Oprah Winfrey was keeping things casual on Friday, but her appearance outside a gym in the Santa Barbara area still drew attention.
The media icon was spotted heading back to her car after a workout, showing off a noticeably slimmer frame and an easy, confident stride.
With her 72nd birthday coming up on January 29, Winfrey looked relaxed and comfortable in her own skin.
Sporty Style With Oprah Ease
For her fitness outing, Winfrey opted for a simple, no-fuss look.
She wore fitted blue leggings paired with a long-sleeved white top and comfortable sneakers, the kind of outfit that says she came to work out, not to pose.
Her hair was pulled back with a thick headband, and she carried a small brown purse as she made her way out, looking refreshed rather than rushed.
How Medication Became a “Tool,” Not a Secret
Back in 2023, Winfrey openly shared that she had used GLP-1 weight loss medications, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, to help manage her weight.
She described the medication as a tool — not a shortcut — to support her health goals and avoid the cycle of losing and regaining weight that had followed her for decades.
Rather than treating it as something shameful, Winfrey framed it as a medically approved option that brought her relief and peace of mind.
A Lifestyle Shift That Goes Beyond the Scale
Medication hasn’t been the only change.
Winfrey has also embraced a more active routine, committing to exercise nearly every day of the week.
Her workouts vary, from treadmill runs and hiking to strength training, keeping things balanced and sustainable.
As she put it recently, she barely recognizes the version of herself who feels sluggish without exercise — movement has become part of who she is now.
Letting Go of Alcohol and Old Habits
Alongside fitness, Winfrey revealed that she’s stepped away from alcohol entirely.
She hasn’t had a drink in years and says the lack of desire for it still surprises her.
The change, she explained, feels natural rather than forced, another sign of how much her mindset has shifted.
“I hardly recognize the woman I’ve become,” she admitted — but she emphasized that the new version of herself is genuinely happy.
From 237 Pounds to a New Perspective
Winfrey has long been candid about her struggles with weight.
In the early 1990s, she reached her heaviest at 237 pounds.
While she hasn’t publicly shared her current weight, she’s spoken about a personal goal of reaching 160 pounds.
More importantly, her relationship with weight has changed.
She’s stopped blaming herself and letting guilt take the lead, choosing instead to focus on feeling alive, energetic, and well.
Testing Life Without GLP-1 Medication
During a recent appearance on the Today show, Winfrey explained that she once stopped taking GLP-1 medication to see what would happen.
Despite maintaining healthy eating habits, she gained about 20 pounds over the year.
She recalled how the familiar “food noise” gradually returned — first a few pounds, then more — reinforcing for her that weight management wasn’t simply about willpower or discipline.
Breaking Free From Shame
Winfrey has been vocal about being done with weight-related shame, especially the kind she once directed at herself.
She’s spoken openly about recommending weight loss medication to others even before deciding to try it personally.
After publicly discussing her own use of the medication, she stepped down from the WeightWatchers board in February 2024, marking another shift in how she approaches the conversation around health and weight.
A Powerful Realization Shared on a Podcast
On The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Winfrey described a turning point in her weight loss journey — the moment she realized that her struggles weren’t a personal failure.
Years of dieting, starvation, and repeated efforts suddenly made sense in a new way.
She called it emotional, freeing, and long overdue, saying that understanding it “wasn’t my fault” changed everything.
Looking Back at Extreme Moments
Winfrey also reflected on a memorable moment from her talk show days, recalling a 1988 episode when she famously wheeled out 67 pounds of fat after nearly five months of extreme dieting.
It’s a memory that now serves as a reminder of how harsh her approach once was — and how far she’s come since then.
Redefining Willpower and “Food Noise”
In one of her podcast discussions with Dr. Ania Jastreboff, Winfrey shared another revelation.
For years, she believed thin people simply had more willpower.
After trying GLP-1 medication, she realized it wasn’t willpower at all — it was the absence of constant thoughts about food.
For the first time, she experienced eating when hungry and stopping when full without mental exhaustion.
Telling the Story in Her Own Words
Winfrey has also poured these insights into her latest book, Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It’s Like to Be Free, co-written with Dr. Jastreboff.
The book, released earlier this month on January 13, dives deeper into her lifelong struggle with weight and the freedom she’s finally found.
As she continues to share her story — whether through interviews, podcasts, or a quiet gym visit — Winfrey’s message remains consistent: health is personal, complex, and nothing to be ashamed of.
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