Media mogul Oprah Winfrey was never tight-lipped about the weight issues that she faced at various stages. Now, standing at 70 years old, she shows how health journeys can be individual and keep changing over time. This last weight loss of Oprah is beyond losing weight – it’s staying vibrantly while embracing change, and letting go of shame. Learn more about this inspiring transformation on Oprah.
Transformation After Knee Surgery
In 2021, Oprah underwent knee surgery. That marked a turning point in her life. She could not walk even for a few steps. Her doctor’s blunt advice: “If you want to continue walking, it’s time.”.
Post-surgery, Oprah would walk and hike. These were her new norm for working out. She would start at shorter distances and would increase her stamina accordingly. “I could eventually hike three to five miles every day and a 10-mile straight-up hike on weekends,” she shared. These hikes become symbolic of her newfound strength and determination.
Oprah Winfrey’s Personal Goals
She did not focus on fitness for losing weight. Oprah had personal goals that motivated her to stretch her limits. In Hawaii, where she lived, she looked at a steep hill outside the window and often fantasized about climbing it. She climbed that last Christmas. “It felt like redemption,” she said of that feat.
For the trip, according to Oprah, “it wasn’t about reaching some arbitrary number on a scale.” As she wrote to readers in December, she was so close to 160 pounds for her goal but really, she wanted people to know her capabilities of leading vibrant and active lifestyles.
A New View of Weight Loss Pills
For years, Oprah has been resisting weight-loss medications; she had thought that she was only supposed to rely on willpower. Well, that all changed. She explained that these are tools for weight management and not shortcuts.
“I now use [weight-loss medication] because I feel like I need to,” Oprah said. She termed the medication a “relief” and “gift” instead of something that one should hide.
Medicine prevented her from discussing her “food noise”—the normal rumination that once used to gnaw at her over food.
“I can eat half a bagel and be good,” she said. “I just want less of the bagel.
While on medicine, Oprah is quick to add that it is not a magic pill. To be successful requires consistent exercise, a balanced diet, and a commitment to being healthy.
A Lifelong Struggle of Oprah Winfrey
The journey of Oprah and her weight relationship has been for decades, marked by ups and downs. She famously lost 67 pounds in 1988 on a liquid diet but gained it all back once she started eating normally again. In 1992, she reached the highest weight at 237 pounds.
In 2019, Oprah joined WeightWatchers (WW), losing 42 pounds. Later, she pulled out of the program to consider other health solutions. She pulled out of WW because she needed to discuss the use of weight-loss medications freely without being labeled as biased.
Oprah has embraced fitness despite her distaste for exercise.
Here’s the thing about exercise: Oprah says: I still hate it so much. That says a lot: Oprah is the first to admit that she doesn’t love working out. She remains committed, however, to her fitness routine because it makes her feel whole and well.
She walks a minimum of three to five miles, does resistance, and exercises at home. She will actually start at the elliptical machine before it’s time for a combination of treadmill walks at different level inclines. Other than that, Oprah also takes time to perform sit-ups and then cool down with meditation afterward.
Her commitment to fitness traces back to 1994 when she ran the Marine Corps marathon to commemorate her 40th birthday. She cannot do marathons anymore because of a knee injury, but Oprah still makes sure to move her body.
Shame and Stigma
For years, Oprah had been under the microscope of the public eye because of her weight. From sketch comedies to mean-spirited remarks, she was exposed to body shaming on an epic scale. Joan Rivers once asked her in 1985 on The Tonight Show why she was “so fat.”.
Oprah internalized this shame, believing she deserved it. However, she’s now letting go of those feelings. “I realized I’d been blaming myself all these years for being overweight,” she said. “No amount of willpower is going to control [a genetic predisposition].”
Her goal is to eradicate the shame and stigma associated with weight. In her special Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution, she stressed the need to drop judgment whether it is self-imposed or directed toward others.
Holistic Approach to Health
Oprah’s method for weight loss is holistic. She takes lots of medication, but she exercises also. Above all, however, is her mental and emotional well-being. She meditates and has an attitude of gratitude and self-love.
Instead of focusing only on weight loss, Oprah concentrated on overall health, and by doing so, transformed not just her body but her relationship with herself. She vowed to live life vibrantly and meaningfully.
Lessons from Oprah’s Journey
- Weight Loss Is Personal: Oprah’s journey shows that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each person must find what works best for them, whether it’s medication, exercise, or other tools.
- Health is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Oprah started slowly and showed patience and perseverance. She rewarded her small victories-such as going further on each hike.
- Let Go of Shame: The art of letting go of shame and judgment is the real key to sustainability. Oprah exemplifies the virtue of self-kindness.
- Exercise Can Be Practicable: Oprah used practical goals toward fitness, like walking without any pain or hiking up a mountain. This brought meaning to her journey.
- Embracing Change: Oprah’s willingness to adapt—whether trying medications or shifting her mindset—helped her achieve lasting results.
Also read: Kenneth C. Frazier Net Worth: A $392M Success Story
Conclusion
Oprah’s journey is more of a transformation rather than weight loss. It speaks of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of change. She inspires millions through her story on the importance of their health without judgment.
Oprah at 70 reminds us that age is never a barrier to wellness and living at one’s best. Her journey has reminded us of the fact that true success actually lies in embracing our unique path and letting go of the shame that holds us back.
