Lizzo, the acclaimed singer and advocate for body positivity, has recently shared her frustrations about being “overshadowed” by her “fatness” in a candid reflection on her weight loss journey. The 37-year-old “Good As Hell” songstress has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few years, announcing that she has reached her goal weight. Despite her role as a prominent figure in the body positivity movement, Lizzo has struggled to be recognized for more than just her weight.
In her inaugural Substack post titled “Why is everybody losing weight and what do we do? Sincerely, a person who’s lost weight,” Lizzo expressed her irritation at being synonymous with her body size. She wrote, “I was sick and tired of my identity being overshadowed by my fatness. People could not see my talent as a musician because they were too busy accusing me of making ‘being fat’ my whole personality.”
The Weight of Public Perception
Lizzo’s journey has been marked by a constant battle with public perception. She has long embraced her role as a body positivity icon, even as she faced criticism and “obnoxious memes.” In her essay, she described the treatment she received as “borderline emotional abuse” due to her weight. Despite this, she used humor and self-awareness to navigate the challenges.
Initially, Lizzo had no intention of losing weight. However, her mental health began to deteriorate amid lawsuits from former team members, including accusations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, which she has denied. “I started losing weight in the fall of 2023,” she noted, adding that she was severely depressed and felt isolated.
Turning Pain Into Action
Determined to improve her mental and physical health, Lizzo turned to Pilates as a form of therapy. “I only worked with black women instructors and learned that Pilates was actually co-founded by a black woman,” she explained. “I used it as physical therapy. Sometimes I cried after sessions.” This exercise helped her process her pain and inadvertently led to weight loss.
Through therapy, Lizzo realized that her weight had been a protective shield, a “super hero suit” that she needed to release. “From that moment on, any weight on my physical body that was subtracted was not a pound ‘lost’ but a pound ‘released.’ It was energetic for me, not vain,” she shared.
Changing Habits and Embracing New Goals
Lizzo’s weight loss journey involved significant lifestyle changes. She abandoned her junk food vegan diet, which involved consuming up to 5,000 calories a day, in favor of a more balanced approach. “When I actually started eating whole foods and eating like beef and chicken and fish, I was actually full,” she explained.
She has also been open about trying medications like Ozempic to aid her journey. “I’ve tried everything,” she admitted on the Just Trish podcast. “It’s just the science, for me, calories in vs. calories out. Ozempic works because you eat less food.”
Reflecting on Confidence and Criticism
Despite her transformation, Lizzo continues to face criticism and misconceptions about her confidence as a plus-sized woman. During an appearance on The Jason Lee Show, she addressed the surprise some felt at her confidence, stating, “The shocking factor was that people couldn’t believe that someone that looked like me was confident.”
When asked about the exact amount of weight she lost, Lizzo remained coy, emphasizing her annoyance with public speculation. “I’ve just seen a lot of TikToks where it’s like, ‘Lizzo talks about her 500lbs weight loss!’ Why are y’all putting numbers on me? It kind of annoys me,” she remarked.
In January, Lizzo proudly announced on Instagram that she had achieved her weight loss goal. “I did it. 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. Time for new goals!”
Lizzo’s journey is a testament to her resilience and determination to define her identity beyond societal expectations. As she continues to set new goals, her story remains an inspiration for many navigating their own paths to self-acceptance and health.
