Kelly Clarkston’s Weight Loss Journey

Overview

Kelly Clarkson has been candid with her fans about her weight reduction struggle and how she has altered her lifestyle in recent years. Walking, eating more protein, and using medicine to help her body metabolize food are some of the ways she has lost weight.

When Clarkson relocated to New York City, where she broadcasts The Kelly Clarkson Show, she began making some of these dietary and fitness adjustments. In an interview, she revealed that staying in the city has allowed her to lead a much more active lifestyle, which has contributed to her weight loss. She also began experimenting with a high-protein diet at about the same time, which can aid in weight loss by making you feel fuller and more content.

In May 2024, the very first American Idol contestant made news when she disclosed that she was using medicine to help her lose weight. She clarified that she had been hesitant to use the medication because of thyroid issues, but she ultimately made the decision to give it a try. On her chat show, she revealed the news.

Clarkson was all about Hooda Kott’s announcement that she will be starting a wellness business and app during her appearance on the show before she departs from TODAY. Kott praised the act of slowing down. That’s something that many of us need to improve on,” Clarkson remarked. Like many others, I’m a go-go-go person. We wear ourselves out.

Here are some facts on Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss and health journey.

Which medication is Kelly Clarkson using to reduce her body weight?

Beyond stating that it is not Ozempic, Clarkson could not identify the type of weight-loss medicine she is taking.

In an interview with Whoopi Goldberg, who has also been candid about using Mounjaro, another weight-loss medication, she verified the reports during a May broadcast of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The American Idol winner admitted that she was first hesitant to attempt taking medicine to reduce her weight, but she added that after her blood work became so poor, she made the decision.

After about two years of my doctor pursuing me, I said, “No, I’m afraid of it,” adding that I already had thyroid issues.

Everyone believes it to be the Olympics, but it’s not. She informed Goldberg that it was something different. However, it is something that facilitates the breakdown of the sugar. My body performs poorly.

She went on to say that before beginning the drug, she was unaware of how much weight she had acquired. However, one day she caught a glimpse of herself on video, which made her stop and think, Who the f–k is that? She remembered.

I’m 5′ 3 and a half, and my heaviest weight was about 203,” Clarkson added. It’s interesting because I said, “No, I wasn’t,” and others assumed that she must have been unhappy, depressed, or whatever. I was glad she added, and I never felt insecure about it.

In an episode of The View, Goldberg addressed the outcry that Clarkson received after disclosing that she was taking a weight-loss drug.

People criticized Clarkson, claiming that she had previously stated that walking helped her lose weight. Goldberg remarked, “Here’s a point about that.” Many people are taking this vaccination because they need it.

There are many reasons why some people get diabetes. Although she has been walking, this has been beneficial.

Goldberg continued by highlighting the hypocrisy of the remarks. They kick her behind as she gets bigger when she loses weight, and now since she spoke it aloud, they’re doing it again.

What was Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss strategy?

Clarkson has changed her lifestyle to improve her long-term health in addition to taking medication for weight loss.

She attributed her increased activity to her relocation to New York City in January 2024. She disclosed in an exclusive interview with People that she has lost weight as a result of walking more and treating her health more seriously.

“Walking in the city is quite the workout,” she noted, without mentioning her gym regimen.

In 2023, Clarkson decided to move her talk program from Los Angeles to New York. I had been miserable in Los Angeles for several years. Clarkson told People, I had to start over. She said that California hurt her mental health.

She also embraced some other wellness fads in New York. At the moment, I’m extremely enjoying infrared saunas. The “Piece By Piece” singer continued, “And I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down.” Clarkson isn’t going overboard with her diet.

She told People, “I eat a healthy mix.” I lost weight as a result of listening to my doctor, something I hadn’t done for a few years. And since a protein-rich diet is healthy for me anyhow, I’m good at it 90% of the time. I apologize to all vegetarians worldwide, but as a Texas gal, I enjoy meat.

I still indulge, though. The Grammy winner, who has a 10-year-old daughter named River Rose and an 8-year-old son named Remington with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, continued, “I had a frozen yogurt with my daughter the other night, and it was magical.”

• The thyroid and other medical conditions of Kelly Clarkson

Clarkson has previously discussed her autoimmune and thyroid conditions as well as her attempts to reduce her weight.

