The CBS This Morning co-host gets candid about her lifelong weight struggles, that viral “fat-shaming” incident with Oprah, and how she finally found a sustainable approach to healthy living.
I’m sitting with Gayle King at a cozy Manhattan café, just blocks away from the CBS studios where she starts her mornings as co-host of “CBS This Morning.” At 69, King radiates the kind of energy and vitality that people half her age would envy. Dressed in a vibrant yellow dress that complements her figure, she looks noticeably slimmer than she did just a year ago.
“People keep telling me I look ‘sexy’ lately,” she says with her characteristic warm laugh, stirring her herbal tea. “I’m almost 70! But I’ll take it.”
And she should. After decades of what she describes as a “rollercoaster relationship” with her weight, King has found an approach that works for her – one that helped her lose 7 pounds in just 5 days through a structured reset program, and more importantly, changed her relationship with food and her body in the process.
“Weight has been my struggle since I was in third grade,” she confides. “Third grade! Can you imagine being conscious of your weight that young? But here I am, still figuring it out all these decades later.”
Today, she’s opening up about that lifelong journey – including the high-profile moments that played out in public, her friendship with Oprah Winfrey (and yes, that viral “fat-shaming” incident), and the approach that finally helped her find peace with food and her body.
The Public Weight Journey: Living in the Spotlight
When you’re on national television five mornings a week, your appearance becomes public property – something King knows all too well.
“The camera adds 10 pounds – that’s not a myth,” she tells me. “And trust me, people have no problem telling you when they think you’ve gained weight. The comments section doesn’t hold back!”
The Viral Moment with Oprah
In 2020, King’s weight journey went viral when her best friend Oprah Winfrey seemed to “fat-shame” her during an interview with Ashley Graham on Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour.
“Oh my God, that blew up!” King exclaims, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. “People were so angry at Oprah, saying she was fat-shaming me. The truth is so different from what it looked like in that clip.”
The viral moment showed Oprah recounting a conversation with King about weight: “I said, ‘Gayle, you need to drop some poundage.’ She goes, ‘I know, I know.'”
The internet erupted in criticism of Winfrey, but King is quick to defend her friend of over 40 years.
“Listen, when you’ve been friends as long as Oprah and I have, you can have those conversations,” she explains. “She wasn’t ‘fat-shaming’ me. She was being a friend, expressing concern because I had been complaining about my weight. Context matters!”
The Holiday Weight Confession
More recently, in January 2023, King made headlines when she candidly shared her weight on Instagram. Stepping on a scale on camera, she revealed she weighed 167.6 pounds – up from her goal weight of 160.
“That was after the holidays,” she says with a sigh. “I had really enjoyed myself – maybe a little too much. But I wanted to be honest about it. No hiding, no shame.”
The post garnered thousands of likes and comments, with many praising her transparency.
“So many women messaged me saying how refreshing it was to see someone just put the number out there,” she recalls. “We’ve made weight this secretive, shameful thing. I wanted to normalize it. It’s just a number!”
The Reset: How Gayle Lost 7 Pounds in 5 Days
In February 2023, King decided to take action after her holiday weight gain. She turned to a supervised reset program that promised quick results – and delivered.
“I lost 7 pounds in 5 days,” she shares. “Now, I know what you’re thinking – crash diet, not sustainable. But it wasn’t like that. It was a structured reset program with medical supervision.”
The Program Details
King is careful not to present the reset as a miracle solution, but she’s transparent about what it involved.
“It was basically a modified fast with very specific supplements and minimal food,” she explains. “You drink these nutrient-packed shakes, take supplements, and have just a bit of solid food. I’m not going to pretend it was easy – I was hungry! But it was doable for 5 days.”
While she doesn’t name the specific program, she emphasizes that it was developed by doctors and included regular check-ins.
“I wouldn’t do something like this without medical supervision,” she stresses. “And I don’t recommend anyone else does either. This wasn’t some random cleanse I found on social media.”
The Mental Reset
For King, the physical results were only part of the benefit.
“The 7 pounds was great, but what the reset really gave me was a mental fresh start,” she explains. “It helped me break some bad habits that had crept in over the holidays – the mindless snacking, the extra glass of wine, the dessert that had become a nightly ritual rather than an occasional treat.”
