What I think of Oprah's show today!

[Tropicana 0]

Ok, you don't like the phrase "the easy way out". But would you have the same resulting weight loss without the band? Would you be -70 lbs and achieved the success you have with just diet and exercise? If the answer is no, then the band definitely made the battle a little easier to fight.

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[maddy 0]

For me and my home/food life, it is much cheaper and healthier to cook/eat at home! Has anyone looked at price of chips, cereal, fast food bills. Im in TX and junk food is thru the roof, I have two teenagers and 5 year old /boys so Im combating hi fat food daily.

I do agree its faster and easier than cooking, but NOT cheap!

Oprah needs help and if she does have depression, thats hard to deal with and lose weight. I know, Ive dealt with that different times in my life. Hormones play such a large role in depression and if its clinical, she may need psych to help see her thru it and worry about weight when she feels better and has energy. Its not something a vacation can remedy.

Im not sure about thyroid situation, but again, if hormones are involved(imbalance) the body can be uncooperative and unforgiving , and could take years to rebalance .

I cant listen to all the drama, but did today for 20 minutes until it became mental drain but I hope she gets help, as she seems to be surrounded by many knowledgable people on her show.

[lapthismargaret 0]

i am so glad someone started this !! I caught parts or her show about her life style changes what ever !! Part of her success is her weight !! she yo-yos up down she conects with people out there ...if she did the lap band or any weight loss surgery how would she keep reinventing herself and new life style changes ????

i also live a fairly well off life and that did not help me lose the weight !! if anything it help me gain it ,dinners out trips with never ending food ......but anyway you do need to mentally be ready to say enough !!!

[Aries32 0]

I watched her Show last night and must say that she inspired me to do well. I love Oprah and I know that if someone with all that money has a struggle with her weight than it makes sense that being over weight is far more than the food that we eat. I got a good message from her show and that is that I must always make time for myself. I must respect the body that God has given me and cherrish it. I must love me more than anything or anyone.

[laurenica23 1]

I'm not a big fan of Oprah, either. However, I do think Dr. Oz has some good things to say. He's a very intelligent doctor who makes well informed decisions. His wife is a vegetarian and I think he's more of a "in moderation" guy than a specific diet guy. He enjoys eating meat, but at home, eats what his wife cooks and finds her vegetarian dishes delicious and healthy.

To me, it seems that lately Oprah is putting a lot of blame on her thyroid problems. I don't watch her show that much, but from what I've seen this is the impression I get. I have hypothyroidism as well. I was talking to my mom about it the other day (she's a nurse practitioner) and asked her since my thyroid imbalance is controlled with medicine, if it would be difficult for me to lose weight. Some of it may be that I have age on my side, but she told me since it's well controlled, it shouldn't be too difficult to lose weight. The fact is, I can't blame my weight on my thyroid problems anymore.

I respect her decision to NOT have weight loss surgery. At the same time, I think she should respect the decisions of others who have had weight loss surgery. The statistics are there -- a lot of people who have a lot of weight to lose tend to gain it back after a while. For me, the lap-band is a tool for me to keep my appetite in check as I lose weight and when I get to the point of maintenance. Obesity is a serious health issue and surgery is one way to treat that issue.

[Unsure15 0]

That woman has always made me nuts! And I do think that yesterdays show was crap. But the woman keeps trying even after gaining in such a public eye... guess some would be inspired to start over (again!) lol.

[TQUAD64 9]

I saw the show last night after work and I thought it was inspirational.

We all need help, after all we are human, regardless of our bank acount. At least Jesus thought so.

[Jachut 487]

My sister is hypothyroid, ironically she was always the skinny one in our family - I mean tiny skinny, 100lb as an adult skinny. She simply never had any appetite at all. Her undiagnosed hypothyroidism caused a raft of fertility problems for her, she had horrid endometriosis, she was always given to having nana naps int he afternoon, suffered puffy eyes, we all have dry skin/hair/nails in our family, but nothing obvious.

Everyone said to her, how come you're not fat when it was diagnosed. Her specialist said to her that hypothyroidism is never the explanation for a really LARGE weight problem, it might cause a bit of weight over and above the individual's genetic predisposition but its still lifestyle habits that are the culprit. Most people cant say they're fat because of their thyroid.

However, it can be very difficult to LOSE any weight with untreated hypothyroidism.

