Kelly Clarkson's recent weight loss has sparked widespread interest, not only for the visible transformation but also for her candid discussion about the methods she employed. This article delves into Clarkson's journey, exploring the various factors that contributed to her weight loss, from lifestyle changes to medical interventions, and her overall commitment to health and well-being.
Sparking Rumors and Health Focus
After her recent weight loss, rumors began circulating that Kelly Clarkson could be entering the health space herself soon. The rumors began after Hoda Kotb, who just left her position as co-anchor of Today, told Kelly on a January episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show that she’s in the process of launching a wellness app and company in the spring-and Kelly was all about the idea of focusing on wellness. Kelly said, "A lot of us need to be better at that, 'cause we're-I'm-a go, go, go, go. We exhaust ourselves, and we're not good at knowing how to be still or slow down… Don't tell me about it, invite me." "Oh, you're coming!" Hoda replied. Subsequently, fans got super-excited about the possibility of the two teaming up in the future.
Feeling Better Than Ever
Kelly seems to be doing just fine on her own. She’s looking super fit and glowy, whether she’s wearing makeup or not. She's been everywhere lately, from the Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony in December to a new video for her single “You for Christmas.” She's feeling better than ever, too. In a May episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer shared that she used a weight-loss medication after experiencing a health scare.
Addressing Health Concerns
Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey to better health wasn’t driven by societal pressures but by personal wellness goals, including managing her autoimmune and thyroid conditions. Clarkson has been candid about the challenges she faced, including being pre-diabetic, and how she turned to both natural methods and weight loss medication for support. Today Show confirmed that the singer revealed she’s used a weight-loss drug to help her lose weight, though it’s not Ozempic. CNN reported that Clarkson said the prescription she is on helps her body better process sugar, addressing her pre-diabetic condition.
During a January 2024 episode of her talk show, she revealed she was prediabetic. “I wasn’t shocked,” Clarkson said. “I was a tiny bit overweight. … They were like, ‘You’re prediabetic. You’re right on the borderline.’ And I was like, ‘But I’m not there yet.’” Two years after finding out, she decided to change her lifestyle habits. Having prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but still lower than the range for Type 2 diabetes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of it progressing.
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In addition to managing her pre-diabetic condition, Kelly Clarkson has been open about dealing with autoimmune and thyroid issues. These health challenges have greatly influenced her approach to weight loss and overall health. Kelly’s focus on a balanced diet that avoids inflammatory foods has been pivotal in managing her autoimmune symptoms. By prioritizing health over appearance, Kelly Clarkson has successfully managed her health conditions while shedding pounds.
Debunking the Ozempic Rumors
One of the first questions many people had was: Did Kelly Clarkson use Ozempic? Kelly says she did not take the type 2 diabetes medication Ozempic for weight loss. During a May episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer discussed her weight loss with guest Whoopi Goldberg. After Whoopi raved about taking Mounjaro, Kelly opened up about her own experience with taking a weight-loss medication. Kelly shared that she’s lost “a lot” of weight, saying, “Mine is a different one than people assume, but I ended up having to do that too because my bloodwork got so bad.” She added that she did not take Ozempic.
Clarkson did not specify what weight-loss medication she is taking beyond that it is not Ozempic. She confirmed the rumors during a May episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show" when chatting with Whoopi Goldberg, who’s also been open about using Mounjaro, another weight-loss drug. While the “American Idol” winner was initially unsure about trying medication to lose weight, she said she decided to “because my blood work got so bad." Kelly Clarkson at the 51st annual Daytime Emmys Awards on June 7, 2024. “My doctor chased me for like two years, and I was like, ‘No I’m afraid of it, I already have thyroid problems,’” she explained. “Everyone thinks it’s Ozempic - it’s not. It’s something else,” she told Goldberg. “But it’s something that aids in helping break down the sugar. Obviously my body doesn’t do it right.”
The Medication Journey
Kelly didn’t name the medication but said that it’s “something that aids in helping break down the sugar-obviously my body doesn’t do it right.” Kelly said her doctor "chased [her] for, like, two years" to take the medication, but she was nervous of the effects on her thyroid. But ultimately, she decided to take it after she watched a birthday special that she planned to release. “All of a sudden I paused it, and I was like, ‘Who is f*ck is that?’” she said. “You see it and you're like, ‘Well, she’s about to die of a heart attack,’" Kelly said.
After sharing that she was using a weight-loss medication, Clarkson faced a wave of backlash which Goldberg addressed on an episode of "The View." Clarkson was on the receiving end of criticism from those who said she'd previously claimed she lost weight by walking. "Here's a point about that," Goldberg said. "A lot of people are taking this shot because the need it. Some people need (their) bodies jumpstarted, some have diabetes, there's lots of reasons. She has been walking, but this has helped." Goldberg went on to point out the hypocrisy of the comments. "They kick her behind when she's bigger, they kick her behind when she's lost the weight, and now they're kicking her behind because she said it out loud."
