Fat Joe Opens Up About His 200-Pound Weight Loss: Ozempic Or Not?

Fat Joe revealed that he made significant changes to his diet by cutting back on bread, pasta, and rice, even admitting he sometimes trims the corners off his toast to maintain balance and moderation.

While Joe has been on his weight loss journey for several years, he made it clear that he has no plans to change his rapper name, thanks in part to his wife, Lorena Cartagena. The couple shares an 18-year-old daughter, Azariah.

Fat Joe also has two sons from previous relationships.

Fat Joe recently shared that he has been living with diabetes since his teenage years and that Ozempic is just one part of his health journey, emphasizing that it’s essential not to overlook the years of discipline, dietary changes, and exercise he embraced long before Ozempic ever hit the market.

Despite the numerous celebrities rumored to be discreetly using weight-loss medications, Fat Joe proudly acknowledges that Ozempic played a role in his impressive transformation. “Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff,” he told Us Weekly, which, in his case, is carbs.

The Bronx rap icon revealed that alongside the medication, he revamped his diet, contributing to an incredible 200-pound weight loss.

“Like this morning I ate breakfast, I had this toast. I cut the corner off, ate it, and kept it moving,” he told Us Weekly. “Normally I would’ve ate [sic] the whole thing. But you know, that’s what we do. We cut carbs and try to be smarter.”

Ozempic is the latest buzz in the health and wellness scene, primarily recognized for its role in managing type 2 diabetes. This injectable medication belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which mimics the incretin hormone, helping to lower blood sugar levels by boosting insulin secretion and slowing gastric emptying, per the official website

With its once-weekly injection format, Ozempic has become a popular choice for those looking to improve their health, including in the Hollywood scene.

Elon Musk was one of the first celebrities to openly discuss taking GLP-1 drugs, sharing on his social media platform, X, in November 2022 that he had lost 30 lbs.

Actress Kathy Bates has also recently come forward, telling People Magazine, “There’s been a lot of talk that I just was able to do this because of Ozempic, but I have to impress upon people out there that this was hard work for me, especially during the pandemic. It’s very hard to say you’ve had enough.”

Societal norms surrounding body image can be both restrictive and damaging, influencing how individuals perceive themselves and others. These standards often dictate what is considered an "ideal" body type, creating unrealistic expectations that many struggle to meet.

This pressure affects not only everyday people, but also celebrities, who frequently find themselves under intense scrutiny regarding their appearances--including Bella Thorne.

“So I haven't been feeling good about my body for a while, and especially with everybody on Ozempic,” the former Disney Channel star said in a video on her Instagram earlier this year. “It’s setting all these crazy beauty standards that nobody can keep up with unless you’re on Ozempic, and I have swam every day and I have sweat out everything possible and I have walked everywhere!”

“I’m finally feeling good about myself. Finally feeling good. So Ozempic you can [middle finger] off.”

"Pretty Little Liars" actress Ashley Benson has also spoken out about the weight loss drug, addressing the growing trend among celebrities and the impact it has on body image perceptions.

“I know a lot of people take Ozempic and that's totally fine. To each their own. But don't discredit people who also work very hard to get their body back like I've done with mine," she said. "Getting back to work forced me to focus on my health and working out and I wanted to feel confident and good about myself."

Beyond its diabetes management capabilities, it's recently gained attention for promoting weight loss, making it a go-to for many seeking to shed pounds. However, it's not all smooth sailing—side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and some serious risks like pancreatitis.

Health experts emphasize that Ozempic should be paired with a healthy diet and exercise plan for the best results, but nutritionist Jillian Michaels says the drug isn't a long-lasting solution.

“We know you will plateau on this drug. Could be six to eight weeks, a year and a half, could be two years, we know you’re going to plateau; it’s going to stop working. We know if you get off of the drug, all of the meta-analyses show us that you’re going to gain the weight back, and then some,” she said, per News Nation Now. “So in my best case scenario for this, where does it go? And the worst-case scenario is stomach paralysis, intestinal blockage, pancreatitis, kidney problems, thyroid cancer.”

While it’s not recommended for everyone, those considering this treatment should consult their healthcare provider to discuss its potential benefits and risks.