Oprah's Weight Woes

Oh Oprah, stop being so hard on yourself! Don't beat yourself up for not being a waif. Waifdom is highly overrated--and not very healthy either.

According to her own words published in the January issue of O Magazine, Oprah Winfrey has ballooned up to 200 pounds. The 54-year-old television talk show personality says that she is "embarrassed" that she has "fallen off the wagon" of healthy living, and that a thyroid condition has led her to develop a "fear of working out". She states she has put on 40 lbs. since being 160 in 2006, and that she is "mad" at herself for allowing this to happen. She says, "I look at my thinner self and think, `How did I let this happen again?'"

Chill out, Oprah! Yours is not a problem of the rind, but a problem of the mind. It's not what you can and cannot do, it's your self-perception that's the problem. First, you are not of a thin body type. Body types are usually ectomorphic, mesomorphic, and endomorphic. Oprah, I think you are a endomorph. Endomorphs tend to be stocky with wider hips and a tendency to put on weight. These are the people who no matter what they try never get skinny. Notice I say, "never get skinny", not "never lose weight," because endomorphs can lose weight. But if these people succumb to the illusion that "thin is in," then they are setting themselves up for a massive let down. That's because endomorhs ain't ever going to be thin--not for long, anyway.

Second, Oprah, the weight you've actually lost has been done by faulty, and dangerous, methods. In 1988 you lost 67 lbs on a liquid protein diet. Special and crash diets don't work, babe. Sorry. Eating well and working out is the only thing that works. But I feel grateful that the world has you, especially since your weight-battle is on display for everyone to see. You see, this should help many, many people--especially readers of this blog--because you are living proof of what I'm trying to push here, and in my book, The Six Keys to Optimal Health: Accept who you are with regard to your body type, eat well and exercise regularly. You'll have no alternative but to approach the healthiest and most attractive shape and size for your body type. Swear.

Your weight has also yo-yoed over the years. Not healthy, babe. It's much better to lose weight slowly and steadily than too quickly. One pound per week (on average) is healthy--nothing more. Then you did the Marine Corp marathon in '94, and hired super-trainer Bob Greene to help you lose weight (hate to be him right now--even with the Oprah-effect in play). Good thing you didn't jump on your old pal Dr. Phil's weight loss program too. You'd probably be suing him as a result.

But never fear, Oprah, my dear--you look great livin' large. Who the heck are you trying to impress, anyway? You haven't lost any viewers because of your weight. I think you're attractive, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that feeling. You are supposed to be above the cultural pressures that our teens, young women, and mature women all seem to be victims of these days; the one that says beauty is in thinness; I mean, you're Oprah, dammit. Why would you be under that pressure. I'd think you'd be better leading our women out of that self-esteem quagmire than being a part of it.

Finally, you can still be as healthy as you can be, no matter what your weight, Oprah. Eat well, exercise, practice discipline, read my book, and don't obsess about obesity. I feel that the obesity crucifixion is a lot more media and medical hype than anything else. It's the new smoking, you know? True, taking a little off ain't gonna hurt--it'll help. But better to be fat and happy than thin and miserable, I always say. And I mean it.

Anorexia Is Not Just For Kids Anymore

Experts say that the number of women in their 30s, 40s and 50s being treated for anorexia is rising fast. One eating disorders treatment center in Minnesota says that its number of mature patients has increased from 9% in 2003 to 35% through only the first half of this year.

According to Carol Tappen, director of operations for the Park Nicollet Health Services' Eating Disorders Institute in St. Louis Park, Minn., women over 30 are dealing with body image issues and more, such as work, divorce, stepchildren and aging parents. They also are dealing with an aging process, or childbirth, that changes the way they look. Tappen says, "One day, (a woman) wakes up and the kids are gone and she has a sense that nobody really needs her. She looks in the mirror and she says, 'My body is shot.' This woman says, 'You know, that's it. I'm going on a diet.'"

This really is a complex issue with no easy answers. At the risk of stating the obvious, this is a serious self image issue with deep rooted beliefs on what makes a person worthwhile or desirable. Being healthy is one thing, and yes, your body can give you an accurate picture of your current level of health, but skinny does not equal healthy. Far too many people (both men and women) use their weight as a guide to their health - that's their reference point.

If you wake up one morning, look at your body and say, "I gotta make some changes." Great, make changes. Start exercising, eat healthy foods, see a chiropractor and get that neck ache squared away, but don't starve yourself. First off, it's counterproductive: You'll actually end up looking worse - it's not attractive. And secondly, it is so damaging to your health. What difference does it make at the end of the day if you're skinny but you drop dead because of the stresses you've put on your body?

I can't speak for every man (or woman - this is not a heterosexual thing) but I'm pretty certain that most men find self confidence and self comfortability more attractive than skinniness. Unfortunately, I think that society is inundated with images of ultra-thin fashion models and celebrities and begins to think it's normal. It's not! Maybe a few of those images reflect the normal body shapes of some particular celebs, but many of these women are anorexic too.

Some women will say, "I don't need to lose weight for anybody but myself - I feel better when I'm thinner." Really? Somehow, I just don't buy it. A fine line sits between being over and under weight, but as I've said before, weight is simply a poor way to evaluate one's health. Do the right things, practice the six keys to optimal health, and if you don't look and feel great, you just haven't given it enough time. Remember one thing: nobody is rejecting you because of your weight - it might be a lot of things, but it ain't that. And if for any odd reason it is, then that person isn't worth a pound of....

Nicole Richie is Pregnant???

My wife asked me today, "Can you believe that Nicole Richie is pregnant? How can she hold a baby?" I presumed she meant the skinny, anorexic, drug user thing.

"Why wouldn't she be able to?", I asked.

"Because she's so skinny?"

That question reminded me of something I found very interesting and, quite frankly, peculiar during our own pregnancy with our daughter Delilah. I noticed that an enormous amount of fear and caution is circulated among new, expecting mothers. Downs syndrome, Tay-Sachs, birth defects, emotional scarring, miscarriages, preschool enrollment - you name it, there was a precaution for it. Quite the bit of nail biting involved.

I have to say that I find it a bit counterproductive. I see where it comes from; liability is a grave concern among doctors, especially OB/GYN docs. As I understand it, obstetricians have the highest malpractice premiums of all doctors simply because they are the most often sued. Think about it: a child is born with a birth defect - gotta blame somebody, right? That's the American way. Couldn't be destiny or have greater, let's say, spiritual meaning now could it? Nor could it possibly be a blessing - for the child and the parents. Nah - it's gotta be the doctor's fault. Sue him!

Here's what I always say: It's true, things do happen. And it's always better to be safe than sorry, so testing is o.k. But let's lighten up a bit. Don't go through your pregnancy freaked out. Consider this: There are starving women in Africa having babies, and many survive. The human body is incredibly resilient, so for the most part, everything should be o.k. If you happen to fall within the small percentage of there being "a problem", then I think it's wiser to look at the deeper implication; the deeper meaning, if you will. It's still a blessing. You just have to see it as such.

As far as Nicole Richie is concerned, I have a confession to make. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to say Nicole Richie in my blog. Paris, you're next.