When you think of Lizzo, you think of her empowering messages, her chart-topping hits, and her unapologetic confidence. But beneath the shining persona lies a woman who has undergone a deeply personal journey—one that involves not just her body but her mind and emotions. In the past few months, Lizzo has shared how she lost 16% of her body fat, shedding light on her weight loss journey. This is a story of self-reflection, determination, and emotional growth, where the pressures of social expectations collide with a quest for health and well-being. Her transformation is not just physical; it is a narrative of self-discovery and resilience, framed by her own words and experience.
A Candid Conversation: Lizzo Opens Up About Her Weight Loss
For years, Lizzo has been an advocate for body positivity. She’s spoken out against society’s narrow standards of beauty and championed the notion that every body is beautiful, regardless of size. Yet, in recent interviews, she has shared that her weight loss is not about conforming to a different body ideal but about reclaiming her health and feeling her best.
At her heaviest, Lizzo weighed 325 pounds. “I was at a point where I wasn’t taking care of my body the way I should,” she admitted in an emotional conversation. She describes how stress, lack of movement, and poor eating habits had taken a toll on her health. “I wasn’t eating right, and I was letting stress get the best of me,” she explained. For Lizzo, this moment of self-awareness was the turning point in her health journey.
“I started realizing that I had to make a change, not for anyone else but for me,” Lizzo said in a video on Instagram. Her goal wasn’t to fit into a mold set by others; it was about feeling better in her own skin, achieving long-term health, and building a relationship with her body that was based on love and respect.
The Mental Health Component: Understanding the Psychological Journey
What many don’t realize is that Lizzo’s journey to better health is intertwined with her mental health. In fact, her weight loss didn’t start in the gym or with a strict diet; it began with understanding the psychological patterns that had led to her previous lifestyle choices. In her own words, Lizzo says that she had to confront the emotions and the pressures that had influenced her eating and habits. “It’s not about being skinny, it’s about having balance in my life,” she reflected in an interview with People magazine.
Lizzo described how her mindset shifted throughout the process. She didn’t just focus on physical changes; she took the time to meditate, journal, and work through her anxieties. As a public figure constantly in the spotlight, she realized that the emotional toll of constant judgment and expectations weighed heavily on her mental health. In response, she leaned into self-care practices like meditation, spending time alone for reflection, and seeking support from her close-knit family and friends.
One key realization for Lizzo was understanding how much her past stressors had been affecting her choices. “Stress makes you want to comfort yourself in ways that aren’t healthy,” she said. By addressing her emotional triggers, she learned to redirect those feelings into healthier coping mechanisms.
The Diet and Fitness Routine: How Lizzo Shed 16% of Her Body Fat
When Lizzo began her physical transformation, she didn’t look for quick fixes. She wanted to find a way to lose weight that was sustainable and focused on well-being. Her approach was gradual and methodical. “I didn’t starve myself,” she explained, “I fed myself greens and water, fruit and protein, and most importantly, sunlight.”
Lizzo’s diet was not about drastic restriction; rather, it was about making small, consistent changes. One of her key strategies involved applying a calorie deficit. She noticed that drinking two to three large Starbucks drinks per day meant she was consuming up to 1,200 calories just from those drinks alone. Realizing this, she started adjusting her intake by replacing high-calorie beverages with healthier options and focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
In terms of physical activity, Lizzo found joy in exercise that felt fun, not forced. “I found Pilates to be my go-to workout,” she shared. Pilates not only helped her build strength but also provided a mental break. It became a way for her to reconnect with her body and embrace the joy of movement. Alongside Pilates, Lizzo also enjoys walking, which she credits with helping her stay active without overwhelming her.
A New Perspective on Weight Loss: “Release” Rather Than “Loss”
Perhaps one of the most profound shifts in Lizzo’s journey has been the language she uses to describe her transformation. Instead of framing her journey as “weight loss,” Lizzo refers to it as “weight release.” This subtle change in terminology is symbolic of her journey from a place of self-judgment to one of self-love. “I am not losing weight because I don’t want to feel like I am giving up something. I’m releasing it,” Lizzo explained in a recent Instagram post.
The shift from “losing” to “releasing” represents more than just a different word choice. It reflects Lizzo’s emotional and mental transformation throughout the journey. She is not shedding weight as a form of punishment or a means to fit in but as a way to feel lighter and more energized, both physically and mentally.
The Role of Social Media in Lizzo’s Journey
As with many celebrities, Lizzo has used her social media platforms to share both her successes and struggles. Her Instagram and TikTok have become spaces where she documents her workouts, shares updates on her progress, and opens up about her challenges. In a recent Instagram post, Lizzo proudly revealed that she had shed 16% of her body fat and had reduced her body mass index (BMI) by 10.5 points.
But her social media presence is more than just about the physical results. Lizzo’s posts also provide a platform for her fans to connect with her journey on an emotional level. She regularly engages with her followers, offering support and motivation. Her transparent approach has not only inspired countless fans but also sparked conversations about body positivity, self-love, and the importance of mental health in any wellness journey.
The Emotional and Social Impact of Lizzo’s Journey
Lizzo’s decision to take charge of her health has been met with both praise and criticism. Some fans have expressed admiration for her candidness, while others have raised questions about the pressures that come with being a public figure. For Lizzo, the emotional impact of her transformation has been profound. She has said that her journey has allowed her to embrace herself fully—not just in terms of appearance but in every aspect of her being.
Her weight release journey has also sparked broader conversations about the relationship between body positivity and health. Lizzo’s message is clear: health isn’t defined by a number on a scale; it’s about feeling good in your body and taking care of yourself from the inside out.
A Journey of Self-Acceptance and Growth
Lizzo’s weight loss journey is about more than just shedding pounds. It is a story of emotional healing, self-discovery, and empowerment. By focusing on holistic wellness—mental health, self-awareness, and consistent, sustainable changes—Lizzo has become a role model for anyone looking to transform their body and mind.
Through her journey, Lizzo reminds us that taking care of ourselves is not about seeking perfection or meeting society’s standards; it is about honoring our bodies and choosing to feel our best, inside and out. For Lizzo, this journey of self-empowerment is ongoing, and it’s one that she is inviting us all to join her on.
As Lizzo continues to release weight—emotionally, physically, and mentally—she shows the world that the real transformation is not just in the body, but in the spirit.