Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has taken a swipe at individuals relying on weight loss drugs including Ozempic to cut down fat. She conceded that she almost fell for the celebrity weight loss trend by considering the use of such medications.
Sharing her thoughts on a panel alongside obesity specialists on an episode of “Oprah Daily’s The Life You Want: The State of Weight,” Winfrey criticized the use of weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic, as the easy way out.
She explained that she learned about the weight loss drugs when she was recovering from knee surgery. Even though she had been body-shamed for over two decades, she believed that using such drugs would be the easy way out, which is why she chose to tackle her weight loss journey independently.
Reflecting on her lifelong struggle with weight, Winfrey revealed that her highest weight reached 237 pounds. She lamented how her weight struggle has been excessively exploited by the public throughout the years.
Despite being tempted by the celebrity weight loss trend, the 69-year-old talk show host said she opted not to participate. She emphasized that she decided to accept and embrace her body choice, suggesting that such a decision should ultimately be a personal one.
Sharing an expert view on the issue, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford reassured that obesity is a chronic disease affecting millions worldwide and not a matter of willpower or personal fault. She said each individual’s body is unique and stressed that no one is superior to another in terms of weight regulation.
Winfrey, who has been open about her health journey, said she pays extreme attention to her body following her double knee surgery in 2021. She explained that the surgery heightened her appreciation for her body, as she couldn’t even lift her leg after the experience.
She recalled that, during those dark moments, she pledged to make the most of her ability to move and exercise once she recovered. During her rehabilitation, Winfrey said she began hiking and increasing her physical activity. Despite her decision to decline weight loss medications, she acknowledged that some other celebrities have publicly admitted to using such drugs to achieve weight loss.
Several celebrities have publicly credited Ozempic and similar weight loss methods for their transformations. Real Housewives of Orange County star Emily Simpson, aged 47, attributed her 40-pound weight loss to Ozempic and liposuction in an Instagram video. Comedian Tracy Morgan, aged 54, revealed on the “Today” show that he regularly takes Ozempic shots to control his appetite, expressing its effectiveness in reducing his food intake. Sharon Osbourne, aged 70, also admitted to trying weight loss medications after grappling with a “weight problem” and attempting various methods to achieve a slimmer figure.
