Serena Williams recently revealed she lost 31 pounds with the help of the GLP-1 weight loss drug Zepbound. The tennis legend, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, struggled to regain her pre-pregnancy weight after having her two children, despite regular exercise and a healthy diet. “Every single day, I would get my 30,000 steps. I ran and trained… I never got back to the level that I wanted to be,” she told Elle.
Joint pain also made movement difficult, prompting her to try GLP-1 medication. After initially stopping in 2024, Williams resumed treatment in January 2025 through telehealth company Ro, which her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is affiliated with. Her public story joins other celebrities sharing their weight management journeys with medication, highlighting its growing popularity.
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Williams faced scrutiny about her body
Serena Williams has faced scrutiny about her body her entire life. In her HBO documentary Being Serena, one scene shows her coach discussing the need for her to lose weight, and fans have long shared both praise and criticism. While Williams said she carefully considered taking anti-obesity medication, she told Vogue that she no longer feels ashamed about sharing her journey publicly. “For lack of a better way to say it, I don’t really care what people are saying about my body anymore.
But what is important to me is transparency,” she said. Experts note that stigma around obesity can make people feel guilty for using medication. Obesity is largely influenced by biology and genetics, not willpower alone. As more high-profile figures like Williams and Oprah share their experiences, Dr. Rekha B. Kumar says the stigma is easing, showing medication is a valid tool, not an “easy way out.”
What to know about Zepbound
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is currently one of the most effective medications for weight management. It works by targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, offering greater weight loss and improved glucose control compared with drugs that target only GLP-1, according to Dr. Scott Isaacs. In the head-to-head SURMOUNT trial funded by Eli Lilly, participants taking tirzepatide lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight (about 50 pounds) over 72 weeks, compared with 13.7% (about 33 pounds) for those on semaglutide (Ozempic).
Experts caution that access to GLP-1 medications is often limited by insurance coverage. As of July 1, CVS Caremark removed Zepbound from its formulary, forcing many patients to switch to alternatives like Wegovy, even if Zepbound is more effective for them. Doctors stress that while cost, side effects, and patient preference matter, insurance rules often dictate which medication patients can actually use.
Is Zepbound or Wegovy Right for You?
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is approved for adults with obesity or overweight who also have weight-related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. It may also benefit those with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as NASH. In the SYNERGY-NASH trial, tirzepatide led to MASH resolution in up to 62% of participants versus 10% with placebo, and improved fibrosis in over half of patients.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) recently became the first GLP-1 approved by the FDA for adults with MASH and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis, based on the phase 3 ESSENCE trial. Both medications target biological and hormonal pathways that regulate appetite, cravings, and weight. Dr. Scott Isaacs emphasizes that using medication to manage weight is similar to treating diabetes or hypertension: it’s a choice for health, not a sign of weakness, and can improve many related medical issues.
GLP-1s Work Best When Combined With Healthy Habits
Serena Williams continues to pair Zepbound with regular exercise and a healthy diet, including getting her protein from beans, which experts say is key to successful weight management. Dr. Rekha Kumar explains that tirzepatide is a “power tool” that works best when lifestyle habits—like strength training and adequate protein—are maintained. Without these, patients risk losing muscle and regaining fat if the medication is stopped.
Dr. Scott Isaacs notes that GLP-1 medications are not a quick fix and require ongoing medical supervision. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, especially as doses increase. Individual responses vary: some achieve results at low “micro-doses,” while others need higher doses. Long-term use is often necessary to prevent weight regain.
New GLP-based therapies, including oral options, are expected soon, signaling a new era in obesity care, where medication, combined with lifestyle changes, offers effective, sustainable results for chronic weight management.
Frequently Asked Questions
hat is Zepbound (tirzepatide)?
Zepbound is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist approved for adults with obesity or overweight and weight-related conditions. It helps regulate appetite, cravings, and blood sugar while promoting significant weight loss.
How does Zepbound compare to Wegovy (semaglutide)?
In clinical trials, tirzepatide often resulted in greater weight loss than semaglutide. Both medications treat obesity and related metabolic conditions, but specific approvals differ—for example, Wegovy is FDA-approved for adults with MASH and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis.
Who can take Zepbound?
Adults with obesity or overweight plus conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnea, or MASH.
How should GLP-1 medications be used?
They work best when combined with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and strength training. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
Do I need to stay on the medication long-term?
Often, yes. Stopping GLP-1 therapy may lead to weight regain, so ongoing supervision by a physician is recommended.
Is taking these medications “cheating” or an easy way out?
No. Experts emphasize that obesity is largely biological and genetic. Using medication is a valid, effective tool for managing weight, much like treatments for diabetes or high blood pressure.
Are there new options coming?
Yes. More GLP-based medications, including injectables and lower-cost oral versions, are expected in the coming years.
Conclusion
Serena Williams’ weight loss journey with Zepbound highlights how GLP-1 medications can be an effective tool for managing obesity and related health conditions. While medication plays a powerful role, experts stress that combining it with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and strength training is essential for long-term success. Stigma around using anti-obesity drugs is gradually fading as more high-profile figures share their experiences, showing that taking action is a choice for health, not a sign of weakness.