A hard truth about GLP-1s and Body Transformations

[Peptelligence]

GLP-1s can help with weight loss, but it won't give you the dream body or lasting results you're actually looking for. So let me drop some value that might save you from future disappointment.

1. Weight Loss ≠ Muscle Building
   • GLP-1s suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying. You might get "skinny fat" (low weight but high body fat percentage)
   • Truth bomb: A lean, toned physique requires resistance training and adequate protein
2. Your Brain Habits Stay Broken
   • The medication changes hunger signals, not your relationship with food
   • No mindset shift around nutrition, portion control, or emotional eating. When hunger returns, so do the old patterns
   • Knowledge drop: Sustainable results require rewiring your food behaviors for a better relationship with food.
3. You're Losing the Wrong Tissue
   • Rapid weight loss often means losing muscle mass along with fat
   • Lower muscle mass = slower metabolism long-term
   • Strength and functional fitness don't improve
   • Science fact: Muscle tissue burns 3x more calories than fat tissue at rest
4. No Mental Transformation
   • Zero development of discipline, consistency, or grit
   • Missing the psychological benefits of earning your results
   • No confidence boost from overcoming challenges
   • Hard Truth: The person who got you to your starting weight is still making decisions

My Advice to Fellow GLP-1 Users:
Take the criticism seriously, but see it as a checklist for what to include in your own plan:

• Lift weights
• Eat enough protein
• Learn while the cravings are gone
• Plan your strategy
• Work on mental & emotional health
• Celebrate your progress and transformation

GLP-1s are not magic. But if you combine it with real behavior change, it’s a powerful catalyst. Anyone else seeing success with this approach? I’d love to hear your tips and what’s worked for you!

 

[Doxyisfoxy]

Respectfully, I doubt anyone using a GLP1 is unaware of the above. People aren’t using these medications as their first foray into trying to lose weight. Most have been on this road for a long time, multiple times even. You can get down off your high horse and start a dialogue with people about what is working for them but it’s pretty bold to assume everyone here is just blindly going from fat to skinny fat with no self reflection.

 

[Skidude]

Respectfully, I doubt anyone using a GLP1 is unaware of the above. People aren’t using these medications as their first foray into trying to lose weight. Most have been on this road for a long time, multiple times even. You can get down off your high horse and start a dialogue with people about what is working for them but it’s pretty bold to assume everyone here is just blindly going from fat to skinny fat with no self reflection.

In defense of my thumbs up on the above mentioned post- I do believe it is good information, and I have definitely seen those folks that feel that eating less with little to no concern about macros or exercise was a good game plan. I would argue that it is not.

Hell I knew someone that would wonder why 3000+ calories of "zero" point foods on weight watchers wasn't reducing their size..lol

Doing something a lot, or for a very long time does not = doing it correctly.

I may have been oblivious to any "high horse" types of comments and just thought of it as good content though..

PS:
I prefer skinny fat over fat- so there is that to consider as well...

🙂

 

[Calm Logic]

It's a good reminder why people hate the Meso forum, bros, and mansplaining.

There's always "some people." If GLPs are just a tool, why are you here? Find another tool since they are so unnecessary. "Take the criticism seriously."

 

[Peptelligence]

Hey everyone, I want to clarify a few things.

I appreciate the pushback and genuinely respect the perspectives shared. My post wasn’t meant to insult or look down on anyone. I’ve been on this journey myself and know how hard it is (mentally, emotionally, and physically). I love GLP-1s. They’ve helped me, and they’ve helped thousands. My intention is not to criticize their use but to help people maximize the benefits.

That said, I stand by what I shared because I’ve seen so many people lose weight with GLP-1s and still feel disappointed or frustrated with how they look or feel afterward. They expected transformation, not just a smaller version of the same struggles, low energy, poor muscle tone, and unhealthy habits still intact.

So my post was meant to be informative, not judgmental. It’s about encouraging behavioral support and lifestyle changes alongside GLP-1s, especially things like:

• Lifting weights
• Eating enough protein
• Prioritizing mental and emotional health
• Having a long-term game plan

I want people to look and feel their best, and I’m always here to learn too. If you’ve had a different experience, I’d love to hear what’s worked for you. We all get better by sharing honestly and lifting each other up.

