Shania Twain Opens Up About Body Image Struggles
Shania Twain has shared that she pushed her body to extreme limits in an effort to maintain a slim figure.
In a heartfelt discussion on aging and body perception, Twain admitted that her quest for weight loss led to some unhealthy habits. She reflected on how her approach to fitness and diet was particularly detrimental. “He was malnourished,” she noted, calling attention to the lengths she went to “lose more weight.”
When menopausal changes hit her in 2019, the iconic singer recognized that she had to reevaluate her relationship with her body.
A Shift in Perspective
At 60, Twain expressed, “When you go through menopause, you lose control of your body.” She described how she suddenly felt bloated and unable to manage even small fluctuations in weight. This unexpected shift sparked a crisis of confidence.
“I stopped looking at myself in the mirror,” she recalled, grappling with feelings of self-hatred. “I thought, ‘Oh no, I can’t handle this changing body,’ which was, honestly, quite unhealthy. Who doesn’t look at themselves in the mirror?”
Her journey included cutting out sugar and fat while committing to intense workouts. Twain admitted, “I was doing something very unhealthy. I was training my body more than nourishing it.”
A Lesson in Self-Acceptance
What initially felt like a setback ultimately turned into a meaningful lesson in self-acceptance. “Now I’m going to bring a mirror and look at myself throughout the day!” she exclaimed. Twain described menopause as a transformative experience, acknowledging that some things simply lie beyond our control.
Reflecting on her past, she noted that for decades, she felt uneasy in her skin, even as she achieved stardom in country music. “Since I was little, I was so shy about my body shape,” Twain admitted. “Hated going to the beach in a bathing suit. I think I’ve been struggling with that since I was around 10.”
In recalling the release of her hit “You’re Still the One,” she shared how the music video allowed her to break away from her everyday self. “I was 30 years old when I first appeared on radio. In that video, I’m braless, stepping into a new world, making choices that felt liberating.”
Continuing Her Path
Now, more than 30 years into her career, Twain’s impact on both country and pop music is still evident. Sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Country-Pop,” she has navigated personal challenges, health issues, and a hiatus from the spotlight, selling over 100 million records worldwide while paving the way for future crossover artists.
Yet, Twain is not looking to slow down anytime soon. “I’m not slowing down, and I’ll tell you why later,” she remarked, expressing her passion for exploring new opportunities. “There’s always something new—new flowers, new recipes, new horses.” With an explorer’s heart, she feels she’ll always have new ventures to pursue.
