Kelly Clarkson, the celebrated singer and talk show host, has been candid with her audience about her weight loss journey. Her transformation has sparked significant interest, leading many to ask: how did Kelly Clarkson lose weight? Clarkson’s approach is multifaceted, combining lifestyle adjustments with medical support, all while maintaining a healthy perspective on body image.
Clarkson’s journey gained momentum when she relocated to New York City to host “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” The city’s energetic pace contributed to a more active daily routine, naturally increasing her physical activity. Around the same time, she also embraced a high-protein diet, a strategy known to promote weight loss by enhancing satiety and reducing overall calorie intake. These initial steps laid the groundwork for further changes in her health and wellness journey.
In May 2024, Clarkson openly discussed incorporating medication into her weight management plan. Despite initial reservations due to her thyroid concerns, she decided to explore this option after her doctor recommended it. This revelation became a major headline, prompting discussions about the role of weight-loss medications in conjunction with lifestyle changes.
The Role of Medication in Kelly Clarkson’s Weight Loss
While Kelly Clarkson has confirmed using medication to aid her weight loss, she has been careful not to disclose the specific drug, clarifying that it is not Ozempic. She shared this information during a candid conversation on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” with Whoopi Goldberg, who has also spoken publicly about using weight-loss medication, specifically Mounjaro.
Clarkson explained that her decision to use medication was driven by health concerns. “My doctor chased me for like two years, and I was like, ‘No I’m afraid of it, I already have thyroid problems,’” she recounted. Ultimately, her deteriorating blood work convinced her to reconsider her stance.
“Everyone thinks it’s Ozempic — it’s not. It’s something else,” she told Goldberg, emphasizing that the medication she uses “aids in helping break down the sugar” because “obviously my body doesn’t do it right.” This suggests the medication may be targeting blood sugar regulation, which aligns with her later revelation about being prediabetic.
Clarkson also shared a moment of self-realization that spurred her to take action. Seeing herself on camera prompted her to wonder, “Who the f–k is that?” She revealed her heaviest weight was 203 pounds at 5’3.5″, but stressed that despite her weight, she “was never insecure about it, I was happy.”
Her openness about using medication was met with mixed reactions, including criticism from some who recalled her previous statements about weight loss through walking. Whoopi Goldberg defended Clarkson on “The View,” highlighting the necessity of such medications for some individuals and praising Clarkson for being transparent despite potential backlash. Goldberg emphasized the unfair scrutiny Clarkson faces regardless of her body size or weight loss methods.
Lifestyle Changes Complementing Medication
Beyond medication, Kelly Clarkson has implemented significant lifestyle changes to support her health and weight loss goals. Moving to New York City in January 2024 played a crucial role in increasing her daily activity levels. In an interview with People, she mentioned that simply “Walking in the city is quite the workout,” emphasizing that this change in environment naturally boosted her physical activity.
Clarkson also adopted wellness practices like incorporating infrared saunas and cold plunges into her routine. While she humorously mentioned being “worn down” into trying cold plunges, these practices reflect a holistic approach to wellness beyond just diet and exercise.
Dietary adjustments have been another cornerstone of Clarkson’s lifestyle changes. She told People, “I eat a healthy mix,” clarifying that she avoids extreme diets and focuses on balanced nutrition. Adhering to her doctor’s advice, she prioritizes a protein-rich diet, stating, “90% of the time I’m really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway.” As a self-proclaimed “Texas girl,” she enjoys meat but maintains balance, allowing for occasional indulgences like frozen yogurt with her daughter.
Addressing Underlying Health Issues
Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey is also intertwined with her ongoing efforts to manage thyroid and autoimmune issues. She has previously spoken about intentionally losing weight to improve these health conditions. In 2018, she revealed to TODAY that she lost approximately 37 pounds by adopting a lectin-free diet to manage her autoimmune disease and thyroid problems.
At that time, Clarkson explained that focusing on her health, rather than just weight loss, was her primary motivation. The lectin-free diet involved eliminating legumes, beans, whole grains, dairy, and certain vegetables. She credited this dietary change with improving her health markers without explicitly focusing on exercise.
More recently, in January 2024, Clarkson shared on her talk show that she was prediabetic. This diagnosis wasn’t a shock to her, as she acknowledged being “a tiny bit overweight” and on the “borderline” of prediabetes. This prediabetes diagnosis further motivated her to adopt healthier habits and underscored the importance of addressing her weight for overall health management.
Navigating Body Image and Public Scrutiny
Throughout her career, Kelly Clarkson has faced considerable public commentary regarding her body size. In a 2020 interview with Glamour UK, she reflected on the pressures of body image in the entertainment industry. She noted that achieving a thinner physique didn’t necessarily equate to greater confidence and humorously pointed out that she landed her coaching role on “The Voice” after gaining weight post-pregnancy.
Clarkson emphasized that her professional success was based on her personality and connection with people, not her physical appearance. She believes it’s crucial for artists to challenge societal fixations on aesthetics and promote acceptance of diverse body types.
In November 2023, during “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” she and Jenna Bush Hager shared experiences related to weight struggles, bonding over the challenges and public perceptions associated with body image. This open conversation further highlighted Clarkson’s relatable approach to discussing weight and body image, reinforcing her message of self-acceptance and focusing on health over societal beauty standards.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Health and Wellness
In summary, Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey is a result of a comprehensive approach that integrates medication, significant lifestyle changes, and a focus on managing underlying health conditions. Her move to New York City, adoption of a high-protein diet, increased physical activity through city walking, and incorporation of wellness practices like saunas and cold plunges have all contributed to her transformation. Crucially, her decision to use medication, under medical guidance, has also played a significant role.
Clarkson’s journey is not just about weight loss; it’s about prioritizing her health and well-being. Her openness about her methods, including medication, challenges societal stigmas and promotes honest conversations about weight management. By sharing her experiences, Kelly Clarkson provides a realistic and multifaceted perspective on weight loss, emphasizing that it’s a personal journey with varied paths and motivations, ultimately rooted in health and self-care.
