Maintaining Muscle Mass: So Many Tools at Your Disposal!

Does getting stronger while getting smaller sound good to you? Stop focusing on the scale, and start paying attention to how you feel! Dip into the full gamut of resources you have available to reach your weight loss goals with MIIS Weight Loss Institute’s nutrition support, exercise guidance, body contouring, IV therapy, and vitamin supplementation.

Did you know muscle is denser than fat? A lot of people tend to focus on the number on the scale going down when they start a weight loss program. But that isn’t always indicative of the progress you’ve made.

When losing weight, especially a significant amount, isn’t just representative of fat loss; it can also mean you’re losing muscle mass if you aren’t actively working to preserve it.

Whether you are using GLP-1 medications, have undergone bariatric surgery, or are combining multiple approaches to support your weight loss, maintaining muscle mass is one of the best things you can do for your body. And it doesn’t just have to do with spending countless days at the gym or pumping iron. There are so many more tools at your disposal!

The Lowdown

Without proper nutrition and activity, the body will also break down muscle tissue, especially for patients experiencing rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Preserving lean muscle mass has to be part of the overall weight loss plan.

Why? Let’s count the ways.

Muscle helps support metabolism. Muscle tissue requires more energy than fat tissue, even at rest. People with more lean muscle mass generally burn more calories throughout the day.

Need more reasons? Muscle also supports mobility, balance, healthy aging, blood sugar, endurance, good posture, and flexible joints, not to mention a more toned and defined appearance. And bonus, for those dealing with loose skin, building muscle can help fill out those areas.

Not giving your body what it needs to maintain lean muscle mass can make you feel weaker, more fatigued, or dissatisfied with your body composition. Also, a stronger body makes it easier to stay active, exercise consistently, and maintain better habits. During weight loss, you want to encourage the body to burn stored fat while protecting the engine (muscle) that keeps you moving.

Your Toolkit

The best results come from combining multiple strategies. Diet and exercise work in tandem, but sometimes, you might feel like you need an extra boost.

One of the biggest mistakes people make during weight loss is under-eating protein, which is essential for maintaining and rebuilding muscle tissue during periods of calorie reduction. Your muscles require protein, and rigorous exercise elevates that requirement. Patients who are losing weight rapidly have to be even more intentional about their protein intake.

Speaking of exercise, cardio gets a lot of attention for being the calorie burner, but strength training and resistance exercises challenge the muscles and signal the body to maintain and build lean tissue. When you combine a balanced nutrition plan with equal parts of exercise, you’re setting the stage for a slam dunk in reaching your goals.
Now for the fun part! You aren’t limited to diet and exercise. At MIIS Wellness Institute, you have access to services that not only complement your weight loss goals, but also help you feel amazing.

Our Venus Bliss MAX system targets fat and cellulite reduction, muscle toning, and body contouring using non-invasive technology. There’s three parts to it: electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), laser fat-blasting, and advanced radiofrequency skin tightening. Our patients have described the experience as fun, relaxing, and effective.

Then we have the IV lounge with customized blends designed to support hydration, energy, and recovery. If you feel an energy lag, forgetfulness, tiredness, or a lack of motivation, an IV drip might be exactly what you need to get a direct boost of nutrients to your system.

That brings us to our vitamin boosts and sprays. If you aren’t getting enough vitamins and nutrients from your diet, your efforts can stall. Especially for bariatric surgery patients, nutritional support is something we monitor closely because changes in digestion and absorption can increase the risk of vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. Our vitamin sprays are absorbed directly under the tongue, potentially making them more effective than pills or gummies. And our vitamin boosts? You can add them to your IV therapy or get them as stand-alone injections. They work immediately and stay in your system for up to a week.

You might be wondering what any of this has to do with maintaining muscle mass, and we’ll tell you: muscles need more than just exercise. When your body has the right fuel, proper hydration, adequate vitamins, and support for recovery, reaching your goals is much easier and your efforts are more effective. Plus, undernourishment and fatigue make it harder to stay motivated. You don’t want to lose that momentum.

You aren’t just getting smaller, you’re getting healthier. Whether your journey includes bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, nutrition counseling, exercise, wellness therapies, or a combination of approaches, having the right support system can make all the difference.

If you’re ready to create a personalized plan to lose weight while maintaining strength and muscle mass, the team at MIIS Wellness Institute is here to help you do that. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about the tools and services we have to support you!