My sister began treatment, discovered an appetite for the first time in her whole life and promptly gained about 30 lb - which she needed to, she's now a gorgeous, curvy hipped flat stomached 130lb with boobs (something she'd never ever had, and I mean she was flat as an ironing board).

[TQUAD64 9]

In 2001, I gained 60 pounds in about 6-weeks, while at the same time I had severe joint and muscle pains. I had difficulty walking. I had no energy. I had trouble getting out of bed. My hair was falling out in clumps. I had no idea what was going on, so I went to a doctor, who gave me advil and told me to go home and get some rest.

I knew that there was something seriously wrong with me, so I went to the school doctor at my university campus. He knew immediately what was wrong with me and the blood work results confirmed his diagnosis.

My thryoid was shot. He placed me on medication and I am doing so much better. However, I was not able to drop the weight. I do know that the rapid weight gain was from the thryoid issue.

As far as Oprah, I have never seen her be a "hater" to anyone. I case I must have missed the shows where she was hating WLS patients. :thumbup:

[dietpeach 0]

I've always felt really sorry for Oprah. Not in a pitying way of course! What I mean is, it must be really hard to be Oprah.

For example, I could always find myself a walking partner and meet up for a walk wherever I want to go, whenever I want to go. There would be no expectations placed on me by the world at large, and my partner could be a friend or could be just a walking partner - a relaxed relationship. Oprah, on the other hand, can't have casual relationships like that. She can't be friends with "just anyone" because (A) most people can't see passed her name, which would NOT be a comfortable relationship for her, and (:thumbup: she's probably paranoid that everyone wants a piece of her (and she's probably right).

The only "friends" she can have, then, are other celebrities like herself - and they are a bit competitive with each other, and can't always be trusted. And she can't just put on her shoes and go for a walk by herself because she'd attract a crowd (except on her ranch, but that's lonely!).

So, if Oprah wants someone to work out with, she needs to hire trainers. But for her to hire a trainer is not like for us to hire a trainer. Whoever she hires has to be discreet, because you never know if they're not going to go blab their mouths off to the tabloids, spilling all of Oprah's weaknesses and "secrets." So she can't open up too much to them, and she can never completely trust them.

I'm sure she has cooks to cook for her, and that would be very convenient for helping someone like me to stay on a diet - but if you were Oprah, wouldn't you be paranoid that they're not going to go spill your Beans? She probably has to wonder if they're not going to go tell the tabloids, "Oprah started Weight Watchers, and you'd never believe how many zero point recipes she asks me to make in one day..." Her life is an open book! She has all the comforts of life, but it can be a lonely life. Why else do you think she admits to being clinically depressed?

Heck, she won't even get married! Probably she's afraid that whoever wants to marry her is after her fortune - not many men make more than her, after all. So she continues this relationship with Stedman or whoever he is, but she never marries, and she has said she plans to never marry.

Anyway, that's why my sympathy and respect for her go hand in hand, inseparable.

I know this is a bit long, but it just so happens to be that I gave Oprah a bit of thought today in the car when they announced on the radio that she's clinically depressed. See what I mean? This is a classic illustration of what I wrote above. Oprah says she's clinically depressed, and suddenly it's broadcast about in all the news. How uncomfortable for her. I wish her only success in her weight loss and in her personal life, and I hoep she finds the happiness she's seeking.

P.S. Anyway, part of me thinks she announced her weight gain and depression as a PR tactic to soften her public image - rumors had begun to spread that she's trying to start a religion around herself, so these announcements help humanize her. Sadly, the need for such announcements and PR is yet another consequence of living under a microscope.

Edited January 6, 2009 by dietpeach

[Jachut 487]

Oh, I'm afraid I just dont buy that theory with celebs. They put themselves where they are through their own choice and to my way of thinking have no right to complain about the consequences. These things probably DO make it difficult for Oprah, but think about it. Say she really does want to have lapband surgery. Say she's decided finally that its a logical next step. If she hadnt blabbed her big mouth all over the world going on about how she thinks its wrong, she'd be free to do it now, wouldnt she?

