How did Kelly Clarkson lose all her weight?

How did Kelly Clarkson lose all her weight? The singer dropped 60 pounds through a mix of walking more in New York City, eating a high protein diet, and taking prescription medication to help her body break down sugar.

Clarkson moved from Los Angeles to New York for her talk show, and this simple change got her walking everywhere. She also switched to eating more protein after her doctor warned her about prediabetes. And after two years of her doctor asking, she started taking medication that helps her body process sugar properly, since her blood work showed her body wasn’t doing it right on its own.

What health problems made Kelly Clarkson want to lose weight?

Kelly Clarkson wasn’t trying to look a certain way. She lost weight because her doctor told her she was prediabetic, and her blood work kept getting worse. Clarkson has dealt with thyroid problems and an autoimmune disease for years, and by 2023, her doctor was chasing her for two years to take medication.

Prediabetes affects over 97 million American adults. Your blood sugar sits higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes yet. Most people don’t know they have it because there are no symptoms. Clarkson found out during routine blood work.

When she finally started making changes, she told Women’s Health that doctors said she was prediabetic. This became the main reason she changed her lifestyle, not pressure to look different for Hollywood.

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How much walking did Kelly Clarkson do to lose weight?

Moving to New York City from Los Angeles added a lot of walking to Kelly’s daily routine without her even trying. In big cities like New York, you walk to the subway, walk to get lunch, and walk everywhere instead of driving.

Research shows that walking 7,000 to 12,000 steps per day helps with fat loss. A 30 minute walk gives you about 3,000 steps and burns 100 to 200 calories. If you add just one 30 minute walk every day, you can lose an extra pound of fat per month without changing anything else.

Clarkson told reporters that living in New York made her much more active day to day. She wasn’t going to the gym for hours. She was just walking as part of normal life, which is way easier to stick with than forcing yourself to do cardio you hate.

What did Kelly Clarkson eat to lose weight?

Kelly started eating a lot more protein after her doctor told her to. She focused on eating a high protein diet, which keeps you full longer and reduces cravings for snacks throughout the day.

Protein needs about 20 to 30% of its calories just for your body to digest it, which is more than double what carbs or fats need. Studies show that going from low protein to high protein can raise your daily calorie burn by 4 to 5%. This adds up to an extra pound of fat loss every month just from eating more protein.

For daily protein targets, multiply your body weight in pounds by 0.8. So if you weigh 200 pounds, you should aim for 160 grams of protein per day. If you use kilograms, multiply by 1.8 instead.

Clarkson also told People that she eats a healthy mix and follows what her doctor tells her. She dropped weight because she finally started listening to medical advice after ignoring it for a couple years.

What medication did Kelly Clarkson take for weight loss?

Kelly takes prescription medication that helps her body break down sugar, but it’s not Ozempic like everyone assumes. She confirmed this during a May 2024 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show while talking with Whoopi Goldberg, who also uses weight loss medication.

“My doctor chased me for like two years, and I was like, ‘No I’m afraid of it, I already have thyroid problems,'” Clarkson explained. She was worried about side effects because of her existing health issues.

The medication she uses helps break down sugar because her body doesn’t do it properly on its own. This is different from how Ozempic works. Her medication targets her specific problem, which is processing blood sugar.

Medical experts suggest she might be using medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, which are FDA approved for weight loss and help with blood sugar processing. But Clarkson hasn’t said exactly which one she takes.

Did Kelly Clarkson follow the Plant Paradox diet?

Back in 2018, Kelly Clarkson lost her first 37 pounds by following the Plant Paradox diet from Dr. Steven Gundry’s book. This diet cuts out lectins, which are proteins found in beans, grains, nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, and dairy products.

Clarkson told the Today Show that she read the book to help with her autoimmune disease and thyroid issue. She said all her levels came back up and she got off thyroid medication by following this diet.

The Plant Paradox diet is pretty strict. You cut out legumes, beans, whole grains, dairy, eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes. You eat grass fed meat (only 4 ounces per day), pasture raised chicken and turkey, wild caught fish, and vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens, and mushrooms.

Many doctors think this diet is too restrictive and cuts out healthy foods that most people should eat. Registered dietitian Anar Allidina points out that cooking, fermenting, or pressure cooking these foods reduces the lectin content anyway. The weight loss probably came from eating less processed food and fewer overall calories, not from avoiding lectins specifically.

Dr. Nicole Harkin, a cardiologist, said there’s little evidence that a lectin free diet is healthy, but tons of studies show that whole food plant based diets are good for your heart and brain.

How much weight did Kelly Clarkson lose total?

Kelly Clarkson lost 60 pounds total over the past few years. She lost about 37 pounds in 2018 from the Plant Paradox diet, then lost more weight after moving to New York and adding medication to her routine.

