Kelly Clarkson, known for her powerhouse vocals and genuine personality, has become an inspiration to many through her significant weight loss transformation. This journey wasn't motivated by societal pressures but by her personal health goals, including the management of autoimmune and thyroid conditions. Clarkson has been transparent about her experiences, including being pre-diabetic, and how she has utilized both natural methods and prescription support to achieve her wellness objectives.
Addressing Health Concerns
Clarkson revealed in January 2024 that she was pre-diabetic, which prompted her to adopt new, healthier habits. Being pre-diabetic means that her blood sugar levels were higher than normal, but not yet in the range for Type 2 diabetes. In addition to managing her pre-diabetic condition, Clarkson has been open about dealing with autoimmune and thyroid issues, which have influenced her approach to weight loss and overall health. By prioritizing health over appearance, Clarkson has successfully managed her health conditions while shedding pounds.
Multifaceted Strategies
Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey has been multifaceted, incorporating several key elements: diet, exercise, and medical support.
Balanced Diet
A key component of Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss strategy is her focus on maintaining a balanced and healthy diet. She follows a protein-rich diet, which is beneficial for weight loss as protein increases thermogenesis, satiety, and may result in less consumption of other foods. Her diet included a healthy mix of foods, with an emphasis on protein intake. Kelly also emphasizes the importance of indulging occasionally, allowing herself treats like frozen yogurt, maintaining a sustainable and enjoyable diet without feeling deprived. Adopting lifestyle changes and indulging in a balanced diet are crucial for long-term health.
Clarkson adopted the lectin-free diet as recommended by Dr. Steven Gundry’s book, The Plant Paradox. Clarkson’s transition to a lectin-free diet required her to cut out specific foods like legumes, beans, whole grains, dairy, and certain vegetables. 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.
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Alongside her lectin-free approach, Kelly Clarkson also emphasized a high-protein diet. 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.
Increased Physical Activity
One of the most impactful changes Kelly Clarkson made was incorporating more walking into her daily routine. Walking is often described as an underrated exercise for weight loss. Regular walking has been shown to have 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.
Wellness Trends
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.
Weight Loss Medication
In addition to Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss strategies, Kelly Clarkson has openly discussed the role of weight loss medication in her journey. The 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.
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.
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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." “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.” She added that she didn’t notice how much weight she’d gained prior to starting the medication. But catching a glimpse of herself on camera one day prompted her to pause and ask herself “Who the f--k is that?” she recalled.
"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.
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."
The Move to New York City
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.
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.
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Clarkson 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."
Industry Pressures and Personal Priorities
Kelly Clarkson, throughout her career in Hollywood, has openly discussed the personal commentary she has faced regarding her size and weight. The scrutiny can be intense and pervasive in an industry where appearance often takes center stage. Despite the industry’s focus on appearance, Kelly Clarkson has consistently prioritized her health over societal expectations of beauty. Her weight loss journey was rooted in addressing serious health concerns, including thyroid and autoimmune issues. Navigating both her health journey and industry pressures, Kelly Clarkson serves as an inspiring example of focusing on what truly matters.
Clarkson 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.”
At one point in her career, Clarkson 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!’”
Sustainable Practices
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. 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.
A Testament to Perseverance
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. Fans often wonder, how did Kelly Clarkson lose weight? 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. 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.
Conclusion
Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey reveals the importance of lifestyle modifications. She attributes her success to walking, adopting wellness trends, and focusing on a balanced diet. Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey has been an inspiration to many, especially those struggling with similar health issues and weight concerns. By prioritizing her health, being open about her challenges, and utilizing a combination of methods, Clarkson has achieved significant results while serving as a role model for body positivity and self-acceptance.