With the recent talk of prominent figures ranging from Kim and Khloe Kardashian to Elon Musk having lost weight with semaglutide, many people in the Waukesha and Milwaukee areas have been eager to get their hands on it. At VIVA Wellness, we have seen the incredible life-changing results that compounded semaglutide has for many of our patients. However, we also recognize that weight loss is part of a whole health journey beyond a number on the scale.
All of this attention on semaglutide has also raised concerns about body image and self-esteem for the masses. While she denies that she takes weight loss drugs, celebrities like Mindy Kaling have started conversations about body image and body positivity while losing weight. We are increasingly finding that our clients are getting mixed messages about compounded semaglutide. The ultimate question: is compounded semaglutide safe for weight loss, physically, mentally, and emotionally?
Why do celebrities use semaglutide to lose weight?
Ozempic, one of the brand names of semaglutide, is a drug originally developed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. The demand for medications containing semaglutide has soared due to its use by social media influencers and celebrities seeking a quick solution for weight loss.
One of the weight loss drugs we use at VIVA Wellness is a compounded form of semaglutide, which has the same active ingredient as brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, in our medical weight loss protocols. Compounded semaglutide is used to curb cravings, stabilize blood sugar, and feel fuller for longer. Most people find their appetite significantly decreased while using this weight loss drug, creating a calorie deficit that often results in rapid weight loss. Semaglutide is so effective that no drastic lifestyle changes or restrictive dieting are required to see results. This makes it a popular choice for celebrities and regular people alike.
What celebrities have lost weight with semaglutide?
Celebrities who have either confirmed or are rumored to be using semaglutide (including under brand names Wegovy or Ozempic) for their weight loss include:
- Mindy Kaling
- Oprah Winfrey
- Adele
- Rebel Wilson
- Elon Musk
- Remi Bader
- Tracy Morgan
- Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards
How does celebrity weight loss with semaglutide affect our self-esteem?
Some have blamed Ozempic and the focus on celebrity weight loss for negatively affecting body image and the body positivity movement. With Ozempic being heavily promoted on social media, individuals are more likely to associate celebrities with their weight loss transformations rather than their other achievements.
With the celebrity use and media coverage of semaglutide, eyebrows have been raised about the safety and ethics behind its use. While taking weight loss drugs may seem like a quick fix, these drugs can worsen harmful behaviors for those with eating disorders or even contribute to developing an eating disorder in vulnerable individuals.
Eating disorders don’t discriminate based on weight, age, or background. You can’t judge someone’s health solely by their appearance. The health professionals at VIVA Wellness care deeply for each of our clients, so we are vigilant in identifying signs of an eating disorder and connecting patients with the necessary support in the Waukesha area as quickly as possible.
Is semaglutide safe for weight loss?
As Nurse Practitioners, we feel that semaglutide can be used safely and effectively for weight management if taken under a healthcare provider’s guidance, supervision, and accountability. And that is exactly what is offered when you receive compounded semaglutide for weight loss with VIVA Wellness.
While forms of semaglutide are now available online, you may worry about becoming an irresponsible drug user by attempting to use it alone. Just like any other medication, compounded semaglutide is not without side effects and can be dangerous in some instances. This is why our NPs do careful due diligence prior to prescribing. We have created our unique protocol to ensure that the client experience is as positive as possible. If semaglutide is not a good fit for you, we have ample other options to aid you in your weight management.
Successful weight loss with compounded semaglutide is best achieved with the guidance of medical professionals.
Whether you have an obesity diagnosis or want to lose the last few stubborn pounds that haven’t budged with diet and exercise, compounded semaglutide may be for you. In a consultation with our Nurse Practitioners, we will go into your unique story to ensure that you and your health history create the right conditions for semaglutide use!
We are a wellness and medical weight loss clinic that uses a holistic approach to weight loss, and our NP-managed weight loss programs work with people to help them understand the root cause of their weight gain, obesity, or past struggles to lose weight.
Many of our clients don’t need or desire to lose weight. We understand that not everyone has a healthy relationship with their body, their worth, and their ideals around their image. However, these are conversations that we encourage. These are conversations that are important to have. There are health factors that cause weight gain. There are health factors caused by weight gain. There are emotional/mental factors that cause weight gain. There are emotional and mental factors that are caused by weight gain. Our NPs go into more depth, and share added perspectives in our article: Things Weight Loss NPs Wish You Knew.
