Friday, January 2, 2026 - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has
opened up about the unexpected effects she experienced after using GLP-1 weight
loss medications, a class of drugs that includes Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
According to Daily Mail, Winfrey, 71, first disclosed in
December 2023 that she had started using a GLP-1 drug as a “maintenance tool”
alongside diet and exercise. While she has not revealed the specific
medication, she has credited it with helping her lose more than 40 pounds and
calming what she described as constant “food noise.”
In a new interview, Winfrey said the medication led to
several changes she did not anticipate. One of the most notable is that she
completely stopped drinking alcohol. She explained that she no longer has any
desire for it, despite previously being able to drink heavily.
Research suggests GLP-1 drugs may reduce cravings by
affecting dopamine-related reward pathways in the brain, which are linked to
habits such as drinking. Studies have shown reduced alcohol consumption among
users of these medications.
Winfrey also revealed that she now works out almost every
day, saying she feels sluggish when she doesn’t exercise. She currently
exercises up to six times a week, combining hiking, weight training and
treadmill workouts
According to her, the medication helped shift her mindset
around food and weight. She said she no longer blames herself or feels the need
to punish her body, adding that she feels healthier and more energetic than
before.
However, Winfrey acknowledged that after briefly stopping
the drug, she regained some of the weight she had lost, reinforcing her view
that GLP-1 medications may require long-term use.
Her experience follows decades of public struggles with
weight, including restrictive diets and extreme calorie reduction. At her
highest, she weighed 237 pounds in 1992. While she has stated a goal weight of
160 pounds, she has not disclosed her current weight.
Winfrey said she hopes her story helps others understand that obesity is not simply about willpower, especially for those with genetic risk factors. She encouraged people to seek accurate information and make informed choices, whether or not they choose to use medication.
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