Thanks to everyone who’s engaged in the discussion so far.

 

[Sun_Seeker]

Respectfully, I doubt anyone using a GLP1 is unaware of the above. People aren’t using these medications as their first foray into trying to lose weight. Most have been on this road for a long time, multiple times even. You can get down off your high horse and start a dialogue with people about what is working for them but it’s pretty bold to assume everyone here is just blindly going from fat to skinny fat with no self reflection.

I need a "100%" to use for your post!! I've spent YEARS researching weight loss methods and options and have tried all the big name commercial ones plus keto and carnivore...I knew more than the nutritionist I hired last go 'round. GLPs bring hope. Cause they work where behavior modification doesn't.

 

[geoguy78]

Honestly, some people don't want to lift weights, and that's perfectly okay. I destroyed my body in the Army, some of that was due to powerlifting and all the other assorted crazy physical activity over all those years. Now? I'm perfectly happy being (kind of) skinny fat. I do yoga, I stay active, participate in active hobbies/sports and that's good enough for me, as I have limited physical capital to spend at this point in life. For 99% of people that were obese or even morbidly obese, being skinny fat after major glp-1 induced weight loss is a great and healthy result. The skinny fat shaming, pushing of TRT "for gainz", inducing unfounded panic over glp-1 "muscle loss" I see in this community are annoying and counterproductive. And I'm not necessarily directing this at Peptelligence, these are more just my overall thoughts on the matter because I see this stuff pop up constantly.

 

[raw_oyster_eater]

how slow do you want me to lose my fat. should it take 10 years? 30 years? please.

bodybuilders get fat as shit then have to very rapidly lose the fat to look good, its an endless cycle of getting fat and muscular quickly then losing the fat very very quickly with some muscle. you can't look like that guy in your avatar without doing serious levels of steroids.

don't give me this shit.

 

[Areyoukitten]

Great. What’s next- should I eat vegetables too?

 

[Calm Logic]

Gemini on bro science:

"Bro science" is a slang term that refers to pseudoscientific claims or advice, often related to fitness, bodybuilding, and nutrition, that is based on anecdotal evidence, personal experience, or popular gym myths rather than on rigorous scientific research.

Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

* Anecdotal Evidence: It relies heavily on "what worked for me" or "what I heard from a jacked guy at the gym" rather than controlled studies or peer-reviewed data.

* Lack of Scientific Basis: The claims are generally not supported by, and may even contradict, established scientific principles of physiology, biomechanics, or nutrition.

* Informal Circulation: It's often shared casually among friends, in locker rooms, or on online forums, rather than through credible academic or professional channels.

* Often Overly Simplified or Absolute: Bro science tends to offer simplistic solutions or make absolute statements ("you have to do this," "this causes that") without accounting for individual differences or the complexities of human biology.

* Common in Bodybuilding/Fitness: While it can apply to other areas, it's most commonly associated with the bodybuilding and gym culture, where the pursuit of muscle gains and aesthetic goals can sometimes override a critical approach to information.

* Can Be Harmless or Harmful: Some "bro science" might be relatively harmless (e.g., a specific rep scheme that simply isn't optimal). However, some can be ineffective, waste time and effort, or even be genuinely dangerous if it leads to unhealthy practices or injuries.

Examples of common "bro science" claims:

* "You need to eat every two hours to 'stoke your metabolism' and burn more fat." (Science shows meal frequency has little impact on overall metabolism.)

* "Fasted cardio is the only way to burn fat." (While it can burn fat, it's not uniquely superior to fed cardio for overall fat loss.)

* "You can target your 'inner chest' with specific exercises." (The pec major is one muscle, and you can't isolate parts of it in that way.)

* "Squats are bad for your knees." (Properly performed squats are generally safe and effective for leg development.)

While some "bro science" might occasionally align with a real scientific principle (often by coincidence or because some practices have been adopted by science over time), the defining characteristic is the lack of evidence-based reasoning behind the advice.