There are ways to acknowledge and start a conversation with all of these items. Whether someone is in the public eye or not, we are always inspired by and supportive of those who are willing to take action to make changes toward a better life.
For some, weight gain and struggles with weight loss have been debilitating.
Though we strongly identify as part of the body-positivity movement, we do not feel that it’s our place to tell any individual that they are not allowed to pursue a body they desire to live in.
There’s an even longer theoretical conversation that takes place regarding the storage of energy (including trauma, toxins, etc.) within fat cells, so when we see someone recognize that they would like to release weight, often it is a moment of profound empowerment when they realize that the metaphorical weight of their past must go. Our team at VIVA Wellness frequently suggests our clients take measures to support their detox pathways—breath, bowels, sweat, and urine—because this supports the efforts of releasing toxins of all types. One easy idea for gentle, effective support of multiple detox pathways is our castor oil packs.
So while it’s easy to judge those in the spotlight for the choices they make, we are simply intrigued by the human experience they are having with their bodies. Will we ever know the depths of what they go through to look a certain way due to all that comes with celebrity status? Not likely. We also have no access to their medical records, diabetes or blood sugar experience, history of eating disorders or disordered eating, mental health status, etc., so it feels unfair to make judgments without the full picture.
To those who say that the rise in the popularity of the medicine for weight loss use has made it difficult to obtain by those who truly depend on it for health reasons, some of which are included below, we simply acknowledge gratitude that more has become more easily available through generic outlets. Compounded semaglutide has made it accessible to more people who need it for non-weight loss and weight-loss health issues and goals alike.
Additionally, we will never know if there are other health issues that these popular celebrities are addressing with semaglutide, as this diabetes drug also:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Protects the heart
- Lowers cholesterol
What celebrities have to say about weight loss drugs
Not every celebrity rumored to have taken semaglutide has come forward, but many have shared their success stories:
Remi Bader
TikTok star and model Remi Bader has talked about starting Ozempic for pre-diabetes. She says that the medication significantly decreased her appetite, and when she went off Ozempic, she “gained double the weight back.”
Elon Musk
CEO of X (Twitter) Tesla, and SpaceX, Elon Musk, has openly discussed his success with semaglutide. He tweeted that his secret to a good physique is “Fasting. And Wegovy.”
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan recently revealed he utilizes semaglutide to manage his appetite and weight. “No, that’s Ozempic. That’s how this weight got lost,” he said on Today With Hoda and Jenna. “I went and got a prescription and I got Ozempic. And I ain’t letting it go!” Morgan added, “Yeah. I take Ozempic every Thursday. Cuts my appetite in half.” He even joked, “I only eat half a bag of Doritos!”
Sharon Osbourne
70-year-old Sharon Osbourne also recently spoke about her incredible success with semaglutide. She shed 42 pounds by using Ozempic.
“Whatever you choose is up to you,” she said in an interview with E! News. “It’s not a dirty little secret when you’ve taken something to help you lose weight, which is perfectly fine.”
Love your body and lose weight with VIVA Wellness
At VIVA Wellness, we encourage you to embrace a positive mindset towards your body during your entire weight loss protocol. Instead of being fixated on a specific dress size, focus on the incredible things your body can do and how good you can really feel.
We don’t just measure success by weight. Losing weight can have numerous health benefits, but it shouldn’t overshadow whole-person health. Consider other markers of success like energy levels, mindfulness, and quality of sleep. These factors play a crucial role in your journey towards becoming the best version of yourself.
Our nutritional counselors want our clients to see food as a source of energy, satiety, and overall well-being. We also want you to listen to your body’s cues. Instead of restricting yourself, listen to your hunger and fullness signals. Remember, body positivity is about nourishing your body, finding enjoyable forms of movement, and honoring your needs. As a part of your weight loss protocol, we will most likely recommend adding our other services, like lymphatic drainage and IV vitamin infusions, to boost your overall feeling of well-being.
You are just as valuable as any celebrity and merit the same level of health. Contact our Brookfield VIVA clinic today, and let us give you the celebrity-level care and attention you deserve!
