Move Over Ozempic Face. Now GLP-1 Users Face 'Ozempic Feet'!
- Jennifer Hardy
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
First, it was “Ozempic face”—that gaunt, hollowed look some people noticed after rapid weight loss on semaglutide. Then came the neck, the mouth, and now… we’re looking down. Welcome to the newest term making its way around GLP-1 chat rooms and Reddit threads: Ozempic feet.
While many of us have been looking for saggy, crepey skin sections or zooming in on those fine wrinkles forming where fluffy fat used to be, our feet have been facing their own challenges.
This isn't even about how they look. What's happening to your foot sole could impact everything else you do in a busy day. Let's get into the topic of Ozempic feet.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Anyone who knows me knows that I hate feet (my own included). Whatever the opposite of a foot fetish is, I have that. I love how they get me around and all that—I just get icks looking at them. Appreciate how hard it was for me to research and write this article with this weird foot aversion.
So, What Is “Ozempic Feet”?
“Ozempic feet” isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, but it’s a real enough experience for some people taking Ozempic (semaglutide) or similar GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
It refers to the visible and physical changes in your feet caused by the loss of fat padding and elasticity during rapid weight loss. Think veiny, bony, wrinkly—and sometimes uncomfortable.
What Ozempic Feet Look (and Feel) Like:
For people who do know the difference between cute and not-so-cute feet, here are some of the tell-tale signs.
Skin on the tops and bottoms of the feet may appear saggy or crepey
Veins, tendons, and bones become more prominent
The natural fat padding under the heel and ball of the foot thins out
Some people report soreness or pain with walking or standing
These changes aren’t exclusive to GLP-1 meds—they can happen with any significant weight drop. But as semaglutide or trizepatide speeds things up, the side effects may show up sooner and more noticeably.
Why Causes Ozempic Feet?
Your feet are workhorses, and the fat pads under them act like built-in shock absorbers. When you lose fat rapidly, those pads can shrink faster than your body can adapt. Without that cushion, every step can feel a bit more jarring.
Walking in the shoes of a weight loss GLP-1 user can be especially tough on feet, since we're more likely to be putting in extra fitness time.
Add in skin that doesn't snap back quickly (like in perimenopausal women), and suddenly your feet look—and feel—different. It’s the same principle behind Ozempic face. The fat that used to keep you looking (and feeling) plump and supported disappears, and sometimes your skin just can’t keep up.
How to Help Your Feet Catch Up
You can’t totally prevent fat loss in your feet (or any specific area, for that matter), but you can take steps to reduce discomfort and support healthy skin.
Here’s what may help:
Don’t rush it: If you're new to GLP-1 meds, talk to your provider about slowing the dose ramp-up to give your body time to adjust.
Hydration matters: Skin elasticity relies on water. Drink more of it.
Get picky about shoes: Invest in supportive, cushioned footwear—even inside the house. Flip-flops and flat sneakers might not cut it anymore.
Keep up protein + resistance training: Muscle mass helps preserve overall body structure and function. Protein supports skin and tissue repair.
Do Footwork: Focus on foot exercises that stretch, strengthen, and relieve tension from the ankle down.
The Best Shoes and Inserts for Ozempic Feet
When dealing with Ozempic feet, cushioning is key. Look for shoes with thick, supportive soles and plenty of shock absorption, especially under the heel and ball of the foot, where padding tends to vanish first.
Arch support is essential, too, since your gait may change slightly as your foot shape adjusts. Plus, rapid weight loss always has your body trying to re-establish the new center of gravity.
If your favorite shoes aren't cutting it, try adding gel or memory foam inserts to take the pressure off high-impact areas. Avoid thin-soled flats, flimsy sandals, or worn-out sneakers that offer no structure. The goal is to reduce impact and support the foot evenly, so you're not walking bone-on-ground.
For what it's worth, I'm a 50-year-old woman with bone-on-bone arthritis in both knees (though surprised at how much Zepbound has helped my inflammation. Did you know about the Gut-Joint Axis?). Here's what I use to keep charging forward like I'm still 25.
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Running Shoe
First of all, I don't run. But the padding in this New Balance shoe feels like an extension of my foot and provides ankle support. While I've gone down a shoe size on my Zepbound journey, I love that New Balance offers sizes up to 12W. Plus, the range of colors allows some personality to the problem you're trying to correct.
ONCAI Women's Orthotic Cushion Flip Flops
I pretty much live in flip-flops when I'm not working out, so I didn't mind splurging for a pair that wouldn't make my podiatrist and cardiologist cringe. The ONCAO Women's Orthotic Cushion Flip Flop helps give support while also being designed for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis. The array of colors and up to size 12 makes it perfect for everyone.
VALSOLE Heavy Duty Support Pain Relief Orthotics
These VALSOLE heavy-duty inserts are designed for people 220+ pounds, offering extra cushioning and shock absorption to ease pressure on heels and the balls of the feet—key pain points in Ozempic feet. With firm arch support and durable construction, they help reduce discomfort from lost fat padding while making walking feel more stable and supported. They fit perfectly inside my winter boots.
Should You Be Worried About Ozempic Feet?
For adults over 60, the loss of fat padding in the feet isn’t just uncomfortable—it can increase the risk of falls, especially when combined with age-related balance or bone density issues.
If walking becomes painful or unstable, it’s not just cosmetic—it’s a safety concern worth flagging to your doctor. However, the way Ozempic Feet made headlines was based on cosmetics alone. You can't really do much more than care for your feet, like it or not.
Rapid weight loss changes more than your dress size. From head to toe, GLP-1s are reshaping how our bodies look and how we feel in them. Ozempic feet may not be glamorous, but it’s another reminder that this journey is more than just a number on the scale.
