Former Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester admits she is taking Ozempic after struggling with her weight for several years.
In a heartbreaking interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, Rochester said she faced immense pressure to be thin during her time hosting The Biggest Loser which often led to unhealthy eating habits.
‘The pressure was on to lose those extra kilos. When I was hosting Biggest Loser, the lightest I got was 70 kilos and I did not eat, did not eat,’ she explained.
‘I was an emaciated doll that was still apparently not thin enough. See this photo? I actually thought I was fat there because I was being told that I was too fat for designers to dress me.
‘I am not healthy there, but I’m thin. Apparently not thin enough.’
Former Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester admits she is taking Ozempic after struggling with her weight for many years
In a heartbreaking interview with 7NEWS Spotlight, Rochester said she faced immense pressure to be thin during her time hosting The Biggest Loser which often led to unhealthy eating habits. Pictured with Michelle Bridges
Rochester said she was given dangerous medical advice from doctors at the time.
‘Oh, you’re consistently told, even by doctors, “Oh, it’s just eat less, move more.” If you knew how less I ate and how much more I moved and still couldn’t get thin, that is a stupid prescription,’ she said.
She said she has often been publicly humiliated over her weight and once had a milkshake thrown at her in the street.
‘I mean, people have thrown things at me in the street, like I had a milkshake thrown at me in Sydney one time, where these guys, “yeah, you fat pig.” And threw a milkshake at me, driving past,’ she explained.
Ajay has been publicly humiliated over her weight and once had a milkshake thrown at her in the street
The humiliation extended to the media’s portrayal of her body.
‘I’ve been paparazzied on beaches, with my body thrown on the front cover of magazines, like a criminal block across my face, like ‘guess who?’ And it’s like such fat shaming,’ she said.
The TV host-turned-casting director explained that Ozempic has been the silver lining in her story.
Ajay said Ozempic has changed her life
‘This drug has absolutely transformed my life. It’s not a trick. It’s not cheating. It’s medicine,’ she said.
‘Like, I was a prisoner in my body… Let the magic happen. I have a disease, like I didn’t want to die from obesity.’
In 2021, Ajay revealed she is following in Rebel Wilson’s footsteps after being inspired by the actress’ ‘year of health’.
She shared an Instagram post detailing her efforts, alongside a photo of herself post-workout.
‘This past week I made some key changes, so I subbed my white bread for Soy Burgen (sorry peeps Keto is not for me),’ she began.
‘There are NO lollies in my house and yes the sugar withdrawals are real, I have subbed with fruit or small protein snack (Eg jerky), introduced TABATA training (not fun), upped my water intake, had Brookfarm gluten free muesli and Greek yogurt for breakky and most important of all – zero alcohol!’ she went on.
In 2021, Ajay revealed she is following in Rebel Wilson’s footsteps after being inspired by the actress’ ‘year of health’
Tabata is a type of HIIT workout that involves eight 20 second rounds of strenuous exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest.
‘I don’t know what I weigh as I don’t have a scale and that’s not important right now. Getting moving, making healthier choices and feeling better is the key to moving more,’ she went on.
‘I lost a few days to a bad back which will get easier as I get lighter. Don’t worry about what you can’t do focus on what you can.’
Months before she said she was planning to drop the kilos she gained in following a health scare.
‘It’s time to take my health and fitness back! If Rebel Wilson can do it I can too!’ she wrote alongside a selfie of her in hospital.
Ajay explained that she ended up in the emergency room for an electrocardiogram after her heart started to flutter, causing her blood pressure to rise and panic.
‘I’m fine. My EKG was normal, but it was enough of a scare to make me wake up and get serious. So here’s to MY year of health!’ she wrote.