Kelly Clarkson's weight loss journey taught her to embrace her body size and shape over the past years.
American singer, songwriter, author, and TV personality Kelly Clarkson’s weight has been one of the major subjects when it comes to her personal life. After winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, many called her out to change her size and shape and lose weight.
The 40-year-old singer hasn’t been afraid to address such issues, particularly body shaming. In fact, she’s been literally vocal about her finding happiness, embracing acceptance, and self-love in her 2020 powerful ballad single, I Dare You.
“There are always things that happen that come up that bum you out, but at the same time, you’ve got to recognize … it’s made you who you are,” The Voice coach said in an interview with Glamour UK in 2020. “I’m a very strong individual. I’m very confident, and I’ve been forced to find that in myself.”
During the early years of her career, Kelly faced more pressure in the industry. She told the outlet, “I felt more pressure from people actually when I was thin, when I was really thin, and not super healthy because I just was worn out.”
She thought that she had to change her shape and size to maintain her career back then. However, she eventually realized that she didn’t owe anyone when it comes to her figure, and she didn’t need to change everything about her to be accepted in the industry.
“I fought more when I was thinner than I do now, because now I just walking and I just look at them like, ‘I dare you to say something.’ I’m happy in my life. I’ll work on me in my time!”
Kelly Clarkson's Weight Loss Tricks
The main keys to Kelly’s successful weight loss:
- She followed “The Plant Paradox,” a new clean-eating plan
- She opted for the diet to manage her thyroid problem
- She eliminated lectin from her diet
Related Weight-Loss Posts
Kelly Clarkson opts for a diet called "The Plant Paradox" not to lose weight - but to keep a healthy body and manage her condition.
In the summer of 2018, many were shocked when the singer appeared to lose weight as she looked slimmer compared to her previous public appearances. During a red carpet interview at the 2018 CMT Music Awards, she revealed that her weight loss was the result of her new diet plan.
“I’m not working out!” Kelly said. “I literally read this book … It’s called The Plant Paradox. It’s basically about how we cook our food, non-GMO, no pesticides, eating really organic.”
Kelly has lost 37 pounds within a year, thanks to her new clean-eating plan diet. However, the singer’s weight loss was just a “side effect” of her efforts to stay healthy. The major reason she changed her eating habits was that she was diagnosed with thyroid condition and an autoimmune disease.
“I had an autoimmune disease and a thyroid problem that started in 2006,” The Voice coach told Today Show host Hoda Kotb in June 2018. “I know the industry loves the weight gone, but for me, it wasn’t really (about) the weight. For me, it was ‘I’m not on my medicine anymore.'”
What is the Plant Paradox diet plan, and how did it impact Kelly Clarkson's weight loss journey?
The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry is a diet plan claiming that lectin – a protein found in various foods – can cause several health ailments, including weight gain, inflammation, and thyroid issues. This is one of the major reasons why Kelly opted for this diet to manage her thyroid issue.
According to the book, eliminating lectin from your diet could reverse the complications. But then, most of the healthy foods around them contain this type of protein – including vegetables, fruits, and grains. Nutrition experts were also worried about this diet.
Yet, Dr. Gundry is convinced that this diet plan is the key to restoring health for many individuals. He told Healthline, “[This diet] asks people to eat and party like it’s 9,999 years ago, before the dawn of agriculture.”
The heart surgeon further explained that people in the past thrived on this particular diet, and they’re thriving again “as they return to their dietary roots.” He added that the “disruptors” should be eliminated as they destroy the gut microbiome.
Aside from The Plant Paradox, does Kelly Clarkson go on exercise?
While Kelly managed to lose weight through her diet plan, the singer admitted that she doesn’t exercise. In a red carpet interview with Extra, she explains that people think her weight loss was due to working out – but it’s not, and she’s not a fan of exercising.
“This just in… I still hate working out. I’m sweaty, red, and not any thinner . . . people say it’s good for your heart… but people also say red wine is good for your heart,” the singer wrote on Twitter. “I mean, I’m just stating facts here people. Who am I to ignore science?! #cardioversuswine.”
How does Kelly Clarkson deal with body-shamers?
The singer has been subjected when it comes to her weight, but the criticisms didn’t bother her. During her appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2015, Kelly said that she was the biggest girl in the American Idol cast when she joined the American singing contest.
“And I wasn’t big, but people would call me big … I’ve kind of always gotten that.”
She also said that one of the things that hurt her feeling for people was having a meet and greet after the show. Then, she revealed that a girl who’s bigger than her came to the meet and greet and said, ‘Wow, if they think you’re big, I must be so fat to them.”
“And it’s like, you’re just who you are. We are who we are – whatever size,” she continues.
Kelly became one of the judges of The Voice in 2017 and she felt happy to be back as she no longer feels the pressure of looking slim on TV. She said they chose her to be part of the singing competition not because of her weight but because she “connects with people and raw.”
In fact, she was not afraid to shut down those criticizing her weight and body image on social media. When one Twitter user posted “You’re fat” back in 2017, the singer didn’t back down and replied: “and still f**cking awesome.”
Now, Kelly has nothing but positivity when it comes to body image.
Speaking with Reebok in 2018, the singer discussed the pressures she faced as a curvy woman amidst her booming career. She said that people will always criticize and have something to say about her size – whether she’ll gain weight or lose weight.
Kelly admitted, “It’s when I’m fat that I’m happy.” She goes on to explain that people think there’s something wrong with her that’s why she gained weight – even if it’s not. She pointed out that her weight gain “represents happiness in my emotional world.”
View this post on Instagram
“If you gauge your life on what other people think, you’re going to be in a constant state of panic trying to please everyone. People should just concentrate on their own lives and their own health and their own happiness, and whatever that looks like for you, be happy with it.”