How many celebs "accidentally" become celebs?. As in they were riding their bike down the street one day and entered a time warp and next thing they knew they were famous. What's the differnence between them and us? Normal people like us understand that with the good comes the bad and normal people like us dont feel the compulsion for everyone in the world to know who they are or what they think. I'm not saying no celebs have great personality features but I think with very few exceptions none of then would be celebs if they werent egotistical, self absorbed and wanting the limelight, thus they make decisions to get that for themselves. Oprah is no different. Given her background, she could easily have lived a life in obscurity and luxurious anonymity but she didnt choose that, she chose to draw the world's attention to herself. They're all like that, that's why their relationships dont last, why they have drug problems, and alcohol problems and behave appalingly - they're overly self indulgent egotistical creaters with not much idea of reality.

So can I understand the difficulties in Oprah's life? Yep. Do I feel sympathy? Nope. She has consequences for her actions same as I do.

[dietpeach 0]

I agree 1000% Jacqui - celebrities bring the lifestyle on themselves, and suffer the consequences of the lifestyle they chose. But, like most people, they either didn't think it through beforehand, or couldn't say no to the glitz and glamour - or decided it's a price they're willing to pay and went into the lifestyle with open eyes. Even if they're happy being celebrities, I still sympathize with the fact that they can't live normal lives.

As for them bringing it on themselves - well, I've made many a mistake in my life - I'm no better. Hence why I'm on these boards! LOL I guess that's why I sympathize so much. The only thing worse than suffering is knowing that you brought it on yourself, KWIM?

[Jachut 487]

I think I feel as I do because I tend to make a moral judgement about wanting to be a celebrity in the first place - if you get what I mean? Like you have to have a big ego and you have to want to hog the spotlight and you have to want obscene wealth.

That moral judgement may well be unfair in many cases. But whilst I would like the obscene wealth bit, I understand that I have to sell myself to get it and that makes it not realistic or acceptable to me. If its acceptable to someone else, I tend to think then that they're not made of high moral stuff.

Maybe that's unfair. I guess its why i think most of Hollywood is completely stupid. But I still pay to see the movies so go figure.

We've had some massive arguments on here about plus sized celebrities being role models for healthy living and I've been, quite literally, incredulous that people could view it like that. I think it was over Queen Latifah. I'm like give me a break, the woman's loaded, she's a Hollywood actress, she has everything at her disposal - stylists, trainers, dieticians, hairstylists, designers wanting to dress her, she doesnt set foot on a red carpet without weeks of preparation and to top that off, she's no doubt and mental as any of them in Hollywood and simply because she's fat she's some sort of role model?

Apparently that meant I think that only thin is beautiful and its not OK to have larger women as role models, lol.

Edited January 7, 2009 by Jachut

[miladyelfn 0]

I agree with most of the points Jacqui makes. The point about some celebrities starting off with huge egos, self-centered attention seeking, etc. illustrates that some people who go into "celebrity" generating fields maybe aren't the most sane and balanced to begin with.

However, there are many who go into those fields who are artistic, creative, well balanced etc. as well-and they manage to avoid the celebrity feeding frenzies.

If someone (Oprah) is going to make a living promoting certain lifestyles and making pronouncments about how people should live, then they are putting themselves in the eye of the storm. And unfortunately, much of "celebrity" culture consists of tearing down previously venerated idols or creating drama.

Personally, I don't follow "advice" from people I don't know if it conflicts with my own common sense, whether they are celebrities or not. And I don't view actors and musicians or whatever, as having some special insight on life just because they may be famous (or infamous). I prefer to look for inspiration and role models on personal behaviour closer to home. So, while I may admire someone's talent (like Ella Fitzgerald as I am a singer) I wouldn't look to her life as a blueprint on how to live mine or pursue my dreams.

[ShrinkyDink 0]

I think what upset me about Oprah's big confession was that she is talking about being 40 pounds overweight as if it's this humongous shame and failure. She's chubby, yet she's talking like she's morbidly obese, which makes those of us who are (at least speaking for myself) feel even worse about ourselves.

I rememeber being 40 pounds overweight, I hated it, I felt fat etc etc but I didn't equate my problem with those who had 100 to lose. And at my largest with 130 to lose, I didn't equate my problem with those who have 250 to lose. I know it's all relative but whining and complaining about what I have to lose to somebody who has twice as much to lose is insensitive and hurtful. Discuss how you feel about it? Sure! Talk about what you're doing about it? Sure! Just don't make us feel like walruses by talking about 40 pounds like it's the end of the world.

Stepping off my soapbox now, thank you :tongue2: