Oprah Winfrey Talks About Weight Loss Journey with GLP-1

Oprah Winfrey has recently shared her experience with weight loss, attributing her success to the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medication. At 71, she began using this drug in 2023 but decided to stop after six months to test her ability to maintain weight without it, as mentioned in an interview with People magazine.

Unfortunately, despite sticking to her diet and workout plans, she found herself gaining back 20 pounds once she discontinued the medication. “It’s going to be a lifelong thing,” she reflected, drawing a parallel to her high blood pressure medication. “I’ve realized that the same thing is true with these medications now. I’ve proven it myself.” She admitted that her body’s default weight of 211 pounds was unhealthy, particularly as it put her at risk for conditions like pre-diabetes and high cholesterol.

In her recent conversation, she revealed she is now at 155 pounds and hopes to maintain it. “A combination of medication, daily hiking, and strength training has given me the body I had when I ran a marathon,” she said. “I mean, I was in great shape at 40, but to be 71 and still feel like I’m in the best shape of my life feels better than when I was 40.”

On her podcast this week, Winfrey spoke with Dr. Ania Jastrebov, an endocrinologist and associate professor, about GLP-1 drugs and shared more about her own weight loss journey. They also collaborated on a book titled *Enough*.

Initially, Winfrey struggled with the idea of using weight loss drugs due to the stigma associated with them. She expressed, “One of the reasons I was initially reluctant to use them was because I was trying to lose weight after knee surgery. I felt like it was cheating, a way out, and I wanted to prove it to myself.” She reflected on feeling shame and publicly facing scrutiny surrounding her weight for over two decades. “I don’t want people to say I took the easy way out,” she emphasized.

While discussing weight-related stigma, Winfrey noted that many individuals, even those not in the public eye, face similar feelings of shame regarding their weight. “For some reason, society thinks we have control over our weight, but that’s actually not the case. Our brains are in control,” she remarked.

As the conversation continued, she linked the issue of obesity to addiction, saying years ago she believed thinner individuals simply had more willpower. But after her own experiences with GLP-1, she came to realize that those who maintain healthy eating habits often eat only when hungry and stop when full.

Dr. Jastrebov acknowledged that while obesity is not classified as an addiction, the way our brains respond to food can parallel addiction pathways. The discussion also touched on the ongoing public shaming faced by those using these medications. “It’s shameful to be obese. It’s shameful not to try to lose weight. And it’s shameful to lose weight,” she said.

GLP-1 drugs come with potential side effects, especially pertaining to the gastrointestinal system, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Those interested in these medications are advised to consult their doctors about potential risks and appropriate dosage.