Oprah Winfrey has been open about her struggles with weight throughout her career. Despite facing constant scrutiny and criticism, the former talk show host always remained resilient and determined to take control of her health. In a recent interview with People, she revealed that she has used weight-loss medication as a “maintenance tool” to support her ongoing journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
While speaking with the outlet, she shared that she has always been subjected to relentless scrutiny over her weight. From tabloid headlines to magazine covers, her body journey has been a topic of conversation for decades. Despite her immense success and influence, Oprah’s weight has sometimes overshadowed her accomplishments, leading to feelings of sadness and hurt. She candidly admits that she internalized the shame and accepted it as her own fault, a burden that she carried for far too long.
She told PEOPLE that when she would see those kinds of remarks, “I didn’t feel angry. I felt sad. I felt hurt. I swallowed the shame. I accepted that it was my fault.” She added, “It was public sport to make fun of me for 25 years. I have been blamed and shamed, and I blamed and shamed myself.”
Instead of drowning in those hurtful comments, she decided to do something about it. Winfrey, who turns 70 next month, eventually found a better way to maintain a healthy weight long-term and rid herself of shame once and for all.
After knee surgery, I started hiking and setting new distance goals each week. I could eventually hike three to five miles every day and a 10-mile straight-up hike on weekends,” she says. “I felt stronger, more fit and more alive than I’d felt in years.” She went on to reveal…
Now, she says, “I eat my last meal at 4 o’clock, drink a gallon of water a day, and use the WeightWatchers principles of counting points. I had an awareness of [weight-loss] medications, but felt I had to prove I had the willpower to do it. I now no longer feel that way.” She adds, “I was actually recommending it to people long before I was on it myself.”
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Oprah’s decision to openly discuss her use of weight-loss medication sends a powerful message to individuals who have faced similar struggles. By sharing her story, she aims to break the cycle of shaming and encourage others to prioritize their health without fear of judgment. Oprah’s vulnerability and authenticity serve as a reminder that everyone’s health journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Dropping the stigma of weight loss meds, Winfrey adds that “the fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.”