She hasn’t given an exact timeline for losing all 60 pounds. The weight came off over several years as she made different changes to her lifestyle. She told People in 2025 that she peaked at 203 pounds but was never insecure about it.

For Clarkson, the number on the scale wasn’t the main goal. She focused on feeling better and improving her health markers like blood sugar and thyroid levels.

What exercises did Kelly Clarkson do besides walking?

Kelly hasn’t talked much about specific workout routines. Her main form of exercise is walking, which she does naturally living in New York City. She also mentioned enjoying wellness trends like infrared saunas and cold plunges.

Infrared saunas use heat to make you sweat and some people say it helps with recovery and relaxation. Cold plunges involve sitting in very cold water for a few minutes, which some studies show can help with inflammation and recovery.

But Clarkson’s weight loss came mostly from walking more and changing her diet, not from intense gym workouts or complicated exercise programs. This makes her approach more realistic for most people who don’t have time for two hour gym sessions every day.

Can you lose weight the same way Kelly Clarkson did?

You can copy parts of Kelly’s approach, but her exact method might not work for everyone. Walking more is easy to add to anyone’s day. Eating more protein helps almost everyone feel fuller and maintain muscle while losing fat. These two changes alone can help you lose 1 to 2 pounds per month.

The medication part is different. Kelly needed it because her body doesn’t process sugar correctly, and her blood work was getting dangerously bad. Weight loss medications work best for people with specific medical issues like prediabetes, not just for anyone who wants to drop a few pounds.

If you think you might have blood sugar issues, get blood work done with your doctor. Many people have prediabetes without knowing it because there are no obvious symptoms until it gets worse.

The Plant Paradox diet that Kelly tried in 2018 is very restrictive. Most nutritionists don’t recommend cutting out so many healthy foods like beans, whole grains, and vegetables. You’ll probably see better long term results from eating less processed food and more whole foods without banning entire food groups.

How long does it take to see results from walking and protein?

If you add 30 minutes of walking every day and increase your protein to 0.8 grams per pound of body weight, you can expect to lose about 1 to 1.5 pounds per month. This might not sound like much, but it adds up to 12 to 18 pounds in a year without doing anything extreme.

The protein changes work fast. Within a few days, you’ll notice you feel fuller after meals and don’t crave snacks as much between meals. Studies show that people who eat high protein diets naturally start eating about 250 fewer calories per day without trying.

Walking shows results within the first month. Research on NEAT (non exercise activity thermogenesis) shows that highly active people burn up to 2,000 more calories per day than sedentary people, just from moving around more during normal daily activities.

What mistakes should you avoid when trying to lose weight like Kelly?

Don’t jump straight into a very restrictive diet like the Plant Paradox without talking to a doctor or dietitian first. Kelly used this diet to manage specific health conditions, not just to lose weight. Cutting out healthy foods like beans and whole grains can actually make it harder to get enough fiber and nutrients.

Don’t expect medication to do all the work. Kelly still had to walk more and change her diet. The medication just helped her body process sugar better, which made the diet and exercise changes more effective.

Don’t ignore your doctor’s advice for years like Kelly did at first. She admitted her doctor chased her for two years to try medication, and she kept refusing because she was scared. If your blood work shows problems, address them early instead of waiting until things get worse.

Don’t skip the protein. A lot of people focus on cutting calories but forget to eat enough protein. This makes you lose muscle along with fat, which slows down your metabolism and makes it easier to gain the weight back later.

How can you add more walking to your day without going to the gym?

Park further away from store entrances when you go shopping. This adds an extra 5 to 10 minutes of walking without needing any extra time in your schedule.

Take phone calls while walking around your house or outside. A 20 minute call can easily turn into 2,000 steps without you even thinking about it.

Walk to get coffee or lunch instead of driving. If you live or work near shops, walking there and back can add 3,000 to 5,000 steps to your day.

Get an under desk treadmill if you work from home. You can walk slowly while answering emails or doing other work tasks. Just 30 minutes twice a day gives you 6,000 steps, and the rest comes from normal daily movement.

Set a timer to stand up and walk around for 5 minutes every hour. This breaks up long sitting sessions and can add 1,000 to 2,000 steps per day depending on how much you move during those breaks.

What protein foods are easiest to add to your meals?

Greek yogurt cups have about 15 to 20 grams of protein and you can grab them from any store. Add one as a snack between meals to boost your daily protein without much effort.

Eggs give you 6 grams of protein each. Scramble 3 eggs for breakfast and you start your day with 18 grams of protein plus you’ll stay full until lunch.

Chicken breast has about 30 grams of protein per 100 grams of meat. Grill or bake a bunch on Sunday and add it to salads, wraps, or rice bowls throughout the week.

Protein powder mixes into coffee, smoothies, or oatmeal. One scoop gives you 20 to 30 grams of protein. Kelly’s mom started adding protein powder to her coffee instead of sugar, which saved 750 grams of sugar per month and added 450 grams of protein.