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Weight and Body Image
Kelly shared that she was 203 pounds at "my heaviest," but "was never insecure about it." "I was happy,” she added. "My heaviest, I was like 203, and I’m 5 foot 3 and a half," Clarkson continued. "It’s funny because people assume, ‘Oh she must’ve been miserable, depressed, whatever,’ and I was like, ‘No I was not.'" “I was never insecure about it, I was happy,” she added.
Moving to New York: A Fresh Start
Kelly's weight-loss journey was sparked by a cross-country move from Los Angeles to New York. “I was very unhappy in L.A. and had been for several years. I needed a fresh start,” Kelly told People earlier this year. “We told NBC, ‘I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, I just can’t stay here anymore for my mental health; for me and my kids.’ They weren’t doing well either. For the past few years, I’d just been showing up and smiling and doing what I’m supposed to do, but you can only compartmentalize so long until you break." But Kelly said that she felt “good” going into season five of her show. “Knowing my kids feel good-and the dust has settled. Season five is my first season to actually enjoy every minute of it.” Clarkson chose to relocate her talk show to New York from Los Angeles in 2023. “I was very unhappy in L.A. and had been for several years. I needed a fresh start,” Clarkson told People. California, she said, wasn't good for her mental health.
Embracing an Active Lifestyle
Clarkson started some of these changes to her diet and exercise routines when she moved to New York City, where she hosts "The Kelly Clarkson Show." She shared in an interview that she has a much more active day-to-day living in the city, which has helped with her weight loss. Kelly has been walking a lot with her kids since moving to New York City, which has helped with her weight loss. “We go walk the dogs a few times at the park,” she told People. “We'll go for ice cream because my daughter will wear me down. We'll go make slime and we go to the museum. Walking in the city is quite the workout." Walking in the city is quite the workout. In January 2024, she credited her move to New York City for helping her get active. In an exclusive interview with People, she revealed that she's lost weight because she's now taking her wellness seriously and walking more. She did not address her gym routine but said, “Walking in the city is quite the workout."
Walking is often described as an underrated exercise for weight loss. According to Healthline, regular walking has shown favorable outcomes for those looking to reduce weight. Walking not only aids in calorie burning but also helps to maintain cardiovascular health and improves overall well-being. Clarkson’s increased mobility around New York City has been an effective part of her weight loss strategy.
Diet and Nutrition
Kelly changed her diet. Kelly has revamped her diet and is focusing on eating lots of protein. “I eat a healthy mix,” she told People. “I dropped weight because I’ve been listening to my doctor-a couple years I didn’t. And 90 percent of the time I’m really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway. I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat-sorry, vegetarians in the world!” As Kelly noted, her diet is a "healthy mix," meaning she still allows space for treats. “I still splurge. The other night I had a frozen yogurt with my daughter, and it was magical," she added.
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Around the same time, she also started trying out a high-protein diet, which can help with weight loss by keeping you feeling more full and satisfied. Kelly also emphasizes the importance of indulging occasionally. By allowing herself treats like frozen yogurt, she maintains a sustainable and enjoyable diet without feeling deprived.
While on a weight-loss journey in 2018, Kelly said that she would tweak the ingredients in foods to make her meals healthier. “It’s the same stuff you eat-I just use different ingredients,” she said. “Even like fried chicken, I use cassava flour, tapioca, or almond flour, and you use non-hormone chicken.” The Plant Paradox But Kelly admitted this isn’t the easiest route to go for most people. “I’m going to be real with you: It’s really expensive to do,” she added. Kelly later clarified that she'd lost weight following The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry. The Plant Paradox Diet is a lectin-free diet that eliminates beans, legumes, whole grains, certain vegetables, and dairy.
Clarkson read a book about lectins and cut them out of her diet which meant no legumes, beans, whole grains, dairy and certain veggies. "I literally read this book, and I did it for this autoimmune disease that I had and I had a thyroid issue, and now all my levels are back up," she said during the interview.
Alongside her lectin-free approach, Kelly Clarkson also emphasized a high-protein diet. Clarkson mentioned using alternative flours and ingredients such as cassava flour, tapioca, and almond flour in her recipes, even for traditionally high-carb dishes like fried chicken. Focusing on protein-rich foods helped Clarkson to stay fuller for longer, reducing the temptation to snack on unhealthy items and maintaining a balanced diet. By modifying her diet to incorporate a lectin-free approach and a high-protein focus, Kelly Clarkson managed to achieve remarkable weight loss results.
Wellness Practices
Kelly started prioritizing her wellness practices. In addition to diet and exercise, Kelly shared she’s been indulging in infrared saunas, which have been found to improve sleep, relieve stress and pain, and help clear skin. She's also started dabbling in cold plunges. “I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down,” Kelly added. Cold plunges are also known to help with cardiovascular health and can boost your metabolism, per Healthline.com. In New York, she adopted a few other wellness trends, too. "I’m really into infrared saunas right now. And I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down," the "Piece By Piece" singer added.
