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Lizzo is Putting Mental Health and Personal Development First
Getting Lizzo to finally feel good was, she thought, about damn time. Even if her platinum-selling, award-winning “Big Grrrl” brand is all about being proud of one’s body and voice in their natural state, the singer born Melissa Jefferson, who will be 38 on April 27, came to the conclusion that she can’t just work on mothering her body; she has to make some changes at the personal level as well.
The health and happiness aspect of body positivity, she said in a Women’s Health interview a few months ago, “has nothing to do with staying the same.” She went on to say that the body positivity movement is essentially a “radical act” of existing loudly and proudly in the face of societal pressures. According to Lizzo, this up and coming phase of her life is a journey of attending to oneself rather than fitting into a mold.
Lizzo can even recall a time when she was so down, she almost skipped her gym session, but since those days are rare and all her other days, she’s glad she worked out, she still ended up she could count on a handful of benefits physically, mentally, and emotionally. She said first and foremost she is working out for mental health; she called it the mood changer par excellence.
Lizzo Prioritizes Mental Health and Personal Growth Ahead of 38th Birthday
Lizzo revealed that her drive to get fit was inspired by a desire for better mental health rather than an improved figure. In a TikTok video from May 2023, she noted that exercise helped her change how she thinks about herself rather than her outer appearance, adding that it also lifted her from a negative body image.
She naturally gained a healthier and more toned body while taking Pilates, strength training and going on regular walks. However, Lizzo believes that the main change was what happened inside her. Presenting in a TikTok video in February 2024, she said that walking acts as a vehicle to let go of stress, anxiety and tension and that by the end of the walk, she usually has no recollection of such negative emotions.
Her present regimen is a combination of… training workouts several times a week, practicing daily cardio, pickleball, hiking and beach walks.
Lizzo Reinterprets Body Positivity Through Sobriety and Mental Health
Lizzo recently pointed out that the items she consumes are equally as important as the ways she exercises. She disclosed that she has eliminated potato chips, sugary Starbucks drinks, and soda from her diet while also significantly reducing her alcohol intake, although, at first, she didn’t give it up completely. After being vegan for years, she even started adding more protein to her diet by including eggs, tuna, and other poultry.
On another occasion, Lizzo mentioned that she has turned completely sober. In fact, on her Instagram Stories on April 2, she informed fans that she has been without alcohol for two months now. However, she still advocates for balance, stating that if she really desires something decadent, she will let herself have it without going overboard.
In addition to food changes, she has also gone for self-care methods such as sauna every day, holistic body work, wood therapy, and lymphatic massage. On the other hand, Lizzo said that exercising regularly is not a new thing for her, she has kept up a serious workout regimen for a good while before her major success album Cuz I Love You in 2019 which took her to international stardom.
Lizzo Shuts Down Body Expectations While Owning Her Fitness Journey
Lizzo made it clear that her fitness journey is about her—not anyone else’s standards. “I’ve been working out consistently for the last five years… I’m working out to have my ideal body type,” she said in a June 2020 TikTok, adding bluntly that what that looks like is “none of your f–king business.”
However, as her fame continued to grow, Lizzo became increasingly aware that public scrutiny—both of her body and her personal life—was unavoidable. She also faced criticism from some who felt her evolving health journey conflicted with her body-positive message.
Adele experienced similar backlash after losing 100 pounds, with some fans questioning the change. Addressing the reaction, the singer told British Vogue in 2021, “I understand why some women especially were hurt… Visually I represented a lot of women. But I’m still the same person.”
Lizzo ditches the body positivity in favor of body neutrality
Lizzo, formerly a big advocate of body positivity, has acknowledged that there are days when she doesn’t feel confident about her body and it’s ok. She confided in the New York Times that her feelings about her figure do fluctuate and it’s natural.
The singer in a heart-to-heart chat with the readers of The New York Times shared that it is ok not to love one’s body all the time and one should not be made to feel guilty for it as it is only human. As for her turnaround, she said that body neutrality is what she is aiming at.
She has recently made a vow to herself to not only work on her appearance but on her inner self as well so she can become a better version of herself.
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Lizzo Reveals That Her Fitness Journey Offered Her “a New Sense of Self”
Since the beginning, Lizzo’s fitness journey has illustrated the importance of striking a balance between mental and physical health. The multi-talented musician has said that, through the journey, she learned how to love herself and live a sustainable life.
“For me, it was like coming home, ” she said during a 2025 episode of Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, explaining how she has found a workout that she actually loves and is able to keep up with. She mentioned in passing her coming to know more about food, cardio, and weightlifting through the process.
Putting it in her own words, Lizzo stated that her “weight release journey with intention” started approximately a year and a half ago. The first reason for her motivation was her weight-associated back pain, which is a good example of how the feature of her physical transformation that has been mainly motivated by health rather than looks.
Lizzo Redefines Success Through Health and Healthier Perspective
According to Lizzo, becoming thin according to conventional standards was never a part of her plan; she was more interested in achieving what she calls “big-girl skinny.” She told Women’s Health that for her, this meant being at approximately 250 pounds.
In a January 2025 TikTok, she threw a party for herself after dropping 16% body fat and said “good as hell” about it. Yet, she noted that even after her changes, she is not going to the definition of thin, and possibly, the internet will still be criticizing her. Turning the tables on this, she said, “But I will choose to be happy.”
Lizzo is 5-foot-10 and has been boldly showing off her Yitty shapewear and swimwear collections ahead of the release of her fifth album, Love in Real Life. Besides being happy with her body, she revealed in a December 2024 segment of her Big Grrrl Hour podcast that dropping the body positivity “label” might be her next step.
