American talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, recently opened up about her role in popularising unhealthy diet culture and liquid diets.
The icon spoke in a ‘WeightWatchers’ YouTube livestream about reaching a “pivotal moment in the way we talk about and the way we think about our bodies.”
Winfrey took responsibility for the part that she played in promoting diet culture. “I want to acknowledge that I have been a steadfast participant in this diet culture through my platforms, through the magazine, through the talk show for 25 years,” 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,” Winfrey added.
The host recalled one incident from the ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ wherein she brought a wagon of fat onto the stage in 1988. She called it one of her “biggest regrets”.
Winfrey explained, “It sent a message that starving yourself with a liquid diet and set a standard for people watching that I, nor anybody else, could uphold. The very next day, I began to gain the weight back.”
She emphasised that the whole point of this discussion is to stop the judgement and the stigma around body weight discourse.
Winfrey revealed that she is taking the holistic approach to weight loss. She eats her last meal at 4 o’ clock and drinks a gallon of water per day. She also revealed that she has added weight loss medications to her regime.
In 2012, Winfrey criticised people for using medication for weight loss. “If I take the drug, that’s the easy way out,” she said.
In the livestream, she apologised for the judgement that she used to exude on matters like this.
“I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself,” she concluded.
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