Serena Williams’ GLP-1 Journey: What Her Weight-Loss Reveal Means for Postpartum Health

Tennis legend Serena Williams recently confirmed using GLP-1 treatment to manage postpartum weight — shedding 31 pounds and sparking a national conversation about new metabolic-health therapies for mothers and former athletes.

Serena Williams Opens Up on Health & Well-Being: Weight Loss, Motherhood, and Mental Fitness

After years of relative privacy, Serena Williams recently confirmed a major health-related change in her life: she has been using a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medication to manage postpartum weight and help restore her metabolic health. According to multiple reputable outlets, she lost roughly 31 pounds following her second child, crediting GLP-1 treatment along with nutrition and exercise for the change.

In her own words, Serena told People magazine: “I feel great. I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally.” She acknowledged that she “never was able to get to the weight I needed to be — no matter how much I trained.”

She emphasized that the medication is not a “shortcut,” but rather “a tool” to support her — combining with her already healthy habits of disciplined workouts and balanced eating. Through sharing her story publicly, Serena aims to destigmatize the use of weight-management drugs, especially for mothers and former athletes who struggle with postpartum body changes.

Serena’s decision to start GLP-1 therapy comes after years of living with postpartum weight challenges. After the birth of her first daughter in 2017, and again with her second child in 2023, she struggled to regain her prior weight and health levels despite rigorous exercise and diet.

Though not a “disease,” postpartum weight retention and associated metabolic changes are a common challenge among many women, including former athletes. GLP-1 receptor agonists (the medication class Serena used) are widely studied: originally designed for type 2 diabetes, they have also been shown to aid obesity and weight management by mimicking a natural gut hormone that regulates appetite, insulin release, and digestion.

Recent research has highlighted additional benefits: using GLP-1 agonists can help with metabolic conditions beyond weight loss — for instance, improving insulin sensitivity, supporting glucose regulation, and potentially reducing liver fat and cardiovascular risks. That makes Serena’s experience medically relevant to a larger audience confronting weight and metabolic issues.

The treatment Serena used falls under the category of standard, clinically approved GLP-1 agonists. These drugs are typically administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin) — often once weekly — and work by slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety, reducing appetite, and supporting better insulin regulation.

The general prognosis for obesity or weight-management using GLP-1 agonists is promising: studies have shown substantial and sustained weight loss in many patients when medication is combined with diet and exercise, alongside improvements in metabolic markers (blood sugar, lipids, liver health).

However, these medications are not risk-free. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and digestive discomfort — especially early in therapy. More rare but serious risks can include gallbladder disease, possible impact on kidney function, or (in some cases) thyroid or pancreatic issues; medical guidelines recommend close monitoring. Also, rapid or significant weight loss may produce cosmetic effects, such as facial “hollowness” — a concern dubbed “Ozempic face” in public discourse.

In short: when used under medical supervision and combined with healthy lifestyle habits, GLP-1 therapy can be effective — but it requires careful, individualized treatment and follow-up.

Serena Williams has two publicly known children (her first daughter born in 2017, and her second in 2023) — and her candid admission has put a spotlight on the realities of postpartum health, even for elite athletes.

Her financial resources and access to top-tier healthcare (including the telehealth company she partnered with) almost certainly made the treatment more accessible and manageable for her — from consultations to medication and follow-up.

For the average person in the U.S. — or elsewhere — such treatments may carry significant costs, face insurance coverage barriers, or require lifestyle changes that are harder to sustain. Additionally, medical supervision is crucial, which may not be equally accessible to all. Serena’s public journey underscores the disparities in access to advanced weight-management therapies, but also helps destigmatize seeking medical help for metabolic health.