Fat Joe, the legendary rapper behind hits like “All The Way Up,” has opened up about his impressive weight loss journey, revealing that the popular weight loss drug Ozempic played a crucial role in his transformation.
The 54-year-old star, who first showcased his new physique in July 2023, shared that a combination of Ozempic and cutting back on carbohydrates helped him shed an astonishing 200 pounds.
A New Approach to Diet and Weight Loss
In an interview with US Weekly, Fat Joe explained how Ozempic has helped him control his cravings.
“Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff,” he shared, referring to the limitations the drug imposes on indulging in favorite foods.
While he hasn’t disclosed how long he’s been on the medication, he’s been transparent about his efforts to stick to a low-carb diet.
“We try to stay away from the bread, the pasta, the rice,” he explained.
His focus is on making smarter food choices. Joe recounted a typical meal: “This morning, I had toast. I cut the corner off, ate it, and kept it moving.
Normally, I would’ve eaten the whole thing. But now, we cut carbs and try to be smarter.”
Family Support and Personal Challenges
Despite his remarkable transformation, Fat Joe revealed that his wife, Lorena Cartagena, who has been by his side for 29 years, misses his previous, larger frame.
“She likes me being a big boy,” he joked.
Beyond the physical benefits, the rapper’s weight loss has had a profound impact on his health.
Last year, he shared that losing weight had helped him manage his diabetes and completely shifted his outlook on life.
Joe’s wake-up call came years ago after the death of his close friend and fellow rapper, Big Pun, who passed away at the age of 29 from a heart attack.
“I went to his funeral and felt like Ebenezer Scrooge. I saw myself in him. His daughter was the same age as mine. I said, ‘You gotta lose weight, or you’re outta here,’” he recalled in a conversation with Men’s Health.
Sticking With “Fat Joe”
With his drastic weight loss, many fans have wondered whether Fat Joe would change his iconic stage name.
While he briefly considered a switch to “Slim Joe” or something similar, the rapper ultimately decided against it.
“Although I’ve become more health-conscious, changing my name wouldn’t make sense. It’s my brand. It’s what I built,” he said.
Battling Lifelong Depression
Alongside his physical transformation, Fat Joe has been open about his mental health struggles.
He described his lifelong battle with depression as “the most complex Rubik’s Cube you could ever try to figure out,” emphasizing the difficulty of escaping negative thoughts.
“When you’re fighting yourself, there’s no wall high enough or place far enough to escape from it. You wake up, and your brain tells you, ‘We’re not supposed to be happy,’ and you fall back into depression,” he explained.
However, as Joe learned more about how his body processes different types of food, he found a way to manage both his weight and his depression.
Reflecting on his upbringing, he noted that his parents cooked with lard and drank whole milk, but by learning how his body responds to food, he unlocked the key to fighting his mental health battles.
Overcoming Diabetes and Embracing Happiness
Fat Joe’s weight loss didn’t just improve his mental health—it also allowed him to stop injecting insulin, a treatment he had been using since being diagnosed with diabetes at 12 years old.
Reflecting on a tough period of depression, Joe shared that he now knows how to avoid falling back into that mindset.
“Once you snap out of it, you have to know what brings you there and run the other way. The minute I feel unhappy, I go toward happy,” he explained.
The Impact of “Slim Joe” on Fans
While Fat Joe’s slimmer frame has been celebrated, not everyone is happy with the change.
In a candid conversation, one of Joe’s drivers, who also struggles with weight, told him, “You always made us big boys feel confident and fly. Then you started losing weight. What’s next?”
Though the rapper’s transformation has sparked mixed feelings among fans, his focus remains on health and happiness.
His journey continues to inspire others, and whether big or slim, Fat Joe remains a force in music and life.
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