In my last blog, I shared my thoughts on Ozempic and other GLP-1 weight loss drugs and how, while they can help, they’re no replacement for strength training, good nutrition, and healthy habits. But what about the Ozempic vs Steroids debate?
This opened up multiple discussions, some with similar views and others where we agreed to disagree. The more I’ve chatted to people about it, the more I realise something…
Taking Ozempic to lose weight is starting to look a lot like what steroids have done in the muscle-building world. Ozempic vs Steroids: both seem to offer shortcuts.
Let me explain.
Steroids help people build more muscle with less effort. Ozempic helps people lose more weight with less effort. Comparing Ozempic vs Steroids can be insightful.
Both are shortcuts, both are powerful, and both are being used without addressing the root habits.
The difference? One is still taboo and frowned upon. The other is now being marketed and put up on lights in Hollywood.
But in both cases, we’re outsourcing the work.
I’ve coached people who’ve used steroids to help recover from illness or injury, and I’ve trained clients on Ozempic. Here’s the truth:
The ones who get the best, lasting results are the ones who still train hard, eat well, and move consistently. The drug might enhance their outcome, but it doesn’t replace the process. Whether it’s Ozempic vs Steroids, reliance solely on the drug leads to temporary results. When do people rely only on the drug? The gains (or the fat loss) vanish the moment the injections stop.
We criticise steroid users for “not earning it.” But when someone loses 15kg on Ozempic without moving their body or eating protein, we throw them a party. Why?
Why is one type of shortcut seen as cheating… and the other as self-care? We should be asking the same questions of both:
- Are you supporting your body with training and nutrition?
- Are you building sustainable habits?
- Are you relying on a drug that does the job for you instead of with you?
I’m not here to judge anyone who uses GLP-1s, steroids, or any other medical support.
But I will always be the coach who reminds you that you have to train. You have to eat well. You have to move your body. Whether you’re trying to build muscle or burn fat, there is no escaping that part.
If you want results that last, there’s no pill or injection that will replace showing up and doing the work.
Related blog post:
- Are Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Enough? Why You Still Need Strength Training
- Should people over 50 take creatine?
- Resistance Training Edges Out Cardio for Brain Health
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Aging: How Exercise Can Help Protect Your Brain
- Prevent Cognitive Decline – Benefits of Personal Training: How Exercise Improves Brain Function and Prevents Cognitive Decline