For instance, she told TODAY’s Hooda Kott in 2018 that she lost roughly 37 pounds after making dietary changes. At the time, Clarkson stated, I know the industry loves the weight gone, but for me, it wasn’t the weight.

Clarkson told Extra that at the time, she concentrated on a lectin-free diet in order to reduce her weight. Carbohydrates are bound by proteins called lectins. Before making any significant dietary adjustments, like cutting out carbohydrates, consult a health expert.

After reading a book about lectins, Clarkson eliminated them from her diet, which included various vegetables, complete grains, legumes, and dairy.

During the interview, she stated, I read this book, and I did it for this autoimmune disease that I had and I had a thyroid issue, and now all my levels are back up. I haven’t worked out at all, literally. She disclosed that she has prediabetes on an episode of her talk program in January 2024.

Clarkson stated I wasn’t shocked. I was slightly overweight. You are prediabetic, they said. You’re exactly on the edge. But I’m not there yet, I said.

She decided to alter her lifestyle two years after learning about it.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, prediabetes is defined as blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but yet below the range for Type 2 diabetes. A nutritious diet and regular exercise can help lower the chance that it will worsen.

Kelly Clarkson’s battles with weight

The American Idol singer has had to endure a lot of criticism over her size throughout her time in Hollywood.

Being slender doesn’t always make you more confident, she admitted to Glamour UK in 2020, adding that she gained her coaching position on The Voice after putting on a few pounds.

According to Clarkson, I got on the No. 1 television show at my heaviest point… right after I had kids, and it was like they didn’t care.

I was hired from NBC by Paul Teledu, chairman of NBC Entertainment, who admired my personality, my ability to connect with people, and my honesty and authenticity. It had nothing to do with my attractive appearance or sex appeal. It was about me. It’s really up to artists, in my opinion, to make others adopt that mindset.

When Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2023, Clarkson and the TODAY host became friends over their shared battles with weight.

Clarkson displayed a picture of Jenna and Barbara in identical childhood attire during the discussion. Jenna remarked that the gowns she and her sister were wearing in the photo were trendy because of their drop waists. This is not good for girls with curves later on, Clarkson said.

In response to Jenna’s comment that she and Barbara were overweight as kids, Barbara said, Well, there was a stage.

Kelly Clarkson, did you use Ozempic?

Kelly claims that she did not use Ozempic, a medicine for type 2 diabetes, to lose weight. The singer talked about her weight loss with Whoopi Goldberg during a May broadcast of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Kelly talked candidly about her own experience using a weight-loss drug after Whoopi gushed about using Manjiro.

Mine is a different one than people assume, but I ended up having to do that too because my bloodwork got so bad, Kelly said, showcasing her significant weight loss. “I didn’t take Ozempic,” she continued.

Although Kelly did not specify the drug, she did say that it helps break down sugar, something my body struggles with.

Kelly claimed that despite her concerns about the medication’s potential effects on her thyroid, her doctor persuaded her to continue it for almost two years. However, after viewing a birthday special she intended to release, she finally decided to accept it.

I interrupted it abruptly and thought, “Oh,” she murmured. When you see that, you think, Kelly remarked, “Well, she’s going to have a heart attack and die.”

Kelly revealed that, at her heaviest, she weighed 203 pounds, yet she never felt insecure about it.

What was Kelly Clarkson’s diagnosis?

Kelly previously disclosed on her show that she was diagnosed with prediabetes.

Kelly revealed to Kevin James, star of King of Queens, on January 29 that she had been told she had prediabetes.

That’s exactly what happened, she added. They said— and I was, well, not surprised. I had a slight excess of weight. Yes, but that didn’t surprise me. However, they did. They said, “You have prediabetes.” You’re exactly on the edge. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define pre-diabetes as having blood sugar levels that are higher than usual but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.)

What is Kelly Clarkson’s dress size?

Kelly hasn’t disclosed her dress size to the public, and she doesn’t have to. However, a source told Life & Style that she dropped from a size 14 to an 8. According to the insider, Kelly is enjoying changing up her clothes and feels wonderful.

What was Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss strategy?

Moving across the country from Los Angeles to New York was the catalyst for Kelly’s weight-loss journey.

