r/zepboundathletes

I've been running almost two years. Did a marathon in April. I went for a run today a little longer (13k) and was shocked at my heart rate. I was bagged!

Any advice for how to maintain training on zep? Maybe I'll just ease off until I get to my goal weight.

I started two weeks ago, taking my third dose tomorrow of Zepbound. I'm on 2.5mg. I've gone from 160 to 153 already which seems fast (I'm only 155cm). I know I'm not fueling quite right..need to figure that out.

I (66M, 6’1”, 270 lbs) am scheduled to begin taking Zepbound at 2.5 mg. One of my primary motivations for taking Zepbound is the assumption that if I was carrying a lot less weight I would be a faster swimmer, walker, and bicyclist. However, reading this sub it seems like it may not be so simple as lower weight = faster times. Am I about to be disappointed about performance gains?

Currently on week 3 of 2.5mg tirz and my pace/HR is tanked which I expected from researching on here. I normally do half’s but am running 10-20s slower per mile on 5ks and my heart rate still reaches upper zone 4. If I step up to 5.0 is it even worse on endurance or is it not linear like that?

I will be starting my tirz journey next week and a concern of mine is muscle loss. I am an avid kettlebell user and at this point in my life (46 M), I have put on a pretty good amount of muscle. My goal is to get rid of enough weight to ditch my high blood pressure medicine, but at the same time I don't want to lose the muscle gains I have made. Any tips for a newbie? Thank you all in advance!

Edit: Thank you all for your replies! Very much appreciated!

So I’m just starting my journey and I’ve seen a couple times people really seem to suggest lifting heavy works better. I’m wondering if it’s something to do with the medication and how to build muscle or something else I’m missing entirely. I want to do this journey properly but I feel so out of my element here.

Ive been on very small microdose of zepbound just to help with hormones and blood sugar issues. I can only handle 1 2.5 mg shot every 4 weeks. It constipated me too bad.

My son is 19. Hes had ocd and trichotillimania as well as a disregulated immune system that causes brain inflammation. His ocd and brain inflammation when he eats right and isnt sick.

He also plays tennis..he does NOT need to lose weight. But he has the same reactive hypoglycemia I do. And he has been sneaking tons of sugars and sodas almost addictive. And his picking is worse. Ive read alot of people ocd and sugar cravings reduced microdosing zepbound. And some completely stopped skin picking etc.

I personally stay hungry in the 2.5 mg. I just notice my sugar cravings are gone. Hes wanting to try it for his sugar cravings and mental health overall...but not lose weight.

Anyone have experience or opinion on a microdose for this?

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Looking for opinions on the best option to splitting a 15mg liquid vial.

Option A: add BAC water to the single dose vial and use multiple times.

Option B: transfer both peptide and BAC water into a new sterile, multi-use self sealing vial.

Option C: just use vial as is multiple times.

TIA.

Hi. 20 days into the Glp1 journey and was lifting weights/ strength training for a year before this.

Anyhow my strength/ workouts are really suffering and I’m wondering if the fuel isn’t reaching my body an hour before the workout due to slower digestion with the jabs.

Can you give me some suggestions of what you eat pre workout and the timings.

I take ages to recover and very fatigued that lingers for days after.

Yes, I know this is a dumb question. Nevertheless:

The creatine powder I’ve been taking has a consistency of powdered sugar. I’ve been using the scoop that came with it to scoop a heaping scoopful, then pack it against the inside wall of the container making sure there’s no empty air space in the scoop, before dropping it into my liquid. Like packing a snowball good and tight before tossing it.

Didn’t think too much about it until a friend asked me what I was doing and told me I was just supposed to scoop and drop, not scoop, pack, and drop. That the 5mg per scoop was NOT based on packing that soft powder down until there was nothing but powder in that scoop.

Which of us is right? Or does it even matter since we’re probably only talking 1-2mg difference, if that?

It’s almost July, so I wanted to do a goals check in! 🤩

How are you progressing with your goals? Are you achieving them, abandoning them, or continuing to work towards them?

As always, I’ll go first!

