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Oprah Lost 50 Pounds on a GLP-1 and Here Are 4 Habits That Helped Her Keep It Off at 71

The celeb loves this form of outdoor cardio.

If there's one person to turn to for weight-loss inspiration, it's Oprah Winfrey. The actress has openly shared her triumphs—and defeats—with her fan base throughout her career. Oprah recently lost 50 pounds while taking a GLP-1 medication and details her personal health experience in her newly released book, Enough: Your Health, Your Weight, and What It's Like To Be Free, which she co-wrote with Dr. Ania Jastreboff from the Yale School of Medicine.

But losing weight is the end of one's journey—and just the beginning of another. Keeping the weight off involves changes in lifestyle, and one of them is following a regular exercise routine. For some major inspiration and motivation, here's the regimen Oprah Winfrey swears by at 71.

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1

She Took a GLP-1 Agonist

Basrah, Iraq- January 05, 2024: photo of Saxenda and Mounjaro Weight Loss Pens GLP 1
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Oprah has been incredibly open about her weight-loss journey, and fans love her for it. While the celeb hasn't shared which weight-loss drug she took, she did note that she used a GLP-1 agonist.

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2

What Oprah Learned About Appetite on GLP-1s

Oprah Winfrey at the Los Angeles premiere of 'A Wrinkle In Time' held at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, USA on February 26, 2018.
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"One of the things that I realized the very first time I took a GLP-1 was that all these years I thought that thin people just had more willpower, they ate better foods, they were able to stick to it longer, they never had a potato chip, and then I realized the very first time I took the GLP-1 that, 'Oh, they're not even thinking about it. They're only eating when they're hungry, and they're stopping when they're full," Oprah explained on an episode of "The Oprah Podcast."

3

She Hikes

London, United Kingdom - March 13, 2018: Oprah Winfrey attends the European Premiere of 'A Wrinkle In Time' at BFI IMAX in London, England.
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After Oprah received knee surgery, she started hiking. In fact, the celeb established new distance goals every week.

4

She Worked Her Way up To Hike Three to Five Miles per Day

Chicago, Illinois USA - 08-21-2024: Democratic National Convention Chicago, United Center DNC 2024 - Day 3
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"I could eventually hike three to five miles every day," Oprah shared with PEOPLE. "I felt stronger, more fit and more alive than I'd felt in years."

The celeb didn't take weekends off, either, noting she'd complete "a 10-mile straight-up hike on weekends."

5

The Benefits of Hiking

LOS ANGELES, CA. December 03, 2024: Oprah Winfrey at the premiere for The Six Triple Eight at the Egyptian Theatre.
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Oprah is certainly onto something good. Conquering trails with challenging terrain and inclines provides an excellent cardio workout that works the muscles and torches major calories. Plus, being in the good old outdoors serves as a mental health booster—research says so.

In addition to revving up her physical activity, Oprah adopted other healthy habits.

6

She Stopped Drinking Alcohol

The girl bartender prepares a cocktail in the nightclub. Alcohol
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Another part of Oprah's lifestyle that changed? She stopped drinking alcohol.

"I was a big fan of tequila. I literally had 17 shots one night. I haven't had a drink in years. The fact that I no longer even have a desire for it is pretty amazing," Oprah told PEOPLE.

7

She Implemented the Point System

New York, NY, USA - April 20, 2016: Actress, producer Oprah Winfrey attends the 'Greenleaf' premiere during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival at the John Zuccotti Theater at BMCC Tribeca PAC
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Oprah optimized her diet. She consumes her last meal of the day early on, makes sure to drink plenty of water, and uses the WeightWatchers point system.

"I eat my last meal at 4 o'clock, drink a gallon of water a day, and use the WeightWatchers principles of counting points," Oprah shared (via PEOPLE).

For more weight-loss inspiration, check out Here's How Kathy Bates Lost 100 Pounds & Completely Transformed Her Body.

Alexa Mellardo
Alexa is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in Greenwich, CT. She has 11+ years of experience covering wellness, fitness, food, travel, lifestyle, and home. Read more