Oprah Winfrey is making headlines yet again—this time with a candid revelation about her experience with the weight loss drug Ozempic. The 70-year-old media mogul recently admitted that taking the medication completely changed her perspective on “thin people” and the long-held belief that their size is a result of sheer willpower.
Oprah’s Eye-Opening Discovery
In a recent episode of her podcast, Oprah shared that she always thought thin people had superior willpower when it came to food. However, after starting Ozempic, she realized that what she perceived as willpower was actually the absence of intrusive hunger thoughts, commonly known as “food noise.”
“One of the things that I realized the very first time I took a GLP-1 was that all these years, I thought that thin people had more willpower,” Oprah admitted. “Then I realized they’re not even thinking about it. They’re eating when they’re hungry, and they’re stopping when they’re full.”
GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are designed to regulate blood sugar levels but have also gained popularity for their effectiveness in reducing cravings and aiding weight loss.
The Internet Reacts to Oprah’s Comments
Winfrey’s statement sparked a heated debate online, with many questioning her perspective. Critics argued that staying fit requires discipline and lifestyle choices rather than medication.
“I beg to differ,” one social media user wrote. “Just because I’m thin doesn’t mean I don’t think about food constantly.”
Another critic added, “Many thin people work hard to maintain their weight through exercise and balanced diets, not just by avoiding ‘food noise.’”
Despite the backlash, Oprah also received support from others who appreciated her honesty. “Food noise is real,” one fan commented. “Thank you, Oprah, for normalizing this conversation.”
Oprah’s Past Struggles with Weight Loss
The former talk show host previously denied using weight-loss drugs to achieve her dramatic transformation but later came clean, revealing she had used Ozempic to shed nearly 50 pounds. Oprah once criticized such medications, calling them the “easy way out,” but she has since changed her stance.
“I’m done with the shaming,” Oprah told People magazine. “The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier feels like a gift.”
She emphasized that she continues to exercise regularly and credits hiking and strength training as key elements in maintaining her progress.
From Scrutiny to Self-Acceptance
Throughout her career, Oprah has faced relentless scrutiny about her weight, often becoming the subject of tabloid fodder and comedy sketches. She now acknowledges that she accepted the ridicule because she felt she “deserved it.”
“Every week, I was exploited by the tabloids,” she shared. “But I now realize that my size never defined my worth.”
A Commitment to Health and Vitality
Winfrey’s journey to better health took a serious turn after a knee surgery in 2021, prompting her to prioritize fitness and wellness. “It’s everything,” she said, noting that while Ozempic played a role in her weight loss, maintaining her health requires dedication to exercise and nutrition.
“I had to prove to myself that I could do it,” she admitted. “Now, I no longer feel that way.”