Oprah Winfrey Flaunts Weight Loss in Santa Barbara Gym Outing

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Oprah Winfrey was spotted showcasing her impressive weight loss while leaving a gym in Santa Barbara on Wednesday. The 71-year-old media mogul wore a long-sleeve black top, striped sweatpants, and white sneakers, as captured in photographs.

With her hair styled down and held back by a black headband, Winfrey appeared fit and energized after her workout. She was seen carrying a blue hoodie while getting into her car post-exercise. The sighting comes a month after she sparked conversations about body image and dieting in a recent podcast episode.

During the January episode of ‘The Oprah Podcast,’ she claimed, “All these years I thought that thin people — those people — just had more willpower.” She emphasized that her understanding shifted upon taking GLP-1 medication, stating, “They’re only eating when they’re hungry and they’re stopping when they’re full.”

Winfrey confirmed in December 2023 that she was just seven pounds away from her goal weight of 160 pounds, attributing her success partially to medication, although she did not specify which type she was using. “It feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for,” Winfrey said at the time. “I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.”

Her remarks about “thin people” received mixed reactions online, with some critics questioning her characterization and suggesting that many maintain their weight through willpower and disciplined strategies. “To characterize thin people wholesale in this manner is just a lie,” one user commented.

Just months after revealing her weight loss approach, Winfrey publicly apologized during a Weight Watchers special for her past contributions to diet culture. “I cannot tell you how many weight-loss shows and makeovers I have done, and they have been a staple since I’ve been working in television,” she noted, reflecting on her influence in the space.

Winfrey is not the only celebrity to discuss weight loss medications. A-list figures like Kelly Clarkson and Sharon Osbourne have also shared their experiences with similar drugs. As public discussions about body image and weight loss continue, Winfrey’s candidness about her journey remains a topic of significant interest.