Surprise! Oprah's normal

Dec 11, 2008

It’s all over the airwaves, newspapers, Internet, and magazines. After a widely celebrated weight loss of almost 80lbs. in 2004, Oprah has regained 40 of them. It’s not really news; most of us have noticed the icon gaining weight. But after much finger-pointing, Oprah comes forth on the cover of her magazine, humbly admitting that, yup, she’s back up to 200lbs.

Some scoff at all the hoopla over one woman’s weight gain. But, once again, Oprah is using her honesty, openness, and humanness to make the world a better place. How many of us beat ourselves up about not having the “will power” to stick to an eating plan or workout routine? Oprah struggles with it, too, and she is hands-down one of the most amazing women in the world.

In her magazine, Oprah says her weight gain was from thyroid issues, medications (for her thyroid, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure), too many responsibilities, an unbalanced life, and food addiction. She elaborates on all issues but food addition.

I know food addiction all too well. Simply put, it’s when you’re powerless over food. (You can take a quiz to determine whether you’re a food addict here or here.) Food addiction thrives on low self-esteem, isolation, perfectionism, and self-induced pressure to achieve.

All of these problems can pretty much be wiped out by finding and forcing yourself into a support network. Food addicts love to isolate themselves, where no one can see what they consider to be their unattractive bodies. When alone, food addicts can binge in peace, smothering any unpleasant feelings with a grocery-cart-full of food.

Food addiction, whether mild or severe, is so much more common than most people think, and it’s nothing to be “embarrassed” or “mad” at yourself about like Oprah. Anonymous 12-step programs for compulsive overeaters hold thousands of meetings worldwide. If you think you’re a food addict, you’re certainly not alone.

Comments

From: rowdy54
Date: 01/01/2009 - 07:23 am

It's all well and good to say that we don't care whether Oprah is fat or thin, but apparently it does matter to Oprah. Like millions of others, she has struggled with her weight and has had to do so in front of a camera. I can't stand being on video for 30 seconds, so I can empathize with Oprah's feelings about gaining weight in the public. As someone who has gained back some of the weight I lost earlier in the year, I can relate to how disappointed Oprah might be in herself. Yes, even Oprah who seemingly has everything probably is disappointed that she allowed this to happen and can't understand why it continues to happen over and over.

From: Sigga
Date: 12/29/2008 - 12:33 pm

eland.Everybody loves Oprah the person Oprah she is an angel sent from God Im sure.I dont mind If she it fat or thin ......look in her eyes like I do and you just she God.....

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 12/27/2008 - 11:23 am

In my humble opinion, it's not any of our business how much Oprah weighs, the same way it's not any of her business how much I weigh. It's her body!! That's what people seem to forget all too often about celebrities; You don't know them. They're not your friends, so their lives, outside of their careers (which they purposefully give you permission to criticize), are none of anyone's business. I say let Oprah be Oprah, and let us be us, for better or for worse. Let her be whatever weight she can healthily and happily maintain.

From: Cathy Hinton
Date: 12/26/2008 - 08:45 am

I think Oprah looks good with a little extra weight; her frame can carry it well. As long as she is healthy in body and mind and happy in spirit she will be OK!

From: Anonymous.Poster
Date: 12/26/2008 - 06:43 am

Oprah looks more beautiful than she did 20 years ago. She will go on a diet and come up looking more lovely than ever. Oprah wears the clothes that show off her small waist and slim, neat looking neck. I have just put 10 pounds on in less than a year and it will not come off. I to know how the diet scene works. Not an easy battle - the battle of the bulge.