Apart from walking, Kelly Clarkson has included wellness trends like infrared saunas and cold plunges as part of her activity regimen. Infrared saunas are known for their ability to aid in muscle recovery, stress reduction, and boosting metabolism, which can be beneficial for weight loss goals. Infrared saunas have been linked to fat loss in some studies, primarily through water loss and detoxification processes.
Mental Health and Self-Perception
She keeps a healthy mindset about weight loss. When Kelly was at her lowest weight in the early 2000s, she was having dark thoughts, per Page Six. “I was miserable, like inside and out, for four years of my life. But no one cared, because aesthetically, you make sense," she said to Attitude. “It was a very dark time for me. I thought the only way out was quitting," she added. "I wrecked my knees and my feet because all I would do is put in headphones and run. I was at the gym all the time.”
Kelly, who has struggled with mental health, has opened up about going to therapy. “They give you so many tools for how to navigate certain situations and also to have somebody outside your circle that doesn’t know anything, but just knows what’s happening in the now,” she told Entertainment Tonight Canada. Ultimately, Kelly told People that she’s learned to be kinder to herself, offering this advice to her 15-year-old self: “I’ve always been that kind of person that’s a little hard on oneself. I’d be like, ‘It’s not going to happen anytime soon, but eventually it’ll get easier. Around 41, you’re really going to get your shit together.'"
Kelly hopes to change the way people talk about weight. Kelly has had to field a lot of talk about her weight over the years. But she told Glamour UK that being thin doesn’t make her feel more confident. Kelly shared that, at once point in her career, she was asked to have a body like other women in the industry. “It was more of magazines shoved in front of you and, ‘This is what you're competing with and we've got to compete with it,’” she said. “I can't compete with that. That's not even my image. That's not who I am. That's who they are. We're all different and it's okay. I fought more when I was thinner than I do now, because now I just walk in and I just look at them like, ‘I dare you to say something. I'm happy in my life. I'll work on me in my time!’”
She also pointed out that she got her coaching role on The Voice after she gained weight. “I got on the No. 1 television show at my heaviest point, because it was right after I had kids, and they didn’t care,” she said. Paul Telegdy, the chairman of NBC Entertainment, hired her “because he loved my personality, he loved that I connect with people and I’m really raw and real,” she said. “It had nothing to do with my sex appeal or my look aesthetically," she said. "It had to do with me as a person. I think it’s really up to artists to force people to have that mentality.” Now, Kelly has gotten rid of the "negative people" in her life, instead embracing the positive ones. “It was a case of turning around, facing them and walking toward the light,” she told Attitude.
Throughout her years in Hollywood, the "American Idol" star has had to deal with a lot of commentary about her size. She told Glamour UK in 2020 that being thin doesn't always give her more confidence, adding that she got her coaching role on "The Voice" after gaining some weight. “I got on the No. 1 television show at my heaviest point, because it was right after I had kids, and it was like they didn’t care,” Clarkson said. “Paul (Telegdy, chairman of NBC Entertainment) hired me from NBC because he loved my personality, he loved that I connect with people and I’m really raw and real. It had nothing to do with my sex appeal or my look aesthetically. It had to do with me as a person. I think it’s really up to artists to force people to have that mentality.”
Balancing Act: Diet, Exercise, and Medication
While the weight loss drug she used remains private, it’s clear that Kelly Clarkson’s journey wasn’t solely reliant on medication. She incorporated quite the workout, including walking around New York City, and made significant changes to her diet. Her openness about being a tiny bit overweight and prioritizing health over appearance resonates with many.
Kelly Clarkson’s commitment to altering her lifestyle has been pivotal in her weight loss journey. Clarkson’s approach to weight loss is multifaceted. Balanced Diet: Her diet included a healthy mix of foods, with an emphasis on protein intake.
By addressing her autoimmune condition, following a balanced diet, and staying active, Clarkson has successfully dropped weight. It’s easy to see how much she’s lost weight, but what’s more admirable is her strength in focusing on her well-being. Even figures like Barbara Pierce Bush have praised her resilience.
Lessons Learned from Kelly Clarkson’s Journey
Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey is rooted in sustainable practices that can be incorporated into anyone’s routine. One of her primary methods was walking, a convenient and underrated form of exercise for weight loss. Regular walking has been shown to have favorable outcomes in weight reduction. Furthermore, Clarkson followed a high protein diet which plays a crucial role in weight management. Protein-rich foods help build muscle mass and promote satiety, reducing overall calorie intake. Kelly also utilized weight loss medication distinct from popular options like Ozempic.
Clarkson’s lifestyle changes extended beyond diet and exercise. She embraced wellness trends such as infrared saunas and cold plunges. Infrared saunas have been linked to fat loss in some studies, primarily through water loss and detoxification processes. Clarkson’s sustainable weight loss methods, coupled with impactful lifestyle changes, underscore the importance of a balanced approach to health and wellness. By prioritizing these elements, she managed to not only lose weight but also maintain her overall well-being. Kelly Clarkson’s journey is a testament to perseverance and commitment. From the pre-diabetic scare to embracing a healthier lifestyle, she’s demonstrated that weight loss isn’t just about physical change it’s about mental health, too.