BBSA
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2005
- Messages
- 30,174
- Reaction score
- 28,731
- Location
- People's Republic of South Africa
Yes, muscle loss happens in a calorie deficit, but it’s not an all-or-nothing scenario. The extent of muscle loss depends on protein intake and resistance training. Just because someone is eating fewer calories doesn’t mean they have to lose that much muscle plenty of people diet while maintaining lean mass. The issue with semaglutides is that they blunt appetite so much that people don’t just eat fewer calories; they often eat too little protein, leading to excessive muscle loss.So my thoughts on a few things
Muscle loss is going to happen when eating at a significant calorie deficit. This is just one of those things one has to accept. Semaglutides make you eat less, which is how every diet works. Less calories in + more calories out = lose weight.
When you eat less calories, you get less macronutrients which means you get less protein. Less protein equals less muscle maintenance. If you compromise on carbs and eat mostly protein, you will feel really tired. So one has to balance macros.
The trial was also 73% women averaging in their late 40s. After 45 is the time when menopause usually starts (although it can start as early as 40). This is a big factor in contributing to bone loss.
Regarding visceral fat, to get rid of that you need to do more than just eat less. You need targeted lifestyle changes to avoid sugar, carbs etc and more exercise. Subcutaneous fat is still being lost- that's the belt sizes dropping, the shirts losing X's.
So what do I see from this :
- Eat more protein.
- Supplements are your friend (Yes it would be great to get all the nutrients from food but at a caloric deficit that just isn't happening).
- Getting old sucks. Lose that extra weight when you're younger.
As for feeling tired on a high-protein, low-carb diet that depends on the person. If someone cuts carbs too quickly without adjusting, sure, there’s an adaptation period. But plenty of people thrive on high-protein, low-carb diets without energy issues. Individuals experiencing fatigue may not be consuming sufficient electrolytes.
The main problem with semaglutides is that they make losing weight too easy without really promoting healthy eating, which could cause issues later on.
