Oprah gets personal about weight struggles in new townhall 

I’m only worried about the fact that people have to be in these drugs for the rest of their life. Do we know the long term?

There goes Oprah promoting ozempic

United States seems to have an excuse for everything. I wish they've mentioned the side effects.with these drugs. These drugs were not meant to lose weight. But what do I know.

At least she can pay for ozempic

As someone who has been both slender with minimal, mindful effort and morbidly obese, I have mixed feelings about the show. It was interesting that Dr. Jen mentioned obesity not being a character flaw. I have repeatedly tried to convince people of that fact, only to hear the tired, unhelpful "calories in, calories out, just eat less and exercise more" chant from those who simply don't understand what's now coined food noise. Clearly, there is a disconnect for some of us that others don't experience. I understand in that it is difficult for me to fully understand alcoholism since I'm content with a single adult beverage every month or two. I took phen-fen years ago and recall how weird it felt to be satisfied with a small meal and not have a desire to eat again for hours. The effect faded within a few days so it wasn't worth the health risks for me. With the newer weight loss drugs, I understand when patients say the meds quiet the intense compulsion to eat. I was happy for the people who found weight loss drugs helped them escape the prison of obesity. However, I was disappointed that Oprah didn't push back more on doctors being consultants for drug companies. The explanation was rehearsed and inadequate making it sound like the doctors were strictly noble warriors with no financial incentive. I was also displeased by the dismissal of side effects as very rare. I know that people are often more likely to share negative experiences, but I've watched numerous influencers who tried WL drugs and had issues. I'm not confident that the research studies with carefully pre-screened participants are fully reflective of what happens with a large population of patients. The experts (who, again, have a financial interest) made it sound like education is an effective response to every side effect. That won't, however, fix say, the projecttile vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea some have experienced. The great news is that Oprah's name recognition and lengthy battle with her own weight will help the show reach a wide audience and provoke discussion. Hopefully, some people will revise their thinking about the nature of obesity to see it as a disease and that many will enjoy dramatically improved health with the help of the drugs. On the negative side, I'm concerned that the publicity may whip up additional demand for meds that diabetics are already having trouble finding. Further, will those who can't take the medications find themselves further stigmatized because they remain heavy as those around them shrink? And how can we ensure that those who most need the drugs will get them vs. someone wanting to go from a size 6 to a size 0 or 2?

My son can't get his diabetic meds. The supply chain is choked because fat people want to lose weight. There's a difference between struggling with weight and actual life-saving drugs.

Big pharma O 😂

Remember how Oprah treated Lance Armstrong? I hope he gives her a call and shows growth by being humble yet direct and says something like, "well Oprah it's just as easy as it was for you to use a performance enhancer than lie about it".

I am happy that I found Mounjaro. I started July 2023 and I’ve lost 62 pounds. No longer type two diabetic and getting healthy

Please. She got paid to advertise the weight loss drug.🙄

Bc Oprah says so it is suddenly ok? The cult culture is real. Talking about shame ONLY after losing weight is quite hypocritical.

Wait!! She promoted Weight Watchers but was taking medication 💊 instead? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 what a hustler

Let’s just sit back & watch & see how this Ozempic phenomenon pans out.. it will not be good! 🤷🏾‍♀️

Hey oprah, why do so many other countries with plenty of food not have this problem???

THE MOVIE "PAINKILLER" COMES TO MIND, I WONDER WHY?

talk about the shame by capitalizing of diabetes medication that diabetics can't get because of someone's vanity

What about the side effects as well as the repercussions if one stops taking the meds?

I don’t feel ANY pity for Oprah. A billionaire who has access to the best chefs. Dietitians. Trainers. Psychologists, weight loss, medical professionals, etc. And like many people, she takes the easy route for weight loss using medication, instead of the responsible and healthy path of diet and physical activity. But who wouldn’t? The drug manufacturers need to step up the production and make these drugs more available while backing up the weight loss with medical studies supporting long term health using their drugs.

I’m type 1 diabetic… and this is so sad to see because there will probably be a shortage of insulin again. Many of us who’s life’s DEPEND on it, will be scrambling to get something that allows us to eat without risking coma or death. I know it’s hard to lose weight but please do not do this and risk the lives of people who need it.

