When Julie Banderas returned to the Fox News anchor desk in early 2025, the internet lit up—not about breaking news, but about her significant weight loss transformation. The beloved anchor, known for her candid on-air presence, shed approximately 35 pounds in less than a year. But her journey wasn’t just about slimming down. As Julie herself has revealed, it was about finding the balance between health, self-confidence, and personal strength at 50.
So, how did Julie do it? Let’s break down her story—one that proves weight loss isn’t about shortcuts but about sustainable, real-life changes.
The Turning Point: Why Julie Decided to Change
For years, Julie Banderas balanced the pressures of live television with the demands of motherhood. In 2025, though, after celebrating her 50th birthday, she found herself reassessing everything—including her relationship with food, fitness, and her body. “It hit me,” she confided in a candid social media post, “that I couldn’t keep putting my health on the back burner.”
Julie’s decision wasn’t sparked by a single dramatic moment but rather a series of small health wake-up calls—like when her energy levels plummeted or when climbing stairs left her winded. “I wasn’t feeling strong. I wasn’t even feeling like myself,” she explained. That’s when she made a quiet but determined promise to herself: to prioritize wellness and self-care—not just for her career, but for her life.
No Ozempic, No Quick Fixes: Julie’s Approach to Weight Loss
As her transformation caught public attention, so did rumors—was Ozempic or another weight-loss drug involved?
Julie was quick to shut these down.
“No. Intense workouts and exercising like a fiend for two years, five days a week. Heavy on the protein, extremely low carb intake, and a major cut back on sugars. No weight loss pills. No Ozempic,” she tweeted in May 2025.
Her approach was grounded in consistency and discipline, not shortcuts. But what did that look like in practice?
The Diet: Clean Eating with a Practical Twist
Julie’s weight loss wasn’t about starving herself or following extreme diets. It was about mindful choices. She embraced lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats, with a focus on nutrient-dense meals. Her mantra? “Make every calorie count.”
- Lean proteins like grilled chicken, turkey, and fish became staples.
- Vegetables took center stage, with leafy greens and colorful produce filling her plate.
- Carbs weren’t banned—but refined sugars and white bread were swapped for whole grains.
- Sugar was dramatically reduced; she replaced sweet treats with fresh fruit and dark chocolate on occasion.
- Portion control became paramount. “I stopped eating until I was stuffed. I started listening to my body.”
The Fitness Routine: More Than Just Cardio
Julie credits much of her transformation to intense, regular workouts. But she wasn’t spending hours at the gym every day. Instead, she adopted a routine that was challenging yet sustainable.
Her go-to fitness plan included:
- Strength training three times a week. Squats, deadlifts, and resistance exercises helped build lean muscle and rev up her metabolism.
- Cardio sessions such as brisk walks, interval training, and cycling two to three times a week.
- Flexibility and recovery with yoga and stretching, ensuring she didn’t burn out.
“I wasn’t striving to be skinny—I wanted to feel powerful,” Julie shared. And that power came from consistency. Even on tough days, she stuck to her schedule, viewing exercise not as punishment but as a celebration of what her body could achieve.
The Emotional Side: Mindset Shifts and Self-Compassion
Weight loss is rarely just physical. Julie’s journey was also deeply emotional. “I realized I had to change how I spoke to myself. No more shaming. No more obsessing over a number on the scale,” she said in a heartfelt interview. Instead, she focused on celebrating small victories—like fitting into a long-forgotten pair of jeans or feeling energized after a workout.
Julie embraced self-compassion, allowing herself rest days and the occasional indulgence. “If I wanted pizza with my kids, I had the pizza,” she laughed. “Balance is key.”
The Results: A Healthier, More Confident Julie
By mid-2025, Julie had shed 35 pounds—going from 170 pounds to around 135 pounds. But what mattered more to her was how she felt: stronger, more confident, and healthier. The transformation was visible, but the true shift was internal.
“I feel like I’ve reclaimed my body,” she said. “And it’s not about perfection—it’s about feeling good in my own skin.”
FAQ: Inside Julie Banderas’s Weight Loss Journey
Q1: How much weight did Julie Banderas lose? Julie lost approximately 35 pounds, dropping from 170 lbs to around 135 lbs in just under a year.
Q2: Did Julie Banderas use Ozempic or weight loss pills? No. Julie has openly stated that her weight loss was achieved through clean eating, strength training, and mindset shifts—no Ozempic, no weight loss pills.
Q3: What kind of diet did Julie follow? Julie focused on lean proteins, vegetables, healthy fats, and low-carb meals. She eliminated processed sugars and embraced portion control.
Q4: What was Julie’s workout routine? Her routine included strength training, cardio sessions, and yoga for flexibility—five days a week, focusing on building strength rather than just burning calories.
Q5: What inspired Julie to change her lifestyle? Turning 50 was a wake-up call. Julie wanted to reclaim her health and energy, not just for her career but for her personal happiness and longevity.
Q6: How did Julie balance weight loss with her busy life? By prioritizing consistency over perfection, planning meals ahead, and treating workouts as non-negotiable self-care appointments.
A Lasting Transformation
Julie Banderas’s weight loss story proves that real change doesn’t come from shortcuts but from commitment, balance, and self-love. For women over 50 looking to transform their bodies and lives, her journey offers hope and actionable insights—showing that it’s never too late to prioritize your health.
Ready to start your own transformation? Take the first step like Julie did. Your health is worth it.