Oprah's Weight Loss Journey
Oprah has drawn a lot of attention to her new slim figure recently, arriving to red carpets, awards, and premieres in figure-hugging purple gowns to celebrate her new movie, The Color Purple. This media attention on her body has led many fans to ask how exactly she's lost all the weight.
Originally, back in September during an Oprah Daily panel, she denied any use of weight loss drugs: "Even when I first started hearing about the weight loss drugs," she explained. "At the same time I was going through knee surgery, and I felt, 'I've got to do this on my own.' Because if I take the drug, that's the easy way out."
But three months later, Oprah revealed that her perspective has changed. "I now use [weight loss drugs] as I feel I need it," she told People. "As a tool to manage no yo-yoing," she continued, referencing her weight fluctuations over the years.
"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," she said, "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."
Not *Just* Weight Loss Drugs
But, Oprah made sure to emphasize that her weight loss transformation wasn't just due to the drugs. "It's everything," she said, talking about her health and fitness routine. In the past the media mogul shared that she hikes "three to five miles every day and a 10-mile straight-up hike on the weekends."
Plus, she still uses WeightWatchers principles of counting points when it comes to sticking to a diet. Oprah is a WeightWatchers ambassador, and has been since 2015. She also owns 10% of shares in the company, and serves as a board member and advisor.
Between eating right and maintaining a rigorous exercise routine, Oprah shared that she "worked so damn hard," and is actually close to her "goal weight" of 160 pounds, but can't just rely on drugs. "I know that if I'm not also working out and vigilant about all the other things, it doesn't work for me."