She views the program as less of a diet and more of a reset button for her health habits.
“Sometimes you need that clean break to get back on track,” she says. “The key is what you do after those 5 days.”
Beyond the Reset: Gayle’s Sustainable Approach
King is the first to acknowledge that quick weight loss methods don’t work long-term without sustainable follow-through.
“I’ve done every diet under the sun over the decades,” she admits. “The cabbage soup diet, the grapefruit diet – you name it, I’ve tried it. And you know what? They all work… temporarily. But then you go back to regular life, and the weight comes back.”
After her reset, King focused on creating sustainable habits that would help her maintain her progress and continue moving toward her goal weight.
The Food Philosophy
“I don’t believe in eliminating entire food groups anymore,” she states firmly. “That’s just not realistic for the long haul. Instead, I focus on portions and making smart swaps.”
King describes her current approach as “flexible structure” – she has guidelines rather than rigid rules.
“I aim for protein and vegetables at every meal. I limit but don’t eliminate carbs,” she explains. “And I’ve made peace with the fact that certain foods are just triggers for me – if I have one potato chip, I’m going to want the whole bag. So some things I just don’t keep in my house.”
She’s also embraced intermittent fasting, typically eating her first meal around noon and finishing dinner by 8 PM.
“The overnight fasting works well with my schedule, and I find I’m less hungry throughout the day when I push breakfast a bit later.”
The Exercise Component
At 69, King approaches exercise with a focus on mobility and consistency rather than intensity.
“I walk everywhere in New York – it’s built-in exercise,” she says. “And I do weight training twice a week with a trainer. Nothing extreme, just enough to maintain muscle mass, which becomes more important as we age.”
She’s quick to admit she’s not a natural exercise enthusiast. “I wish I could say I love working out, but I’d be lying! I love how I feel after, but during? Not so much,” she laughs. “But I know it’s necessary, especially now that I’m pushing 70.”
The Oprah Connection: A Friendship Centered on Health
It’s impossible to discuss King’s weight journey without mentioning her famous best friend. Oprah Winfrey’s own public weight struggles and her partnership with WW (formerly Weight Watchers) have been well-documented.
“Oprah and I have been on this journey together for over 40 years,” King shares. “We’ve seen each other through every diet, every weight fluctuation. We understand each other’s struggles in a way few people can.”
The Weight Watchers Influence
While King hasn’t officially partnered with WW like Winfrey, she has used the program’s principles.
“I’ve definitely borrowed concepts from Weight Watchers over the years,” she says. “The focus on portion control and making nothing off-limits – that resonates with me.”
She appreciates Winfrey’s transparency about using weight loss medication, though King herself hasn’t gone that route.
“Oprah has been so honest about using medication as part of her weight management plan. I think that’s brave,” she notes. “I haven’t felt I needed medication yet, but I’m not opposed to it if my doctor ever recommended it.”
Mutual Support System
The two friends check in with each other regularly about their health goals.
“We text each other our weights sometimes,” King shares. “Not in a competitive way, but as accountability. When one of us is struggling, the other one steps in with encouragement. That kind of support is invaluable.”
She credits this friendship as a key factor in her health journey. “Having someone who understands the struggle, who doesn’t judge but doesn’t let you make excuses either – that’s powerful.”
The Body Image Evolution: Finding Peace at 69
As our conversation winds down, I ask King about her current relationship with her body – a relationship that’s evolved over six decades.
“I’m in a much better place now,” she reflects. “In my 20s, 30s, even 40s, I was so critical of myself. Now I look at photos from back then and think, ‘Girl, what were you worried about?’ Such a waste of energy.”
Age as Perspective
King believes her age has given her valuable perspective on body image.
“At almost 70, I care more about how I feel than how I look,” she says. “Don’t get me wrong – I still want to look good! But ‘looking good’ now means looking healthy, vibrant, and strong, not necessarily being a certain size.”
She’s also more accepting of her natural body type.
“I’ll never be skinny, and that’s okay. I’m meant to have curves. Fighting against your natural body type is exhausting and futile.”
The Goal Weight Perspective
While King still maintains a goal weight of around 160 pounds, she’s relaxed about the timeline.
