Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

Oprah Winfrey Reveals What Happened When She Stopped Taking Weight Loss Injections

American host <span>Oprah Winfrey</span>, who told her fans she was taking GLP-1 <span>weight loss</span> medication in 2023, has revealed that she stopped taking injections for a short period of time last year and ended up gaining significant weight. 

During an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTdcTk7DpM3/?igsh=eWVwYXZhZnp0cnVi" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">episode </a> of the TODAY show with Jenna &amp; Sheinelle, <span>Winfrey</span>, 71, said: "I was off the (weight loss medications) all last year and I gained 20lbs because I wanted to test it.

"Because everyone was saying 'you're going to gain the weight' (and) I'm going to show them that I'm not going to gain the weight. I'm going to hike."

However, the media mogul ended up gaining most of her weight back, citing that once she was off the medications, she would stand in front of the refrigerator thinking "what can I eat". 

<h2>Is This Scientifically True?</h2>Yes. A new <span>BMJ</span> study has found that <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/what-happens-when-you-stop-using-weight-loss-injections-article-153425844" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">people who stop using weight-loss medications can regain weight </a> and return their original size within two years. 

Researchers have found that those who lose weight using blockbuster GLP-1 drugs such as <span>Ozempic</span> could regain about 0.4kg every month after quitting these treatments. In contrast, those who lost weight through exercise, diet and other factors only gained 0.1kg.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injectable GLP-1 medication primarily approved for adults with Type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels. However, the drug has gained immense popularity among those trying to lose weight as it can reduce hunger and help people feel full for longer, which forces the body to burn fat deposits to stay functional.

In clinical trials, people with obesity using semaglutide have shown to lose an average of about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Most people begin to see noticeable results within 8 to 12 weeks of taking the drug.

The official price in India for a once-weekly Ozempic injection pen ranges from approximately ₹8,800 for the 0.25 mg dose to around ₹11,175 for the 1 mg dose per month. Insurance coverage is generally inconsistent for weight loss indications.

<h2>Have Weight Loss Impacted Winfrey's Diet?</h2>

In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://people.com/oprah-reveals-she-stopped-using-glp1s-for-12-months-and-shares-exactly-what-happened-exclusive-11877163" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">PEOPLE</a>, the OWN founder noted that in the last two years, her relationship with food and exercise has changed drastically, in addition to erasing her taste for alcohol.

'The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing,' Winfrey said.

The talk show legend once admitted she was able to :outdrink everyone at the table" and "was a big fan of tequila". "I literally had 17 shots one night," she said, "I haven't had a drink in years. The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing."

Additionally, Winfrey said she no longer obsesses over food and has embraced exercise for the first time in her life. However, once she understood that she began to gain weight when she stopped taking injections, Winfrey realized that the medication will likely be "a lifetime thing".

"It's going to be a lifetime thing. I'm on high blood pressure medication, and if I go off the high blood pressure medication, my blood pressure is going to go up. The same thing is true now, I realize, with these medications. I’ve proven to myself I need it," she told the publication.  

Winfrey now typically takes the shots weekly, but sometimes stretches them to 10 or 12 days. "You need to start slow and gradual,' she advised. 'If you start by taking too much at one time, you have more of a chance of messing yourself up

Apart form this, the media star also now works out for about two hours a day, six days a week, hiking, doing cardio or strength training.

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American host Oprah Winfrey, who told her fans she was taking GLP-1 weight loss medication in 2023, has revealed that she stopped taking injections for a short period of time last year and ended up gaining significant weight. During an episode  of the TODAY show with Jenna & Sheinelle, Winfrey, 71, said: "I was off the (weight loss medications) all last year and I gained 20lbs because I wanted to test it."Because everyone was saying 'you're going to gain the weight' (and) I'm going to show them that I'm not going to gain the weight. I'm going to hike."However, the media mogul ended up gaining most of her weight back, citing that once she was off the medications, she would stand in front of the refrigerator thinking "what can I eat". Is This Scientifically True?Yes. A new BMJ study has found that people who stop using weight-loss medications can regain weight  and return their original size within two years. Researchers have found that those who lose weight using blockbuster GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic could regain about 0.4kg every month after quitting these treatments. In contrast, those who lost weight through exercise, diet and other factors only gained 0.1kg.Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injectable GLP-1 medication primarily approved for adults with Type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels. However, the drug has gained immense popularity among those trying to lose weight as it can reduce hunger and help people feel full for longer, which forces the body to burn fat deposits to stay functional.In clinical trials, people with obesity using semaglutide have shown to lose an average of about 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Most people begin to see noticeable results within 8 to 12 weeks of taking the drug.The official price in India for a once-weekly Ozempic injection pen ranges from approximately ₹8,800 for the 0.25 mg dose to around ₹11,175 for the 1 mg dose per month. Insurance coverage is generally inconsistent for weight loss indications.Have Weight Loss Impacted Winfrey's Diet?In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the OWN founder noted that in the last two years, her relationship with food and exercise has changed drastically, in addition to erasing her taste for alcohol.'The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing,' Winfrey said.The talk show legend once admitted she was able to :outdrink everyone at the table" and "was a big fan of tequila". "I literally had 17 shots one night," she said, "I haven't had a drink in years. The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing."Additionally, Winfrey said she no longer obsesses over food and has embraced exercise for the first time in her life. However, once she understood that she began to gain weight when she stopped taking injections, Winfrey realized that the medication will likely be "a lifetime thing"."It's going to be a lifetime thing. I'm on high blood pressure medication, and if I go off the high blood pressure medication, my blood pressure is going to go up. The same thing is true now, I realize, with these medications. I’ve proven to myself I need it," she told the publication.  Winfrey now typically takes the shots weekly, but sometimes stretches them to 10 or 12 days. "You need to start slow and gradual,' she advised. 'If you start by taking too much at one time, you have more of a chance of messing yourself up Apart form this, the media star also now works out for about two hours a day, six days a week, hiking, doing cardio or strength training.