the shot and not do anything else is misguided at best.
What to do about it
The missing link? Establishing positive, sustainable habits while on medication. That means:
Eating healthily, not merely restricting calories ensuring nutrient-dense, balanced meals rich in protein, fibre, and micronutrients.
Prioritising resistance training and regular movement to preserve lean muscle and metabolic health.
Addressing hydration, sleep, stress, and overall well-being, not just food intake.
Addressing the psychological and behavioural roots of weight gain, such as emotional eating, poor routines, or uninformed food choices.
How Vyrsion can help?
By pairing these treatments with a purpose-built Vyrsion programme designed to create change that lasts, including:
Fitness & strength training
Resistance and functional training components preserve (and build) lean muscle mass, protecting metabolism and physical function during a calorie deficit. The benefits of course go far beyond muscle mass and include huge mental health benefits.Nutrient-smart meal planning
Guided eating plans ensure you’re getting sufficient protein and other key nutrients - crucial for health, energy and preserving muscle.Behavioural and psychological support
Vyrsion addresses the mindset dimensions: habits, emotional triggers, and long-term lifestyle changes.Accountability and support
Having the right people in your corner who are truly invested in your success is hugely beneficial in maintaining sustainable change.
In summary
Therapies like Ozempic and Mounjaro create the physiological conditions for weight loss where it is not possible otherwise; Vyrsion helps ensure that loss is healthy and sustainable.
Why most people fail at creating lasting change – and what actually works…
It all begins with an idea.
Imagine this: you’ve decided this is the year. The year you finally lose the weight, build some muscle, and stop getting winded running up the stairs. You buy the gym membership, download the calorie app, maybe even order the overpriced protein powder. And for a few weeks – maybe even a few months – you’re on fire. But then… life happens. Work gets busy, motivation fades, and suddenly your running shoes are gathering dust under the bed.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Research suggests that about 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February (Norcross & Vangarelli, 1989; still depressingly relevant today). Even when it comes to structured weight loss programmes, relapse is the rule, not the exception: studies show that most people regain 30–50% of the weight they lose within one year, and almost all of it within five years (Anderson et al., 2001).
So the question is: Why do so many of us fail to create lasting change?
The Three Myths of Transformation
Let’s bust a few myths.
The Myth of Willpower.
Most people think change fails because they don’t have enough willpower. But research shows willpower is like a phone battery: it drains fast (Baumeister et al., 1998). If your whole plan depends on “just trying harder,” you’re already setting yourself up for failure.The Myth of the Silver Bullet.
Keto. HIIT. Intermittent fasting. Fasting while doing HIIT in a state of ketosis. There’s always a “miracle” strategy. The problem? Most diets work – in the short term. But they fail because they’re unsustainable for real lives, with real jobs and, let’s face it, real temptations (Mann et al., 2007).The Myth of Going It Alone.
Humans are social creatures. Yet most people tackle health alone: tracking calories, lifting weights, scrolling Instagram for “fitspo.” The truth is, behaviour change science tells us that social accountability and professional support dramatically improve adherence (Wing & Phelan, 2005).
The Science of Lasting Change
So what actually works?
Integrated Support.
Success comes when nutrition, exercise, mindset, and lifestyle are treated as one system. For example, weight loss combined with behavioural therapy has better long-term results than diet alone (Wadden et al., 2007).Small, Consistent Habits.
James Clear didn’t sell five million copies of Atomic Habits by accident. Research shows small, repeatable habits beat big, unsustainable overhauls (Lally et al., 2010).Identity Shift.
The real change isn’t just losing weight or running a 10k. It’s becoming the kind of person who does those things by default. Psychologists call this self-identity integration – when new behaviours become part of who you are (Oyserman, 2009).
Why Vyrsion Works Differently
This is where Vyrsion comes in.
Most health programmes give you one piece of the puzzle – a personal trainer, a meal plan, maybe an app that cheers when you hit 10,000 steps. Useful, but incomplete for many...
At Vyrsion, we build a team around you:
Personal Trainers to guide your body.
Nutritionists to fuel it.
Psychologists to tackle the mindset barriers.
Coaches to keep the whole system moving forward and you connected with your “Why”.
By combining disciplines and handpicking the best in their respective fields, we align every part of your health – physical, nutritional, and psychological – so the changes stick.
The Takeaway
Lasting transformation isn’t about willpower, gimmicks, or going it alone. It’s about taking a holistic and science-based approach.
So, the next time you think “I’ll just try harder next time” remember this: trying harder is overrated. Trying smarter – with the right team around you – is how real change happens.
And at Vyrsion, that’s exactly what we deliver.