Lizzo, the Grammy-winning artist, certainly has a way with words.
But there’s one term she’s embraced in recent years that may just be the most impactful of her words yet…
Celebrated for the unapologetic embrace of her body and her hit anthems of self-love, Lizzo has been at the forefront of fresh conversations about health. And by reframingthe typical “weight loss” language as “weight release,” she’s now changing the way people view shedding pounds in general
While admitting to trying a GLP-1 medication in the past, Lizzo contends that it’s because of her lifestyle approaches and her refinedmental script that she’s managed to “release’ significant weight over the years.
For many Black women navigating societal pressures of weight and beauty, Lizzo’s language tweaks represent a model of compassion. Through the psychological power of words, sustainable strategies, and a broader health framework, Lizzo’s lessons speak to people far and wide
RELATED: Lizzo Claps Back At Fat-Shamers: “Minding Your Business is Free”
The Psychological Difference: “Weight Loss” vs. “Weight Release”
When you think of the words “weight loss,” what comes to mind?
In the minds of many, this term means stigma. It means urgency, shame, and restriction – tied to diet culture’s quick fixes and ever-present demand for external validation. As a result, this psychological duress can trigger stress responses, emotional eating, or up-and-down fluctuations.
In one meta-analysis, researchers found that while behavioral weight loss programs can lead to meaningful weight loss during treatment, there was “insufficient evidence to assess” how well some outcomes were maintained once the intervention ended.
This is where Lizzo’s “weight release” mindset may offer unique perspectives. After all, it’s all about letting go of burdens. It’s about—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual–removing the darkness that seems to hang heavy for many men and women worldwide.
One of the cornerstones of this is self-compassion and autonomy. And part of being more compassionate and self-loving is embracing intuitive frameworks. So-called intuitive eating, which prioritizes internal cues over restriction, has been associated with various improved physical and psychological outcomes. This includes lower BMIs in cross-sectional data and better scores on depression, anxiety, and body satisfaction metrics.
This is where Lizzo’s language shift can be incorporated. It turns out that self-appreciation and the journey to vitality are not mutually exclusive. You can both love yourself without shame and guilt while also actively pursuing a healthier physiology.
This approach can also help to reduce internal negativity, simultaneously fostering intrinsic motivation – motivation coming from inside, from you
The model behind this, known as Self-Determination Theory, prioritizes this strength of self across different weight-related programs and regimens.
RELATED: Lizzo On Overcoming Depression: “I’m the Happiest I’ve Been in 10 Months”
Improving Metabolic Health Without Toxic Diet Culture
When we look at Lizzo’s outspoken beliefs and her well-documented approach to body change, it’s clear that this is broader than just ‘losing’ weight. In part, it involves body neutrality, or the acceptance of the body without constant judgment. Rather, it focuses on sustainable changes that put metabolic health first and foremost.
The lessons imparted by Lizzo aren’t merely about restricting what you eat. They’re about the full range of lifestyle changes, whether better eating, strength training, stress reduction, or sleep optimization, that together can change you.
Endlessly obsessing over pounds may lead to a lower weight at first, but does that mindset support the sustainable habits needed for lasting improvements in insulin sensitivity, inflammation reduction, and higher energy levels?
Lizzo’s contention is that it does not, and thanks to the additive – not subtractive – habits she emphasizes, ‘releasing’ weight can be a truly freeing experience.
But first, a step back. What are additive and subtractive habits, you ask?
To understand the differences, focus on the following:
- Nourishing movement – For maximum results, mix heart-friendly cardio with resistance training to build muscle, which can impact metabolism. As always, consistency over intensity!
- Intuitive, nutrient-dense eating – Bottom line: you want whole foods. You want protein. You want fiber. But also importantly, you want joyful, mindful eating. Mindful eating reduces overconsumption without making it a crazed obsession.
- Sleep and stress management – Poor sleep can negatively impact hormones like ghrelin and leptin, while practices like walking in nature can lower cortisol and community connection may help reduce stress.
- Community and joy – Group activities facilitate a sense of community, even connecting to cultural identities through activities like dancing, singing, or traditional African cooking.
By embracing these additive habits over simply what needs to be ‘subtracted,’ you’re essentially rewiring how you think about body change. Maintained over time, these routines can help with overall metabolic health – better blood sugar control, improved lipid profiles, and renewed energy.
But what about when it’s not enough?
In that case, understanding how medications can help is critical…
Balancing Natural Tweaks & Medical Tools
Medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists are increasingly popular for weight management and related conditions. However, pairing themwith healthy lifestyle foundations can help maximize their potential benefits, preserve muscle during weight loss, and support lasting weight maintenance
The latest nutrition and activity priorities highlight three main components when taking GLP-1s: adequate protein and resistance training to preserve muscle, fiber-rich foods for better gut health and blood sugar control, and hydration for better digestion and nutrient absorption.
When practiced consistently together, these priorities not only improve weight goal outcomes but also mitigate the gastrointestinal side effects associated with GLP-1s.
Again, with all of these various tools, the goal is to find a comprehensive approach. Shortcuts and overnight fads will come and go, but lasting change is based on sustainable change. In other words, if it sounds too good to be true, oftentimes, it probably is!
As Lizzo champions, weight change is about releasing burdens, not simply losing something. One aspect of this journey that some people forget, too, is the limit of the scale. Instead of obsessing over those fluctuations in numbers every time you step on the scale, remember that the scale measures but one metric
What it doesn’t measure are precise parameters of muscle gain, fat loss, energy, mood, sleep quality, and bloodwork improvements. Some researchers have termed better outcomes in these categories ‘non-scale victories’ (NSVs).
Consider, for instance, outcomes like better-fitting clothes, greater endurance, stable blood markers, reduced joint pain, or noticeable upticks in mental clarity.
For a more specific understanding of physical changes, many people also turn to body composition assessments, such as DEXA or advanced imaging. These can reveal fat vs. muscle shifts, as well as metabolic syndrome risks that readings like BMI may not as accurately reflect.
As Lizzo has repeatedly stressed, focusing solely on weight can undermine progress if muscle is lost or mental health suffers. Thankfully, her physical and mental evolution is something from which we can all learn. By celebrating the small victories and prioritizing self-determination through varied, positive changes, you can finally “release” what holds you back.
Embrace what empowers and let go of what hinders. Health and happiness can thrive in this space, and it’s this space that, for better and not worse, goes far beyond any scale we could ever envision
