How To Use The Wegovy Pen: From Preparation To Injection
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Oct 21, 2024
Our Levity experts created this guide to help you understand how to use the Wegovy pen so you can carry out your treatment plan with confidence.
If you're on a weight loss journey and using GLP-1 medications, you might be wondering how to incorporate exercise into your routine. The good news is our experts have broken down practical and sustainable ways that you can increase your activity levels in the article below. Read on to find out more.
GLP-1 receptor agonists play a role in weight management by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone in your gut called GLP-1, which is short for glucagon-like peptide-1. GLP-1 is involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation. By also slowing down stomach emptying, GLP-1s increase feelings of fullness, which can result in a lower daily calorie intake. They also improve insulin sensitivity, helping stabilise blood sugar levels and curb cravings.
GLP-1 treatments like Wegovy and Compounded Semaglutide need to be prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. This is for a good reason - consistent exercise can enhance the effectiveness of GLP-1s in promoting weight loss.
While a reduced calorie diet is essential for creating a calorie deficit necessary for weight loss, regular exercise also contributes to this by burning calories, boosting metabolism and building muscle. Additionally, the effects of exercise on overall mental well-being are well documented, and are linked to lower risks of depression, anxiety and stress. [1]
If you are on a weight loss journey and are not sure where to start with an exercise routine, don’t worry. Starting small, and progressing gradually is key.
Combining both aerobic exercises and strength training is recommended for weight loss.
Aerobic exercise (which is often called cardio) can include running, walking, cycling, swimming and high intensity interval training (HIIT). Anything that gets your heart rate up and gets your breathing faster is ideal for burning calories.
Resistance training, which includes bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges and push-ups, in addition to lifting weights, helps to build lean muscle mass. Muscle is a metabolically active organ, and its increased mass can slightly boost your metabolism, meaning you will burn more calories at rest. [2]
Insulin is a hormone produced by your body that helps lower blood sugar levels and keep them stable. People living with obesity often have something called insulin resistance, which means their cells don’t respond well to insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, which can be harmful to the body. [3]
One of the ways that GLP-1s promote weight loss is by improving levels of insulin sensitivity around the body. By doing so, they make it easier for sugar to move from the blood into cells, providing them with energy. This also helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. [4]
Exercise actually has a similar effect - it also increases insulin sensitivity and helps sugar move into muscle cells from the blood. This means that regular exercise can work alongside GLP-1s to better control blood sugar levels. [5]
Current exercise guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise a week, which can be split up evenly into 30 minutes, 5 days a week. When you’re just starting out, try out a variety of exercises then stick to the ones you enjoy. You could go outside for walks, try out a dance class or even try swimming.
It is also recommended to participate in strength training at least twice a week. You could use free weights in a gym, try resistance bands or stick to bodyweight exercises. [6]
Don’t forget that rest is crucial for muscle repair and overall well-being, so don’t feel pressured to exercise every day. Active recovery days, like stretching or yoga, can also be helpful.
If you are new to exercise, it’s important to ease yourself into a routine. Begin with low-impact activities like walking or gentle stretching and gradually increase the intensity and duration as your body adapts. Instead of pushing yourself too hard, aim for consistency - even if this is just 20 or 30 minutes a few times a week.
If you have been on your weight loss medication for a longer period of time, such as over 4 months, you might want to start increasing the intensity of your workouts. You might have seen some progress in terms of your weight loss, and also built some strength and stamina. To keep making progress, challenge yourself a bit more by jogging instead of walking, or include heavier weights and more reps to your strength training.
Before starting a new exercise routine, always consult with your healthcare provider. To prevent injuries, be sure to warm up before and cool down after each session.
Stay hydrated and wear comfortable, supportive footwear to protect your body. Importantly, give yourself time to rest and recover, and progress at your own pace to avoid overexertion.
For long-term success, you should set yourself some achievable exercise goals. Try and start with small and specific objectives, such as walking for 20 minutes a day or doing strength training once a week.
As your fitness improves, you can gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Remember, every exercise journey is unique. Instead of comparing your progress to others, focus on your own personal improvements.
Sticking to an exercise routine is easier when you find activities that you genuinely enjoy. Experiment with different forms of exercise - maybe dancing, swimming, cycling or hiking, to find what feels fun.
Group workouts or fitness classes can add a social element that could make exercise even more enjoyable. Also, regularly changing up your exercise routine will keep things exciting and stop you from getting bored.
It’s normal for motivation levels to go up and down, so it’s important to have a plan to stay committed to your exercise routine. Keeping an exercise journal to track your progress and celebrate small milestones can provide a sense of achievement.
Also, having a workout buddy or joining a fitness community can make exercise more fun and give you the encouragement and support you need to stay on track.
Exercising while taking GLP-1 medications is a great way to support your health and weight loss journey but the key is to build up gradually and do activities you enjoy. By combining movement with your medication you can help prevent lean muscle loss and improve insulin sensitivity. Finally, remember to celebrate each success along the way because you should be proud of the new lifestyle and habits you’re building.
Ready to take the first step on your weight loss journey? Find out what treatment is suitable for you here.
Our Levity experts created this guide to help you understand how to use the Wegovy pen so you can carry out your treatment plan with confidence.
Here we'll break down the differences between two popular treatments – Wegovy and Mounjaro – to help you understand which might be the right choice for you.
A healthy diet plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining your weight loss goals which is why our Levity experts recommend following the NHS Eatwell Guide.