Amy Schumer, the celebrated comedian and actress, has been remarkably open about her experiences with body image and various weight loss methods. She has shared details about her journey, including her use of Ozempic, the challenges she faced, and her current approach to weight management. Her candor aims to inspire women to prioritize their health and well-being.
Schumer's Initial Experience with Ozempic
In a recent interview, Amy Schumer revealed that she had used Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes medication known for its weight loss effects, about three years ago. While promoting her new movie, Kinda Pregnant, Schumer appeared on The Howard Stern Show and discussed her experience with Ozempic, sharing that she lost 30 pounds rapidly. However, she also experienced significant negative side effects.
“I lost 30 pounds so quick,” she recalled. “I looked great, but I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow. So what’s the point?” She added that she wasn’t even well enough to play with her young son. “I was like bedridden. I was like, vomiting-and then you have no energy. But other people take it and they’re all good. So, God bless them,” she said.
Schumer's experience highlights that while Ozempic can be effective for weight loss, it may not be suitable for everyone due to potential side effects.
The Role of Genetics and Side Effects
Schumer speculated that her extreme nausea might be related to a genetic predisposition. “I have this gene, GDF-15, which makes you extremely prone to nausea, which is why I was so sick during my pregnancy,” she explained. GDF-15, or Growth differentiation factor 15, is a protein expressed by tissues under oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging. Research indicates that it can be more present in maternal blood during pregnancy, potentially leading to stomach issues.
Read also: Achieve Weight Loss with CrossFit
Nausea is a known side effect of Ozempic, along with reflux, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. According to Florence Comite, M.D., founder of the Comite Center for Precision Medicine & Health, these symptoms often occur initially and then resolve, but they can persist in some individuals or reemerge with dosage increases.
Schumer ultimately decided that being on Ozempic "wasn't livable" for her. She openly discussed her experience on Watch What Happens Live in 2023.
A Call for Honesty
Schumer has been critical of celebrities who are not transparent about using weight loss medications. “Everyone has been lying saying, ‘Oh smaller portions.’ Like shut the f*ck up. You are on Ozempic or one of those things or you got work done. Just stop,” she said. “Be real with the people. When I got lipo, I said I got lipo.”
Her call for honesty reflects her commitment to being upfront about her health choices and procedures. In 2022, after undergoing a hysterectomy, appendix removal, and cesarean section, Schumer had liposuction to feel better about her body. She weighed 170 pounds following the procedure.
“It’s not about needing to be slamming, because I’ve never been famous for being hot, but I’d reached a place where I was tired of looking at myself in the mirror,” she said. She added that she wasn’t going to get there with grilled chicken and walks.
Read also: Transformations with Ozempic
Exploring Other Weight Loss Options: Wegovy and Mounjaro
Schumer also tried Wegovy, another weight-loss drug, but found the side effects unbearable. “I wanted to share, and keep it 100 with you, that years ago … I tried Wegovy and I was like puking,” Schumer added. “I couldn’t handle it.”
After her experience with Wegovy, Schumer consulted with MidiHealth through a telehealth meeting. She was prescribed estrogen and progesterone to address perimenopause symptoms. “My hair is fuller, my skin is better, I have more energy. I want to ‘get down’ more, if you know what I mean,” said Schumer, quipping, “I’m talking about sex.”
Currently, Schumer is taking Mounjaro, another Type 2 diabetes medication, and reports having a “really good experience” with it compared to other weight loss drugs she has tried.
The Reality of Weight Regain
Schumer has also addressed the potential for weight regain after stopping Ozempic. Although she has recently opened up about how Cushing syndrome changed her appearance over the last few years, she did not discuss weight regain after ceasing Ozempic. But it is known to happen. “Some people may experience a return of increased appetite over time, resulting in weight gain,” Steven Batash, M.D., gastroenterologist and leading physician at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss previously told Prevention. “These medications have proven to be a potent tool in treating obesity, provided they continue taking the medication.”
A 2022 study on 327 people who took semaglutide found that one year after they stopped, they regained two-thirds of their prior weight loss. This highlights the importance of incorporating lifestyle changes like diet and exercise during treatment to maintain weight loss.
Read also: Weight Loss with Cryotherapy: What to Expect
Lifestyle and Exercise
Amy Schumer has always been active. In 2018, Schumer revealed she’d be dealing with excruciating back and hip pain. “From old volleyball and surfing injuries, I have a herniated disc, a bulging disc and a labral tear in my hip,” she wrote on Instagram per People. As part of her recovery, she worked with her boxing trainer of seven years to build up her strength and perform moves she never thought she’d be able to again. Harley Pasternak, Schumer’s other trainer, told Health that the comedian and actor is “naturally an athlete.” “She played sports at a high level through high school and college, and was an aerobics instructor. So she’s very coordinated, and easy to push in the gym,” he added.
Schumer’s favorite moves include the skater lunge, dumbbell stiff-leg deadlift, dumbbell curl press, single-arm dumbbell row, lying dumbbell triceps extension with hip thrust, spider plank, and Superman.
Expert Perspectives on Ozempic and GLP-1 Medications
Experts emphasize that while GLP-1 medications like Ozempic can be effective, they are not without risks and should be used under medical supervision.
Jennifer Habashy, NMD, MS, Assistant Medical Director at Claya, notes that nausea is a frequently reported side effect, occurring in roughly 20 to 45 percent of patients, especially at the beginning of treatment or during dosage increases. Other common side effects include vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea.
Eleanor Yusupov, DO, Assistant Professor at NYIT College Of Osteopathic Medicine, adds that severe negative side effects are rare, around 4 percent with Ozempic or Wegovy and less than that with Zepbound. She also advises people to let their doctor know if they ever have serious stomach, pancreas, kidney or gallbladder problems. “GLP1 medications are not for people planning a pregnancy or those with a history of thyroid cancer.”
Minimizing Side Effects and Maximizing Results
To reduce the risk of side effects, Dr. Habashy advises starting with the lowest dose and gradually increasing it as tolerated. She also suggests taking the injection on a full stomach, staying hydrated, and eating smaller, more frequent meals to manage nausea. Avoiding fried or fatty foods and not eating within three to four hours of sleeping can also help, according to Dr. Yusupov.
Experts agree that lifestyle changes are crucial for lasting weight loss results, whether or not medication is used. This includes managing stress, getting adequate sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and maintaining an active lifestyle.