Bonnie Chapman, daughter of Dog the Bounty Hunter and the late Beth Chapman, has openly shared her struggles with weight and her journey toward a healthier lifestyle. In an interview with E! News, the 25-year-old discussed her experiences with various diets, medications, and lifestyle changes that have contributed to her weight loss.
Early Struggles and Emotional Eating
Growing up in Hawaii, Bonnie was accustomed to a carb-heavy diet of rice and noodles. She admits to struggling with her weight since pre-pubescence, often feeling like "the bigger friend." Her attempts at traditional weight loss methods, such as hitting the gym, often left her feeling more fatigued. She felt like her hormones were trying to keep up, and it just made things worse. "I would gain more weight when I worked out. I would try these hormone balance workouts, and they wouldn't be doing anything. I would try to go to saunas. But it felt like nothing worked."
The emotional toll of losing her mother to throat cancer in 2019 further complicated her weight struggles. Bonnie turned to food as a coping mechanism, which intensified after losing most of her belongings and six pets in a house fire in April 2023. "I coped a lot with food," she acknowledged. By December, she realized she "didn't feel healthy" and recognized that she could no longer rely on food for comfort. "I just didn't feel healthy, I didn't feel good," she continued. "I used food as a comfort for most of my life and I've realized I cannot do that anymore."
Initial Hesitation and Ozempic Experience
Bonnie had previously tried Ozempic, an FDA-approved medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is one of the brand names for semaglutide, like Wegovy, which works in the brain to impact satiety. However, her experience was negative. "I hated it,” she told the outlet. "I could not eat without feeling nauseous. I could not eat at all, sometimes." Understandably, she was hesitant to try another medication.
Switching to Tirzepatide and Seeing Results
Despite her initial reservations, Bonnie followed her doctor’s recommendation and switched to tirzepatide. Taking tirzepatide, Chapman was able to lose 10 lbs. This medication proved to be a turning point in her weight loss journey. "At first I didn't really notice the changes," acknowledged Bonnie. "My cravings went down significantly," she said. "And once I started to see that I was getting full a lot less quickly, I was able to actually eat, like, half a portion of my meal. And I was like, 'Okay, I'm good. I feel really fulfilled.' It really made me feel like I was able to get somewhere, and it's helped me build some really good habits."
Read also: Peri/Menopause Salad Recipe
Embracing Healthy Habits
In addition to medication, Bonnie has made significant changes to her diet and lifestyle. She focuses on incorporating nutrient-rich foods and limiting unhealthy choices. "One of the things that I really gravitate to is small snacks," she explained, noting that she bakes kale chips or will get full from a handful or two of berries. "It helped me get those [nutrient-rich foods] in without me feeling like it was a chore.
She also tries to avoid carbs “every single meal” and limit her sweets. "A lot of the things that I found that I really liked are not healthy for me," she admitted. Bonnie noted that sushi contributed to her weight gain, so she limits her consumption to once or twice a month. She fills up on homemade kale chips using greens from her own garden and berries. "With Tirzepatide, I was full after a handful or two," Bonnie said.
Focusing on Overall Well-being
Bonnie's journey is not just about the numbers on the scale. She emphasizes the importance of feeling healthy and building good habits. "The last time I really felt good was when I was probably in high school," Bonnie acknowledged. "And I was like, if I can get to this weight, then I'll be happy. And I was ecstatic when I reached that goal. While she's eager to start adding muscle to her frame, "When I look at the scale, I'm not dreading it," Bonnie noted. "I'm not looking at those numbers and overanalyzing them. I'm not looking at my BMI score.
She is grateful for the support of her loved ones, who were willing to share the uncomfortable truth about her weight. Noting how grateful she is that those close to her were willing to share the uncomfortable truth about her weight, she said, "I've seen how it is to not have enough time.
Other Celebrities and Weight Loss
Bonnie isn't the only one to discuss such weighty issues. Jelly Roll said on his wife Bunnie XO's Dumb Blonde. "I did this publicly for a reason," . "What I want the world to know and I want the people to see, he continued, "is that I didn't become successful because of my weight, I became successful in spite of it."
Read also: Weight Loss Journey
Kelly Clarkson explained to People. Informed by doctors she was pre-diabetic, "I dropped weight because I've been listening to my doctor-a couple years I didn't," . The mom to River and Remington is also enjoying exploring her new life in NYC. “Walking in the city is quite the workout,” she added. “And I’m really into infrared saunas right now. She explained on a May 2024 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. "My doctor chased me for like two years and I was like, 'No, I'm afraid of it. I already have thyroid problems,'" . "Everybody thinks it Ozempic. It's not." Rather, it's another unnamed medicine, she continued, "Something that aids in helping break down the sugar-obviously my body doesn't do it right."
Oprah Winfrey told People in December, "The fact that there's a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for," she explained of adding that particular tool to her arsenal.