Michelle Visage, the iconic RuPaul's Drag Race judge and television personality, has openly shared her journey of weight loss and self-discovery. Her story is not just about shedding pounds, but about prioritizing health, understanding her body, and embracing self-acceptance. This article delves into the details of her weight loss transformation, the challenges she faced, and the lifestyle changes she implemented.
The Initial Struggle: Autoimmune Condition and Weight Gain
Michelle Visage was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid gland. This condition can lead to various symptoms, including weight gain, muscle weakness, and cold intolerance. Visage acknowledged that she "gained so much weight over the years," attributing it not only to menopause and her thyroid issues but also to how she "abused my body" by "not fueling it properly." She recognized the need for a change and decided to take control of her health.
Embarking on a "Healthiversary": Diet and Exercise
To combat the effects of Hashimoto's and improve her overall well-being, Michelle Visage embarked on an "autoimmune journey to heal herself." This involved making significant changes to her diet and increasing her physical activity. She adopted a diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods, avoiding processed foods. Additionally, she committed to a rigorous exercise routine, training with heavy weights six days a week. When traveling, she ensures she has access to cooking facilities to maintain her healthy eating habits.
Weightlifting and the AIP Diet
Visage attributes her weight loss success to weightlifting and following the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet. She emphasizes that she "never wanted to be skinny, I wanted muscles." Weightlifting has played a crucial role in her transformation, helping her lose weight and build strength.
Addressing Speculation: No Weight Loss Jabs
Despite her impressive weight loss, Michelle Visage has firmly denied using weight loss jabs. She stated that she "wouldn't take the risk" due to her thyroid issues. This highlights her commitment to achieving her health goals through natural methods and her awareness of potential risks associated with certain weight loss treatments.
Read also: Health and wellness insights from Michelle Wolf
Menopause and Breast Implant Illness: A Wake-Up Call
Menopause played a significant role in Michelle Visage's health journey. She described it as "the worst thing I experienced in my life," emphasizing how it shook her and made her realize the importance of taking care of her body.
In addition to menopause, Visage also dealt with breast implant illness. She explained, "This past year, when I got my breast implants taken out, I had to take them out. Perimenopause, breast implant illness, all at the same time." She made the decision to remove her breast implants, believing that they were contributing to her health issues.
Studies have associated breast implants with rare diseases, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions. Some researchers suggest that exposure to toxins in silicone gel could trigger autoimmune diseases in predisposed women. In 2019, the FDA recommended that manufacturers add warning labels to information given to women considering implants.
Visage had her first breast implant surgery at 21 and had them enlarged twice. Her large breast size was part of her image, modeled after Mae West. However, she had no problem removing them, stating, "I think it was more about the public making peace with it than it was about me making peace with it. All I thought about was I am sick of feeling like s---. I can't do another 20 years feeling the same way I felt for the past 20 years. I don't want to do this again, I don't care if I have nothing.”
Embracing Imperfection: Loose Skin and Self-Acceptance
The weight loss journey has resulted in slightly loose skin, but Michelle Visage embraces it, saying, "I am who I am and I'm at peace with that." This sentiment reflects her focus on overall health and well-being rather than striving for an unattainable ideal of perfection. Her husband, David Case, finds this self-acceptance attractive, further reinforcing the importance of inner confidence.
Read also: Battling Health Issues
Michelle's Health Advice
Michelle Visage urges fans to take part in sport and said "do not care what people think about you." Offering some tips, she added, "I do it with YouTube and I do it from home with weights as well.
She hopes others, especially women or people in the LGBTQ community, take away from her story that they need to be their own best advocate when they walk into the doctor’s office.
“My advice is to keep asking, keep looking, keep going, keep educating yourself,” she implored. “You do not have to settle for being spoken down to just because you don't have a medical degree, that doesn't mean that you are less than them.”
“Take control. Again, be your own advocate.
A Career of Accomplishments
Michelle Visage first rose to fame with the dance group Seduction before joining The RuPaul Show in 1996. She later became a judge on Drag Race in its third series. The star has also appeared on numerous popular UK TV shows, finishing fifth on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, and seventh on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019. Michelle, who was paired with Giovanni Pernice, has no regrets about her time on the show, saying she "wouldn't change a thing". Michelle is currently working on Scissorhandz, a musical reinterpretation of Edward Scissorhands, which she reveals has a "strong LGBTQ+ twist".
Read also: Wellness Tips from Michelle Pfeiffer