“GLP-1s are changing obesity care, but they’ve also created unrealistic expectations”—the CEO of the American Council on Exercise on common weight loss misconceptions
Treating GLP-1s as a substitute for lifestyle change is one of the most common mistakes people make, says this industry expert
GLP-1s have undoubtedly shaken up the fitness industry and preconceived notions about how best to lose weight.
According to the CEO of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), they have also “created confusion, unrealistic expectations and a growing amount of misinformation”.
Topping that list, says Cedric X. Bryant, PhD, FACSM, is the misconception that weight loss jabs alone will help you shed body fat.
“One of the most common mistakes is viewing these medications as a substitute for lifestyle change rather than as one tool within a larger treatment plan,” he tells Fit&Well.
It’s akin to thinking that purely consuming more protein will build muscle.
In both cases, you need to establish a plan, put in the work, show up consistently and establish habits you can stick to over years, not weeks.
Bryant is clear that GLP-1s are not a magic solution, but they should also not be dismissed.
“I think it is important to move this conversation beyond both hype and stigma,” he says.
For the right person, under appropriate medical supervision, weight loss medication can be a very helpful part of obesity care.
It can help generate momentum to make proven weight loss tactics like smarter food choices and regular exercise feel more achievable and sustainable.
It can help people who have been stuck for years see the path toward a healthier future.
“This topic is important to ACE because obesity is a complex, chronic disease, and the public conversation around it is often oversimplified,” says Bryant.
“ACE believes people deserve trustworthy, evidence-based education that helps them understand where these medications may fit within a broader, long-term approach to health.”
And, he adds, clinical guidance consistently demonstrates that GLP-1s and similar obesity medications can be effective when used as "adjuncts" to lifestyle and behavioral care.
“From the ACE perspective, this means helping people pursue better health in a way that is realistic, sustainable and supportive of long-term wellbeing.”
So, rather than perceiving GLP-1s as a golden bullet or short-term fix, Bryant says the medication works best when it is combined with “adequate nutrition, physical activity and behavior change support”.
Speaking previously to Fit&Well, Bryant highlighted the importance of adequate protein intake and resistance training to avoid muscle loss while taking GLP-1 medications, especially among seniors.
In brief, he advised that 1.2 to 1.6g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day is a sensible starting point for adults seeking to lose weight, and that appropriate strength training two to three days a week is an achievable goal.
Read all of Bryant’s advice for older adults using GLP-1s, which apply to everyone.
