Ever since fat loss jabs hit the market, including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, gym enthusiasts and slim people are also turning to these popular weight loss drugs to enhance their physique. However, experts are sounding the alarm - they are warning that for those without obesity or diabetes, the risks outweigh the rewards.

The Rise of 'Fit' People Using Fat-burning Jabs

People who are already leading active lives are also reaching out for medications designed for obese people, especially those who want to crash diets before holidays, body builders and gym regulars. They have said that these drugs have helped them shed the "last few pounds" and sculpt leaner physiques easily.

The Sun reported that in bodybuilding, the phase of losing fat to highlight muscle definition is called "cutting". For some, GLP-1 drugs have become the shortcut to achieve that. However, UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned against using these jabs for the same.

Doctors have time and again cautioned against its use for non diabetic or obese persons, and highlighted side effects like nausea, fatigue, dehydration, and muscle loss.

Read: How To Identify A Counterfeit Ozempic? Look For These Signs, Details Inside

It Is Not A Shortcut

Dr Amos Ogunkoya, GP and sports medicine specialist, says and is as reported by The Sun, “Using weight-loss jabs when you already have low body fat is not a good idea. These medications slow digestion and suppress appetite, which can quickly lead to dehydration, fatigue, or even muscle loss in people with low energy reserves.”

He adds that extreme calorie restriction combined with low fat stores may trigger hormonal imbalances, depression, and anxiety. “In short, it’s not a shortcut, it’s a risk,” he warns.

Experts are also worried about the trend, which may have a log lasting impact on vulnerable people, especially those living with eating disorder. Dr Donald Grant, Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, as reported by The Sun, says many fitness enthusiasts are mixing GLP-1 drugs with performance-enhancing substances and restrictive diets, a combination with unknown risks.

“These medications were never designed for lean athletes and haven’t been studied in this group,” he says. “The long-term side effects in this population remain largely unknown.”

So, Why Are Fitness Buffs Doing It?

For some, it is about control. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist family that help people with diabetes manage blood sugar by suppressing appetite and slowing stomach emptying. This side effect can make even the most disciplined eaters feel perpetually full.

Competitive bodybuilder Dr Michael Israetel, who holds a PhD in Sports Science, told Sun Health: “I wouldn’t diet without it. It helped me stay lean with less hunger and better sleep, same results, but in less time and with far less stress.”

He described how even small meals became a challenge: “I’d start eating already half-full. After a few protein bars, I was just done, no cravings. It was a total game-changer.”

Read More: Ozempic Soon To Be Launched In India, Here's All That You Should Know About This Weight Loss Drug

Micro-dosing Weight-loss Drugs

Some clinics are now offering microdosing of these popular weight loss drugs to be given in smaller doses than standard prescription for those who want to attain that 'little bit more' to be fit.

Dr Omar Babar, from Headland Clinic in Leicester tells The Sun, “Microdosing is very useful for gym goers. It cuts out food noise and has a low side-effect profile.”

Most weight-loss patients start at 2.5 mg doses that increase gradually, but many fitness users start as low as 0.25 mg. Experts, however, strongly caution against adjusting doses without medical supervision.

While in theory the access of drugs are tightly controlled, as the NHS recommends only those with a BMI 30 or higher and at least one health condition to receive it. Privately, the threshold is much lower, with some clinics being accused of exploiting loopholes that makes it easy for anyone to qualify to get those jabs.

Dr Grant says, “The biggest concern is people obtaining the medication illegally, via black-market sites, social media sellers, or using someone else’s prescription. Without GP supervision, dosing can become inconsistent and extremely dangerous.”

What Are The Side Effects Of Fat Loss Jabs On Healthy People

• Muscle Loss: Muscle loss could be one of the biggest risk. Dr Ogunkoa suggests that "muscle wastage is dangerous. It reduces strength, endurance, and overall metabolism. If you have got little fat to lose, your body will start consuming muscle instead."

Athletes using these jabs risk developing Relative Energy Deficiency (RED), a condition caused by insufficient calorie intake to meet exercise demands. This can disrupt hormones, lower bone density, and even halt menstruation in women.

• Stomach Strain: Common side effects of GLP-1 drugs include vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation — symptoms that can interfere with intense training.

