What makes JoStrong different from physical therapy?

We strengthen your entire body rather than treating just the pain site. Our approach addresses the root biomechanical causes that PT often misses.

Do I need to come in person?

No. JoStrong offers both in-person training in Jersey City/Hoboken and fully virtual sessions worldwide.

Anyone dealing with chronic pain, limited mobility, or recovering from injuries that traditional methods haven't resolved.

What results can I expect?

Most clients experience significant pain reduction and improved mobility within the first few months. We have helped over 200 clients reclaim movement freedom.

GLP-1 Medications & Weight Loss: What You Need to Know

May 26, 2026

Welcome! You're probably here because you've tried a lot of methods to lose weight and heard about the currently advertised magic pills like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. These are the GLP-1 medications. If you want to know more about them the good news is: it's not magic. We can explain how it works and what will happen if you choose to use them. Bad news is coincidentally, that this is also not magic therefore life will not be happily ever after just by taking this pill. The side effects could outweigh the pros, and maybe not. FYI , there's a 10-15% chance that you don't respond to it.

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How do these pills work?

GLP-1s work by sending signals to the brain to tell it, "hey we're actually not that hungry or thirsty right now" which leads to less intrusive thoughts or feelings screaming, "hey, you're starving! Find food now!". Another effect of these medications is it will slow down the movement of food through the GI tract. When food stays in the stomach longer the feeling of food being there also lasts longer, even from a small meal. Less food noise and a decreased appetite is nice, right? Now there's a few additional areas to touch on since this pill was originally made for diabetics. These pills help to control your blood sugar levels by lowering it. This may cause fatigue before starting a workout or in the middle of one if you don't eat first. Figuring out how to time your meals and medication together is tricky. Our Registered Dietitian offers free consultations, with ongoing nutrition sessions often covered by insurance.

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Side effects of GLP-1 medications

Due to GLP-1 drugs signaling the brain to eat less, it also turns off thirst signals. One problem is people developing symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, sleepiness, and constipation since they're not drinking enough water. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are pretty common side effects for drugs, and we mention it for this one too.

Something more interesting than getting unexpectedly ill… there is a term that's become known as "Ozempic face". This is not a side effect of the drug but an effect of losing weight too fast. When weight loss is too fast the body will shed muscle mass and take fat deposits from unwanted parts of the body including the face which leads to your cheeks being a bit more sunken in. These side effects can be avoided with a few tips.

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How to avoid side effects

Here's a few recommendations to avoid side effects.

• Avoid strong smells, fatty/greasy food, and spicy foods.

• Have more frequent but smaller meals.

• Drink lots of water and set a reminder to drink water.

• Eat foods with fiber to avoid constipation.

• Carry snacks around in case your blood sugar levels drops too low.

• Be active and exercise but also increase protein intake to account for muscle loss.

• Gradually lose around 1-2lb per week to avoid losing too much.

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Exercise

The pill helps people lose weight which is the goal, right? However weight loss is not just fat loss as much as we want it to be. No matter the intervention, there is always a bit of muscle loss with fat loss. You might be thinking how come? Why doesn't the body just use fat when we're starving, wouldn't that happen first? Your body uses fats for resting and carbs for moving but fats cannot be converted to carbs so instead it takes it from muscle. If you are on GLP-1s and want to protect your muscle mass, our Registered Dietitian offers free consultations, with ongoing nutrition sessions often covered by insurance. This is why it's important to not only eat enough carbs but also be consistent with resistance/strength training when taking GLP-1s. Muscle and strength loss will change how daily activities feel and could lead to unexpected injury. Try to eat the appropriate amount of carbs and protein but at the end of the day muscle cannot be sustained without the proper resistance training.

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Forever Medicated?

Weight regain can occur after stopping certain weight-loss medications, especially if lifestyle habits (nutrition, physical activity, sleep) are not maintained alongside treatment. Many medications work by reducing appetite and “food noise” (constant thoughts about food, cravings, or urges to eat), but this effect may return once the medication is discontinued. It’s important to know “food noise” is not just about willpower, it can be influenced by hormones, habits, stress, and environment. It isn’t the easiest habit to build but it is possible to reduce food noise naturally through structured eating patterns, balanced meals (protein, fiber, healthy fats), and behavior strategies. Doing this hard work while on the medication is highly recommended, the success rate is higher when the food noise is down! Practice the meal planning, mindful eating, and consistent physical activity while the mind isn’t playing tricks on you. Ask yourself: are you prepared for the long-term commitment that may come with medication (financial, physical, and lifestyle)? Medication should be viewed as a tool, not a replacement, for foundational health habits. Regular follow-up with your doctor and Registered Dietitian is important to monitor progress, side effects, and making the long-term plan.

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Final takeaways

Weight loss pills are a powerful medical tool to help you lose weight when a healthy diet and exercise alone don't seem to be working. It's not about who struggles harder to lose weight, it's about whether your overall health has a chance to improve or not. For those of you who want to get into the academic work and nitty gritty details, the sources are down below! It's important to talk to your provider first about taking the pill and whether you are a good fit for it.

Will you be healthier or will you only lose weight?

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