Why I'm Sharing My Ozempic and Weight-Loss Journey

Shanda Freeman is an author and the founder of Disco Sis. For PS's Radical Honesty issue, she discusses being on Ozempic. Read more radically honest stories here.

My first introduction to Ozempic was through TikTok. I came across a video that Rosie O'Donnell had done, and she spoke about how she lost a lot of weight due to her diabetes medication, and now that medication was being used for weight loss. And I was like, "Wow." And then Wegovy came out because people were doing so well on Ozempic with weight loss.

One thing about me is that I like to do my due diligence when it comes to researching things. I tend to not go with fads; I want to be discerning, especially with health. I really wanted to dig in and see what more I could find out regarding the medication. And of course, I heard a lot of the adverse reactions that people were having — the stomach paralysis and things like that. But I also heard a lot of great things about people reversing their diabetes, coming off medication for blood pressure, things like that.

So I wanted to have an honest and real conversation with my doctor, because I deal with high blood pressure and I don't have a thyroid; I had a thyroidectomy in 2010. I also have PCOS, which is another issue that is connected to insulin resistance. So I had a bunch of things going against me with weight loss. And my doctor was like, "You know what, it's a valid option for you." So we discussed all the stuff we hear in the media, the bad things about the medication, and the reality is this: any medication that's out there, even Tylenol, comes with a warning. So every medication is going to come up with something and have an adverse reaction for some people. But everybody metabolizes differently. Everyone's story will be different.

So far, I've done my third shot, and I'm already down 10 pounds. I've been on it three weeks. I haven't had any side effects, any adverse reaction to it. I have noticed a change in my clothes. My blood pressure is a little lower. Even if it's five pounds, people don't realize how much five pounds can make a difference in your health. Five pounds to 50 pounds or more — there is such a difference if you're already battling health issues.

We've been seeing a lot of skinny in the media, on television, and a lot of people have an issue with that. Me, I don't care what anybody else is doing. I think people have to do what makes them happy.

I'm 55. At this age, I really embody who I am and embrace how I feel about things. I easily can vocalize how I feel; that's just who I am. But as far as if I would lie about taking Ozempic — is it anybody's business really? Do I need to tell them what I'm doing for me? The other side of that is: if I'm an influencer, if I'm on TV, if people follow me, if I have a huge media presence and people notice a change, do I have an obligation to my audience or people who follow me? Do I have an obligation to them to be honest? A part of me says yes.

At first I didn't want to talk about it, because it was a decision I had to make for myself. But because so many people are asking and people see the changes, it's like, yes, this is what I'm doing. I think there's something to be said for being proud of how you handle your healthcare or your beauty or yourself as a human being. You don't need to find any shame in that.

We all have to be responsible for our images. When it comes to young women especially, I think it's important that parents and the village who are raising young girls — it's up to us to have these conversations. It's not up to social media to be raising our kids. And if you want to instill that pride in them and that sense of self and that sense of beauty, it starts at home and having these conversations. Because there is social media, and there are these images of inflated breasts and behinds and that's really not the reality all the time.

I think it's important for individuals, and women especially, to be proud of where we are in this moment of our lives. A lot of times, we're not happy with so many things, and given the state of the world, you just need to curate a space of happiness within yourself. Sometimes there's so much pressure on the outside, but you have to create a space that's happy. If being on medication makes you feel like a happier, healthier version of yourself, own that.

Jump back to the Radically Honest issue.

Lena Felton is the senior director of features and special content at POPSUGAR, where she oversees feature stories, special projects, and our identity content. Previously, she was an editor at The Washington Post, where she led a team covering issues of gender and identity.