“In severe cases, users may develop gastroparesis, where the stomach can’t move food efficiently,” warns Dr Ogunkoya. “It’s especially concerning for endurance athletes who rely on quick digestion and steady energy.”

• Dizziness, Seizures, Sugar Crashes: Feeling dizzy or faint is another red flag. Because the drug suppresses hunger, athletes may fail to refuel properly, leading to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

• Serious Health Risks: gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, acute kidney injury.

Are women getting more protection from heart attack with less exercise? A study published in the Nature Cardiovascular Research, suggested that men need to exercise twice as much as women to reap similar heart health benefits.

How Was the Study Conducted?

To explore the difference between physical activity and coronary heart disease in two different sexes, Chinese researchers analyzed data from 80,243 men and women in the UK Biobank. These people were free from any heart disease at the start of the study, along with 5,169 who already had a condition.

The activities of these participants were tracked using wrist-worn activity monitors for over one week. After which the participants were followed for a median of nearly eight years.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found that women were at an advantage. Women who met their recommended exercise guideline that is 150 minutes per week had a 22 per cent lower risk of heart disease as compared with men, who had 17 per cent of reduction.

To reduce risk by 30 per cent, the study found that men had to get 530 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. Whereas to achieve the same, women needed 250 minutes, which is less than half the time men need.

Among people with existing coronary heart disease, women who met recommended physical activity levels had a three times lower risk of death from any cause compared to men.

The findings question a one-size-fits-all approach to physical activity and suggest that gender-specific exercise guidelines could help both men and women better protect and improve their cardiovascular health.

What Else Does Benefit Your Heart?

Ditch 10k Steps A Day

A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine examined how step counts influence longevity and heart health, particularly in older adults. The findings were surprisingly optimistic. Scientists discovered that walking as few as 4,000 steps in a day, even if you manage this number only one or two days a week, can reduce the risk of death by 26 percent. It can also lower the risk of heart disease by 27 percent when compared to those who barely moved.

The benefits became even more striking when participants achieved the 4,000 step target on more than three days per week. In that group, mortality dropped by more than 40 percent and the risk of heart issues fell by 27 percent. These numbers show that moderate, regular walking has powerful protective effects on long-term health.

Go For A Long Walk

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that you should choose one long walk over a few short strolls to keep your heart healthy. This is especially if you do not exercise much.

Walking for at least 15 minutes without a stop is ideal, notes the study. This means you walk for 1,500 steps in a row. This is said to give your heart a good workout. The study also notes that many people who walk 10,000 steps a day, actually follow the number that came from a Japanese pedometer advertisement, and not necessarily science, also reported by BBC. However, experts do agree that more steps are generally better for your health.

Orange Juice For Heart

The study published in Wiley Online Library revealed that orange juice consumption could influence the activity of thousands of genes inside our immune cell. Many of these genes also control blood pressure, calm inflammation and manage the way the body processes sugar. All these functions play an important role for long-term heart health.

Fat prison in China is a trend people are now encountering on their social media channels, where people from China are making videos on what are they being served as their meals. But how much of a "prison" it really is? The Fat prison in reality is a fat camp, where people are voluntarily signing up, because they have realized that the conventional weight loss regime do not necessarily work well. More often than not, gym memberships are abandoned, and diets are not followed through.

What Happens In These 'Fat Prison'?

These "fat prisons" camps follow a military style boot camps that promise rapid weight loss through strict diets. Here, people who sign up are constantly put under surveillance and the structure is designed to ensure participants do not leave or sneak in food.

Also Read: 5 Exercises To Age Better, Know What They Are

Since 2000, the number of obese children in China has quadrupled. Official figures suggest that more than half of China's adults are now overweight. The situation is no longer a body image issue, but a public health crisis.

“Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies. Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products," said WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

How Does China's Fat Prison Work?

These fat prisons or camps resemble military boot camps more than health clubs. Here, the days start early, with a roll call and weigh-ins. Here, phones are not allowed to the individuals, rooms are shared, and surveillance is constant.

Over the course of 28 days, individuals are expected to take up to 72 classes in total. These include HIIT or high intensity interval training, spinning, boxing, and endurance cardio. Professional trainers also monitor individuals' form, pace, and attendance. They also follow up on their progress.

Read: Fact Check: Does Japan Have A Fat Law?

