Lizzo, the powerhouse singer and body positivity advocate, is known for her unapologetic confidence and self-love. But in recent years, she’s shared a different side of herself—a journey toward health that has captivated her fans. After losing 16% of her body fat and achieving a 10.5 reduction in her body mass index, Lizzo has opened up about how her transformation was less about fitting into a particular image and more about prioritizing her mental and physical health.
From intentionally releasing weight to embracing a new mindset, Lizzo’s journey is about embracing balance, self-care, and emotional well-being. Let’s dive into what Lizzo has revealed about her weight release journey, her fight with anxiety, and the surprising reason she decided to quit Starbucks.
Lizzo’s Weight Release Journey: Why It’s About Health, Not Just Weight Loss
Lizzo has long been an advocate for body positivity and body neutrality, focusing on loving yourself at any size. But in 2023, she made a shift that would change her life. It wasn’t about losing weight for the sake of appearance, but rather about feeling better mentally and physically. As Lizzo explains in a TikTok video, “Once I started working out for my mental health, to have balanced mental health or endorphins, so that I don’t look at myself in the mirror and feel ashamed of myself, exercise helped me shift my mind, not my body.”
It was a gradual transformation, not driven by the scale but by mental clarity and the desire to be happy in her own skin. “My body is gonna change, everyone’s bodies change. That’s life,” Lizzo said, emphasizing that the ultimate goal was never a particular weight, but a healthier relationship with herself.
Lizzo’s Approach to Diet: Focus on Protein and Mindful Eating
One of the main changes Lizzo made was to her diet, focusing on a balanced approach to eating. “I’ve been thinking about ways to make it sound cool, but I can’t. I’m eating a lot of protein and vegetables and walking. That’s what I’m doing,” Lizzo revealed, making it clear that her weight release journey was about simplicity and sustainability rather than extreme dieting.
In the early stages of her journey, Lizzo cut out sugary foods in the morning, opting instead for a savory breakfast, often consisting of almond butter and toast. “I do something sweet; it’s gotta be with some sort of like carb. I’ll have almond butter and toast,” Lizzo explained. This is a prime example of how Lizzo took a moderate approach to eating—rather than depriving herself, she made adjustments to nourish her body properly.
Lizzo also noted that the one universal truth in weight loss, according to her, is the simple rule of “calories in versus calories out.” She explained, “That’s just how the human body works.” This was her guiding principle throughout the process—creating a calorie deficit by adjusting what she ate and making more conscious decisions.
The Role of Starbucks in Lizzo’s Journey: Why She Quit the Habit
One of the more surprising aspects of Lizzo’s weight loss journey was her decision to quit Starbucks. As Lizzo admitted, she had been drinking two to three large Starbucks drinks daily, each packed with sugar and calories. She explained, “I was drinking up to 1200 calories a day just from coffee. That was a lot of calories that I had no idea were adding up.”
Realizing how much her Starbucks habit was affecting her health, Lizzo decided to make the change. “I stopped drinking coffee to help regulate my nervous system,” she explained. For Lizzo, cutting out those drinks wasn’t just about eliminating sugar—it was about breaking a habit that was no longer serving her health goals.
“I had to start applying a calorie deficit because I was prone to binging,” Lizzo admitted, noting that eliminating certain habits was necessary for her to stay on track.
Mindfulness and Mental Health: Conquering Anxiety and Finding Balance
While Lizzo’s physical changes are impressive, it’s her mental health transformation that stands out the most. “I’ve been working to get my anxiety under control for years,” Lizzo shared, revealing how anxiety played a large part in her previous struggles with overeating and unhealthy coping mechanisms. But through mindful isolation, meditation, and mental reflection, Lizzo learned to manage her anxiety and stay grounded during her transformation.
“I loved to distract myself with food. I loved to distract myself with people. I loved to distract myself with drinking,” Lizzo said candidly. But as she progressed on her journey, Lizzo realized that those distractions were only preventing her from moving forward. She started focusing solely on herself and her own well-being. “I isolated a little bit, but not in a lonely way. I isolated myself in a mindful way, where I had no distractions,” she explained.
For Lizzo, mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Her newfound focus on self-care allowed her to focus on mindful eating and avoid the binge cycles that had once been a challenge for her. She recognized that “the way you feel about your body changes every single day,” and has learned to embrace that. “Some days I adore my body, and others, I don’t feel completely positive, and that’s okay,” she said.
The Results: Lizzo Reaches Her Weight Release Goal
In January 2025, Lizzo shared a proud moment with her followers: she had achieved her initial weight release goal. “I did it,” she posted on Instagram, along with two selfies showing her progress. “Today when I stepped on my scale, I reached my weight release goal. I haven’t seen this number since 2014! Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to.”
The results? Lizzo had lowered her body mass index by 10.5 and lost 16% of her body fat. But as Lizzo emphasized, the real achievement wasn’t just the numbers. “I feel lighter, energetically and emotionally,” she shared, expressing how her mindset has shifted since starting her journey.
Lizzo’s Evolving View on Body Positivity
Throughout her journey, Lizzo has made it clear that her focus was never about achieving a specific body size or fitting into society’s standards of beauty. Instead, she calls her weight loss journey a “weight release journey”, a term that reflects her desire to let go of mental burdens as much as physical weight. “I’m not going to lie and say I love my body every day,” Lizzo said. “The way you feel about your body changes every day, and that’s okay.”
Her perspective on body positivity has evolved over time, shifting to a focus on body neutrality. Lizzo shared, “I don’t have to love my body every single day, but I do love how my body feels when I treat it with kindness and respect.” Her approach has resonated with fans, especially those who appreciate her authenticity in navigating the ups and downs of body image.
Lizzo’s Inspiring Journey of Health and Self-Love
Lizzo’s weight loss journey isn’t just about numbers on a scale; it’s about reclaiming her health, confidence, and emotional well-being. Through mindful eating, exercise, and a commitment to mental health, Lizzo has made strides toward becoming her best self—inside and out.
Her story is a powerful reminder that health is about more than just appearance; it’s about feeling good, mentally and physically. Lizzo’s journey is inspiring, and her focus on self-love, balance, and resilience makes her an advocate for holistic health that encourages others to embrace their own path to well-being.
FAQ
1. How much weight did Lizzo lose? Lizzo has lost 16% of her body fat and lowered her body mass index by 10.5 since starting her weight release journey.
2. What diet did Lizzo follow? Lizzo followed a high-protein diet and adopted a lectin-free approach, focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
3. Did Lizzo use any weight loss medications? Lizzo has not used weight loss medications like Ozempic. She focused on healthy eating, exercise, and mental health practices.
4. Why did Lizzo quit Starbucks? Lizzo quit Starbucks after realizing she was consuming up to 1200 calories daily through sugary coffee drinks. She felt it was necessary to cut them out to regulate her nervous system and support her health goals.
5. How did Lizzo manage her anxiety? Lizzo managed her anxiety through mindfulness, meditation, and mindful isolation to help her stay grounded and focused on her health.
6. What is Lizzo’s “weight release journey”? Lizzo refers to her weight loss as a “weight release journey” because she views it as a process of letting go of both physical weight and emotional burdens.
7. What advice does Lizzo have for others on a weight loss journey? Lizzo encourages others to focus on balance, self-love, and mental health while making gradual, sustainable changes.