Injuries + lifting while on GLP-1s?

DirtyWilly

DirtyWilly

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Hey there, curious to see if others have experienced any injuries (pain) or increased tendonitis while using GLP-1s?

I've been working out in the gym on and off for many years and have a consistent, logged, routine. Ever since I started taking tirzepatide I've experienced way more tendon tears, as well as active pain, than any time in my life. My routine has stayed exactly the same, lifting the same exercises. I helped my Mom on her GLP-1 journey and also got her in the gym, she also had the same happen with tendonitis.

I target more of a functional strength routine with heavier weights, but it's my belief that the same mechanisms that cause increased sensitivity to food also causes increased sensitivity to pain potentially leading to elevated injuries.

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this while working out on GLP-1s, especially the heightened active pain.
 
Hmm. Many notice less inflammation and reduction in chronic pain. But now that you mention it, i've had more minor muscle pulls/tears and not from large calorie deficits. Just last week went to do a sprint and pulled a random muscle in my ribs. Could also be that I'm just older now?
 
Plenty of possibilities here. 1 could be since you're losing weight you are also losing strength so trying to lift the same amount that you used to lift might be putting stress on your joints. Another one could be nutrient deficiency because of the deficit created by the GLPs.
 
I'm no physiotherapist or anything, but it stands to reason that as you lose weight, particularly if you lose a lot rapidly, your basic body mechanics change. Simple example: what it takes to haul a 300 pound body out of a chair is not the same as it takes to get a 125 pound body up, different movement and muscular requirements. I'd suspect you're doing Motion X using pre-weightloss muscle memory, and it's just different now, body/muscles haven't quite caught up to the differences. Just my theory, fwiw.
 
Early in my Tirz journey, I started lifting weights harder in hopes of catching the weight-loss momentum. Unfortunately too hard. As I suffered a torn Labrum and Rotator in the shoulder from doing incline bench with 80lb dumbbells. Two MRIs later, a 60-day run on BPC/TB4, and a lot of self-PT showed significant improvement. Almost back to 95%. That did take a full 4 months to recover. Back in the gym now for the last 5 months, avoiding all overhead and bench. Focusing much more on pull than push, plus my poor legs shrunk to toothpicks during weight loss. It has allowed me to do about 85% of the exercises I need to stay in shape. Remember elbows in. Sometimes we can be too aggressive, trying to recoup all the losses in a short time. Remember to rest more, too.
 
Tweaked my back last night on a lat pull machine. but other than that for months ive never found my limit to extra energy and stamina. In less than 24 hours im pretty much back to normal
 
gusterbuster said:


Hmm. Many notice less inflammation and reduction in chronic pain. But now that you mention it, i've had more minor muscle pulls/tears and not from large calorie deficits. Just last week went to do a sprint and pulled a random muscle in my ribs. Could also be that I'm just older now?

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So that's the interesting part!

What I've noticed is that chronic pain goes down, while active pain goes up, there seems to be a difference. I've seen many claims on this too which makes me scratch my head.

Here's how I best relate it.

Just as tirz makes you forget to eat during the day, chronic injury pain also goes away during the day. I easily forget I have an arm injury sitting around.

However, just as actively eating makes you sensitive to being full, active exercise makes you sensitive to pain. I'm easily reminded I have an injury when I actually use my arm hard.

In the same boat on the being older now, always a factor. 😉
 
Mochizuki0124 said:


Plenty of possibilities here. 1 could be since you're losing weight you are also losing strength so trying to lift the same amount that you used to lift might be putting stress on your joints. Another one could be nutrient deficiency because of the deficit created by the GLPs.

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I've considered the nutrient deficiency. I've on and off lost weight in the past without as many injuries. It tended to be the opposite where the get stronger you got and moved up weight was where the injuries start. There's also the muscle memory thing, where a month in the gym on my old frame and I'm back at 3 plates on everything.

One thing for sure though for me, while on tirz injury pain is way more sensitive. If I come off it clearly weans down as the hunger returns.
 
spanky2026 said:


I'm no physiotherapist or anything, but it stands to reason that as you lose weight, particularly if you lose a lot rapidly, your basic body mechanics change. Simple example: what it takes to haul a 300 pound body out of a chair is not the same as it takes to get a 125 pound body up, different movement and muscular requirements. I'd suspect you're doing Motion X using pre-weightloss muscle memory, and it's just different now, body/muscles haven't quite caught up to the differences. Just my theory, fwiw.

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I still carry enough to where you'd think that wouldn't be a problem. If I had a 6-pack and getting injuries I'd probably agree. 🙂 Someday.
 
chewonmysac said:


Early in my Tirz journey, I started lifting weights harder in hopes of catching the weight-loss momentum. Unfortunately too hard. As I suffered a torn Labrum and Rotator in the shoulder from doing incline bench with 80lb dumbbells. Two MRIs later, a 60-day run on BPC/TB4, and a lot of self-PT showed significant improvement. Almost back to 95%. That did take a full 4 months to recover. Back in the gym now for the last 5 months, avoiding all overhead and bench. Focusing much more on pull than push, plus my poor legs shrunk to toothpicks during weight loss. It has allowed me to do about 85% of the exercises I need to stay in shape. Remember elbows in. Sometimes we can be too aggressive, trying to recoup all the losses in a short time. Remember to rest more, too.

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear! Hard enough to get your butt to the gym sometimes and knowing you have to deal with that is not exactly a motivational poster. Glad it's healing, 4-months is impressive, sounds like you're on the road to recovery. I have a SLAP tear right above the labrum. Thankfully its not a loss of function but the pain through the first set can make those eyes a little watery.

You think the BPC/TB4 is helping?
 
quicksilver80 said:


Tweaked my back last night on a lat pull machine. but other than that for months ive never found my limit to extra energy and stamina. In less than 24 hours im pretty much back to normal

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Good on the recovery. Back tweaks for me tend to be sleeping position the night before, otherwise watch those injuries!
 
DirtyWilly said:


Sorry to hear! Hard enough to get your butt to the gym sometimes and knowing you have to deal with that is not exactly a motivational poster. Glad it's healing, 4-months is impressive, sounds like you're on the road to recovery. I have a SLAP tear right above the labrum. Thankfully its not a loss of function but the pain through the first set can make those eyes a little watery.

You think the BPC/TB4 is helping?

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I feel it did. 40% wolverine and 60% PT. Will use again on a as needed basis. This was my worse self inflicted injury and quite humbling.
 
chewonmysac said:


Early in my Tirz journey, I started lifting weights harder in hopes of catching the weight-loss momentum. Unfortunately too hard. As I suffered a torn Labrum and Rotator in the shoulder from doing incline bench with 80lb dumbbells. Two MRIs later, a 60-day run on BPC/TB4, and a lot of self-PT showed significant improvement. Almost back to 95%. That did take a full 4 months to recover. Back in the gym now for the last 5 months, avoiding all overhead and bench. Focusing much more on pull than push, plus my poor legs shrunk to toothpicks during weight loss. It has allowed me to do about 85% of the exercises I need to stay in shape. Remember elbows in. Sometimes we can be too aggressive, trying to recoup all the losses in a short time. Remember to rest more, too.

Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Leg day? What’s that?




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