08/05/2026
After sending a couple of emails this week, quite a few people have asked me about Ozempic, Wegovy and similar medications.
Mostly:
Are they safe?
What are the side effects?
And who should actually be using them?
So here’s my honest answer.
Do they work?
Yes.
These medications can reduce appetite and quiet what many describe as "food noise" - constantly thinking about food.
For some women, that alone makes a big difference.
Side effects?
The most common ones include nausea, digestive issues like constipation or diarrhoea, and occasional vomiting.
In many cases, these can be managed with proper dosing, hydration and medical guidance.
There are also more serious risks, such as pancreatitis, but these are rare.
Who are they for?
Typically, they’re prescribed in the UK for people with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above if they have weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
But in reality, there’s also a grey area.
Women who have struggled for years.
Those who feel constantly hungry.
Who are doing "everything right" but still not seeing results.
Some of them may benefit from this kind of support.
And I understand that.
But here’s the part most people ignore…
👉 If you use these medications without strength training, you will lose muscle as well as fat.
❌ That means you get weaker.
❌ Your metabolism slows down.
❌ And your risk of osteoporosis and sarcopenia increases.
And it doesn’t stop there.
👉 When you come off the medication, if your habits haven’t changed, you often go back to eating the same way.
❌ The weight comes back.
❌ And very often, it comes back as more fat, not muscle.
That’s the cycle most people don’t see coming.
So what’s the right approach?
👉 If someone chooses to use these tools, then in my opinion:
✔ Strength training is non-negotiable
✔ Protein intake needs to be prioritised
✔ And habits have to change
Otherwise, you’re just delaying the problem.
Where do I stand?
I’m not against these medications.
But I am strongly against losing weight and ending up weaker.
Because what most women actually want isn’t just a lower number on the scale.
They want to feel strong.
Have more energy.
Feel confident in their body again.
And that comes from building strength, not just losing weight.
👉 If you want to do it properly, that’s exactly what we focus on inside my programmes.
✔ Small groups.
✔ Proper coaching.
✔ Learning how to lift safely and confidently.
✔ No gym intimidation.
👉 If you’re thinking about starting, reply with "STRONG", and I’ll add you to the waiting list.
Or just reply with any questions - I’m always happy to help.
You don’t have to wait to get started.
While those two small groups, the 4-week Strength Training Kickstart (max 4 women in each group) in my private studio in Meersbrook S8, are currently full…
I’ve got a few spaces available in our 28-Day Body Transformation Kickstart Programme starting next week:
📍 Sheffield S8 - Meadowhead School
📍 Sheffield S10 - King Edward Lower School
And yes - we do strength training there too.
You’ll be doing:
✔ Bodyweight strength training
✔ Resistance band strength training
✔ Boxercise sessions (great stress buster)
Which means:
✔ You’ll burn a lot of calories
✔ Get fitter (fewer out-of-breath moments)
✔ Feel stronger and more energised
✔ And fit much better in your clothes over the 28 days
It’s fun, supportive, and results-focused.
And for many women, it’s the perfect starting point before moving into small-group strength training in the studio later.
If you don’t want to wait, this is your opportunity to start now.
👉 Click here to get the details and secure your space: https://28daybootcamp.info/
Radek Kalas
Strength Training & Fat Loss Specialist
Helping women 40+ in Sheffield lose fat, get stronger and feel more confident 💪