Beef jerky and protein bars work great when you’re busy. They’re not as healthy as whole foods but they’re way better than chips or cookies, and they give you 10 to 20 grams of protein per serving.

Canned tuna or salmon costs less than fresh fish and has 20 to 25 grams of protein per can. Mix it with some mayo and mustard, put it on bread or crackers, and you have a quick high protein meal.

Should you take weight loss medication like Kelly did?

Only take weight loss medication if your doctor recommends it for a specific medical reason. Kelly took it because her blood work showed prediabetes and her body couldn’t process sugar correctly. She didn’t take it just to lose weight faster.

Weight loss medications work best for people with BMI over 30, or BMI over 27 with health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. They’re not meant for people who just want to drop 10 pounds for a wedding or vacation.

The medications also come with side effects. Many people get nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain, especially when they first start. Kelly was scared to try it for two years because she already had thyroid problems and didn’t want to make things worse.

If you think medication might help you, get blood work done first. Check your blood sugar levels, A1C (which shows your average blood sugar over 3 months), cholesterol, and thyroid function. If these numbers show problems, then medication might make sense along with diet and exercise changes.

Don’t use medication as a shortcut to avoid making lifestyle changes. Kelly still had to walk more and eat better. The medication just made those changes more effective by fixing the underlying problem with how her body processed food.

FAQ

Is Kelly Clarkson still taking weight loss medication? Yes, Kelly confirmed in 2024 that she’s still using prescription medication to help her body break down sugar. Her blood work showed this was necessary for her health, not just for weight loss.

Did Kelly Clarkson use Ozempic? No. Kelly specifically said her medication is not Ozempic, though she didn’t name exactly which one she uses. It helps her body process sugar, which suggests it might be Wegovy, Zepbound, or a similar medication.

How many steps does Kelly Clarkson walk per day? Kelly hasn’t shared her exact step count, but living in New York City naturally makes people walk 8,000 to 15,000 steps per day just from going about normal activities.

Does Kelly Clarkson still follow the Plant Paradox diet? Kelly hasn’t said if she still follows the strict Plant Paradox diet. She mentioned it helped her lose the first 37 pounds in 2018, but now she talks more about eating protein and following her doctor’s advice for a healthy mix of foods.

How much does Kelly Clarkson weigh now? Kelly told People in 2025 that she peaked at 203 pounds but hasn’t shared her current weight. She’s focused on health markers and how she feels, not the number on the scale.

Can walking really help you lose 60 pounds? Walking alone won’t cause 60 pounds of weight loss. Kelly combined walking with high protein eating and medication for her blood sugar issues. Walking helped, but it was one part of several changes working together.

What foods does Kelly Clarkson avoid? Kelly focuses on eating more protein and avoiding processed foods with added sugar. When she followed the Plant Paradox diet in 2018, she cut out beans, grains, nightshade vegetables, and dairy, but it’s not clear if she still avoids all these foods.

How long did it take Kelly to lose 60 pounds? Kelly lost the weight over several years, not all at once. She lost 37 pounds in 2018 from the Plant Paradox diet, then continued losing after moving to New York and adding medication. The total timeline was probably 3 to 5 years.

Does Kelly Clarkson go to the gym? Kelly hasn’t talked about regular gym workouts. Her main exercise is walking around New York City as part of her daily routine. She also enjoys infrared saunas and cold plunges for wellness.

What should you eat if you want to lose weight like Kelly? Start by eating more protein with every meal. Aim for 0.8 grams per pound of body weight daily. Cut back on processed foods and added sugar. Walk 7,000 to 12,000 steps per day. Get blood work done to check if you have any underlying issues like prediabetes that might need medication.

Can you lose weight eating the same foods as before? Kelly said you can eat the same types of foods but just change the ingredients to healthier versions. Instead of regular flour, use almond flour. Instead of sugar in coffee, add protein powder. Small swaps like this can cut hundreds of calories per day while keeping meals tasty.

Is it safe to cut out beans and grains like the Plant Paradox diet says? Most nutritionists say no. Beans, whole grains, and vegetables contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs. Cooking these foods reduces lectin content anyway, so there’s no reason to avoid them completely unless you have a specific medical condition.

How much protein should you eat per day to lose weight? Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.8, or your weight in kilograms by 1.8. A 150 pound person needs about 120 grams of protein daily. Spread this across 3 to 4 meals so each meal has 30 to 40 grams of protein.

What blood tests should you get before trying to lose weight? Ask your doctor to check your fasting blood sugar, A1C (average blood sugar over 3 months), thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4), cholesterol panel, and vitamin D levels. These tests show if you have underlying health issues that might make weight loss harder.

How can you tell if you have prediabetes? You can’t tell without blood work because there are usually no symptoms. Fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125 mg/dL means prediabetes. A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% also indicates prediabetes. Over 97 million American adults have it but most don’t know.

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