17/12/2025
💬 A question we were asked by a patient…
“If I’m using obesity management medications and start strength training, how much muscle should I expect to gain over 6 months?”
Here’s our team's learned, evidence-based response 👇
When people use obesity management medications, the main goal is to improve health, not just change body weight.
✔️ Reducing excess high risk body fat while preserving muscle is a great outcome.
✔️ Maintaining muscle matters during any weight/fat mass loss is a challenge .
✔️ Large muscle gains are uncommon while eating less (as is common with obesity management medications). This is especially true as we get older.
Some people may gain a small amount of muscle — particularly if they are:
New to strength training
Consistent with resistance exercise
Eating enough protein
But for many adults, especially over 50, maintaining muscle while losing fat is success.
Just as importantly, we often see benefits beyond body composition, including:
💙 Better blood sugar control
💙 Improved cholesterol and blood pressure
💙 Increased strength, mobility, and energy
💙 Less joint pain and better function
💙 Improved quality of life
The key focus:
🏋️♀️ Regular strength training
🥩 Adequate protein
⏳ Realistic expectations
Bottom line:
👉 On obesity management medications, muscle preservation = success
👉 Better metabolic health and quality of life are the real wins
If you would like personalised advice on maximising the muscle health and metabolic maximisation whilst using a medication that impacts on appetite - one of the Lifestyle Metabolic team can help you. Please click on the link below :
https://www.lifestylemetabolic.com.au/meettheteam
ID 100222846 | Muscles ©
Robert Kneschke | Dreamstime.com
