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For all of her success, there was one challenge Oprah Winfrey had yet to conquer: her struggle with weight.
She was determined to lose 9 kgs. in the summer of 2015, but an ankle injury derailed those hopes. While laid up for a month “eating jalapeño bagels,” she gained almost 8 kgs. “You are doing some serious eating and not moving,” she tells PEOPLE about that difficult time. “I was in yet another funk about my weight.”
Then one day she received the call that would set her on a new course. Weight Watchers offered her a basic endorsement deal, which she turned down to negotiate purchasing 10 percent of the company.
Now, after 17 months on the program, Winfrey, 62, has lost more than 19 kilos. “And that 5, honey child, counts!” she exults.
“This has been the easiest process that I’ve ever experienced. At no time during meals do I deprive myself,” says Winfrey, who’s down to a size 12.
The media mogul talks about the shame she constantly felt over her weight despite her incredible success in other areas of her life, her struggles over years of yo-yo dieting, her upcoming cookbook and how partner Stedman Graham and best friend Gayle King (who are also on Weight Watchers) are supporting her.
Most importantly, she says her attitude towards eating has become healthier.
“I finally made peace with food,” she says.
This article originally appeared on PEOPLE.COM.
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