Oh Eun-young loses 17kg in 19 months: 'The world is unfair'

Psychiatrist Oh Eun-young has revealed how she lost 17kg over a period of 19 months. Her method of reducing her intake of even her favorite grapes—from a whole bunch to just two or three berries—has particularly caught public attention.

On the 21st, Oh met with model Yihyun on her YouTube channel 'Oh Eun-young's Bucket List' to discuss weight loss and eating habits. The two reportedly reunited after approximately eight years.

During the meeting, Yihyun shared her own habits, stating, "I eat hearty meals but I am the type who doesn't eat dessert at all," noting that she avoids sweets, snacks, and liquid fructose. She described a constitution that allows her to manage her weight without significant dietary restrictions.

In response, Oh jokingly remarked, "The world is unfair." While Oh also mentioned she does not particularly enjoy sweets, the conversation turned to weight loss when Yihyun pointed to her and asked, "Aren't you slim?"

"I lost some. I lost about 17kg," Oh revealed, adding, "I lost it over a long period of 19 months." She explained that rather than pursuing rapid weight loss, she gradually adjusted her eating habits over a relatively long duration.

The most notable change was her fruit consumption. "I cut back on fruit a lot," Oh said, noting that while she used to eat an entire bunch of grapes, she now stops after just two or three berries.

Resisting cravings was not always easy. Oh drew laughter when she admitted, "I lost weight by pinching my thighs every time I wanted to eat more." Rather than banning specific foods entirely, she focused on controlling portion sizes.

Notably, Oh revealed that she did not incorporate any special exercise into her routine. She confessed honestly, "I didn't do anything special," and "I hate exercising so much."

This was unexpected for Yihyun, who is accustomed to consistent exercise and physical management as a model. When Yihyun expressed curiosity about how Oh maintains enough stamina to handle a busy broadcasting and medical schedule without exercising, Oh responded with her characteristic calm, "That's fine."

The key takeaway from Oh's experience is the long-term shift in eating habits rather than the weight itself. The core of her success lies in adjusting habitual consumption, such as the symbolic reduction of grapes from a bunch to a few berries.

However, as weight loss methods vary based on individual health and lifestyle, these specific dietary changes may not apply to everyone. While Oh has addressed various psychological and lifestyle issues on television as a psychiatrist, the significance of this story lies in her sharing a personal experience rather than prescribing a specific diet.

Oh has built significant public recognition by explaining complex psychological issues—including family dynamics, parenting, and marital conflicts—through programs such as MBC's 'Oh Eun-young's Report: Marriage Hell' and Channel A's 'My Golden Kids.' She is known for her unique ability to translate professional medical knowledge into everyday language.

This time, she revealed a more human side by discussing her own body and habits rather than providing professional diagnosis or counseling. The small change of reducing "a bunch of grapes" to "two or three berries" serves as a symbolic representation of her 17kg weight loss journey over 19 months.