My goal was to hit an average of 9k steps per day throughout the week, and I’ll be honest, in Q1 I wasn’t even trying. I was way busier than I expected to be, which isn’t an excuse but I just couldn’t handle it.

But in Q2, I have been dialed in! Using my treadmill while working, going on hikes on the weekend, and I even bought a new pair of running shoes so I can start training my endurance again.

Drop your goal check in below! I would love to hear how everyone is doing. 💙🫶🏻

I began my 4th week today and I went on a long (for me) mountain bike ride with more climbing than I normally do. My legs felt like I had been riding for hours when I started up the first climb and they felt that way the entire ride, but I went slow and steady. I did not have to get off and walk at any point of the ride, which ended up being about 15 miles and 1700 ft of climbing. My times were depressing compared to the last time I rode at the same place, but I saw small improvements from my first week on tirz. I also pushed myself to “do it anyways” in spite of how I felt, and I even went into higher gears for some of the climbing. I kept popping stinger gummies, but I only had 4 total the entire ride and I didn’t feel like dying! It is definitely slow going, but I’m keeping at it! Fortunately, my husband is happy to get some extra rest while waiting for me to catch up! I used to be faster than him!!! Getting there….!

Hi athletes.

Throwaway account.

As short of a version I can write: I definitely consider myself an athlete- Box 3-4x a week (on a good week), Soccer 1x a week, also run and ride a peloton once in a while. I am in the mental health field and definitely have struggled with body image for as long as I can remember. (I've always had a little more fat than desired, but nothing medically concerning.)

I was on topamax for migraines for 5 years and I lost a good 15-20 pounds (I was also going through a terrible breakup at the time and really lost my appetite). Over the years I've gained some weight, but felt SO good in my body. I'm also on a SSRI (1 year) and it's been a game changer for my mental health. When I started, I was concerned about weight gain, but it didn't come.

6 months ago my neurologist suggested going off topamax because it is not great for pregnancy- not doing it soon, but probably 5 years?- and I no longer experience migraines. Yay! (Fun fact: topamax does not allow proper spinal development for babies). So I've been off topamax and I've gained weight. (I do not like weighing myself because it really messes with my mental health- but I know this because none of my clothes fit anymore. I'm also chaving on my arms while I box (what!? I've NEVER experienced that before). If I were to guess, I'm back 15 pounds or so.) I am really distressed about this weight gain and tried upping my exercise over the last few months. I mentioned it to my PCP when I saw her in April and she said I looked great and just to keep up my diet and exercise (I don't diet, eat when I'm hungry, and allow to eat a variety of things- but nothing super fatty)...

I've been talking about this ad nauseum with my therapist and I just wonder if I need medical intervention. Does anyone do a small dosage or like a biweekly dosage? I really just want to go back to my 15 pound loss. I am also really pleased with my strength from boxing and I don't want to lose that. I feel so conflicted- I ran my best 5k last month and in my mind, my body is not reflecting that.

I reached out to my PCP saying I want to discuss the option of GLP-1s. Anyone in my boat or feel a certain way about this? I am going to talk to my therapist tomorrow and hopefully my PCP.

Edits: realized grammar mistakes and timing of my SSRI

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Hi everyone,

​I’m looking for some advice and experiences from athletes who have managed a training block for a major race while on GLP-1 therapy (Mounjaro).

​Context:

I’m a 40+ father of two young kids, and I’ve been struggling with weight management for years. Despite my athletic background, the combination of age, family life, and metabolism has made it increasingly hard to lean out. I’ve tried intermittent fasting in the past with limited long-term success.

​My Athletic Background:

​I’ve done several triathlons, including a 4:59 half-Ironman (IM 70.3) done without specific training.

​I’ve been working with a dedicated coach since January.

​I was targeting the Valencia Marathon earlier this year with a PB goal of 2:49 ( actual pb 2:55), but unfortunately, I had to DNf it just wasn’t my day.

​Current Situation:

​Goal: Ironman Calella on October 4th.