 

[Skidude]

Honestly, some people don't want to lift weights, and that's perfectly okay. I destroyed my body in the Army, some of that was due to powerlifting and all the other assorted crazy physical activity over all those years. Now? I'm perfectly happy being (kind of) skinny fat. I do yoga, I stay active, participate in active hobbies/sports and that's good enough for me, as I have limited physical capital to spend at this point in life. For 99% of people that were obese or even morbidly obese, being skinny fat after major glp-1 induced weight loss is a great and healthy result. The skinny fat shaming, pushing of TRT "for gainz", inducing unfounded panic over glp-1 "muscle loss" I see in this community are annoying and counterproductive. And I'm not necessarily directing this at Peptelligence, these are more just my overall thoughts on the matter because I see this stuff pop up constantly.

I could not agree more with any of this.
However looking at the list, it appears we are not that far off of the original post.
5 out of 6 recommendations would be helpful for most:

My Advice to Fellow GLP-1 Users:
Take the criticism seriously, but see it as a checklist for what to include in your own plan:

• Lift weights
• Eat enough protein
• Learn while the cravings are gone
• Plan your strategy
• Work on mental & emotional health
• Celebrate your progress and transformation

The reality is, we have folks here asking how to do, what many would believe to be, very basic things; and we are at different levels on our journey.

I think we can take what we want from everyone and find our way from there. I am almost 60, I am not going to get jacked. Not going to give it the time or effort even if it was something I desired. But many people do not consider the muscle loss, the dehydration, the nutritional deficit, or many other factors that can negatively impact this form of weight loss.

If it was the delivery that was annoying for some, take it with a grain of salt.. it may not have been meant to be judgment, but rather this individual is passionate about his game plan and took the time to share it with the community.

 

[nonyabizznez]

I'm 100% okay with skinny fat. I'm also not walking around shirtless. I wear clothing in a smaller size than that dude in your avatar without roid rage or bacne. I'm good with taking a miracle drug and not doing any of those things that didn't work before. No gym, No exercise, No scale, No diet (although a healthy pescatarian diet).

 

[hexagonal]

Honestly, some people don't want to lift weights, and that's perfectly okay. I destroyed my body in the Army, some of that was due to powerlifting and all the other assorted crazy physical activity over all those years. Now? I'm perfectly happy being (kind of) skinny fat. I do yoga, I stay active, participate in active hobbies/sports and that's good enough for me, as I have limited physical capital to spend at this point in life. For 99% of people that were obese or even morbidly obese, being skinny fat after major glp-1 induced weight loss is a great and healthy result. The skinny fat shaming, pushing of TRT "for gainz", inducing unfounded panic over glp-1 "muscle loss" I see in this community are annoying and counterproductive. And I'm not necessarily directing this at Peptelligence, these are more just my overall thoughts on the matter because I see this stuff pop up constantly.

People are adults and should be allowed to do whatever they want as long as it isn't harming others. I don't really care if any individual does X or Y or Z. Same with doing TRT, or going on cycle.

But we should be pushing people to do the healthy thing. Whether they do it or not is up to them, but if our general goals include harm reduction, encouraging people to lift weights while on these meds is an important part of it.

Especially because it's not a binary outcome - obese or skinny-fat. If you lose significant muscle mass while losing weight, and then have to come off of the GLP-1 for any reason, if you haven't made lifestyle adjustments there's a good chance you're going to put that weight back on, and this time with less muscle, further increasing your health risks. Even just some basic full body workouts for half an hour once a week will help a lot, though obviously the more you can commit to the better, up until you push past your max recoverable volume.

That's separate of everything else - TRT is about hypogonadism, not weight loss. There's a lot of overlap between men who need to lose weight and men who are hypogonadal, and we can argue if causality is involved and which direction it flows in, but the correlation is undeniable. So it gets discussed a lot. That doesn't mean that every man on GLP-1s needs to be on TRT for muscle mass loss prevention, by any means.

