Revelation About “Thin People” Through Weight Loss Drugs
Oprah Winfrey recently opened up about how using weight loss drugs shifted her long-standing views about “thin people.” On the January 14 episode of The Oprah Podcast, the media icon revealed that her experience with GLP-1 medications helped her realize misconceptions she had held for years.
“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… just had more willpower,” Oprah shared. “They ate better foods. They were able to stick to it longer. They never had a potato chip.” She explained that the drugs made her understand that many people simply eat only when hungry and stop when they are full — a behavior she previously attributed to willpower alone.
The 70-year-old reflected on how this newfound understanding transformed her perspective, particularly as someone who has been open about her struggles with weight throughout her career. By discussing her personal experience, Oprah continued her tradition of candidly sharing her weight loss journey with the public.
Acknowledging Her Role in Diet Culture
Oprah also took the opportunity to reflect on her own contributions to “diet culture,” a term referring to the promotion of unhealthy or extreme dieting practices for weight loss. Speaking at May’s Making The Shift: A New Way to Think About Weight event, she openly admitted her role in perpetuating these harmful narratives during her television career.
“I want to acknowledge that I have been a steadfast participant in this diet culture,” she said. “I’ve been a major contributor to it. I cannot tell you how many weight loss shows and makeovers I have done, and they have been a staple since I’ve been working in television.” She highlighted a moment from a 1988 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show when she rolled out a wagon containing 67 pounds of animal fat to symbolize her weight loss on a liquid diet.
Oprah described this moment as one of her “biggest regrets,” acknowledging the harmful message it sent. “It sent a message that starving yourself with a liquid diet set a standard for people watching that I nor anybody could uphold,” she admitted. Her candid acknowledgment resonated as a powerful reflection on the impact of media messaging on body image and self-esteem.
Struggles with Public Scrutiny Over Weight
The talk show host also spoke about the immense pressure and scrutiny she faced as her weight became a topic of national conversation throughout her career. Reflecting on the infamous “wagon of fat” moment, Oprah explained how it contributed to a sense of personal shame.
“That wagon of fat moment was set into motion after years and years of thinking that my struggle with my weight was my fault,” she said. “And it has taken me even up until last week to process the shame that I felt privately, as my very public yo-yo diet moments became a national joke.” Her honesty about the emotional toll of public scrutiny offered a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those under constant media observation.
Despite the criticism and self-reflection, Oprah continues to use her platform to shed light on the complexities of body image and dieting, encouraging others to rethink their perceptions of weight loss and self-worth. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of vulnerability and personal growth in overcoming societal pressures.
