Serena Williams recently made headlines by opening up about her weight loss journey—she revealed she lost **over 31 pounds** (≈ 14 kg) through the use of a **GLP-1 weight loss medication**, while continuing her commitment to training and a healthy lifestyle. Below is a clear overview of what she’s shared, how she approached it, and why her transparency matters.
—
### Why Serena Turned to GLP-1 Medication
– After giving birth to her second daughter, Adira, Serena found that traditional methods alone weren’t enough. Despite rigorous exercise, clean eating, and years of athletic discipline, she “hit a wall” with weight loss.
– She conducted extensive research and consulted health professionals before opting for a GLP-1 treatment through the telehealth company Ro, where she is now a patient ambassador
– The GLP-1 class of drugs works by mimicking a hormone (glucagon-like peptide 1), which helps regulate appetite, slow digestion, and improve satiety signaling in the brain.
—
### How Much Weight Did She Lose & Over What Timeline?
– Serena reports a weight loss of about **31 lbs** (≈ 14 kg) achieved over a span of roughly eight months.
– She emphasizes that this wasn’t a “shortcut” in the sense of replacing healthy habits, but rather a tool to help her body respond when other methods plateaued.
– Since starting the treatment, she says she feels more energetic, her joints hurt less, and tasks feel easier—benefits she associates with combining the medication with her fitness and diet routines.
—
### Challenges, Criticism & Serena’s Perspective
– Because weight loss drugs are controversial, Serena acknowledged initial hesitation about stigma and misconceptions—some view them as taking the “easy way out.”
– She has been vocal about addressing the stigma: in her view, using a medication when needed is a form of self-care and not something to be ashamed of.
– Serena stresses that weight is not purely a matter of willpower, and that for many people, underlying biology, hormones, and metabolism complicate things.
—
### Takeaways & Health Advice
1. **Tools, Not Magic**
For Serena, GLP-1 medication didn’t replace diet or exercise—it enhanced the efforts she was already making.
2. **Medical Supervision Is Essential**
Such treatments should only be used under guidance of qualified professionals. It’s not a plug-and-play solution.
3. **Everyone’s Journey Is Different**
What works for a high-profile athlete with medical support doesn’t translate directly to everyone.
4. **Openness Helps Reduce Stigma**
Serena’s transparency may encourage more honest conversations about weight, body image, and modern treatments.