For decades, Oprah Winfrey has been a familiar face in the public sphere. Her groundbreaking talk show, “Oprah,” not only made her a household name but also subjected her to the harsh realities of fame, including criticism about her weight. Recently, Oprah has opened up about her use of weight loss medications after years of battling her weight, and how this ties into one of her most profound regrets.

Oprah became a beloved figure in the United States and across the globe when her television show debuted in 1986. Originally from Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah captivated audiences for 25 years until the show’s conclusion in 2011.

Throughout her long-running show, thousands of guests discussed a myriad of topics. However, in looking back, one particular moment regarding weight and the perception of weight loss stands out as her biggest regret. It’s a subject close to Oprah as she’s sought solutions for her own weight issues in recent times.

Since leaving television, Oprah has remained busy. She introduced The Oprah Podcast and sustained her popular book club that started back in 1996. On a personal level, Oprah has also moved through an important phase regarding her own weight management.

Oprah, now in her 70s, has been candid about her weight struggles throughout her extensive career. A few years back, she disclosed her use of a drug primarily for type 2 diabetes, known as GLP-1, which also aids in weight loss, helping her lose 50 pounds.

Oprah’s Journey with Weight Loss

This past January, during an episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah shared how the weight loss medications shifted her perception of others.

“When I first began taking GLP-1, I realized how for years, I believed that people who were thin simply had more willpower,” Oprah explained.

“They seemingly made better food choices and were able to stick to them without a hitch, never indulging in things like potato chips.”

She continued: “Then, I realized that when using GLP-1, it became clear that they probably weren’t obsessing over it. They ate when hungry and stopped when full,” adding why she chose to publicly announce her use of weight loss medication.

“When I announced it last January, I felt like a rare case, because I was open about it,” Oprah shared.

Though open about her use of weight loss drugs, Oprah has since grown weary of the attention her weight has garnered. In an interview with People Magazine, she noted that “making fun of my weight was practically a national sport” for over two decades.

Role in “Diet Culture” Acknowledged

Oprah further expressed: “I want to acknowledge my role in promoting diet culture through various platforms, such as my magazine and talk show for 25 years.”

She recalled feeling “blamed and shamed,” and recounted a particular magazine cover criticizing her as “Dumpy, Frumpy, and Downright Lumpy.”

“I didn’t react with anger,” Oprah recounted to People. “I felt hurt and sad; I internalized the shame, accepting it as my fault.”

Despite the negativity she faced about her weight, Oprah admitted her involvement in perpetuating diet culture. In a special WeightWatchers event last year, she acknowledged her contribution to the issue but announced she was “done with the shaming.”

“I have been consistently participating in this culture,” Oprah declared. “Through my various channels and shows, I have influenced it greatly. I can’t count the number of weight loss episodes and makeovers I’ve done throughout my television career.”

Reflecting on Her “Biggest Regret”

Oprah’s acceptance of her role in promoting unhealthy standards is profound. She mentioned how this correlates with her “biggest regret” in her career.

In a 1988 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, she famously rolled a cart filled with fat onto the stage, symbolizing the weight she had dropped via a severe liquid diet and vigorous exercise regime.

Oprah admitted having starved for months and shared that it “conveyed a message that extreme dieting was acceptable, a standard impossible for anyone, including me, to sustain. Immediately afterward, I started gaining the weight back.”

Oprah concluded: “I own my past actions and now aim to make amends.”

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