I had been miserable in Los Angeles for several years. Earlier this year, Kelly told People, “I needed a fresh start.” “I’m not trying to sound ungrateful, but for my mental health and the sake of my children, I just can’t stay here anymore,” we told NBC. They were also struggling. I’ve just been showing up, smiling, and doing my duties for the past few years, but you can only compartmentalize for so long before you lose it.

However, Kelly claimed that she felt confident heading into her fifth season. When the dust has settled, I know my children are doing well. For the first time, I’m enjoying every second of season five.

Kelly made dietary changes.

Kelly is eating a lot of protein now that she has changed her diet.

She told People, “I eat a healthy mix.” I lost weight because I started paying attention to my doctor, something I hadn’t done for a few years. And since a protein-rich diet is healthy for me anyhow, I’m good at it 90% of the time. I prefer meat—sorry, vegetarians everywhere—because I’m a Texas gal.

She still makes room for sweets since, as Kelly mentioned, her diet is a balanced blend. I continue to indulge. My daughter added, “I had frozen yogurt with her the other night, and it was magical.”

It’s the same dish you consume, I just use different components,” she added. Kelly stated that she would change the components in foods to make her meals healthier while she was trying to lose weight in 2018. You use non-hormone chicken, and I use tapioca, almond, or cassava flour, just like in fried chicken.

However, Kelly acknowledged that for most people, this isn’t the simplest path to take.

Kelly later explained that she had lost weight after reading Dr. Steven Gundry’s The Plant Paradox. The Plant Paradox Diet is a lectin-free diet that excludes dairy, whole grains, beans, legumes, and some vegetables.

Kelly told Extra that same year, I literally read this book and I did it for this autoimmune disease that I had and I had a thyroid issue, and now all my levels are back up. This book is the reason I’m no longer taking medication. In essence, it’s about how we prepare our food—non-GMO, pesticide-free, organic, etc. haven’t done any exercise.

Kelly Clarkson attributes her recent weight loss to these five factors.

Kelly Clarkson has revealed a few tactics that helped her lose weight recently.
She attributes her weight loss to several things, such as exercising, eating a balanced diet, and occasionally treating herself.

Clarkson also likes icy plunges and infrared saunas.

According to experts, the best way to lose weight is to make long-lasting changes to your food and exercise routine.

Recently, Kelly Clarkson shared some of the wellness and health strategies that have aided in her weight loss.

The musician and talk show host claimed to have “dropped weight” as part of a new wellness regimen in an interview with People. Her weight loss strategies include walking, eating a balanced diet, and occasionally indulging in sweets. The singer also claims to use cold plunges and infrared saunas.

It’s quite the workout to walk throughout the city. At the moment, I’m extremely enjoying infrared saunas. She disclosed, And because I was worn down by everyone, I simply grabbed a cold plunge.

I lost weight because I’ve been paying attention to my doctor, which I didn’t do for a few years, she added. And since a protein-rich diet is healthy for me anyhow, I’m good at it 90% of the time. I apologize to all vegans worldwide, but as a Texas gal, I enjoy meat!

It appears that Clarkson has been allowing herself the occasional indulgence as part of her new, healthy routine.

I continue to indulge. My daughter told me that the frozen yogurt we had the other night was wonderful. Here, the expert discusses the five main factors Kelly Clarkson attributes to her weight loss success and their overall efficacy.

Saunas that use infrared technology

When you think of effective weight loss methods, using an infrared sauna may not be the immediate thing that comes to mind, but it can help you lose weight.

Unfortunately, losing water as opposed to fat is probably the cause of any weight loss.

According to Natalie Burrows, a nutritional therapist, infrared saunas have been linked to effective fat loss in a few modest studies. Burrows points out that they aren’t a weight loss aid in and of themselves, though.

Infrared saunas generate heat directly on your body using light rays, primarily red light. According to her, they are an excellent method of promoting perspiration, which is one of the ways our bodies cleanse themselves. They are not, however, a miracle weight-loss aid. Saunas lead you to lose water weight, and staying hydrated is essential for weight loss.

Burrows says it’s crucial to keep in mind that you can’t just eat everything you want and expect to sweat it off, even though there’s minimal danger in occasionally taking an infrared sauna and the detoxification process may improve your general health.

Plunges into cold

In addition to being a favorite of Kelly Clarkson, cold plunges are also a common TikTok craze. Can they, however, actually aid in weight loss?

