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Oprah Winfrey has been open about her struggles with her weight for years, navigating the challenges of fad dieting and her weight fluctions, it’s been a constant battle for the soon to be 70-year-old star. In a recent revelation to People magazine, the media mogul, now 69, shared that she incorporates prescription weight-loss medication into her health and fitness routine, viewing it as a tool to manage weight fluctuations, especially after her knee surgery back in 2021.

Recent appearances on the red carpet by the media icon have sparked discussions about her apparent weight loss. On December 6, she graced the premiere of "The Color Purple" in Los Angeles donning a form-fitting dress that accentuated her waist and stomach. As reported in the Today show, observers online remarked that she appeared "thinner than ever."

Acknowledging a predisposition to weight gain beyond her control, Oprah emphasized that obesity is a complex condition rooted in the brain, and it’s not just a matter of willpower. People are all different, and it’s not always a simple solution like, “…just exercise and watch what you eat.” While not disclosing the specific medication, she joins a trend where drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro gain popularity for weight management.

Originally designed for diabetes treatment, semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) also exhibit tremendous benefits for weight loss. Wegovy, which is just a higher semaglutide dose than Ozempic, got FDA approval for chronic weight management. Research indicates these medications lead to an average body-weight reduction of 15 to 22 percent when self-administered weekly.

Oprah, who currently weighs 167 pounds, has battled with weight documented in her O magazine, revealing a diagnosis of hypothyroidism in 2007, contributing to her challenges with losing weight. Despite varied attempts at dieting and exercise, she turned to medication as a crucial component of her holistic health approach.

Sharing her journey, Oprah hopes to destigmatize the use of weight-loss medications, emphasizing that for her, it's a relief and an integral part of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle, including hydration, hiking, moderation in eating, and regular workouts. Losing weight is more than just looking better, it has health benefits that will improve someone's quality of life. Often people put off starting their weight loss journey for many reasons, however, it's never too late to improve your health and well-being and hopefully, this endorsement from Oprah will help many of her fans start the process.

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