Whoopi Goldberg Was Once 217 Pounds & Said She Looked Like 'A Linebacker'

Legendary actress Whoopi Goldberg once topped off at 217 pounds and decided it was time to make better and healthier choices. She has since lost weight and is making conscious decisions.

Weight is often a sensitive topic for women, whether it's losing weight or gaining extra pounds. While many hope to stay fit and in shape, doing so is quite difficult, especially during busy days.

However, Whoopi Goldberg put her heart and mind to it when she started her weight loss journey a few years ago. The iconic host decided to ring the bell for a change after discovering that her weight had climbed to 217 pounds.

GOLDBERG'S WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

The "Sarafina" actress cited former "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd as one of those who were partly her motivation to lose weight. During an interview with ABC News, Goldberg said:

"I had begun to look like a linebacker. I happened to look over, and there was Sherri, skinny, and I said, 'What did you do?' She said, 'I've been doing Rocco DiSpirito's one pound a day diet."

Soon after, Goldberg looked fitter and healthier than she had been in years, following her weight loss journey. Through her hard work and discipline, the actress lost some 35 pounds.

She opened up on her weight loss journey and gave fans a glimpse of her new look on the season 18 premiere of "The View" in 2015. A slimmer Goldberg credited the "Pound a Day Diet" for her stunning weight loss during the show.

KILLING OLD HABITS

Besides going for a weight loss, Goldberg also decided to kill some old vices, such as her decades-long smoking habit. She said of having breaks in between, "A month off helps too. I'll be ready again in a half a year to take another month off. I think that has a lot to do with it as well."

Speaking on her weight loss journey, Goldberg revealed that she believes a gradual weight loss is the best kind. According to her, she gets scared when thinking about losing more.

Although she worked for a healthier body, Goldberg has always been open, even when her weight was on the high side. She once told fans that weight is just a number and that she has no problem telling fans what her weight was.

Although the project is still under development, people are already excited about what the multi-faceted entertainer can bring to the table.

FLUCTUATING WEIGHT

Admittedly, keeping off the weight consistently came as a challenge. During an episode on "The View" this year, Goldberg claimed that she has the same issues as Valerie Bertinelli when it comes to weight fluctuations.

Her co-host, Joy Behar, shared the same thoughts and cited different factors that contribute to weight fluctuations, including a person's metabolism, age, and appetite, among others. Still, weight change is a common issue women have.

Amidst the pandemic, Goldberg believes that she put on some COVID weight. During an episode of "The View," ahead of "Shark Tank's season premier, Barbara Corcoran fat-shamed the "Sister's Act" star in front of others.

After Goldberg joked about trying to fit in a pair of jeans, Corcoran quipped, as reported by Market Watch, "When you get finished with those jeans and decide you don't like them, give them to me -- I'm going to make two pairs."

No one laughed at Corcoran's joke, and instead, she received backlash from viewers who called her behavior rude towards Goldberg.

To make amends, she publicly apologized to Goldberg through a Twitter video. "I made a joke at Whoopi's expense, which I now realize wasn't funny. For anyone I may have offended unintentionally, I just wanted to say I really am very sorry," she said.

Luckily, Goldberg and Corcoran have been friends for quite some time, and according to the host, she already knew Corcoran was only joking.

GOLDBERG IN 2021

This year has not been the best for Goldberg in terms of health issues. In June, she had to take time off from work because of sciatica, a condition that affects mobility and causes pain. Goldberg was open about her illness and explained it as a bulging object in her back that transmits pain to the leg.

For a while, Goldberg was assisted by a walker to help her move around, but luckily, she returned on-screen again. Now restored to her health, Goldberg remains one of the most iconic and successful actresses and show hosts. Her sense of humor seems to be getting even better with time.

Aside from hosting "The View," Goldberg has been busy working on a superhero movie that stars a Black woman with superpowers. "Since I was a little kid, I've been obsessed with superheroes," she said.

Although the project is still under development, people are already excited about what the multi-faceted entertainer can bring to the table. All we have to do is wait.