This is great, now maybe she can do a special on the insurance companies because they won’t cover these drugs for weight loss.

The medicine has SERIOUS side effects. Stop the fat shaming.

Sad to use others struggles to justify her use of ozempic.Many people forgot that thèse médications are used first for réal sick people whose life depend on this drug.Many are now struggling to have it knowing that this drug is expensive and some insurance stopped to cover it...

Does Oprah have to take Ozempic the rest of her life? I heard it stops working after 18 months and then all the weight comes back on.

One thing I didn't like about this was that it's implying that in order to avoid bullying and shaming, people should take these drugs. I was bullied for being overweight when I was younger and when I look back, I see how lovely I was and not even overweight! It's like the media bullying Kate Winslet when she was a young girl just because she wasn't a size zero. Unfortunately celebrities get caught up in it - I wish we would focus on fitness instead of "fatness" - health and nutrition instead of calories! When we start exercising we may not lose a lot of weight but we do have so many other health benefits that it's crazy to think these drugs are a substitute.

She’s just trying to justify using the drug, even though people who need it can’t get it. She’s a hypocrite.

Her concluding comments at the end sum up how we should be concerning ALL peoples' beliefs too, not just the popular/promoted ones that want to push cancel-culture to all. Amazing how O can say that when it's a topic dear to her.

I’m all for these drugs helping overweight people but my elderly dad has been a small in size person all his life but he’s a brittle diabetic and we have trouble every month getting his Trulicity medication on time and this is extremely frustrating!

What happens when you stop taking the meds? What you're promoting isn't helping those who are in NEED of this medication, you're catering to a new junkie, one who is HIGHLY INFLUENCED by social media. Nice job.

I watched the episode. It's one thing to talk about the struggle of certain quantities of food not being enough, making it a disease. But the main issue that was never covered was WHAT FOOD the people were actually eating. The obesity epidemic didn't evolve from people suddenly eating mass tons of too many fresh apples and peanut butter because they're still hungry. It's from the processed crap that is so easily accessible that gets purchased left and right out of convenience.

I was diagnosed with genetic insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Struggled with up and down weight since I turned 30. Cravings for carbs or sugar and if I gave in just a little my weight and cravings would skyrocket. Now that I’m on medication that prompts my stomach to create the hormones needed to digest foodstuffs appropriately I’m finally able to stay at a balanced weight. Cravings are normal. I have been keto since 2016, before it was a household name, yet maintaining a healthier stable weight was always a struggle especially as I got older. My doctor recently recommended mounjaro saying that genetic insulin resistance is likely the culprit and reason for my decades long struggle with food and weight. My father os type 2 diabetic and his father died from type 2 diabetes and kidney failure. They both likely have genetic insulin resistance which led to diabetes but the science didn’t exist back then to help them eat and digest food properly. It’s the worst feeling in the world to try to eat well, constantly restricting your food, never being able to eat like a normal person yet still struggle with your weight and subsequently your health. I do still eat a modified low/no sugar, high protein modified keto diet. I can also occasionally have something sweet without falling prey to out of control cravings. I finally feel normal again. I wish people had a better understanding and empathy for people who struggle with food and/or their weight, oftentimes it’s not within your control and your body needs help to control cravings, digest and breakdown foods the way it’s designed to.

If something is too good to be true, it usually is! There are no studies on the Long term impact to hormonal / liver/ pancreas health ….perhaps 10 years from now there will be a lot of regret as it will have caused another set of problems. !

This is just a pharmaceutical ad... Whatever happened to Fen Fen?

How much did you get paid for it ?? from big Pharma for advertising Ozempik ??

Thanks alot oprah. You are now going to create the worst shortage for all of these drugs. Youve ruined this.

She's madee Millions off of products that didnt work for her They deserve a refund

This is nothing new, everybody's problem mostly, eat more calories than you use.

I'm happy that people feel happier being thinner, but it is SOCIETY that needs to radically change. Stop fat shaming and stop hating!

I don’t think enough is known about all of these drugs, and the lasting effect it’s going to have on weight loss for a lot of these people. So you gotta feel sick have nausea and diarrhea to lose weight give me a break.

I wish people would stop telling other people that they need to lose weight for their health and to look better. There’s not one overweight person who doesn’t know that it’s just rude.

Illegal promotion of off-label drugs!

The drug is a tool. The diabetic dose is much lower. You have to stop using that drug at some point, then what.

We are saying it’s a disease… but it doesn’t happen in other countries.

Seriously, is this news worthy? Selling Oprah 2.0 ?

Are people not dying from taking this drug???? I thought I just read something about someone dying... Also, didn't they say you have to take this for the rest of your life.

Oprah has tons of resources to workout and get a personal trainer. It makes zero sense by she was using diabetic medication. She can even afford a nutritionist to assist. She definitely getting a check.

Just ate cookies through this😮

I used to be a big Oprah fan. I am not anymore. This show was the ultimate proof for me that she is full of herself and hasn't learned ANYTHING over the years, here is why: 1. Nobody fatshamed you anymore in the last decade Oprah, it's just YOU and your self-image 2. Promoting weight watchers to society, then selling your shares (because it is BS and doesn't work) and now advising strangers to take medication with serious side effects, just because you got called out on doing it? SERIOUSLY? 3. HAWAII 4. Denial of Harvey Weinstein's behaviour 5. Never truly apologising for anything 6. She did a 10 hour special podcast with Eckhart Tolle about the Ego and she said it was the ONE book everyone should read, she called him a "prophet" and now she is back to her old egoic self that only cares about money and being skinny 7. Oprah, you always body shamed everyone (re-watch the cringe interview with the Olsen twins)

I have struggled with weight all my life, finally found something that works, it's called fasting (ADF, look it up) and luckily was able to drop 75lbs. The Panny D happened, gyms were closed, zoom happy hours happened, boredom hit so obviously gained some back. I'm back to fasting and going to the gym and pounds are slowly melting off. This is my own personal walk though. Does the magic of this jab sound appealing for someone who's struggled with weight all their life? HELL YES. I HATE big pharma, HATE HATE. So F if I am going to give them my money. I do understand why people would do this, as some people are literally addicted to food or even dealing with substance abuse. I have a family member who was secretly struggling with alcohol and this jab turned her life around. I wouldn't judge people. It's great that this helps diabetics, obese, and addicts . Did you all have this same outrage when that little blue pill that was supposed to treat cardio problems was rebranded as an ED pill? Sit down people and talk less, listen and try to understand more.

What study have they done on the lasting effects of taking such drugs...this is a scary trend...healthy food and active lifestyle is the only option for a healthy body

Good for them, but I'm afraid that this sudden weight loss could come with huge ramifications in the long run. I would do it the hard way. I don't think it's worth it. But, again, Americans Love quick fixes.

Its just a little interesting that she pushed losing weight the real way, the hard way . Exercising and eating right . Made her money from weight watchers . It was just too hard to keep the self control ...its just no fun so she made the choice to cheat and take meds to lose weight ( just like that ) Now she wants to make excuses as to why she is popping pills instead of disciplining herself just like the majority of people have to do . Its just so hypocritical and it doesnt make it okay . If you got money you just dont have to do anything thats hard you just buy the result you want . she gave in... LAME

My only concern is they only spoke to one person who had adverse side effects. They did not reinforce what you must say on these meds for life, they did not address how these drug companies are making a fortune. There are many more poor people who need these meds but can't afford them. Like the opioid meds that were touted as a miracle and turned out a nightmare for many, but made the drug companies billions.

Oprah should be accountable

Isn't Ozempic for diabetics? So many people are on it that there is not enough for the people who really need it, people who are diabetic.