They may reduce body fat because of their impact on blood sugar management, according to a 2022 study that was published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health.

According to qualified associate nutritionist Sarah Cooke, there are two primary pathways through which fat loss is thought to occur if consistent, prolonged cold plunges are maintained.

First, skeletal muscle shivers in response to cold, which burns calories; second, brown fat, a metabolically active fat, becomes more active and consumes more calories to keep the body warm.

However, as one might anticipate, frigid plunges are also not a miracle weight-loss solution. Compared to white fat, brown fat makes up a far smaller percentage of the body’s total fat.

Cooke adds that there isn’t much evidence in this field.

She points out that many studies on brown fat are conducted on animals, and that without additional study, we cannot extrapolate these results to people.

Strolling

Walking is a weight loss strategy that may work better for you. According to Burrows, it’s one of the most underappreciated weight-loss workouts.

She is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence. For instance, in one 12-week research, obese individuals who walked three hours a week at 3.7 mph and cut their daily caloric intake by 500–800 lost 4 pounds more than those who did not exercise.

According to a 2015 review, you ought to stroll for at least 150 minutes a week in order to keep a steady weight.

Walking improves your daily energy expenditure, which helps you lose weight. However, if the 10,000 steps per day goal seems unattainable, you don’t have to aim for it.

Instead of trying to reach some arbitrary goal, I always suggest looking at your current steps (or roughly how many minutes you’re walking per day) and aiming to increase your baseline, Cooke adds. For instance, if you walk for 20 minutes every day to run errands, decide to walk for an additional 10 minutes each day. The secret is to do it consistently and regularly rather than making drastic, unsustainable changes.

Consuming a variety of nutritious foods

Clarkson says her diet is high in protein and she consumes a variety of foods. According to both experts, this is beneficial if weight loss is your aim.

The majority of people thrive on a diet that is a combination of fiber, fats, and protein. According to Burrows, protein boosts satiety and thermogenesis during digestion, which leads to a reduction in the intake of other foods and calories.

What about fiber and fat?

Burrows argues that because the breakdown and release of fat foods (nuts, seeds, avocados) and fiber meals (vegetables, beans, lentils) are slower, you feel fuller for longer.

It seems that diet is the key to weight loss.

A review conducted in 2016 evaluated the benefits of diet and exercise on weight loss and concluded that diet was more effective.

Although both exercise and dietary restriction have been demonstrated to be effective weight loss strategies, the authors came to the conclusion that exercise by itself has very little effect on body weight loss.

Giving yourself periodic indulgences

Excessively rigid diets might be challenging to maintain over time. You might find it easier to stick to a new, healthy eating plan if you occasionally indulge.

According to Cooke, the 80/20 rule is a useful overall guideline to adhere to. We feel constrained and starved when we consistently deny ourselves the meals we love. This backfires since we experience more of a yearning for the food and frequently lose control when we eat it.

According to the 80/20 rule, you should eat healthily 80% of the time and indulge in pleasures 20% of the time.

Although there is no scientific evidence to support this rule precisely, one study that compared the efficacy of strict and flexible dieting methods revealed that while both were beneficial for weight loss, flexible dieting increased the amount of muscle that is free of fat.

Conclusion

When it comes to losing weight, Kelly Clarkson’s efforts show that you don’t have to go overboard.

Kelly’s actions seem extremely reasonable. According to Burrows, she has prioritized simple and healthful things to enhance her general well-being, which has resulted in her losing weight. Burrows thinks it’s a good idea to lose weight in this manner.

According to Burrows, we will reap numerous benefits if we concentrate on feeding our bodies and moving in a way that enhances our lives. In the meantime, weight loss will occur naturally without seeming like a diet.

FAQs

Reference

• Kelly Clarkson reveals she takes weight-loss med, but not Ozempic. (2025, January 29). [Video]. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/health/kelly-clarkson-weight-loss-rcna131969
• Wingfield, S., & Miller, K. (2025, January 14). Kelly Clarkson’s weight loss journey: how she lost 60 pounds with medication, eating protein, and walking. Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a46128448/kelly-clarkson-weight-loss/
• Stokes, V. (2024, January 10). Kelly Clarkson Credits Recent Weight Loss with These 5 Things. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/kelly-clarkson-credits-recent-weight-loss-with-these-5-things#Takeaway