 

[Morbius]

Just kidding, just kidding. I see the true spirit in which the post was made, but it did feel a little like liftsplaining. Hey, I have an AWESOME weight machine in my home; maybe I WILL use it again!

In truth I think one of the biggest topics in this whole thing is maintenance. What do you do after you hit your goal? Shee-it my friends, doctors don't even know the answer to that yet. These drugs are also too new and expensive for the establishment to supply them to people who don't need them critically.

Lots of people around here are saying "I'm on this for life, the other benefits like anti-inflammation are too good." Me, I had an incredible drop in cholesterol, probably more than my statin alone could account for... That would be worth it even if weight management wasn't an issue.

I've read some material that says, "if you keep the weight off for a few years, that can lock in habits AND reduce the number of fat cells, making it harder to get fat again." I want to believe that but I have yet to read any real science supporting those claims.

This certainly isn't the first time I have lost weight ... Just the easiest. What an interesting trip this is.

 

[Calm Logic]

Lots of people around here are saying "I'm on this for life, the other benefits like anti-inflammation are too good." Me, I had an incredible drop in cholesterol, probably more than my statin alone could account for... That would be worth it even if weight management wasn't an issue.

Exactly. I've lost as much weight before, and have weighed much less, but my blood values are already much better now.

 

[AndyPanda]

GLP-1s can help with weight loss, but it won't give you the dream body or lasting results you're actually looking for. So let me drop some value that might save you from future disappointment.

1. Weight Loss ≠ Muscle Building
   • GLP-1s suppresses appetite and slows gastric emptying. You might get "skinny fat" (low weight but high body fat percentage)
   • Truth bomb: A lean, toned physique requires resistance training and adequate protein
2. Your Brain Habits Stay Broken
   • The medication changes hunger signals, not your relationship with food
   • No mindset shift around nutrition, portion control, or emotional eating. When hunger returns, so do the old patterns
   • Knowledge drop: Sustainable results require rewiring your food behaviors for a better relationship with food.
3. You're Losing the Wrong Tissue
   • Rapid weight loss often means losing muscle mass along with fat
   • Lower muscle mass = slower metabolism long-term
   • Strength and functional fitness don't improve
   • Science fact: Muscle tissue burns 3x more calories than fat tissue at rest
4. No Mental Transformation
   • Zero development of discipline, consistency, or grit
   • Missing the psychological benefits of earning your results
   • No confidence boost from overcoming challenges
   • Hard Truth: The person who got you to your starting weight is still making decisions

My Advice to Fellow GLP-1 Users:
Take the criticism seriously, but see it as a checklist for what to include in your own plan:

• Lift weights
• Eat enough protein
• Learn while the cravings are gone
• Plan your strategy
• Work on mental & emotional health
• Celebrate your progress and transformation

GLP-1s are not magic. But if you combine it with real behavior change, it’s a powerful catalyst. Anyone else seeing success with this approach? I’d love to hear your tips and what’s worked for you!

The same can be said about gastrointestinal surgery, people that get into fitness and obsess and then burnout, testosterone or other steroids, and even psychiatric medications… Everything has a cost. I didn’t struggle with my weight until my mid 40s after abusing my body in the Military, then Law Enforcement, ultimately having 2 orthopedic surgeries and being sedentary for several months, but I still think I can understand the struggle of people who have lived with being overweight long term. It’s a terrible feeling. Like being trapped, and being judged by every average eye that looks at you like a freak.

The things you say are objectively true, but there are health benefits beyond a healthy BMI that people would never experience if not for GLP-1s. Additionally, it helps with mental health and makes people feel more free to socialize and enjoy life. Sure, they will not look like Victorias Secret, or Men’s Health models, but they will definitely be healthier even if only while on the medications.

 

[scarywood75]

I once asked me this: assuming I don't change my habits, being skinny is still better than being fat

Don't try to change all your life at once or you'll fail

 

[Mustafa]

Although I agree in theory with what you said, reality is that it's impractical and cumbersome for most people. I, like many Americans, work seven days a week. I much prefer spending my free time doing things that I like cleaning and sleeping, then going to the gym.

