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| Credit: Oprah Winfrey/Instagram |
In a candid revelation, media mogul Oprah Winfrey opened up about the years of body shaming she endured, expressing her sadness and shame after being labeled 'Dumpy, Frumpy, and Downright Lumpy' on a magazine cover. Approaching her 70th birthday next month, Winfrey discussed the challenges she faced during a recent interview with People.
Winfrey described how mocking her weight had become a "public sport" over the past 25 years. Recalling the hurtful remarks and jokes aimed at her appearance, she emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated in today's climate. "The things that were said about me, said to me, around me, the jokes that were made. You could not get away with it in the slightest sense today," Winfrey asserted.
The media icon reflected on a specific magazine cover that branded her as "Dumpy, Frumpy, and Downright Lumpy." Despite the hurtful tagline, Winfrey admitted that she internalized the shame and did not allow herself to feel anger. "I felt sad. I felt hurt. I felt shame. But it didn't occur to me that I could even feel angry. I swallowed the shame, and I accepted that it was my fault," she revealed.
During the summer, Winfrey participated in a panel discussion as part of Oprah Daily's "Life You Want" series, focusing on the "State of Weight." She described this experience as an "aha" moment in her life, realizing that she had been unfairly blaming herself for her weight struggles. "Obesity is a disease. It's not about willpower - it's about the brain," Winfrey emphasized.
As part of her journey, Winfrey shared that she now uses a prescribed weight-loss medication as a tool to manage her weight without the pitfalls of yo-yo dieting. She sees this approach as a relief, redemption, and a gift, emphasizing that it's not something to hide behind but rather a means to stay healthier without fear of ridicule.
Oprah Winfrey's story serves as a powerful testament to the emotional toll of body shaming and the importance of self-acceptance in the face of societal pressures.
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