Sadly, people are dying from using these drugs. I've done quite a lot of research on diabetes and underlying research shows that what changes our insulin response is exercise - very little improvement is to do with change to diet or weight loss. The amount of exercise recommended in the UK is far too little to have the impact needed to change someone's insulin response - but when we do increase insulin sensitivity and our ability to manage blood sugar, it also really helps us in not needed to snack to maintain a healthy blood sugar. This is so important when we are pre-diabetic or heading in that direction, because it becomes increasingly difficult to exercise the less able we are to manage our blood sugar. In the UK we have a lot of foods that are not helpful, but in the US, processed foods are just much more damaging - from high fructose corn syrup to powdered sugar on doughnuts. We also need to exercise to keep our bodies healthy - our hearts particularly. Exercise is about so much more than weight loss.

Why is The emphasis is still on appearance…..with socialization?

Try intermittent fasting. So much better than injecting drugs!

It’s not a “weight problem “…… but rather a lack of self control with what you put in your mouth…. & how often you do it. Take back your self control….. it will serve you well in ALL aspects of life.

"Your weight is not your worth". This statement contradicts everything that has been said.

Again? Please stop

Are any of these folks examined by physicians before taking these drugs? Are their diets examined? Were they fed fast food as children? Were they ever fed fresh vegetables and fruit? Curious since Asia and Europe don't seem to have the issue but their food is mostly organic and not filled with corn syrup. Were they allowed to play outside all day as we 50s 60s kids were? What's the family's lifestyle? Are meals fresh and homemade or prepackaged? So many things to consider and study

“You get Ozempic! You get Ozempic! You get Ozempic! You get Ozempic! Everybody gets Ozempic!”

I am on mounjaro and have lost 50 pounds very quickly. I decided to due to having severe spinal injuries and other chronic disease. Weightless efforts had stalled due to aging and thyroid disease and I have zero shame. It is going to require my utmost effort to maintain this weightloss but it sure was a game changer.

I am so glad to hear some positive news about health in America. This is so encouraging. I pray the medical field releases ALL health medication that HEALS people . We NEED it. Thank you for doing this.

I always thought Oprah looked better with her natural weight rather than her super slimmed down look.

Appreciate all of Oprah Winfrey and her guest sharing the many levels through weight and challenges to find solutions through blame and shaming. Oprah Winfrey and her guest made a magnificent beautiful self success. ❤

Smart lady. Picking a winning topic to kick off.

Oprah Winfrey should learn to eat less and get some exercise pushing herself away from the table, instead of preventing people who truly need these meds from getting them!

We're all just going to ignore the fact this woman was buddy buddy with monsters like Weinstein, Cosby, and P Diddy?

I have no problem taking them. I am just afraid of the side effects later on.

I think the pharmaceutical companies have hyped up the drug because it did not work for me, and I think only a certain number of people will benefit from it and the sad part about it is it’s expensive and it’s hard for insurance companies to approve it

I've been on the yo yo wagon for 33 years. It is true, the older you get the harder it is to come off. I would encourage everyone under my age of 55 to start now and stick with it. I'm struggling to the point of stressing myself out. It's definitely the mindset and I'm losing.

People’s lives are improving. This is socially significant to the individual’s overall life. People should do what is best for them but they have to have awareness of the consequences. Do the consequences outweigh the positives?

Too many negative comments about Oprah. So I'll chime in...I love Oprah. She is an amazing woman.

These meds did not work for me. I have an eating disorder called binge eating disorder and even at the highest dose of these meds, it didn’t work. I did not loose a pound. The side effects were sometimes awful, I said sometimes because sometimes I had mild symptoms and other times I was have extreme nausea and feel miserable for days, and I would typically only have a bowel movement once every 7-8 days. I’d start to feel scared when I had not had a bowel movement for 8 days- even with taking Miralax and colace but it usually came by the 8th day. I am very happy for people who are having success with them. I do have concern for others who have undiagnosed or diagnosed eating disorders who don’t get treatment and just use these meds. I wish everyone the best of luck with their health, and that you find the peace you deserve with yourself and your body regardless of your size. I very much appreciate and wish to echo Oprah’s message to “Stop the shame and blame!” Please stop body shaming and food shaming others. Don’t comment on peoples weight, size or what they eat. I assure you it will not help anyone and it is very hurtful. It is shaming them and shame leads to more harm like binge eating.

