Serena Williams Lost 31 Lbs on a Glp-1: But Is Ozempic Safe for Small Weight Loss?
One potential downside: Those with less weight to lose tend to have more side effects
Legendary tennis player Serena Williams, 43, made headlines Thursday after an appearance on The Today Show, where she revealed that she is currently taking a GLP-1 medication through the health company Ro, in which her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor. Williams received mixed responses from the public. One Reddit user wrote they had an issue “that a world class athlete is essentially touting weight loss meds.” Meanwhile, others supported Williams’ transparency about what’s working for her health. “A happy surprise today. Glad she is speaking up about the challenges she has faced and continuing to change the world for people,” a TikTok user wrote in their video caption.
In an interview with People, Williams shared that she lost more than 31 pounds with the help of a GLP-1. Regardless of the public’s personal views on Williams’ choice, her experience raises an important question. Although many people associate GLP-1s with major weight-loss transformations, can meds like Ozempic be used for small amounts of weight loss? We spoke to experts to find out.
Serena Williams’ experience with a GLP-1 for smaller weight loss
In the People interview, Williams shared that before taking a GLP-1, nothing was working for her weight loss. “I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she said. “It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.”
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In an interview with Elle, Williams specified she’s on Zepbound. Other weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are also popular options. In order to maximize the benefits and reduce the risk of common side effects, Williams shared that she made sure to fully understand Zepbound before using it.
“I did a lot of research on it. I was like, ‘is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it,” Williams told People. Through her research, Williams decided a GLP-1 would be a good fit for her. “I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss.”
Since her weight loss, Williams say, “I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.”
Even elite athletes can struggle with weight loss
Experts say Williams’ experience using a GLP-1 paints an important picture about reframing our thinking of who’s a good candidate for using them.
“This is a perfect example on how obesity and weight gain are not lifestyle issues nor lack of willpower,” says Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist specializing in obesity medicine and author of Weightless: A Doctor’s Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve. “We have Serena Williams, an internationally renowned athlete, who couldn’t have any more perfect training and access to healthy tailored food and was still struggling to lose weight. She’s a beautiful example of doing everything by the book, and yet she still gained weight and had difficult[y] losing it.”
While we can get caught up in the idea that weight gain is due to a singular factor, the reality is different. “Obesity and weight gain is multifactorial: We have genetics, hereditability, environmental causes, hormonal disorders and aging that can all contribute to weight gain,” adds Dr. Salas-Whalen.
“As a husband, father and doctor myself, I’m incredibly proud of Serena for her transparency, honesty and the courage to share her personal medical journey with the public,” says Eric W. Anderson, MD, a plastic surgeon based in Chicago specializing in body procedures for patients experiencing rapid weight loss while on GLP-1 medications. “Men and women struggle with weight loss for different reasons during different times of their lives and need help. Serena has been open about her post-pregnancy body, she is not alone.”
Can you use Ozempic for a small amount of weight loss?
If you’re only looking to lose a small amount of weight, say 10 to 30 pounds, you may be wondering if GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are still an option.
“Ozempic is indicated for people with a BMI over 27 if they have weight-related complications like high blood pressure, or a BMI over 30 if they are otherwise healthy,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine. “Although Ozempic isn’t indicated for small amounts of weight loss, there are certainly plenty of people who take it for this reason.”
So while it’s not designed for less-drastic weight loss, it can still be helpful for certain individuals.“Under correct supervision, with appropriate lifestyle changes [such as diet and exercise], it is absolutely safe and effective to use GLP-1 medications to lose 10 to 30 pounds,” says Dr. Anderson. “Starting at the lowest possible dose can be really transformative for someone looking to lose a smaller amount of weight.”
Is Ozempic right for you?
Dr. Salas-Whalen emphasizes the importance of looking at a person’s past experience with weight loss before deciding if a GLP-1 is a good fit.
“What I want to know in these scenarios is how much of their day to day is consumed by losing this weight or maintaining a healthy weight? If the answer is ‘it feels like a full-time job,’ then yes, this person can benefit from a GLP-1,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. “GLP-1s should not be the last resource for someone struggling with their weight. You don’t have to earn the right to use a GLP1.”
While these types of meds can be used for smaller amounts of weight loss, Dr. Brown cautions against side effects of Ozempic and other GLP-1s. “In my experience, people who use GLP-1s for only a small amount of weight loss generally have worse side effects, especially vomiting and dehydration,” says Dr. Brown.
Ultimately, the best way to find out if a GLP-1 like Ozempic is right for you is to talk to your doctor. “GLP1 medications are powerful and must not be taken lightly,” says Dr. Anderson. “Please consult a board-certified doctor for questions, guidance and medication. Anyone trying to sell you a medication with no education, coaching or lifestyle modification is doing you a disservice.”
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