Five year-old mags
The other day I was at Sydney airport and I found myself sitting in a teeny weeny coffee shop drinking a very over-priced and extremely average cup of luke-warm decaf coffee. I know, I know – you don’t need to tell me. Anyway, to compliment my less-than-inspiring beverage, I thought I’d stimulate my bored mind by making the most of some of the five year-old trashy mags on offer for us lucky coffee shop patrons. Yip-frickin-ee.
Amy who?
As I’m not a big reader of gossip-type mags, they proved to be something of an educational and eye-opening experience for the bored motivational speaker from Melbourne. After warming up with the latest (but then maybe it wasn’t) goss on Britney, Paris, Lindsay, Madonna, Amy Winehouse (didn’t know who she was but do now) and of course, Brangelina, I found myself engrossed in a story about Oprah’s weight-loss attempt number seven thousand and forty two (or something like that). As I was reading about her on-going weight saga, something profound occurred to me.
It ain’t about ability, intelligence, money, resources or intelligence
Here’s this (amazingly talented, clever and successful) woman who desperately wants to lose weight and has unlimited access to the absolute best of the best in every field. World-renowned experts, whoever she wants or needs to help her achieve her physical goals – she has them all right there at her finger tips. Not too many people are gonna say no to Oprah. The best doctors (Dr. Oz), trainers (Bob Greene), psychologists (Dr. Phil), chefs, dieticians… you name it, she’s got it – or got access to it.
Guess what else she’s got?
A fat body.
Still.
I don’t really need to expand on that do I?
Now, before you Oprah fans write and tell to me how nasty I am, save your energy – I’m a fan too. This article is not actually about Oprah or her weight issues. If you think it is, then you’ve missed the point.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, your a breath of fresh air and a kick in the pants at just the right time.
My wake up call came this morning when I saw the progress a woman I knew made in going from nearly 100 kilos to competing on stage and coming 4th!
I have all the help I need (a husband who was a body builder and a trainer who supports me every single step of the way) and I still was getting nowhere and I realised this morning that its ME who has to do it. They can provide the info and the training and the support.
I have to provide the guts, the strength, the determination and the belief in myself that I want this enough to follow thru.
Its now non negotiable and I know I can do it.
I’ve changed my 28 day goal. Its now not only to do my cardio but to give myself the life and health I want and deserve and to stop blaming it on outside sources when its only me allowing the outside sources in.
If I want it, *I* have to listen to those who know best and make it work for me, in my own way.
Your so awesome!
Thankyou Mr Bossy Pants!
LJ
It is not just cut down your eating and move more. If it were that simple there wouldn’t be so many overweight people. It is about feeling powerless,emotions and compulsion. I have a trainer, eat all the organic foods and am a great cook. I live in one of the healthiest cities in the states and I am still a 100lbs overweight. You can be the wealthiest woman and still feel powerless. Oprah’s issue is not physical it is a heart issue. She can portray tough as nails as much as she wants, but when she goes to bed every night she is still powerless. I know because I suffer the same thing. “Shrink Yourself” is a great read for anyone who LOVES to eat.
What? Surely you are not suggesting that Oprah…has…issues? LOL
Seems she is in dire need of one hard-line, no BS, Aussie inspirational coach…Craig someone
I think I heard them say that recently that Oprah actually has a thyroid problem. I know from my own personal experience that when your thyroid isn’t working properly that you won’t lose weight even when you are on a strict diet. My throid is back to working as it should and the weight started coming off. The weight problem is one thing that makes Oprah more human to me. Being an incest survivor myself, I also question if she has unresolved emotional issues that keep her overeating. I do. I am working on them. I believe that when the emotions are dealt with, the weight will come off for me and stay off. I can lose the weight. I have done it a number of times over the years. I am not constantly on a diet. I don’t try every diet out there. I believe that is more self-punishment that hurts your body rather than helps. Money doesn’t solve all of our problems even for Oprah.
Hello everybody!
My first post as I wanted to join you in the 28 days changing habit that will become a permanent new lifestyle!
Over the last year, I developed the habit of using confort food to deal with my emotions…(separation from drug addict husband,I now find myself addicted to food!)
I will use other ways to deal with stress and be disciplined with my food intake. I will suppress sugar from my food.
This time i know it will work as I have support from Craig’s forum and from my KB partner…
I also now that after just 2 weeks of clean eating I have no desire for unhealthy food so I know I just have to go past a few days…and eating healthy will be just natural to me. I also know the feeling of being in shape!
Thank you all for your support and let’s get started NOW.
You too Ophra!
yep Craig . . . I came to that realization a long time ago . . money doesn’t make the man (or woman) !!! . . . Margaret
You’re welcome LJ. ( )
Hi Anon. Yep, you’re right – it’s a multi-dimensional complex issue… and it is more about the emotional than the physical.. Thanks for your book recommendation.. A hug for you ( )
Hello KB – we all have issues – even Miss O… but I have the most..
That’s why I know so much about dysfunctional behaviour! ( )
Hi Patricia… the article wasn’t intended to be a commentary on Oprah – it was a commentary on all of us – how having all the reasons and resources doesn’t necessarily result in life-long change…
Thanks for your thoughts Patricia ( )
Hello kbb – nice debut! Welcome.
I look forward to your weekly updates and to chatting in the future.. your first cyber hug – ( )
(from me anyway)
Hi Margaret… no it doesn’t.
Enjoy your Tuesday.
In fact, enjoy every day.
Hey kbb!
