Coaching is Key

I often emphasize the importance of coaching, and no, Google is not an adequate substitute. While I believe coaching is crucial, it doesn't have to be expensive. For patients using GLP medications like Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), coaching is even more vital than for the average person. Unfortunately, doctors often lack the time to provide guidance on how to properly use these medications, often reducing it to simply "take the shot once a week." We all wish managing this process was that straightforward, but it isn't.

You may have heard about the various unfavorable side effects associated with GLPs, and this is indeed true. However, through simple coaching from an experienced GLP coach, we can minimize—even prevent—99% of those symptoms. For example, eating an apple can help alleviate stomach discomfort. You probably wouldn’t have known that unless you read it here, but many of my colleagues and I discovered these tips early in our GLP coaching careers. This is just one example of the valuable insights an experienced coach can provide.

A coach can also offer nutritional guidance. For instance, it's better to have three or four full meals throughout the day instead of grazing on small snacks. Snacking can make you less likely to finish a meal, which is essential for obtaining the necessary macro and micronutrients.

Then there's the topic of exercise. No, you don't need to hit the gym and squat like a bodybuilder, but including resistance training is important. GLPs can cause muscle wasting, and maintaining muscle mass is crucial for longevity. What many people don't realize is that with the support of a coach, most of our patients actually gain muscle while losing body fat. Achieving this is nearly impossible with a low-calorie diet alone, particularly if you're not a math whiz, which most of us aren’t.

GLP coaches serve various purposes, but most importantly, they are kind individuals who listen to you and provide advice based on years of experience with thousands of patients.