Fat Joe, the Bronx-born rapper, has been on a weight loss journey for the past few years, achieving a significant transformation. His methods have included a combination of diet, exercise, and, notably, the use of Ozempic. This article explores Fat Joe's weight loss methods, his motivations, and the broader implications of his journey.
A Multifaceted Approach to Weight Loss
Fat Joe's weight loss wasn't a result of a single strategy but a combination of several factors. He has been slimming all the way down over the past few months, and it's all thanks to his new healthy diet and Ozempic. In an interview with Us Weekly, Joe opened up about his ongoing weight loss journey.
Dietary Changes
One of the first steps Fat Joe took was to modify his diet. He cut down on carbs like bread, pasta, and rice. According to Joe, all people need to do is watch what they're doing and be smart about it by cutting out significant carbs.
The Role of Ozempic
Later on, the Bronx native had no shame in admitting that he integrated Ozempic into his nutritional regimen to help him lose 200 pounds. He explained that the diabetes medication helped curve his appetite and allowed him to control his portions. "Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff,” he said. According to TMZ, Fat Joe has been diabetic since he was a teenager so he's no stranger to the medication.
Ozempic, primarily a medication for Type 2 diabetes, has gained attention for its weight loss side effects. It works by mimicking a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels, leading to reduced cravings and better portion control.
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Fat Joe is a huge supporter of Ozempic and the weight loss benefits that come with it. During his visit to Big Boy TV, Joey Crack spoke about his weight loss journey and how Ozempic is the greatest invention ever when it comes to cutting down on the pounds. He thinks people should fully embrace the drug as it is "the greatest invention" and thinks the creators of Ozempic should make a drug that combats smoking and drinking appetites.
Exercise and Discipline
Beyond diet and medication, Fat Joe emphasized the importance of exercise and discipline. He also said he remained disciplined as he used other methods to shed some pounds including years of daily exercise. Now his hard work is finally paying off.
Motivations Behind the Transformation
Fat Joe's weight loss journey wasn't just about aesthetics; it was driven by deeper, more personal reasons.
Health Concerns
According to Joe, he's lost over 100 pounds, which started when a close friend passed away due to his weight. "That's when I went on super lose weight mode," said Joe. "Working out two times a day. Not even eating a cracker. I call it crackhead mode, you know what I'm saying."
In February 2000, Big Pun, his best friend and mentee, died unexpectedly at 28, weighing nearly 700 pounds. He’d also struggled with a heart condition. Joe subsequently lost six more friends to heart attacks, including another who died in his 20s. “I went to his funeral and I felt like Ebenezer Scrooge,” Joe says, now settled into an armchair in a conference room after the photo shoot. “Like, I seen me. And I’m looking at his little daughter. She was the same age as my daughter. I said, ‘You gotta lose weight; otherwise you outta here.’ ”
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Mental Health
After Big Pun died, Joe started to spiral. He lost his grandfather and sister, who fell into a coma after an epidural while giving birth in 2000, and he entered a period of depression that saw him excessively drinking and gaining weight. He’s explained it to friends, fans, and daytime-TV hosts as feeling as though his mind was a Rubik’s Cube.
It took two years for Joe to crawl out of that state, and when he did (more of a gradual revelation than an aha moment), he started shifting his habits. “Once you snap out of it, you should know what brings you there and to run the other way,” he says. “The minute I feel unhappy, I go toward happy.”
Fat Joe's Perspective on Body Image and His Stage Name
Despite his weight loss, Fat Joe has chosen to keep his stage name. Joe then explained why he would never change his stage as he's already put too much money behind it: "Fat Joe, we spent so many millions to this day millions of millions of millions of dollars. When Fat Joe comes out at the World Series, they say, 'Rapper Fat Joe.' Now if they just said, 'Rapper Joe,' you wouldn't know who the hell that is. We spent all our money pumping up Fat Joe that even if I slim down even more than this, I gotta be Fat Joe, cause we spent all the money on Fat Joe."
He's made millions off it and inspired confidence in others even as he’s rebuilt himself physically and emotionally. Whenever he’s debated a new alias, though, he’s reminded himself that Fat Joe is an entity and a source of pride. His name is his name. “Although I’ve gotten health conscious on another level,” he says, “it wouldn’t make sense to change it. Now it’s my brand. It’s what I built.”
The Broader Context: Ozempic and Weight Loss in Hollywood
Fat Joe is among a growing number of celebrities who have openly discussed using Ozempic for weight loss. Joe is only the latest star to sound off on Ozempic as a tool for weight loss. Other celebrities, such as Rosie O'Donnell, Meghan Trainor, and Jennifer Aydin, have also discussed their experiences with similar medications.
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However, the drug's popularity has also led to concerns about its availability for those who genuinely need it for diabetes management and the potential side effects.
Health and Wellness
Fat Joe still believes healthiness comes in many physiques. It’s when he saw others dying that he realized he had to figure out a better way to live.
After Big Pun died, Joe started to spiral. He lost his grandfather and sister, who fell into a coma after an epidural while giving birth in 2000, and he entered a period of depression that saw him excessively drinking and gaining weight.
It took two years for Joe to crawl out of that state, and when he did (more of a gradual revelation than an aha moment), he started shifting his habits. “Once you snap out of it, you should know what brings you there and to run the other way,” he says. “The minute I feel unhappy, I go toward happy.”
Lifestyle Tweaks
Joe just wants to stay alive, and he’s altered his daily habits to fit this mindset, transforming his body by focusing on improving his net happiness with more than superficial gains.
In his first attempt to get fit, around 2002, Joe tried everything outside of surgery, from running on treadmills in a plastic suit to dietary changes that didn’t work. He found better success when he started understanding the science of good habits. “Your body’s just a computer. It reads stuff you eat in different ways,” he says.