Lizzo Says Her Transformation Goes Beyond Weight Loss
“The weight that has been lifted from me is not just the physical or the fat, ” Lizzo remarked on the Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast. She was describing how her journey has been emotional as well as physical. She made it clear that she doesn’t see it as “loss, ” but a release, and that this is the most body-positive medium for her to experience her transformation
After that, Lizzo has confided that she has gone below her target weight and feels the changes in her day-to-day life. She was also saying that the back pain she had been experiencing is a thing of the past, and so she is able to move around more freely.
“I was unable to wear heels for long periods of time, ” she told Women’s Health. “Now, honey, I even wear heels when I go to the grocery store!”
Here’s a look at Lizzo’s transformation over the years:
Lizzo Took a Step Back While Navigating Lawsuit and Personal Growth
Lizzo has revealed that she has been engaged in an “intentional weight release journey” since 2023, which also saw her going through a lot of ups and downs, both personal and work-related.
The very same year, a group of Lizzo’s former dancers accused her through a lawsuit of fostering a “hostile, abusive work environment” and also weight-shamed, claims that she completely denied. In her response to the accusations on Instagram, Lizzo wrote, “With passion comes hard work and high standards, ” also recognizing that she makes decisions that may be perceived as harsh but her intention is never to make anyone feel less.”
“I know exactly how it feels to be body shamed every single day, ” she pointed out, emphasizing that it’s against her character to make fun of or belittle someone due to their weight.
During the scandal and the period without a new album, the “About Damn Time” artist disclosed in August 2024 that she was taking a “gap year” for self-care and self-protection of her peace.
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Lizzo shares actual thoughts on mindset and self-love journey
Lizzo acknowledges that, at times, her connection with her physical body is not flawless, and she also has moments of doubt.
“I won’t even pretend to say I love my body every day, ” she mentioned to The New York Times in April 2024. “The reality is, our feelings toward ourselves are in constant flux. Some days I am head over heels with my body, but on others, I don’t feel 100% positive.”
Lizzo Declares She’s “Fine Both Ways” in Confident Transformation Post
On September 18th, 2024, Lizzo posted on TikTok a side-by-side feature showing her style transformation. At first, she was wearing a black matching set, then she switched to a gray-bodied outfit.
The singer added a caption to the video stating “Fine both ways, ” thereby emphasizing that she embraces her body all the time, no matter what. Her gesture supports the idea of being confident in oneself and accepting changes in one’s body.
Lizzo Laughs Off Ozempic Rumors After Months of Hard Work
Lizzo joked on Instagram, Sept. 20th, “When you finally get Ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit, ” Lizzo humorously brushed off speculations regarding her weight loss.
Lizzo Stuns in See-Through Jean Paul Gaultier Outfit at Nobu
The singing sensation and Grammy winner decided to go all out on her appearance at Nobu on 27th Sept. She wore a black-and-white sheer Jean Paul Gaultier dress, which was a perfect match to the black bodysuit underneath. Besides that, she also finished the daring ensemble by throwing on a leather trench coat over her shoulders, wearing huge silver hoop earrings and sporting black shades.
Lizzo Opens Up About the Realities of Overeating and Self-Compassion
“I overate yesterday, and I’m feeling really bad about it,” Lizzo admitted in a Sept. 30, 2024, TikTok, where she detailed the natural fluctuations of her health journey.
Rather than spiraling into guilt, the singer shared how she works to shift her mindset during those more difficult moments. “I’m trying to remind myself that my body needs that nourishment,” she explained, adding that “if my body deserves comfort, then my brain deserves comfort too,” emphasizing the importance of being kind to herself throughout the process.
Lizzo Opens Up About the Realities of Overeating and Self-Compassion
“I was overeating yesterday, and I am feeling quite bad about it, ”
Lizzo revealed in a Sept. 30, 2024, TikTok that featured her health journey’s normal ups and downs.
Instead of falling into guilt, the singer reported that during those tough moments, changing the mind is the way she works.
“I’m aiming to recall that my body is in need of nourishment, ” she said, also noting that “if my body is worthy of comfort, then my mind is worthy of comfort, too, ” thereby highlighting the need for kindness to oneself during the process.
Lizzo Speaks About Her Weight Loss Achievement
“I did it, ” Lizzo wrote on Instagram on Jan. 25, 2025, revealing a big personal achievement. “Today when I weighed myself, I hit my weight release goal. It’s a number I haven’t seen since 2014!”
During the conversation, Lizzo also inspired her audience by saying, “Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to.” Upon reaching the major milestone, she indicated that she was set to move forward with her endeavor, finishing her message with, “Time for new goals!”
Lizzo Attributes her Change in Look to Lymphatic Massage and Other Healthy Habits
One of the days leading to the 4th of July in 2025, Lizzo posted a side-by-side image showing the very first time she had a lymphatic massage with Flavia Lanini and the very last time.
She mentioned that the procedure, which is a technique that enhances the flow of bodily fluids and eliminates waste products, together with wood therapy, working out regularly, playing pickleball, dancing, drinking plenty of water, lessening the intake of sugar, more protein, detoxing the body once a month and following other healthy ways were the main contributors to her transformation in health and fitness.
Lizzo Marks Her Two-Month Sobriety Anniversary with a Performance at Coachella 2026
During her Coachella 2026 show, Lizzo, who shared her photo from the event, mentioned on April 2 that it’s been two months since she has had a drink.
