In February 2025 I started Mounjaro at 390 pounds. One year later I'm at 315. That's 75 pounds gone. But here's what makes me genuinely proud โ my DEXA scan showed that only 4 pounds of that was lean muscle mass. The rest was fat.
Why does that matter? Let's break this down.
What the Research Actually Says
Clinical studies show that lean muscle mass typically accounts for 25% to 39% of total weight lost on GLP-1 medications. For tirzepatide specifically โ the active ingredient in Mounjaro โ that number sits around 34% in the SURMOUNT-1 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Do the math on my results. 4 pounds of muscle out of 75 pounds lost is roughly 5%. That's dramatically better than the clinical average.
I'm not sharing this to brag. I'm sharing it because it proves something important โ muscle loss on GLP-1s is not inevitable. It is manageable.
What I Did Differently
I won't pretend I had it all figured out from day one. But three things made a real difference:
- Resistance training consistently โ your muscles need a reason to stay. If you're not giving them work to do, your body has no incentive to keep them during a calorie deficit.
- Protein as a non-negotiable โ GLP-1s crush your appetite, which means protein is the first thing to fall off. I had to be intentional about hitting my protein goals every single day.
- Working with my dietician โ having professional guidance on fueling correctly while on Mounjaro made a significant difference in how my body composition changed over time.
Why This Matters For You
The number on the scale is only part of the story. Muscle is your metabolic engine โ it burns calories at rest, supports your joints, and keeps you strong as you lose weight. Losing too much of it can leave you lighter but weaker, with a slower metabolism that makes keeping the weight off harder long term.
Here's the key thing to remember โ your behaviors during treatment are what determine how much muscle you keep. Not the medication itself.
The Bottom Line
You can lose fat, preserve muscle, and come out of this journey stronger than when you started. It takes intention, consistency, and the right support. That's exactly what this community is here to help you build.
Got questions about resistance training or protein on GLP-1s? Drop them below ๐
โ ๏ธ This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your medication, exercise, or supplement routine.