Lizzo's Transformative Weight Release Journey
Lizzo's weight loss journey has been a remarkable transformation, which she referred to as a "weight release journey" in 2023. The "Truth Hurts" singer has always been vocal about improving her mental health, especially considering her young fan base. Her ultimate goal was not just physical change but mental well-being.
"Once I started working out for 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, and feel disgusted with myself, exercise has helped me shift my mind, not my body," she said in a May 2023 TikTok video as reported by People. "My body is gonna change, everyone's bodies change. That's life."
The Beginning of the Journey
Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Jefferson, opened up about her weight loss journey on the podcast On Purpose with Jay Shetty in April 2025. She credited her boyfriend for bringing it to her attention. "He was the one that brought it to my attention at first. Because at first I was like, 'Oh my gosh I lost five pounds' and he was like, 'Where did it go?'" she recalled. "I was mad at him, I was like, 'Why would he say that?' but he was like, 'Where did it go?'"
Throughout her journey, her fans have been extremely supportive. In a post in late November 2024, the singer shared a series of selfies, and fans were quick to point out how well her new fitness routine was working, as reported by Today.
The Ozempic Controversy
Speculations took over quickly when Lizzo shared glimpses of her weight loss progress on social media. Some followers questioned whether she was taking Ozempic to reduce her weight. According to Healthline, Ozempic is a medication used to improve blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes and has been popular in Hollywood for weight loss.
However, the singer pushed back against the controversies in 2024 by posting a clip of herself smiling for the camera, soundtracked by a popular TikTok audio of Christoph Waltz's character in Django Unchained saying, "It's like a reward," as reported in People. In June 2025, Lizzo briefly admitted to using a small amount of Ozempic on the Just Trish podcast. "It's just the science, for me, calories in vs. calories out. Ozempic work because you eat less food. It makes you feel full. So, if you can just do that on your own and get mind-over-matter, it's the same," she said.
Slow but Gradual Progress with Highs and Lows
In an interview with The New York Times, Lizzo mentioned that her dieting and workout routine were bringing progress, but her approach was anything but a quick fix. She described her journey as "methodical" and said she was "losing weight quite slowly." "My body has been changing very slowly, but I don't think people were paying attention," she said during her podcast interview with Shetty. "I would show different things like my workouts or I'd show, like, what I eat in a day ... But I think we have to remember, everybody is not seeing yours all the time."
Lizzo has always been supportive of body positivity, which she said has "evolved into body neutrality." "I'm not going to lie and say I love my body every day," she added.
Finally Reaching Her Goal
In a December 2023 TikTok post, Lizzo mentioned incorporating pilates into her workout routine to "heal" her back. All her efforts helped her finally reach her goals in 2025. The "Good As Hell" singer shared two mirror selfies on Instagram, overlaid with screenshots from an app that showed she had achieved her goal. "I did it," she wrote in the caption. "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!"