​Stats: 183 cm (6'0"), currently 87 kg (192 lbs). My goal is to get under 80 kg (176 lbs) or get as close to it as possible before race day.

​Treatment: Iwill starte Mounjaro next week (2.5 mg) to help me manage my weight alongside my training.

​My Concerns/Questions:

​Energy & Fueling: I’m worried about my ability to fuel long sessions (especially brick sessions and long rides). How do you manage your pre/intra-workout nutrition without triggering digestive issues or bonking?

​Muscle Preservation: I’m concerned about muscle loss while in a calorie deficit. How do you adjust your protein intake and strength training to ensure you keep the power for the bike and the engine for the run?

​Side Effects & Training Load: Any tips for balancing the fatigue from the drug with the high volume of Ironman training?

​I’m fully committed to the process and my coach’s plan, but I want to make sure I don't compromise my race preparation. If anyone has been through a similar journey or has experience balancing Mounjaro with high-volume endurance training, I’d love to hear your insights or any "must-knows" for the coming weeks.

​Thanks in advance for your help!"

I am not getting enough protein, which I try to make up for by drinking shakes - specifically Vital Collagen chocolate w almond milk.

However I keep reading that whey or plant based isolates are the best for muscle retention. The problem is those supplements seem to all have a fake vanilla or cake batter flavor to them that I can’t stand, even the chocolate ones. Same flavor that’s in cake mix. It’s so freaking gross!!

I’ve tried so many hoping to find one without it and just haven’t been able to. Has anyone found one without that fake flavoring? Even no flavor would be preferable.

The vital collagen is great because it’s just cocoa and and stevia. There must be one w plant isolates that is as simple??

M52 - I have now been 6 weeks on Wegovy, now 0.5 mg / week (up from 0.25 first 4 weeks) - lost 5-6 kg (down from 92 kg) 

I still feel some tiredness / soreness in my legs. Especially walking stairs or running (slow / jogging). Can´t really push much, but after some warming up it sorta disappears, but not fully. No other side effects really.

My macronutrients are distributed like C/F/P:  40/20/40    So not super strict on high protein. But I need carbs for training close to 10h a week  (3h strength/gym + 6-7h cardio running / cycling) 

Considering moving to Mounjaro, as I see a lot of people here having less side effects on that? What is the equivalent dossage for Mounjaro?

Any other tips to get over this? TIA

I’m ~6 weeks into tirzepatide at 2.5mg. 42M, pretty athletic (lift, cardio, yoga), started around 199, now hovering around 192. Only have about 15-20 lbs more I want to lose, so I’m not a typical “lots to lose” case.

Here’s my question. The drug clearly works on the thing I came for: my cravings and food noise are way down, and I have much better control at night and at restaurants. That part is great. But I’ve figured out that the drug alone basically holds me at maintenance. When I eat whatever I want, even with cravings gone, I just stay flat. To actually lose, I still have to be conscious about eating well: protein first, complex carbs over junk, not grazing. When I do that, the scale moves.

So I’m a little torn on the dose question. Part of me wonders if I’m “supposed” to be going up, but the current dose is doing its job on appetite, and I suspect a stall is really just me eating at maintenance, not the dose being too low. I don’t want to chase a higher dose to compensate for eating I could fix myself, especially since I’d rather keep this moderate and sustainable than white-knuckle it. Also, I’ve had basically no side effects. Current plan is to give it another month at 2.5 and see where I land and effort to get there.

For those who’ve been through it:

How did you tell the difference between “dose has stopped working / appetite came back” vs. “I just need to dial in my eating”?

For those of you with less to lose, did you stay on a low dose the whole way, or still titrate up?

What did the appetite “fade” actually feel like when it happened, and around what week?

Trying to be patient and judge by the monthly trend rather than reacting to the scale every few days. Appreciate any real experience.

As an endurance cyclist currently taking wegovy, I'm struggling with fueling on my long rides. I'm considering purchasing a continuous glucose monitor to try that out for a month or two so I can get a better idea of what my body feels like with glucose fluctuations. What are your recommendations for brand, placement, any other things I might not be thinking of?