Is Ozempic for athletes a performance tool or a nutritional red flag? With GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy rapidly gaining popularity for weight loss, many endurance athletes are asking whether these drugs have a place in their training plan. The short answer? It’s complicated.
Understanding how Ozempic works, what it does to your digestive system, and how it affects recovery and performance is critical—especially for athletes training hard and demanding more from their bodies.
In this post, we’ll explore what the science says, where the gaps in knowledge still exist, and why using Ozempic for athletic performance might come with more risks than benefits.
What Is Ozempic and Why Are Athletes Interested?
Ozempic is a brand name for semaglutide, a medication originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. It mimics the hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels, suppress appetite, and slow the rate at which the stomach empties.
In 2021, a higher-dose version called Wegovy was approved for long-term weight management. Since then, GLP-1 drugs have gone mainstream, often hailed as a medical breakthrough for weight loss.
Athletes are not immune to the messaging. In endurance sports, where thinness is often wrongly associated with performance, it’s easy to see why some athletes are drawn to the idea of a pharmaceutical shortcut. But unlike in general weight management, athletes have different energy needs—and the downsides of semaglutide are particularly relevant in this population.
How Ozempic Works—and Why That Can Be a Problem
Ozempic affects the body in three major ways:
- It slows gastric emptying, meaning food takes longer to leave the stomach.
- It reduces appetite, often dramatically.
- It affects insulin and blood sugar regulation.
For someone with type 2 diabetes, these effects can be helpful. But for an endurance athlete trying to meet high energy demands and fuel long workouts or races, these same effects can become serious liabilities.
Some concerns include:
- Difficulty eating enough calories to match training volume
- Delayed digestion interfering with fueling before or during activity
- Increased risk of GI distress—nausea, constipation, and vomiting are common side effects
- Higher risk of under-fueling, which can lead to RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)
The Performance Trade-Off: What You Might Be Losing
While weight loss may occur on Ozempic, it’s not without cost—especially for athletes. Some of the trade-offs include:
Muscle Loss
Weight loss through semaglutide is not selective. Without careful dietary support, you may lose lean muscle mass, not just fat.
Poor Recovery
Athletes on Ozempic may struggle to eat enough after hard sessions, which can impair glycogen restoration and protein synthesis, both essential to recovery.
Increased Injury Risk
RED-S and under-fueling increase the risk of stress fractures, hormone disruption, and immune suppression.
Blunted Training Adaptation
The energy you put into training means less if you can’t fuel adequately. Over time, performance gains may plateau or reverse.
Ozempic and Race Day Fueling
Fueling during long-distance events is hard enough without introducing a drug that slows digestion and reduces hunger. Athletes using Ozempic may find that:
- Gels and sports drinks become intolerable
- Pre-run meals sit heavy for too long
- Hydration becomes more difficult, especially with added carbohydrates
- Gut distress increases, leading to poor performance and even DNF scenarios
Because semaglutide delay gastric emptying, fuel may not be absorbed in time to meet energy demands during training or racing. This could lead to bonking, dehydration, or serious GI issues.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Ozempic?
This is one of the biggest unknowns. Studies show that:
- Most people regain the lost weight within a year of stopping
- Appetite often returns in full force
- Digestive discomfort can linger
- Muscle loss may not be easily regained without structured refeeding and strength training
Even when people continue with diet and exercise after stopping Ozempic, many experience a rebound effect. For athletes, this could mean long-term disruptions to performance, metabolism, and psychological well-being.
Ozempic and the Mental Side of Fueling
Many users report that Ozempic dramatically lowers their food noise. On the surface, this might sound like a benefit, especially for athletes managing food obsession or compulsive eating patterns. But for others, it may lead to:
- Loss of food enjoyment
- Disconnection from hunger and fullness cues
- Increased rigidity around eating behaviors
- Unintentional restriction with long-term mental and physical consequences
For endurance athletes, eating is not just a preference—it’s part of the job. Fueling isn’t optional. Losing your drive to eat can undermine both the joy and the function of your sport.
GLP-1s, Weight Bias, and the Bigger Conversation
Let’s zoom out. Why are so many athletes considering Ozempic in the first place?
One reason is weight stigma—in healthcare, in sport, and in broader culture. Many athletes in larger bodies report that they are:
- Pressured to lose weight, even while training and racing at high levels
- Dismissed or misdiagnosed by healthcare providers
- Told their body is a problem, even when their habits and health markers are solid
This matters because weight is not the sole determinant of health or performance. And when healthcare providers push medications like Ozempic without full context, they may be ignoring the mental health, nutrition, and training adaptations athletes actually need.
Considerations for Athletes
If you’re an athlete considering Ozempic, here are some questions to reflect on:
- Are you fueling adequately for your training volume?
- Are your goals focused on weight, or performance and well-being?
- Have you explored underlying issues like RED-S, GI conditions, or disordered eating with a qualified professional?
- Are you working with a sports dietitian who understands endurance training and GLP-1 medications?
What Are the Alternatives?
Rather than turning to Ozempic, athletes can benefit from strategies that support long-term health and performance:
- Work with a sports dietitian to ensure you’re meeting your energy and nutrient needs
- Focus on performance markers like energy levels, strength gains, and endurance—not just weight
- Address food and body image challenges with a therapist or HAES-aligned provider
- Ensure lab work is up to date, including iron, vitamin D, and hormone panels
- Prioritize recovery through nutrition, sleep, and rest days
Should Athletes Use Ozempic?
For endurance athletes, Ozempic poses more questions than answers. It can complicate fueling, impair recovery, and increase the risk of RED-S, injury, and GI distress. It may reduce food intake—but in ways that are not compatible with training demands.
If your goal is sustainable performance, consistent training, and a better relationship with food and your body, Ozempic may not be the answer. The allure of quick weight loss comes with a long list of complications—especially for athletes who depend on a finely tuned balance of fuel, rest, and adaptation.
Want to Learn More?
This article is based on a recent episode of the You, Diet Sucks podcast called “The Science of Semaglutides, Fitness, and Weight Stigma.” In the episode, we explore the history of GLP-1 medications, the rise of Ozempic in the fitness world, and what it really means for athletes trying to navigate weight stigma and performance.
Click here to listen on Apple or Spotify.
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