Over the past decade, Fat Joe has undergone a dramatic transformation—shedding 250 pounds and embracing a healthier lifestyle. During an appearance on the 3rd Hour of Today on Wednesday, April 9, the rapper discussed the physical and emotional aspects of his weight loss journey, which he says is still ongoing in more ways than one.
From “Fat Joe” to “Not-So-Fat Joe”
Co-host Craig Melvin couldn’t help but point out the rapper’s new look, jokingly calling him “Slim Jim.” Joe laughed it off, responding:
“No, I’m Al Roker’s twin. That’s who I am. Not-so-fat Joe. We tryna stay alive, brother.”
Although his appearance has changed drastically, Joe admitted that mentally, he still feels like the same man he used to be.
“Healthwise, yes, [it’s been transformative],” Joe explained. “I still feel like Fat Joe. Do you feel like Fat Al?”
To which Al Roker, who’s also gone through a weight-loss journey, agreed:
“Yeah, I still make those jokes, and people say, ‘You can’t make those jokes.’”
Joe chimed in:
“The world changed on us. You gotta watch what jokes you say these days.”
The Role of Ozempic and Cutting Carbs
Back in 2021, Fat Joe publicly shared that Ozempic, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, played a significant role in suppressing his appetite and helping him stick to his goals.
“Ozempic says you may only have two pieces of your favorite stuff,” he joked.
“This morning I ate breakfast, I had this toast. I cut the corner off, ate it, and kept it moving. Normally I would’ve ate the whole thing.”
Joe also emphasized the importance of limiting carbs in his diet.
“We just try to eat everything with the least carbs as possible… so we try to stay away from the bread, the pasta, the rice. That’s the smartest way to eat,” he told Us Weekly.
Losing Big Pun Sparked a Lifestyle Wake-Up Call
While Joe’s physical transformation began in earnest over the last decade, the seeds were planted much earlier. In a revealing interview with Men’s Health, he shared how the death of fellow rapper and friend Big Pun in 2000 was a pivotal moment.
“I went to his funeral and I felt like Ebenezer Scrooge,” Joe said.
“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.’”
Mindset Over Mirror
Despite his incredible progress, Joe says that he still struggles with seeing himself in a different light. He may look completely different on the outside, but inside, Fat Joe is still there.
“I still feel like Fat Joe,” he admitted.
His story is a testament to how true transformation goes beyond the physical—it’s about reshaping how you see yourself and what motivates you to keep going.