Kelly Clarkson Says Recent Weight Loss Came After Prediabetic Diagnosis: ‘I Wasn’t Shocked’

Kelly Clarkson started the year looking noticeably thinner and during a chat with comedian Kevin James on her daily talk show on Monday the singer revealed what spurred her to make a lifestyle change. “You look great!” she said to the King of Queens star, who returned the compliment. “Oh , thank you. Well I was told I was prediabetic,” Clarkson responded.

“That was literally what happened,” Clarkson, 41, continued. “They were like — and I was, well, I wasn’t shocked. I was a tiny bit overweight. So, yeah, I wasn’t shocked by it. But they did. They were like, ‘You’re prediabetic. You’re right on the borderline.’ And I was like, ‘But I’m not there yet.’ And then I waited two years and then did, however, move into the — I was like, ‘OK, I’ll do something about it.’”

According to the Mayo Clinic, a prediabetes diagnosis means that the patient has a higher than normal blood sugar level, one that is not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. However, “without lifestyle changes, adults and children with prediabetes are at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes.” Those with prediabetes are at risk for suffering from some of the long-term damage of diabetes — especially to the heart, blood vessels and kidneys — which can be counteracted by eating healthier, daily physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, which can help bring blood sugar levels back to normal.

In an interview with People earlier this month, the single mom to daughter River Rose, 9, and son Remington Alexander, 7, New York transplant Clarkson credited the constant walking around the city with her kids as a factor in losing some weight. “Walking in the city is quite the workout,” she said. “And I’m really into infrared saunas right now. And I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down.”

In addition to those trendy health measures, Clarkson said she’s also switched up her diet. “I eat a healthy mix. I dropped weight because I’ve been listening to my doctor — a couple years I didn’t,” she said. “And 90 percent of the time I’m really good at it because a protein diet is good for me anyway. I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat — sorry, vegetarians in the world!”