Will Weight Loss Drugs Replace Health and Wellbeing Coaches? Why the Answer is No.
- Health Coaches Academy
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
With the rising popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonist injections like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, you might wonder — will a career as a Health and Wellbeing Coach still be relevant in the age of weight loss drugs?
The short answer: absolutely yes. In fact, these drugs are creating greater demand than ever for qualified Health and Wellbeing Coaches who can provide sustainable lifestyle support, behaviour change tools, and nutritional guidance that medication alone can’t offer.
While these medications can aid weight loss by suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar, they come with a range of challenges — from digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies to muscle loss and emotional side effects.
This is exactly where Health and Wellbeing Coaches make a real impact — guiding people through lifestyle change with empathy, science-backed strategies, and practical support. Whether your clients are currently taking GLP-1 medications, considering them, or struggling after stopping them, your expertise is more important than ever.
If you’re drawn to a career that helps people make meaningful, lasting changes in their health — especially at a time when quick fixes like weight loss drugs are in the spotlight — becoming a Health Coach may be one of the most future-proof and rewarding paths you can take.
How GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Work — And Why You Still Need a Health and Wellbeing Coach
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone the body naturally produces to help regulate appetite and blood sugar. The injections mimic this hormone but deliver it continuously, suppressing appetite dramatically and altering how the body processes glucose and digests food. It has been described as ‘calming the food noise’ due to its impact on the appetite centre but our bodies are simply not designed to work this way. What is alarming is that on social media people are discussing taking doses that are cutting off their appetite completely rather than just ‘calming the noise’.
While this mechanism can be effective, with some people losing 15–20% of body weight over a year, one major concern is the tendency for weight regain after stopping the medication. Many clients experience a resurgence of appetite and a lack of established healthy habits. Without behavioural change coaching or nutritional support, they regain on average 75% of the weight lost. Muscle mass and metabolic function can also decline during treatment due to inadequate protein intake and reduced activity, compounding this rebound effect and resulting in more weight gain than they originally lost. That’s where a qualified Health and Wellbeing Coach can step in with science-backed support.
Real-World Risks: Why Health & Wellbeing Coaching Matters More Than Ever
The misuse of drugs such as these by consumers is of growing concern. With availability from unregulated online sources, the temptation is there for consumers to set their own dangerously high doses as they strive to achieve their weight loss goals unmonitored by health care professionals. Or for clients to self-prescribe when they do not have a high BMI or diabetes.
And whilst the injections can be helpful in some cases of chronic fatigue, inflammation and fibromyalgia – the client’s inflammation goes down and enables them to exercise more comfortably. There is a place for this injection, but we need to be aware of the downsides too.
The many side effects of GLP-1 are just starting to emerge. They include:
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or diarrhoea
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and gastroparesis
Headaches and fatigue
Mood disorders: depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts
Hair loss
Muscle loss and reduced bone density
Gallbladder and pancreatic issues
Possible thyroid tumours (noted in animal studies)
Many of these side effects stem from slowed gastric emptying, bile flow disruption, changes in blood sugar regulation, and prolonged appetite suppression — all of which can significantly impact nutrient intake and gut health. From poor gut health to emotional distress, many clients using GLP-1 drugs are struggling with side effects — and looking for help. A Health and Wellbeing Coach is perfectly placed to offer personalised, practical support when quick fixes fall short.
What You’ll Learn When You Train to be a Health and Wellbeing Coach
Through our Level 5 Diploma, you'll be trained in essential topics like nutrition, digestive health, stress management and long-term habit change. These are the exact tools people need during or after taking GLP-1 drugs — and the reason why now is a powerful time to become a Health and Wellbeing Coach. Upon completing your certification you'll be able to support clients to:
1. Address Nutrient Deficiencies
Hydration: Combat constipation and headaches.
Protein: Discuss with your client general protein timing strategies that may support satiety and help preserve muscle mass — always encourage them to consult with a registered dietitian or nutritional therapist for tailored advice.
A balanced, varied diet with Magnesium and Calcium rich foods such as dark leafy greens, beans, nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds to support energy, nutrient loss and bone density.
2. Support Digestive Function
Encourage mindful eating: chewing thoroughly and reducing stress around meals.
You’ll learn how to guide clients in improving digestion and gut health using strategies like hydration and fibre-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains— essential knowledge when helping people on or off weight loss medications.
Some clients explore natural approaches such as apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to support digestion — remind clients to check with a health professional if they’re on medications or have GI conditions.
3. Promote Healthy Long-Term Habit Change
As a qualified Health Coach you will help clients to establish sustainable eating patterns and consistent mealtimes.
Emphasise a wholefood, protein-rich diet using the balanced plate method.
Promote the consumption of smaller meals to reduce the desensitising of the gut when it is overstretched.
Educate on avoiding ultra-processed and sugary foods that downregulate GLP-1 sensitivity.
Support sleep and stress reduction to further help appetite regulation.
4. Exercise and Movement
Health and Wellbeing Coaches often encourage clients to take part in weight-bearing and resistance training to prevent muscle and bone loss.
5. Monitor Mental Health
You’ll learn how to use health coaching tools with clients so that they become alert to mood changes and potential emotional impacts.
A key part of a Health Coach’s skill set is to ask appropriate questions and to know how to refer to health professionals where needed. Don’t worry, this is one of the skills you will learn in our training.
6. Nutrients
As a certified Health Coach you cannot advise on supplement-drug interactions, however it’s important to be aware of concerns your future clients may raise and refer them to their prescriber or pharmacist for clarity.
You should be aware that certain supplements may interfere with GLP-1 action and if in the future you have clients on weight loss drugs taking any supplements, you should suggest they have them checked by the medical professional prescribing their GLP-1.
For example, quercetin (common in hay fever supplements) should be avoided, as this interferes with the breakdown of GLP1 and may increase side effects.
Supplements such as chromium, cinnamon and berberine that could lower blood sugar alongside their injections should also be avoided under the guidance of their GP or Consultant as this can cause hypoglycaemia.
Supportive nutrients include probiotic foods such as kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut to support good bacteria in the gut.
Why Clients Are Actively Seeking Health and Wellbeing Coaches
The long list of side effects from weight loss injections is pushing more people to seek guidance from a qualified Health and Wellbeing Coach — someone who understands both the science and the human side of lasting health transformation. With their weight loss goals in front of mind they will be concerned about weight regain — making them ideal candidates for health coaching.
A Cautionary Note
We are potentially heading towards a potential public health crisis driven by improper prescribing, unsupervised use, and a lack of education. As this medication becomes more accessible, often outside clinical guidance, it’s critical that professionals like Health and Wellbeing Coaches step in to bridge the gap.
We must advocate for a holistic approach that treats the person, not just the symptom. These medications can be transformative in the right hands, but without the right support, the risks may outweigh the benefits.
GLP-1 medications may be dominating headlines, but they aren’t replacing the value of a certified Health and Wellbeing Coach — they’re highlighting it. With a growing number of clients needing help with side effects, lifestyle change and long-term success, your skills will be more in demand than ever.
Curious about becoming a Health and Wellbeing Coach?
Now is the ideal time to train. Help people cut through the noise of weight loss trends and build truly healthy lives. Join a free introductory webinar to discover our Level 5 accredited training programme and begin your journey to becoming a Health and Wellbeing Coach today.
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