Williams On GLP-1s, Motherhood
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has come out about using GLP-1 to deal with her postpartum weight.
Williams’ story is one that many mothers can relate to. The athlete revealed that she would always plateau even after faithfully training and giving birth to her two daughters. No matter how hard she dieted or worked out, it felt like she was going nowhere.
“I literally was playing a professional sport, and I could never go back to where I needed to be for my health, for my healthy weight, no matter what I did,” she said on the Today show. “I would always lose a lot of weight, and then I would stay. No matter what I did, I couldn’t go lower than that one number.”
Despite the star’s staggering weight loss, she’s been vocal about how she tried every other healthy alternative before taking GLP-1.
“I did a lot of research on it. I was like, ‘is this a shortcut?’” Williams shared. “What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it.“
Why Williams Chose to Use GLP-1
After months of frustration, Williams began using Zepbound, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, through the telehealth company Ro. Coincidentally, her husband, Alexis Ohanian, serves on Ro’s board and is an investor. Notably, the decision marked a turning point in her fitness journey.
Zepbound works by mimicking natural gut hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. Consequently, patients often feel fuller longer, which reduces calorie intake. Although doctors frequently prescribe these drugs for diabetes, they are also increasingly used for weight management.
31-Pound Weight Loss
Williams reported losing over 31 pounds (14 kilograms) within eight months of starting treatment. Previously, in early 2024, she stopped breastfeeding and began therapy shortly afterward. All in all, the results were not just physical but emotional.
Her energy improved, joint pain decreased, and she felt more mobile, feeling like her old self.
Such results highlight how GLP-1 drugs can offer benefits beyond weight management. According to the CDC, nearly 42% of U.S. adults struggle with obesity, underscoring the scale of this issue.
‘I don’t take shortcuts’
Importantly, Williams has pushed back against critics who called the medication the “easy way out.” Moreover, she emphasized self-care rather than shortcuts. Her stance reframes the conversation, especially for women balancing motherhood with personal health.
She stressed the treatment worked alongside healthy habits, not in place of them. As a result, she hopes her story will destigmatize medical support for weight management.
Public and Expert Reaction
Overall, public reaction has been mixed. While some fans praised her transparency, others argued athletes should avoid promoting weight-loss medication. Nevertheless, many health experts welcomed her openness.
However, concerns remain about the commercialization of GLP-1 drugs through celebrity endorsements. Critics fear it may normalize medical solutions without emphasizing medical supervision. Even so, the disclosure of Williams has sparked wider discussions about postpartum health and body acceptance.
Conclusion
Serena Williams’s decision to share her GLP-1 experience reflects a cultural shift toward honest dialogue about weight, motherhood, and health. Her message is one of empowerment: weight management requires individualized choices, and medical support can play a vital role.
Photos: Instagram/serenawilliams