Welcome aboard sister! Now not only do you have me in your face every day at the gym, you have Craig and his cronies in Blogtown to keep you honest! Bisou…
Mr Harper, you are too funny…
If you have the most issues does that makes you the winner? ;-P
(X)
Yes KB – I am the winner – I have an unction for dysfunction… ( )
I think it all comes down to hormones. Oprah works 100+ hours a week and has for years and years. Her cortisol’s got to be high.
I know when I worked like that, even though I worked out and ate less, I was unable to touch my fat reserves. Period.
Stress is a killer.
You can have everything in the world, but if you are unwilling to slow down, let go of the reins, you’re going to be fat.
Hi Claudia – hormones may (or may not) be an issue but I think there’s probably a few more factors playing a role in there somewhere…
Thanks for your thoughts..
Thank you Greg and KB…
Just wanted to add that I know my real hunger is for spiritual food and if I discipline myself to get more in touch with the “higher” me the need for material food will disappear…
Like Ophra and most of us, you can own the whole world but if you don’t have a real relationship with yourself you won’t feel complete ( peace, joy…) and symptoms will show up. (addiction…).
I have to feel first spiritualy connected and the rest will follow…
BISOUS, that was just my french point of view…
Greg… Greg??? Greg!!!
Back in therapy for me.
Soorry Craig (Greg is the phonetic version I guess)
Call me Freaky (hang on, that’s already been done) but I’ve always thought that it comes down to one line of thought;
It’s not what you know or who you know – it’s what you DO.
so easy when it laid out in front of you, but sometimes it’s bloody hard to put into practice. After all I know the fact but in the same regards, I’ve still but a huge butt. hmmmmmmn. ;-P
Hi Craig,
This is my 1st blog comment (ever !)- and I’d just like to join the 28 day challenge. Mine is to not drink ! Like a guy on yesterdays comments, I used to have 3 or 4 wines a night. I need to not do that. It is not good for me. Thanks for your support ! I am new to this blogging and internet stuff, but so glad I found your site ! Thanks – look forward to your ‘shove with love’…..thanks, thanks and thanks !
PS Not sure exactly how it works – do we report in every week ??
I will be reading everyday…
How’s this for irony? It was on Oprah’s site that I first read the concept of exercise being a “non-negotiable”. That we don’t even batt an eyelid at showering every day (well, most of us don’t anyway) but baulk at having to exercise daily. Somehow this seems to have kind of sunk in for exercise for me (the not-negotiable bit) but not for eating healthy food….
No problem kbb – just having some fun – enjoy your day…
Hi Freaky… yep. It’s all about what we do. And keep doing. And keep doing.
( )
Hi Anon 2. Congrats on your first comment – now you know what you’re doing, I expect to hear from you all the time!
You’re now officially in the challenge… because I said so.
You are required to give us an update every Friday by clicking on the comment thingy (at the bottom of that day’s post) to let us know how you’re going and to keep you accountable and focused…
Nice to meet you.. ( )
Hi Craig,
Well as stated last week i intend to break from my disfunctional relationship by RYL.
On Friday morning we had a knock at the door from the police to say my partners son had been in a serious car accident. We have been in ICU since then & today he is stable.
At the risk of sounding self centred, i still want him gone but he now needs me more than ever. He thinks that being by his side for 48 Hours means that we are staying together. The date i gave him to move out by is the long weekend (10Days)but now he won’t be able to do it because he hasn’t even looked at somewhere to live. He probably wont now because he is focused on his son.
There is always something. Last time it was me with Breast Cancer. Now its his son. These are the moments i feel powerless. When i need someone in the inner sanctum.
I had a plan. Now it has been effected by issues beyond my control. But i am sufficating & i need him to leave. Can i be so heartless to tell him nothing has changed & i need him to leave????
Jeez, I thought I’d been outed! Let me know how that therapy works out CRAIG
Cheers,
GREG
AKA: Gary, Geoff, George, and now Craig.
Ya know, – I’ve had, (and still have trouble with this lingering attitude from time to time if um, – Oprah, Kristie Alley etc etc, – all intelligent women can’t do it, – what hope have I? I can think of many examples amongst celebrities.
On the other hand I know many others who DO and CAN achieve their goals and keep their self control! Non optional behaviour hey and control!
Hey Craig… Here’s radical thought: the day Oprah finally looks in the mirror, says to herself, “I’ve got a big fat ass and that is never going to change,” emits a HUGE sigh of relief, and completely drops thinking about it, that’s the day her life changes. She may actually lose the weight.
Funny, she sat with Eckhart Tolle for what, 8 weeks, talking with him extensively about his book, and my question is, did she get it? Does she get that accepting herself as she is, right now, is The Power of Now (I know, previous book, but whatever)? That’s the secret, at least to me.
I love Oprah now, I really do, but the day she loves herself exactly as she is will be the day she is free.
Hi Anon 3. I’m not the one to answer those questions for you and it would be irresponsible and unprofessional of me to advise on something I know (essentially) nothing about – especially in a forum like this…
See me at RYL and we’ll chat..
Sending you some love and hugs ( )
Hi Pip – there’s no correlation between weight-loss and intelligence…
It’s about self-control not IQ!
( )
Funny Boy Craig.
I mean Kevin.
Er, Greg.
Hey Tom – I agree – option B for Oprah (beyond all the weight-loss attempts) is to say “yep, I’m happy where I am.” As long as she’s healthy I don’t think it matters…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tom..
Peace
Thanks Craig,
Sorry
Anon3
Hi Anon 3 – no need to be sorry ( )