GLP-1 Medications: What Active People Need to Know
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
GLP-1 medications are everywhere right now, but the conversation around them often lacks nuance and is rarely discussed through the lens of active people. That’s exactly why I’m doing a 3-part podcast series all about GLP-1 medications, with athletes in mind.
In this series, you’ll hear from three dietitians who regularly work with GLP-1 agonists and each bring a unique clinical and personal perspective to the conversation.
Together, these episodes explore how GLP-1 medications work, who they’re designed for, their potential benefits and risks, what we’re seeing both in practice and in the broader population, what the science says, and what active people need to know.
This topic is complex, and we only scratched the surface, but I’m excited for you to listen and let me know what you think!
GLP-1 Medications with Sports RD Courtney Smith
I’m kicking things off in episode 135 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast with Courtney Smith, MS, RD, CDCES, aka The Endurance Dietitian. She's a sports dietitian, diabetes specialist, and longtime endurance athlete.
Courtney and I discuss:
The history of GLP-1 medications, especially in diabetic populations
Why they have exploded in popularity in recent years
How the various drugs on the market differ, and standard dosing practices
The benefits and side effects she's observed in practice
Why diet and lifestyle changes remain important, especially if you stop taking GLP-1 medications
How crucial it is to get ongoing professional support when taking these drugs
Why she generally does not recommend GLP-1's for most athletes
If you’ve been curious ab out GLP-1 medications and wondering how they may affect your training, fueling, blood sugar, or overall health as an active person, this episode answers your questions while laying an important foundation for the rest of the series to come.
Should You Take GLP-1 Medications?
GLP-1 medications are incredible, life-saving drugs that can lead to positive health outcomes when used appropriately with the right professional guidance. And, these drugs are being used inappropriately in many individuals, leading to real harm.
This episode explores both ends of the spectrum, as well as the gray area in between. Like with so many nutrition topics, context is everything when considering whether or not you should take a GLP-1 drug. These meds were designed for specific medical purposes, and understanding the why behind their use matters.
That’s especially important right now because so many people are hearing about and taking GLP-1 medications primarily through the lens of weight loss, without considering how it might impact other aspects of health (which to be clear, can be both positive and negative).
How GLP-1 Use Can Impact Fueling for Active People
An important takeaway from our conversation is that many athletes already have a hard time eating adequately to match their activity levels, so adding a GLP-1 medication to the mix can present a major problem. Especially if someone isn't being incredibly intentional with their fueling, and getting professional support with their nutrition plan.
Appetite suppression is a common side effect of taking these drugs, and it helps lead to weight loss. GLP-1's also quiet the "food noise" that many people struggle with. But when appetite drops and you stop thinking about food, it becomes much harder to consistently meet nutrient and total energy needs, which directly influences things like:
Nutrient status
Training quality
Recovery
Hormone health
Immune function
Injury risk
Race day readiness
Additionally, while all forms of weight loss involves some degree of lean body mass loss, GLP-1 medications can exacerbate this issue if you're not careful about diet and strength training. This is where active people can get into trouble if they only focus on losing weight and ignore everything else.
That's not to say that GLP-1's are inappropriate for all active people. Courtney points out that athletes come in all shapes and sizes and have many different kinds of goals. Some have substantial excess body fat and co-morbidities that they're trying to manage through exercise, and may actually be great candidates for GLP-1 use.
As always, each case must be considered on an individual basis.
Key Takeaways on GLP-1 Medications for Athletes
GLP-1 medications were designed for specific medical uses, not as a blanket solution
Understanding why someone wants to use a GLP-1 and the risks involved matters
Appetite suppression can make it difficult for active people to meet fueling needs
Starting a GLP-1 while training for a race (especially an endurance event) increases risk
Being leaner does not automatically improve performance
The decision to take a GLP-1 medication (or not) requires careful consideration and individualized support
This first episode on GLP-1 medications lays the groundwork for the rest of the series, and the next two conversations will build on this foundation in really important ways.
Know an active friend, runner, triathlete, or gym-goer who’s been curious about GLP-1 medications? Send them this episode to help them approach the conversation with more clarity and less confusion.
Note: Please always seek guidance from both your physician and registered dietitian before beginning a GLP-1 agonist so that you can determine if it's appropriate and make the most informed decision for your health, lifestyle, and training goals.
Looking for Personalized Fueling Support?
If this episode brought up questions about body composition, blood sugar, underfueling, or how GLP-1 or other medications may affect your ability to train and recover well, you don’t need to sort through all the online noise by yourself. That can get super confusing and overwhelming.
As a sports dietitian, I help endurance athletes and other types of active people navigate complex nutrition topics with evidence-based guidance, practical strategies, and compassion.
Here are a few ways to get nutrition support:
Join my low-cost, low-commitment Fuel for Life Crew membership for just $39/month, (cancel anytime)
Browse my nutrition masterclasses (all are also included in the membership)
Grab my Eat for Endurance Mini Guide Bundle (a collection of 6 mini guides, worksheets, and a bonus supplement resource)
Download my free fueling resources
Fill out a new client inquiry form for comprehensive 1:1 coaching (limited spots available)
Meet My New Sponsor: Good Ranchers
Thank you to my brand new sponsor, Good Ranchers, for supporting this episode! Good Ranchers is a delivery service for all your favorite animal proteins, including chicken, beef, pork, and fish.
Having high-quality, fresh proteins stocked and ready to cook makes it so much easier to fuel well. I love that everything is vacuum sealed and pre-portioned out, so it’s quick to defrost whether you’re cooking for yourself, having friends over, or feeding the family.
Want to give it a try? Grab a one-time box or use code IRON for $25 off when you sign up for a subscription. And make sure you share "The Eat for Endurance Podcast" in your post-purchase survey, so Good Ranchers knows you're supporting the show!
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Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.
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