GLP-1 User Becomes ISSA-Certified to Sustain Weight Loss

After a year on GLP-1 medication, Lewis Wilder had lost 120 pounds but he knew that wasn't the end of his weight loss journey. It was just the beginning of a new chapter: building long-term health, preserving muscle, and learning how to keep the weight off.

“I didn’t think I could lose weight,” Lewis said. “But a year later, I was down 120 pounds. That’s when I realized I needed to learn how to do it the right way.”

That led Lewis to ISSA and its new GLP-1 Weight Loss Support Training course, designed specifically to help people understand how medications like semaglutide (ex: Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (ex: Mounjaro, Zepbound) work and how to support them with exercise and nutrition.

GLP-1 Education That Goes Beyond the Doctor's Office

Like many on GLP-1 medications, Lewis was seeing his provider weekly. But he wanted more than check-ins and injections. He wanted clarity. Strategy. And tools.

“The ISSA GLP-1 course explained things my provider didn’t have time to,” Lewis said. “It taught me why muscle loss happens, how to avoid it, what to eat, and when to eat it. That changed everything.”

Many users of GLP-1 drugs experience weight regain after stopping the medication. The ISSA course gave Lewis a science-backed plan to avoid that outcome. covering strength training, protein timing, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic adaptation.

“The course literally predicted my experience,” Lewis said. “It said, ‘You’ll forget to eat.’ I laughed but it happened. It said, ‘You’ll need to manage nutrient intake carefully.’ It was spot on.”

ISSA Certifications Build Confidence Beyond GLP-1

Lewis didn’t stop with just one course. He went on to complete ISSA’s Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Nutrition Coach, and Strength and Conditioning certifications, earning ISSA Elite Trainer status.

He applied his learning immediately. With a home gym and a remote job, he started doing short, frequent strength workouts between calls. He reworked his diet based on ISSA’s nutrition guidance, increasing lean protein and prioritizing hydration, two keys to preserving muscle mass on GLP-1.

“Before ISSA, I thought I had to go plant-based and restrict everything,” he said. “Now I know how to fuel my body and why it matters, especially with GLP-1 medications.”

Real-Life Results from a GLP-1 User Turned Fitness Expert

Lewis isn’t a personal trainer (yet), but he’s already helping others.

“I’ve seen people on the same medication gain weight or feel worse,” he said. “Now I can explain why that’s happening and what to do differently.”

His personal experience plus his ISSA education gives him credibility and clarity. His next goal? ISSA’s Business of Personal Training course, which covers online coaching so he can reach others through digital platforms.

In fact, his 11-year-old son is already helping him get started. “He’s setting up a YouTube channel for me,” Lewis said. “He told me, ‘You’ve got this. Let’s share it.’” It’s a powerful reflection of how Lewis’s transformation has inspired not just himself but his family, too.

GLP-1 and ISSA: A Powerful Combination

Lewis didn’t just rely on medication. He took charge of his education, his workouts, and his nutrition and ISSA gave him the framework to do it safely and effectively.

“I wish I had known all of this in my twenties,” he said. “But I know it now. And I’m stronger, healthier, and more confident because of it.”

Tami Nealy is the Vice President of Communications at the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), a global leader in online fitness certification. She oversees brand positioning, media relations, and strategic content across ISSA’s portfolio of health and wellness education brands. With more than 20 years of experience in public relations and brand storytelling, Tami specializes in translating industry trends into clear, actionable insights that support aspiring and ISSA-certified personal trainers, health coaches, and nutrition professionals in building successful wellness careers.