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ForumsExercise & Body CompositionSwimming as primary cardio on GLP-1 — anyone have experience?

Swimming as primary cardio on GLP-1 — anyone have experience?

PharmD_Rodriguez Tue, Sep 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM 12 replies 1,344 viewsPage 1 of 3
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PharmD_Rodriguez
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Sep 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM#1

This is the version of the explanation I wish somebody had given me, written down before I forget what confused me. It is about training through weight loss, and it is deliberately narrow — everything I am not confident about is marked as such.

What is actually established

Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale. It protects lean mass — which is the reason to do it — and it contributes modestly to the deficit, which is the reason people start and then quit when the arithmetic disappoints them. In a deep deficit, resistance work is the priority and high-volume cardio competes with recovery.

The condition it depends on

The caveat that "exercise" for someone with mobility limitations is a different set of options, and the standard advice is written as though everyone can walk for an hour.

What I am not sure about

The bit I cannot resolve on my own is what training is actually for during a large deficit, because framing it as calorie burn sets people up to quit when the arithmetic disappoints them. Numbers rather than impressions, if you have them.

— PharmD_Rodriguez · corrections welcome and will be edited into this post with credit
3 23paul_denver, TinaHashiRN, robert_kc
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JessicaH_TX
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Sep 2, 2025 at 10:04 AM#2
PharmD_Rodriguez said:
Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale.

Pet owner bonus of training: my dog is also losing weight because we're walking 2-3x more than before. His vet is thrilled. 🐕

We went from a 10-minute shuffle around the block to 45-minute walks through the neighborhood. He's more energetic, I'm more energetic, and we're both healthier.

Get a dog. Or borrow one. Walking a dog is the best low-impact exercise motivation that exists. They never let you skip a walk. 🐾

2 22sarah_TO, wendy_avl
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DataDave
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Sep 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM#3
PharmD_Rodriguez said:
Training does two things here and only one of them is on the scale.

Exercise transformation with training: went from barely able to walk a block to completing a 10K last weekend.

My fitness journey alongside GLP-1 therapy:

  • Month 1-2: Walking 15 min/day
  • Month 3-4: Walking 30-45 min, started bodyweight exercises
  • Month 5-6: Joined a gym, started resistance training
  • Month 7+: Running, lifting heavy, swimming for fun

The weight loss made movement possible. The movement made more weight loss possible. Virtuous cycle in action.

Last edited: Sep 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
1 21LondonLisa
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james_edin
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Sep 2, 2025 at 10:26 AM#4
DataDave said:
Exercise transformation with training: went from barely able to walk a block to completing a 10K last weekend.

Gym confidence after training weight loss: walked into a gym for the first time in 8 years yesterday. Was terrified. But you know what? Nobody stared. Nobody judged. Everyone was focused on their own workout.

Started with 20 minutes on the treadmill and some machine-based resistance exercises. Nothing fancy. But I DID IT. And I'll go back tomorrow.

To anyone too intimidated to start: the hardest rep is walking through the door. Everything after that is just movement. 💪

50 20oliver_london, tane_welly, Dr.PathRoch and 47 others
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RegAffairsDC
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Sep 2, 2025 at 11:24 AM#5
JessicaH_TX said:
Pet owner bonus of training: my dog is also losing weight because we're walking 2-3x more than before.

Same pattern here, and in the same order.

49 19gary_naperville, sean_dublin, hannah_MT and 46 others
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