“I was in a calorie deficit but didn’t lose weight… until I took a GLP-1.”
I hear this all the time
Here’s the reality:
GLP-1s don’t magically burn fat. They don’t increase your metabolism in any meaningful way.
They help you eat less. That’s is how they cause weight loss
And that’s not a knock, that’s WHY they’re so effective
They reduce appetite, quiet “food noise,” and make it easier to sustain a calorie deficit… which is the actual driver of fat loss.
The mistake people make is turning this into:
“Calories don’t matter.”
No… GLP-1s work because calories matter.
The bigger conversation should be: How do we use tools like GLP-1s to actually build sustainable habits?
People think I’m anti-GLP-1 because I’m a coach, but that is not true. I think they are GREAT. In fact they are the single most effective obesity treatment in history!
But if you don’t learn behaviour change along with taking a GLP-1, the results usually don’t last. In fact, people who cease GLP-1s regain body fat more rapidly than people who regain weight after ending a diet.
Diets & GLP-1s lead to weight regain after ending for the same reason: no sustainable lifestyle change
Unfortunately, some people have used GLP-1’s to try ‘debunk’ calories in vs calories out. The research is clear, GLP-1’s do not increase metabolic rate or total energy expenditure, they work for weight loss because they reduce calorie intake, creating a negative balance.
I don’t view it as GLP-1s vs lifestyle
Best outcomes come from both:
✔️ Effective tools (like GLP-1s)
✔️ Sustainable lifestyle change
And having a great evidence-based coach to walk WITH you on the journey & help reach you sustainable lifestyle change can lead to lasting change with or without GLP-1s. But for people with a lot of food noise & appetite, GLP-1s can absolutely help jumpstart that process!
For some people, GLP-1 medications may be necessary for weight loss when healthy eating, exercise, and lifestyle changes alone have not been enough, particularly if obesity or weight-related health conditions.
The information below is intended for educational purposes and summarises current evidence on GLP-1 medications and weight management. It is not intended as personal medical advice or an endorsement for any specific treatment. Individual circumstances vary, and medical decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: Instagram- biolayne, Layne Norton PhD.