I will just eat healthy and try to lose weight the old fashioned way. The girl saying she can eat 4 plates per meal...that's definitely why she lost weight and gained it all back. I hope she is learning about how to improve her eating habits. She might have been dealing with emotional eating. At some point she will have to stop using the medication, right?

Never shamed her before….. but now that she is doing this….pushing this drug….. shame on you Oprah.

Isn’t this just the essence of America in a nutshell

I love that Oprah says there is space for all points of view at the end of show. Thankfully we can ebb and flow through all possibilities.

Interesting Story here. Looking forward to seeing studies that will compare the outcomes in the future. Surely, management requires a multidisciplinary, multidimensional, interdisciplinary and a dynamic approach following a Patient-Centered Care Model.

I strongly believe all of these people claiming they were always hungry and couldn't stop eating were actually parched. Drinking water throughout the day and before meals helps not to eat more than you should. IF is also great. Only eat balanced meals from 10am-6pm (cheat days 10am-7pm), exercise by walking, hiking, lifting weights (heavy) will help you drop the weight. Meds are not necessary people. You can do it. Trust me.

The glp1 drugs are for type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetics, not type 2 as you stated. They directly influence their quality of life and future health. Meanwhile, they have become in short supply, iow unavailable &/or limited/ not covered in ON-Canada. Precisely because of this off label use. :(

Poor Lisa Marie Presley died from complications of weight loss surgery, the stress to be thin is overwhelming ❤

Who listens to her nowadays anyway?? Shes become part of the "club" completely forgotten where she started

I believe this can help some people. That being said, long term effects are still not known and you have to be on it the rest of your life?! Kind of risky. Of course now that she has endorsed it, the frenzy to get it will be even worse. The cost is exorbitant and I take offense with this 'promotional' video. She did not ask the tough questions to the drug companies on why it is only really only available to wealthy patients. Also keep in mind she brought us Dr Phil and Dr Oz. Sorry O 😞

Blackwell was just plain MEAN ! He was lumpy and bumpy with meanness. He couldn’t help defile himself

Some people are just genetically inclined to carry more fat. For example, if you follow them for a year and they eat the exact same thing as a lean person, they may still be overweight and the lean person will still be lean, yet, they both ate the same exact foods/drinks. All those meds cannot be healthy. It’s probably better to be heavy opposed to taking those medications.

Pray she stays healthy! 🙏

Is this an Ozempic commercial? 😂 now I'm trying to find it. 😅

So many layers to this, bc Oprah is also a celebrity and we all know the pressures of Hollywood, most actresses appear to have eating disorders. I hope they discuss the side effects of these drugs and if it's a life long committment. Another layer for young people is social media and the pressure to look like "perfect". The young girl featured in this story, i hope is getting mental health counseling bc she was still covering her stomach as they interviewed her and one can tell she's uncomfortable all around.

I have dropped 3 dress sizes and kept it off for years now. No surgery or meds. Eat less, move more! Simple. Sometimes u may feel uncomfortable when craving food, but learn to resist. I did it - u can do. (Don't make excuses)

God's children are not for sale!!!!

no discussion of the role that food prodcers play in all this. look at pictures of avg adults and children in the 70s. processed, cheap, engineered food is at the center of the obesity epidemic. huge miss to not cover this topic.

Im very happy Maggie is so much better.

What are the...SIDE EFFECTS!!!???

so you have to take it forever - right? not sure... sounds like it.

I thought this show was awful. Oprah was someone I respected. But trying to make using a drug and many others like Ozempic to lose weight was a con. Trying to feel good about herself taking this drug. She is feeling bad about herself so she is trying to make what she is selling sound noble and just fine. Give me a break. I'm not buying what she is seling. Foolish

I can relate to Maggie. It wasn't her fault. Her mother raised her and I see that she was overweight as a child. Her mother should have noticed this. I'm sure her pediatrician would have given her dietary recommendations. Glad she was finally able to solve her problem. As far as Oprah is concerned, she is the only one who controlled her intake....who else do you want to blame?

This chick, this child is saying she ate 4 plates a sitting. Where is the mom, with the discpline lmfao 😅

What if you can’t afford these medication?