Al Roker weight loss: How celebrities use diabetes drugs to lose weight

When Al Roker, the well-known NBC weatherman who openly shared his struggle with obesity and health risks dropped over 100 pounds, the internet didn’t just notice—it asked why. His weight loss wasn’t from juice cleanses or extreme diets. It came from a class of drugs originally designed for type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar. These drugs, like Ozempic, a once-weekly injection that mimics a hormone to reduce appetite and slow digestion, became the quiet revolution in weight management. They’re not magic. But for people like Al Roker, who’ve tried everything else, they’re the most effective tool in decades.

What makes Ozempic and similar drugs different? They don’t just make you eat less—they change how your brain talks to your stomach. The active ingredient, semaglutide, a synthetic version of the GLP-1 hormone naturally released after eating, tells your brain you’re full faster and keeps food moving slower through your gut. That’s why people on these drugs often lose 6–15% of their body weight in a year—not because they’re starving, but because hunger doesn’t scream at them anymore. This isn’t just for celebrities. Doctors now prescribe these drugs to people with obesity, even without diabetes, because the science is solid. The FDA approved them for weight loss under brand names like Wegovy, but Ozempic is still the most talked-about version, partly because it’s cheaper and widely available off-label.

But here’s the catch: these drugs don’t work alone. Al Roker didn’t just take a shot and lose weight. He changed his diet, moved more, and stayed consistent. The drugs remove the biological barrier to weight loss—cravings, hunger spikes, slow metabolism—but you still have to build the habits around them. That’s why some people lose 50 pounds and keep it off, while others gain it back the moment they stop. These aren’t quick fixes. They’re long-term tools for people who need help fighting a body that’s wired to hold onto fat.

Below, you’ll find real stories and data on how these medications work, who benefits most, and what to expect if you’re considering them. You’ll see how they compare to other diabetes drugs that also help with weight, what the side effects really are, and why some people can’t use them at all. This isn’t about trends. It’s about understanding what actually works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to losing weight with medical help.