I know you don't mean it, but it really comes off as holier than thou. Like Dr. Tyna saying she only prescribes to people willing to do strength training and follow a certain diet. She comes off as a b*ch.

 

[Bettyannboop]

I once asked me this: assuming I don't change my habits, being skinny is still better than being fat

Don't try to change all your life at once or you'll fail

I don’t appreciate the last line calling me out like that. Banned.

 

[Calm Logic]

I do think it would be funny to have a scrawny obesity specialist who wears a "Do You Lift?" shirt.

 

[wwwAngels]

You mean well, but if most people have gotten this far, then they are researchers at heart. I've researched the hell out of weight loss-up the fiber, lower the carbs, get more veggies, volume eating, weight resistance, intermittent fasting, cardio, calories in/calories out, protein powder, protein bars, protein shakes, protein ice cream (OMG, so much protein), HITT, and the list goes on. The thing that stopped me from losing weight was plain old hunger.

 

[Calm Logic]

The thing that stopped me from losing weight was plain old hunger.

in other words, GLP deficiency, rather than a brain making bad decisions

 

[FlowerFairy]

Yeah, if I had a nickel for every time friends have asked me, “Why are you fat? You eat less and better than anyone in our friend group…” I would legit not have to work. I’d be rich. Ihave the good habits. It’s the rest of me that is kinda busted. I’ve always gotten my protein in and I’ve lost mostly fat thus far (at least according to my fancy scale). I walk and use my vibration plate; I don’t lift and probably won’t for the foreseeable future. But thanks for the lecture.

 

[AKC97]

💪💪💪 Do I level up for learning how to use the Ignore feature?! 🤭

 

[AndyPanda]

💪💪💪 Do I level up for learning how to use the Ignore feature?! 🤭

I’m sure he is being constructive and didn’t mean to belittle anyone or be malicious with his post. He is just trying to contribute in his way.

As a side note… It does seem that every few months someone makes their way here from MESO and acts like an asshole, but I don’t think he is like that. When they come in hot, we usually shut them down fast. They underestimate how used fat people are to being messed with and how ruthless we can be in return.

 

[AKC97]

I’m sure he is being constructive and didn’t mean to belittle anyone or be malicious with his post. He is just trying to contribute in his way.

As a side note… It does seem that every few months someone makes their way here from MESO and acts like an asshole, but I don’t think he is like that. When they come in hot, we usually shut them down fast. They underestimate how used fat people are to being messed with and how ruthless we can be in return.

I love that for us and appreciate the shut down. He just sounds like he's giving a sales pitch written by AI 🙄 .

 

[AndyPanda]

I love that for us and appreciate the shut down. He just sounds like he's giving a sales pitch written by AI 🙄 .

Yeah, the bullet points are a dead giveaway.

 

[Calm Logic]

To be fair, I was impressed with @Peptelligence's creation of Google Bro.

 

[hexagonal]

I once asked me this: assuming I don't change my habits, being skinny is still better than being fat

Don't try to change all your life at once or you'll fail

Sure. It doesn't have to be all at once, though.

One month, add in the GLP-1. Start your weight loss. Once you're comfortable with the meds, your regular pinning, dealt with side effects, then, start modifying what you eat rather than just how much of it. Once you've got your diet down, then start slowly adding in resistance training. Ramp up as you feel comfortable doing.

You don't even need to go to the gym or build out a fancy home gym - just a pair of adjustable dumbbells and some short fully body workouts will provide a lot of stimulus, particularly if you're starting from no training.

I went from eating like shit and constantly putting on weight while being sedentary to on tirz, TRT, radically changing my diet, and lifting 5 days a week in a less than two month span. It's not something I ever would have been able to do prior, and I think the dopamine related changes in my brain from tirz and then later reta are directly related to what allowed me to make that shift. And I'm not saying that everyone needs to go as far as I did, or that it'll make it doable for everyone. But it might also be something worth trying again now that you potentially have a little additional chemical assistance.

 

[Calm Logic]

Or just start a moving business on the side, GLP Movers. "We don't break...for lunch."