After Kelly Clarkson debuted her striking weight loss in 2023, most heads turned toward Ozempic. While the Grammy Award-winning music star has opted to keep private some of the specifics such as which weight loss drug she used, she’s been relatively open about her health journey overall. In fact, she offered a glimpse at the daily lifestyle habits—like walking—that have fueled her transformation. Keep reading to find out what Clarkson has revealed about the role of walking in her weight loss journey and how you can see similar benefits.
Did Kelly Clarkson take Ozempic for weight loss?
While walking did help Clarkson drop unwanted pounds, let’s first clear up whether or not she used weight loss meds to help reach her goal. After all, there’s been no lack of conversation surrounding how the original American Idol reportedly shed 60 lbs. Most recently, Clarkson pulled back the curtain a bit on her use of weight loss medication.
“I am doing that wonderful shot that works for folks who need some help, and it’s been really good for me,” Clarkson said on the May 14, 2024 episode of her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show.
“Everyone thinks it’s Ozempic. It’s not,” she clarified, but didn’t share which medication she has taken.
However, she did explain that it helped “break down the sugar—obviously my body doesn’t do it right.”
What Kelly Clarkson has said about walking for weight loss
Before divulging whether she took weight loss injections, The Since U Been Gone singer pointed to infrared saunas, a balanced, protein-centric diet (that includes the occasional sweet treat) and an active lifestyle as the forces behind her progress.
“Walking in the city is quite the workout,” Clarkson told People while discussing how her life has changed since moving to New York City.
The Kelly Clarkson Show relocated to NBC Studios in Manhattan in October 2023 after shooting the first four seasons in Los Angeles.
Now, when she’s not filming, Clarkson spends her days with her son and daughter, walking all over the big apple—from visiting museums to bringing their dogs to the park, she shared.
How squeezing in more walking aids weight loss—no matter where you live
Generally speaking, New York City it’s extremely pedestrian-friendly and traveling on foot is part of everyday life for most people.
“Living in a city like NYC incorporates a lot of walking into daily activities, which is great for your overall health,” says Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, fitness and nutrition advisor at Fortune Recommends Health. “All movement counts, and research suggests those who move more regularly are not just fitter, but generally weigh less as well.”
Because walking inherently fits into (and is sometimes even required for) errands, activities, socialization and commuting in the city, it’s an accessible option for most people, he explains.
“Instead of dedicating an hour or two a day to exercise and being sedentary otherwise, walkable cities encourage you to perform what are called exercise snacks: short bouts of activity spread throughout the day,” adds Jake Dickson, CPT-NASM, Certified Personal Trainer at BarBend.
These manageable spurts can serve as building blocks to reach your goal. No matter where you live, Steven Shamah, MD, Chief of Endoscopy at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, encourages his patients to log at least 10,000 steps a day. Once you start consistently achieving 10,000 steps every day, you can gradually increase it for even more health benefits, if you’re able, he suggests.
“Though walking is not the complete puzzle for weight loss, it is an important one to couple with a healthy diet, quality sleep and stress relief,” Dr. Shamah says.
How to make walking for weight loss easier
While it’s inarguably simpler to get more steps in if you live in a walkable city like New York, it’s still possible to infuse more walking into your daily life in other creative ways. Here’s how:
Bookend your days with a walk
One thing that can be helpful is dedicating some time at the start and finish of your day to walk. In the mornings before breakfast and evenings after dinner, walk for 10 to 30 minutes, advises Dickson. These increments will depend on how much free time you have, but they ultimately add up (and can even improve digestion, too, he adds.)
Get more out of short distances
When possible, parking your car farther away than you need to and taking stairs instead of elevators or escalators is also beneficial, experts say. If you use public transportation, have some time to spare and the distance is not too far, see if you can disembark your bus or train one stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination.
Walk and talk
You can also try swapping in some walking when you’d normally be sitting. Grabbing coffee with a friend? Chat and sip while you stroll. When talking on the phone, stand up and move around during the call.
We know and love how convenient online shopping can be, but when you’re able, opt to go to the store and explore while walking up and down the aisles instead. Work in an office? Take mini breaks to take a lap or two around the building throughout the day. And if you’re logging some time on your computer or watching a TV show at home, invest in a walking pad or treadmill so you can multitask!
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
