Oprah's Lean Start Keto: Endorsement Or Entertainment?

Oprah Winfrey has been open about her weight loss journey and has endorsed various diets and weight loss programs over the years. In 2016, she revealed that she had lost 40 pounds by following the Weight Watchers program. She has also partnered with and owned a stake in WW International, the company formerly known as Weight Watchers. However, there have been false claims and scams circulating, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, that have used Oprah's name and likeness to promote weight loss products, including keto gummies and diet pills. These scams often claim that Oprah has endorsed or created keto weight loss gummies or diet pills, which is not true. A spokesperson for Oprah has denied these claims, stating that she has nothing to do with these products and does not endorse any keto diet or weight loss pills.

Oprah's weight loss journey

Oprah Winfrey has been candid about her weight loss journey, publicly sharing her struggles with weight and the emotional and physical challenges that came with it. She has been open about her experiences with yo-yo dieting and the intense methods she has used to lose weight in the past. In 1988, she lost 67 pounds via a liquid diet, famously showcasing a wagon of fat she had lost. However, she quickly regained the weight when she returned to eating solid food. In 1992, she reached her maximum weight of 237 pounds.

Oprah has tried various diets and fitness routines over the years. In 2019, she lost 42 pounds using WW (formerly Weight Watchers). She has praised the program for giving her freedom in her food choices and credits it for helping her lose 40 pounds. She has also spoken about her experience with weight loss medications, specifically GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. She initially felt that taking medication would be "the easy way out" but has since embraced it as a tool to manage her weight. She pairs this with regular exercise, including hiking, walking, and weight resistance training.

Oprah has stressed that her weight loss journey is not just about reaching a certain number on the scale but about living a healthier and more vibrant life. She has expressed a desire to end the stigma surrounding weight loss medications and obesity, acknowledging that it is a complex issue influenced by various factors such as genetics, hormones, and socioeconomic status.

Oprah's partnership with WW

In 2015, Oprah Winfrey entered into a partnership with Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WW), a leading global provider of weight management services. The partnership aimed to inspire people worldwide to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives. Oprah was drawn to the proven effectiveness of the WW program, coupled with its new initiatives to broaden its focus on overall health and wellness.

As part of this long-term partnership, Oprah made a significant equity investment in the company, becoming its third-largest shareholder with a 10% stake, and joined its Board of Directors. She also committed to candidly sharing her experiences and perspective as a member of the WW program.

Oprah's roles at WW include:

• Member: Oprah joined the WW program and shared her experiences and insights, offering inspiration to others on their weight loss journeys.
• Board Member and Adviser: Oprah brings her unique ability to inspire and connect with people to develop strategies and programs that reflect her own experiences and those of other members, helping them live their best lives.
• Owner: Oprah initially purchased a 10% stake in the company, investing around $43 million, and later had the option to increase her stake to up to 12.3%.

Oprah's involvement with WW has been mutually beneficial. Her endorsement and insights have helped to evolve the brand from a diet company to a health and wellness brand, resulting in a nearly 500% increase in share prices since she joined. In 2019, Oprah extended her partnership with WW for another five years, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the company and its mission.

Oprah's stake in WW

In October 2015, Oprah Winfrey bought a 10% stake in Weight Watchers, now known as WW International (WW), for $43 million. She joined the company's board of directors and also received options to buy another 5% of Weight Watchers stock.

Winfrey has since sold off some of her stake in the company, and currently holds an 8% stake, according to Refinitiv. This amounts to 5.4 million shares, according to a January SEC filing. Her original investment is still in the black, and she has made significant returns on the sale of some of her shares.

As a member of the Weight Watchers weight loss program, Winfrey has shared her experiences, which has inspired double-digit gains in new members. She has also helped guide the company's evolution from a diet company to a health and wellness brand, with a focus on creative strategy and brand efforts. Shares have soared nearly 500% since she joined, although the company has faced competition from new diet fads, such as the keto diet.

In December 2019, Winfrey extended her partnership with WW for another five years, and she has the option to increase her stake by buying up to 3.3 million more shares, which would bring her stake up to 12.3%.

Oprah's diet choices

Oprah Winfrey has been candid about the scrutiny and shame she has faced for her weight over the decades. She has struggled with her weight for years, losing 67 pounds with a liquid diet in 1988 and then regaining the weight when she returned to regular eating. In 1992, she reached 237 pounds, the most she has ever weighed.

In 2019, Winfrey revealed she had been diagnosed with prediabetes and subsequently lost 42 pounds using the Weight Watchers program, getting her blood sugar and blood pressure back to normal ranges. She has also been open about her use of weight-loss medication as a "maintenance tool" and to prevent yo-yoing. She has not confirmed which medication she is taking, but many have speculated it is Ozempic, a medication approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes, with weight loss as a famous side effect.

Winfrey's diet is healthful but far from dull, averaging about 1,700 well-balanced calories daily. Her diet is about 20 percent protein, 30 percent fat (including healthy fats), and 50 percent carbohydrates (such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables). She also consumes a lot of yogurt and calcium-enriched soy milk, providing her with about 1,100 mg of calcium daily. She is also a fan of fiber, averaging 34g a day.

In addition to her diet, Winfrey also prioritises exercise, including hiking 3 to 5 miles every day and doing a 10-mile hike on weekends. She also drinks a gallon of water a day and uses the WeightWatchers principles of counting points.

Oprah's exercise routine

There is no evidence that Oprah Winfrey endorses Lean Start Keto. However, she has been vocal about her exercise routine and weight loss journey.

Oprah's trainer, Bob Greene, put together an intense six-week regimen for her, tougher than her year-round program, to help her lose weight and get fit. The routine included cardiovascular workouts six mornings a week, consisting of 45 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as power walking on a graded treadmill, jogging, elliptical exercise, stair-stepping, or rowing. She also did a 20-minute evening workout four to five times a week before dinner, and once a week, she replaced her usual aerobic exercise with a 75-minute run.

Oprah also focused on strength training four to five times a week, with 30 to 40 minutes of exercises like squats, leg extensions, leg curls, chest presses, incline presses, lat pulls, seated pull-downs, standing flies, seated rows, and back extensions. She preferred to do strength training before her aerobic workouts, and always included a 15-minute power walk as a warm-up.

Additionally, Oprah made sure to stretch her whole body after every workout, with 80% of the stretches focusing on her legs. She also aimed to take at least 10,000 steps a day.

Oprah's trainer, Bob Greene, notes that squats are very efficient as they work the buttocks, quadriceps, and hamstrings. He also emphasizes the importance of balancing your training and working the muscles on both sides of a joint.

Oprah's dedication to her exercise routine, combined with her use of the Weight Watchers program, has helped her achieve significant weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

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