The GLP-1, which she typically injects weekly (she declines to share which specific brand of medication she uses) has been such an important life change for her that she has been paying out of her own pocket for weight loss medication for several acquaintances who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

Oprah Winfrey detailed that in addition to weight loss and renewed energy, her use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss also led her to stop drinking alcohol.

In PEOPLE's new cover story, the icon, who's turning 72 and has co-written a new book on obesity, shares her past struggles — and what life is like now on weight loss drugs

"Oprah admits to downing 17 shots in one night! Find out what made her finally stop. Shocking revelations inside. 😱 #Oprah

Her longtime hairstylist said that Oprah is finally “having fun with fashion” as she prepares to turn 72 in January. Oprah Winfrey wrapped up a fashion-forward 10-day visit to Australia and New Zealand earlier this month, where she was for a speaking tour (and her first visit Down Under in a decade).

One of the experts who helped her come to that understanding was Dr. Ania M. Jastreboff, whom Winfrey met during a panel discussion on weight. Jastreboff, the director of the Yale Obesity Research Center, "had real compassion when she was speaking to people in the audience who had suffered as I did," Winfrey recalls.

Oprah Winfrey says the disappearance of so-called food noise is one of the most amazing effects of her GLP-1 drug. Plus now she can take or leave alcohol too.

Oprah is a fan of Rag & Bone’s Miramar sweatpant jeans. An InStyle editor found five similar styles of her comfy, optical illusion denim jeans. Shop body-sculpting styles, leg-lengthening options, and more from $38.

Oprah Says Her Weight ‘Never Made One Iota of a Difference’ to Longtime Partner Stedman Graham. Winfrey, 71, who has cowritten a new book on obesity, says Graham has been by her side as she's struggle