Ozempic: Just a few years ago, it was a specialized medical term, unknown to most outside of the healthcare world. Today, it’s the buzzword on everyone’s lips, dominating conversations at dinner parties, gyms, and workplaces.
Initially developed as an innovative treatment for type 2 diabetes Ozempic is known today for a completely different reason: its amazing ability to help patients lose weight – and keep it off.
Now, it seems like not a week goes by without a celebrity confessing to having used them or avoiding speculation about their rumored dependence on so-called ‘skinny jabs’.
From Hollywood celebrities to social media influencers, Ozempic has become the not-so-secret weapon of choice in the quest for rapid weight loss, generating admiration, controversy and fierce public debate.
Recently, an anonymous female celebrity bravely spoke out about why she turned to Ozempic after a lifetime of struggling with her weight. Her story has inspired another public figure, this time a man, to share with us his reasons for following the path of medically assisted weight loss.
For this person, who has been in the spotlight for years, Ozempic’s appeal was undeniable. He never considered himself lazy, but the idea of losing pounds quickly and without too much effort and willpower was too tempting to resist.
Recently, an anonymous female celebrity opened up about why she turned to Ozempic after a lifetime of struggling with her weight. Her story has inspired another public figure, this time a man, to share with us his reasons for following the same path (archive image posed by the model).
But this is not an enthusiastic testimony. Yes, Ozempic did for him what everyone knows it does: he lost a lot of weight, but it also left him with serious side effects.
He wants his story to be a warning to anyone considering Ozempic for weight loss. For some, it may be the right choice, if their GP says so, but for others, sometimes it’s better to do things the old-fashioned way…
If I’m honest, the idea of a quick fix has always appealed to me, even before I was in the public eye. So when I started hearing about Ozempic last year, I couldn’t ignore it. Everyone around me was trying, so I thought, ‘Why not?’
Now I know what you’re thinking: is that? Well, I wish there was more to say about the journey that led me to Ozempic, but it’s really as simple as that: I wanted to lose weight, I wanted it fast, and I saw an opportunity.
I know from past experiences that I can lose weight naturally whenever I want. In fact, I was able to do it a few years ago while rehearsing for a reality TV show (you’ve probably heard of it: it involves a shiny floor and a lot of dancing). At the end of the competition he weighed 10 kg less. Not bad for a month of work.
Looking back on that period of my life, I truly felt incredible: more confident, lighter, and more energetic than I had felt in years.
People started to notice and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. They said things like, ‘You look amazing! What is your secret? I’ve never been the type of man to crave praise, but that made me very excited.
Fast forward a few years and life became a lot busier. She was no longer the thin, lithe dancer on television screens, and she was starting to feel it.
‘I knew people who were ‘in this’ and the weight was falling off like magic. I thought: what’s wrong with trying it myself? says our anonymous celebrity (archive image)
When I met my girlfriend in 2022, together we decided to start focusing on our health. I was exercising more, eating better, and finally felt as good as I did at my physical peak. But I wanted more.
At that time, it seemed that everyone was talking about Ozempic, not only as a treatment for people with diabetes, but as the so-called “miracle” drug for weight loss.
I knew people who were “in it” and the weight was falling off as if by magic. I thought, what’s wrong with trying it myself? After all, I’m taller than most, over six feet tall, and I thought losing a few extra pounds would do me some good.
I started with a weekly injection of 0.25 mg, and gradually increased to 0.5 mg. Like I said, I was already progressing naturally before I started, but with Ozempic everything was supercharged.
The results were immediate. In fact, I couldn’t believe how quickly I started to see changes. If you combined Ozempic with exercise, you would lose between two and five kilos every two weeks.
I cut back on carbs, stuck to fruit during the day, and only ate a healthy meal at night. My favorite meal was a poke bowl filled with fresh vegetables, salmon, and colorful toppings like edamame and radish.
It may not seem like much, but I never felt hungry with Ozempic. Not once.
I was ecstatic, I looked great and the compliments kept coming. But even when the pounds disappeared, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.
Here’s the bad part: the side effects of Ozempic really affected me. I’m not exaggerating when I say that every day felt like a struggle.
I still have a notebook at work where I wrote: “I woke up feeling like I was going to die.” It sounds dramatic, but that’s how I feel most of the time.
My body ached… constantly. I felt perpetually exhausted, like I had run a marathon. Some days, the mere thought of eating made me nauseous.
At first, Ozempic suppressed my appetite, which was fine, but over time I began to lose the ability to enjoy food. I knew I would want to eat less, but no one told me this would happen.
There were times when I couldn’t even eat a single slice of pizza. In the past, I’ve happily eaten an entire box while out with friends..
And then there’s the alcohol.
I had heard rumors online that Ozempic diminishes the enjoyment of alcohol, but this side effect hit me like a steamroller almost immediately.
I used to enjoy drinking socially with friends and my girlfriend. Attending celebrity events and bar and restaurant openings was a big part of my life. But that’s over now – andEven a glass of wine leaves me feeling nauseous and restless.
I started to wonder if it was all worth it.
When I decided to bite the bullet and try Ozempic, the main thing on my mind was that I wanted to stop snacking. Eating between meals was a bad habit that I just couldn’t break.
The most famous man to speak out about his use of Ozempic is billionaire Elon Musk, who lost 30 pounds on the drug. Her weight loss journey was sparked by an unflattering photo taken on a yacht.
And I admit, the drug did what it promised: I stopped snacking immediately. But there is a dark side to this: my previous fixation on snacks turned into an obsession with medication. Yes, I no longer thought about food, but obsessed about Ozempic. I knew I was trusting it too much.
I don’t know how long I will continue taking Ozempic, but I am sure that my relationship with food and medications has changed irreversibly. I wish someone had told me that sooner.
Don’t get me wrong: I like my new body. But deep down I miss being able to eat whatever I want, have normal portions and go a day without thinking about those damn injections.
Ozempic also sparked an obsession with medically assisted weight loss that, I’m ashamed to say, led me to experiment with illegal drugs to further suppress my appetite.
In many ways, despite seeming “healthier” than ever, taking Ozempic has ruined my old lifestyle of exercising outdoors and spending time at the beach.
I live in an area of Australia where most people you know love to swim, surf and run. They are healthy without really trying, because physical activity is ingrained in their lifestyle. I lived like this too, but Ozempic has completely changed my view of health. Now I only see numbers on a scale..
Another thing no one tells you about ‘the hits’ is the judgment you face. I have been accused of taking the “easy way out” and not working hard enough in the gym. I don’t tell many people about Ozempic, but they always notice: you lose weight too quickly, especially around your face.
For anyone considering Ozempic or similar medications, I urge you to think carefully before going to your doctor. It’s not the “miracle” it’s made out to be: weight loss may be quick, but the physical and emotional toll is far greater than I ever anticipated.
As I write this, I’m trying to take back control of my health in a way that feels sustainable.
I have reduced the injections and hope my appetite returns. With a little willpower, I should be able to keep my weight down.
Maybe that’s what I should have been doing all along.
A disclaimer: Ozempic is only approved for the treatment of diabetes in Australia. While some doctors may prescribe it for weight loss after a thorough assessment of their patients’ needs, Daily Mail Australia does not recommend its use for this purpose. You should always seek advice from a medical professional.