As someone who has worked in the Fitness Industry for over 2 decades now, I have come across my fair share of FAD Diets, Weight Loss Supplements, and Training Gimmicks. And to be honest, like most people, when I first began my fitness journey (fuck, I hate the term – “Fitness Journey”) I digested anything and everything I read and heard when it came to building muscle and losing fat. Unfortunately, as a naive 15-year-old boy, I also believed anything and everything I was told to take by the Supplement Companies. I cringe now when I think back to all the wasted time, effort and money I spent on these shitty supplements that did nothing but cause me to retain fluid and pass excessive amounts of gas.
It wasn’t until I was 17 years old that I finally learned the “Dark Secret” as to how all the professional bodybuilders, fitness models and celebrities whose physiques I admired and strived to obtain, actually got so big, ripped and lean in such a short period. And I promise you that it had NOTHING to do with Creatine and Whey Protein Powder.
Anabolic Steroids & Pharmaceutical Fat Burners
When I first started lifting weights anabolic steroids were rarely if ever spoken about openly. The people who used them were known to be the “hardcore lifters” in the gym. For the most part, these were usually the people who competed in fitness competitions and/or powerlifting events. The internet was around however the information on it was nowhere near as prevalent and accessible as it is today. These days, a simple Google search of “how to start your first steroid cycle” will pop up hundreds of thousands of articles, Vlogs, Blogs and YouTube videos dispersing information/misinformation on how to get started going down the “Dark Side”. As a result, we now have more people than ever before trying these powerful and potentially dangerous drugs without any significant training experience or knowledge of the adverse side effects caused by long-term steroid usage.
What is Ozempic?
Finally, what you came here for. You want to know all about the increasingly popular fat-burning drug also known as “Hollywood’s worst kept secret” – Ozempic. Ever since the rumours of Kim Kadashian using the diabetes medicine (that’s right, this drug is designed for Type 2 Diabetics!) to help shed 16+ pounds to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the Met Gala, I’ve been receiving DMs, emails, and text messages from people asking me if I believe this drug works.
So, I’ll be honest – Ozempic most certainly DOES work!
Semaglutide (Ozempic) is the synthetic version of a naturally occurring human hormone, called Glucagon-like peptide or GLP-1 that has been modified so that it is less likely to be broken down and therefore has a longer duration of action. The drug itself is an injectable medication that is designed for adults with type 2 diabetes that helps lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. In other words, it helps greatly improve blood sugar levels for people who are type 2 diabetics.
Although initially not designed for weight loss, this injectable medication (which is administered 1x/a week) helps make people feel fuller for a longer period and reduces their cravings for more food. Taking Ozempic weekly has been proven to enhance the way our bodies regulate blood sugar levels and the storage of fat, thus helping people lose weight in a more efficient and shorter time frame.
Are There Any Risks/Side Effects With Taking Ozempic?
Again, I will be honest. OF COURSE, there are risks/side effects when taking Ozempic!
With that being said, from most articles that I’ve read that are written by REAL medical professionals, Ozempic is a fairly safe medication to use for patients with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly enough – and this is something that I did not know, approximately 80% of people who are type 2 diabetic also have concurrent obesity. Therefore these patients garner dual benefits for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. There have even been numerous recent studies that have been able to show that Ozempic can help reduce major adverse coronary events, including heart attacks and strokes.
Now as I mentioned above, like any drug there are always going to be potential adverse side effects that can occur and Ozempic should not be used by people who are type 1 diabetic, under 18 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding, have problems with their kidneys or pancreas and/or have a family history of MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma).
Potential side effects can range from inflammation in your pancreas, changes in vision, low blood sugar, kidney problems, serious allergic reactions and gallbladder problems. Some nausea and dizziness has been reported by some users, however this is rare and can be easily treated.
Should You Take Ozempic
Well, unless you are a type 2 diabetic, my answer would be – No. You SHOULD NOT be taking Ozempic.
Now, let’s say you don’t suffer from any of the conditions I listed above and you are not overly concerned about the potential side effects caused by Ozempic. Why shouldn’t you take this powerful fat-burning drug for even just a few weeks/months until you reach your target weight loss goal?
Answer:
a) Firstly, Ozempic only works while you are using it. Therefore once you stop administering the drug every week, all the weight you lost, will be regained. This is unavoidable and has been shown to occur in people who have attempted to use the drug for short-term cosmetic weight loss purposes.
b) Secondly, this off-label use of Ozempic is greatly impacting the availability of the medication for those people who need it most – individuals with type 2 diabetes. Lots of influencers on TikTok and other social media channels have been recommending Ozempic as a weight loss aid and because of this demand for the medication has gone up, making supply limited.
c) And finally, Ozempic isn’t cheap! – Yes, Ozempic is covered by British Columbia PharmCare for those of you who live here in British Columbia. However, it’s only covered with your doctor’s approval and in cases where you have
treatment-resistant diabetes. Currently, it IS NOT covered for weight loss in Canada. The lowest price that I could find on the drug offered here in Canada is $300 per pen which would last you approximately 1 month of administration at the recommended dosage of 1x/week.
Final Thoughts…..
I have never seen the purpose for short term fixes. No, for the average person Ozempic is not a killer drug with a whole bunch of nasty side effects. However as I mentioned, it only works while you are using it. Therefore unless you plan on remaining on a drug that is designed for type 2 diabetics for the remainder of your life (and you’re not type 2 diabetic), why would you even consider using it to begin with?
“Deciding to commit yourself to long term results rather than short term fixes is as important as any decision you’ll make in your lifetime.”
Tony Robbins