“Is 160 an arbitrary number? Kind of,” she admits. “But I know from experience that’s where I feel my best – energetic, comfortable in my clothes, healthy in my labs. If I never get there again, that’s fine too. I’m not going to let a number on the scale determine my happiness.”
She emphasizes that weight is just one metric of health – and not even the most important one.
“My blood pressure is excellent, my cholesterol is good, I sleep well, I have energy to keep up with my schedule and see my grandchildren. Those things matter so much more than a number.”
Looking Forward: Gayle’s Best Advice
As we prepare to leave, I ask King what advice she’d offer to others struggling with their weight – especially women in midlife and beyond.
“Be kind to yourself,” she says without hesitation. “The negative self-talk, the harsh criticism – it doesn’t help. In fact, it usually leads to emotional eating, creating a vicious cycle.”
Finding Your Personal Approach
King believes there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to weight management.
“What works for me might not work for you,” she states. “Some people thrive with strict structure, others need flexibility. Some do better with higher protein, others with more complex carbs. It takes experimentation to find your personal formula.”
She encourages people to work with healthcare providers to develop personalized plans.
“Get your bloodwork done, talk to your doctor. There might be metabolic factors, hormonal issues, medications affecting your weight. Knowledge is power.”
The Mindset Shift
Above all, King advocates for a fundamental shift in how we think about weight and health.
“Stop viewing it as a battle or punishment,” she advises. “Start approaching it as self-care. You’re not ‘depriving’ yourself of junk food – you’re nourishing your body with foods that make you feel good. You’re not ‘forcing’ yourself to exercise – you’re giving yourself the gift of strength and mobility.”
This perspective shift, she believes, is what makes the difference between temporary results and lasting change.
“When healthy choices come from a place of self-love rather than self-criticism, they stick,” she says with conviction.
As we part ways, King heads back to the studio for afternoon meetings, her energy undiminished despite our long conversation. She embodies the vibrant, engaged lifestyle she advocates – a living testament to the benefits of finding peace with food and body image after decades of struggle.
“The journey never really ends,” she calls over her shoulder as she leaves. “But it does get easier when you finally realize it’s not about being perfect – it’s about being healthy enough to fully enjoy your life.”
Have you found a sustainable approach to weight management that works for you? What mindset shifts have helped you develop a healthier relationship with food and your body? Share your experiences in the comments below!
FAQs About Gayle King’s Weight Loss Journey
How much weight did Gayle King lose?
Gayle King lost 7 pounds in 5 days through a medically supervised reset program in February 2023. Prior to this, she had publicly shared in January 2023 that she weighed 167.6 pounds, which was above her target weight of 160 pounds. King’s weight loss journey has been ongoing throughout her life, with various fluctuations over the decades.
What diet or program did Gayle King use to lose weight?
King used what she described as a “structured reset program” with medical supervision that involved modified fasting, nutritional supplements, and minimal solid food for a 5-day period. Following this reset, she adopted a sustainable approach focused on portion control, intermittent fasting (typically eating between noon and 8 PM), and emphasizing protein and vegetables while limiting but not eliminating carbohydrates.
Has Gayle King used Weight Watchers for weight loss?
While Gayle King hasn’t officially partnered with WW (formerly Weight Watchers) like her best friend Oprah Winfrey, she has mentioned incorporating some Weight Watchers principles into her approach, particularly the focus on portion control and not making any foods completely off-limits. King appreciates the program’s flexible, sustainable philosophy.
Did Oprah Winfrey fat-shame Gayle King?
No, despite a viral clip from Oprah’s 2020 Vision tour that showed Winfrey saying she told King to “drop some poundage,” King has firmly stated this was not fat-shaming. King explained that as friends for over 40 years, they have an understanding about discussing weight concerns with each other, and the clip was taken out of context. King noted that Winfrey was responding to King’s own complaints about her weight.
Is Gayle King using weight loss medication like Ozempic?
As of the most recent information available, Gayle King has not used weight loss medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. While she has expressed support for her friend Oprah Winfrey’s transparency about using weight loss medication, King has stated that she hasn’t personally felt the need for medication as part of her weight management plan, though she remains open to it if medically recommended in the future.