- Serena Williams recently announced that she lost 31 pounds after taking the GLP-1 drug Zepbound.
- The tennis legend began taking the weight loss medication after having her two children.
- Williams shared that regular exercise and healthy eating are a part of her weight loss journey.
Serena Williams is opening up about her weight loss journey with GLP-1 medication Zepbound.
The former professional tennis player is among other celebrities like Oprah and Kelly Clarkson who’ve shared their weight management stories and why they turned to medication.
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, told Elle magazine that after having her second child in 2023, she lost weight within two weeks, but no matter what she did after that, she couldn’t lose more.
“Every single day, I would get my 30,000 steps. I ran and trained. Even after my first daughter, I never got back to the level that I wanted to be,” Williams told Elle.
Williams began taking a GLP-1 medication in the summer of 2024 but decided to stop. Then, in January 2025, she teamed up with the telehealth company Ro, which her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in and board member of, to receive Zepbound.
“Serena Williams is such an inspiration to so many, and I’m glad to hear she has spoken about this publicly. It’s an important message,” Scott Isaacs, MD, president-elect of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, told Healthline.
Williams has faced scrutiny around her body her entire life. In her HBO documentary, “Being Serena,” one scene shows her coach talking with her about the need for her to lose weight.
Fans have also commented on her body throughout the years, expressing both positive and negative sentiments.
While Williams said she put a lot of thought into taking anti-obesity medication, she told Vogue that at this point in her life, she doesn’t feel ashamed about letting the public know.
“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.
Isaacs said stigma around obesity can make people feel judged or guilty for using medication to manage their weight.
“Many patients blame themselves, even though obesity is a disease of disordered appetite and biological origin, not simply the result of habits or willpower,” he said. “Weight is determined primarily by biology and genetics, not by willpower alone.”
But taking anti-obesity medications isn’t the “easy way out,” said Rekha B. Kumar, MD, associate professor of medicine at Cornell and Chief Medical Officer at Found.
Kumar noted that as more high-profile people share their experiences, the stigma around these medications will soften.
“People who have all the tools in the world, like Serena and Oprah, have shown us that this is not the easy way out but rather an important tool to address the biology of weight control when diet and exercise do not help,” Kumar told Healthline.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is currently the most effective medication available for weight management.
“Tirzepatide works by targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, resulting in greater weight loss and better glucose lowering than medications that target GLP-1 alone,” said Isaacs.
In the head-to-head SURMOUNT trial, funded by drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, people who took tirzepatide lost more weight than those who took semaglutide (Ozempic).
After 72 weeks of treatment, participants taking tirzepatide lost 20.2% of their body weight (about 50.3 pounds), while those taking semaglutide lost 13.7% (about 33.1 pounds) of their body weight.
“All GLP-1s are excellent medicines for diabetes and weight control. We often are limited by what insurance covers and occasionally will look at other comorbidities that a medicine is approved for to see if they might be a good fit,” said Kumar.
Isaacs reiterated that insurance coverage is a big determining factor for GLP-1 access. He pointed to CVS Caremark’s recent change. As of July 1, it removed Zepbound from its formulary, which required most patients to switch to Wegovy, regardless of which drug works better for them.
“Even if a patient is doing well on a medication, insurance sometimes forces a switch due to coverage restrictions or deals made behind the scenes,” Isaacs said. “Cost, patient preference, and side effects still matter, but they are all secondary to what the insurance will actually pay for.”
“In the SYNERGY-NASH trial, tirzepatide showed significant rates of MASH resolution, up to 62%, compared to 10% with placebo, and improved fibrosis in over 50% of participants,” said Isaacs.
Semaglutide (Wegovy) recently became the first GLP-1 approved by the FDA to treat adults with MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis, based on the phase 3 ESSENCE trial.
Tirzepatide and other GLP1s work by targeting specific biological and hormonal pathways that regulate appetite, cravings, and weight.
“Needing medication for weight is no different than needing it for diabetes or blood pressure, and by treating excess weight, many related medical issues can improve,” said Isaacs. “Choosing to treat obesity is a choice for health, not a sign of weakness. Doing nothing is actually the easier path, but taking action shows real strength.”
Williams’ Instagram feed shows that she continues to exercise a lot and eat healthy while taking Zepbound. She told Vogue that she gets her protein fill from beans.
According to Kumar, she is taking the right actions.
“[Zepbound] is a power tool, and patients need to consider what they are willing to change in their lifestyle because if protein requirements and strength training are not in place, people can lose muscle and be predisposed to regaining fat mass if they stop the medicine,” she said.
Anyone considering or taking tirzepatide should know that it works best when combined with regular exercise and a balanced, low calorie diet, said Isaacs.
“Medications are an important option when lifestyle changes alone are not enough, but they do not replace the need for healthy living,” he said. “Tirzepatide is a medical therapy, not a quick fix, and it requires ongoing medical supervision.”
Side effects, most often nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, are common, especially as the dose increases.
“Some people are ‘super-responders’ and achieve great results with very low doses known as micro-doses, while others may need to titrate up to the highest dose to get the desired effect,” said Isaacs.
He added that most people need to continue tirzepatide long term because there is a high risk of weight regain if the medication is stopped.
“Everyone’s response is different, so an experienced physician should manage titration and help address any side effects,” he said.
Obesity experts can also inform you about newer medications that are transforming obesity care. Isaacs said more GLP-based medications are on the horizon, including new injectables and lower-cost oral versions expected in the coming years.
“We are truly moving into a new era where obesity is managed like any other chronic medical condition, offering hope and effective therapies,” he said.