There are fixed timings for meals, and the portions are decided by staff. What may surprise many is that the food here is not liquid shakes, as many people popularly think weight loss diets consists. Menus usually feature traditional Chinese meals which are prepared with less oil and sugar. Second helpings are allowed, but snacking outside the meal is strictly forbidden.

Participants are also weighed twice daily. This is done once in the morning and again in the evening. Progress is also tracked publicly, which creates a pressure to achieve the weight goal.

A Lived Experience In China's Fat Prison

A 28-year-old creator living in China, Eggeats documented her month-long stay in China's fat prison. She claimed that she paid roughly around $1,500 for the entire programme. This includes accommodation, food, and training.

In contrast to Western cities, the sum would not even cover a few weeks of boutique fitness classes. Thus in many ways, this is more practical and affordable.

Eggeats' videos show high concrete walls, iron gates and electric fences that surround the camp. Security guards are also stationed at the entrance, which is why she called this place a "Fat Prison".

However, her experience bore fruit. From 7.40pm onwards, participants are given free time and Sundays are rest days here. Toilets there are built in traditional way, where one needs to squat while using it.

For Eggeats, in the first week herself, she said she lost 2.25 kilograms, and a total of 4 kilograms by the end of second week. While the program may be strict, she still recommended the experience for anyone seeking a transition.

Obesity In China

More than half of China’s adult population is now overweight or obese, a proportion projected to rise to nearly two-thirds by 2030—affecting close to 900 million people. Acknowledging the scale of the crisis, National Health Commission Director Lei Haichao announced a nationwide three-year “Year of Weight Management” campaign on March 9, 2025, during the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, marking a move from individual responsibility to government-led, systemic action.

As you age, you start to lose your balance, however, there are certain exercises you can do to ensure that you gain strength, stabilize your joints along with maintain muscles. These exercises will help you improve your balance, reduce risks of arthritis, type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, and could prevent early death too.

Here are 5 exercises that will help you age better and stay fitter.

Push Ups

Ensure that your hand placements is wider than shoulder width apart on the floor, with your fingers pointing forward. Start in a plank position with your body in a straight line from head to heels. Now, engage your core and glutes to hold this position.

Also Read: Inside China’s ‘Fat Prison’: Can Extreme Measures Curb Obesity?

Keep your elbows at about a 45-degree angle from your body, do not flare our too wide. As you lower your body, keep your body in a straight line. Your chest should come close to the ground or touch it.

Bend your elbows to lower your body, and press through your hands to straighten your arms to return to your starting position.

Pull Ups

Start with a pull-up bar, grab it with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Use an overhand grip pr an underhand grip. Hand from the bar with your arms fully extended and your legs straight. Engage your core to avoid swinging. Aim to keep your body still throughout the movement.

Make sure your shoulders are down and away from your ears. Engage your back muscles and pull your elbows down and back as you life yourself.

Pull yourself up till your chin is above the bar. Keep your body as straight as possible. Lower yourself in a controlled manner until your arms are fully extended again.

Also Read: After Indore Water Contamination, 5 More Indian States Report Similar Cases

Dead lift

Stand with your feet about hip width apart, with your toes pointing forward. Make sure your weight is evenly spread between your heel, the outside edge of your foot, and your big toe. Hinge at your hips with a slight bend in your knees. Keep your back flat and chest up. You can also use a double overhand grip or a mixed grip on the bar.

Ensure you back is flat and chest up, avoid rounding your lower back, as it can cause injury. Drive your hips forward as you lift, and keep your back straight. Your hips and shoulders should rise together. Keep the weight close to your body.

Push through your heels and engage your glutes and hamstrings to lift the weight. Stand tall with your shoulders back, avoid leaning back.

Squat

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, with toes pointing straight ahead or slightly outward. If you use any weights, keep them in the center.

Keep your back straight and chest up. Engage your core to stay stable. Make sure your knees follow the direction of your toes.

Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower yourself and go as low as you can, while keeping heels on the floor. Push through your heels and extend your hips and knees to stand up.

Calf Raise

Stand with your feet hip width apart. Place one or both hand on a wall, and stand on a stepper, with your heels off the stepper. Push through the balls of your feet and lift your heels off as high as you can. You will feel a stretch in your calves. Come back to the original position of your feet on the stepper, with heels off the stepper and continue doing it. With each rep you can feel your muscles engaging.