The bit before the first bit…
Opening the door
Today’s post is not so much a lesson, as it is me opening the door on a discussion that will be relevant and of interest to many of you. Yes I will share my thoughts and ideas but I won’t be providing any major solutions or never-heard-before revelations. The reason I’ve chosen Oprah to revolve my questions around is purely because we all know who she is and can relate to her in some way. If the title of today’s post was “why is Mrs. Smith (from the grocery store down the road) still fat?”, it may not have generated the same level of interest or curiosity and we may have struggled to identify with, or relate to, some anonymous person. And then there was the small issue of finding some decent publicity shots of Mrs Smith for my article. Her agent is a tool.Let’s not get side-tracked with emotion
Before I get under way today, I just want to say thanks to all you amazing people who shared your personal stories with us on Friday. Your honesty and courage is inspirational, insightful and potentially, very helpful to others. To be honest, grief is a pretty tough subject to explore as a writer and I didn’t know how that particular post would be received. While I know that type of information and discussion is not always ‘light or easily-digestible’, it can be transformational and invaluable for the right person at the right time. So thanks for your contributions.
Yeah I know, feathers will be ruffled and noses will be put out of joint today… and that’s just because of the title of this little discussion. But before you Oprah lovers start gettin‘ all “Craig’s a big meany-weany, nasty-pants, Oprah-hater” on me, let me preface my thoughts on Miss O’s battle of the bulge with a little disclaimer… Firstly, I think Oprah rocks. Mostly. She’s uber smart, uber talented, has achieved off the chart, helps a shit-load of people, is an incredible communicator (something I dig) and as a much as I can tell from the comfort of my lounge chair here in down-town Craig-ville, seems to be a kind, generous, genuine and philanthropic person. With a few challenges and issues (like the rest of us). So let me be clear for those who have a propensity to seek out the negative – this article isn’t about anything other than Oprah’s very public battle with her weight and the relevant lessons for the rest of us. Me acknowledging her obesity is not an insult but merely an observation of her physiological condition. If you want to make it offensive then that’s your choice, not my intent and you’re missing the entire point of the article.
So why Oprah?
A few reasons:1. Many of us have had (or do have) similar battles and most of us know of, sympathise with, respect or connect with her on some level.
2. She has had probably the most public (and lengthy) battle with weight in recent history.
3. Over her journey she has had every resource and some of the leading experts and specialists in the world at her disposal.
4. It’s interesting (incredible even) that a person can create a multi-billion dollar business, turn herself into a global media phenomenon and become a symbol of success for women around the world, but not be able to get herself in shape physically and stay that way. Especially a strong, dynamic, intelligent and talented person who has desperately wanted to change her body for decades. I guess that’s a clear indication of how tough it can be for us to take charge of our bodies.
5. I have seen many (many, many) people with far less resources, far less professional assistance (that is, zero) and possibly less knowledge, understanding and talent, achieve and maintain incredible results. So, for that reason, I thought that the ‘creating forever results’ topic might be an interesting, relevant and valuable one to explore.
So the big question is… “can Oprah actually lose the weight and keep it off forever?”
Well, the answer to that is absolutely yes, but the better question is “will she?” And the answer to that… I don’t have. We’ve all seen the slimmer version of Oprah so we know that she has the physical capacity to lose weight. But as you and I know, losing weight is often the easy part; the real challenge is to keep it off for a lifetime. Does it matter if she’s obese? You’d have to ask her. The last two decades of her life and the numerous weight-loss attempts would suggest that it does matter. As an exercise scientist, I only care about people’s body-fat levels from a health perspective. However, as an ex-fatty who copped plenty of ridicule, I also ‘get it’ from a sociological, emotional and psychological perspective too. In a culture that has a tendency to judge our worth, desirability and social standing purely on appearance, being fat sucks. It did for teenage me anyway.
The Theory and the RealityWhile the theory of weight-loss is something of a no-brainer (energy in, energy out), the practical reality of transforming a body and creating lasting change is significantly more complex and challenging; just ask Miss O. We can all theorise and philosophise as to why (like so many others) she has vacillated between in-the-zone and out-of-control but in truth, only Oprah will ever know the whole story because the state of her body (what’s happening externally) is largely a reflection of the state of her mind (what’s happening internally). And of course the only person who lives there… is her. While Oprah has some practical getting-in-shape-challenges (welcome to the club), namely, hypothyroidism (recently diagnosed), being in her fifties (a little tougher at fifty but we’re still very adaptable) and her endomorphic genetics, it still comes back to what she does, with what she’s got, where she’s at. As I’ve said many times on this site, getting in shape ain’t determined by genetics but rather, genetic management – what we do with our genetics. Neither is it determined by our age but rather, what we do at our age.
So what can we conclude from the above thoughts and observations?
No matter who we are, where we are, what we know or what we have, one of the biggest practical challenges that you and I will ever have down here on the big blue ball is managing our physical selves. And I’m not just talking about weight-loss, I’m talking about maximising this incredible, irreplaceable resource, that you and I will walk around in for eighty years or so. It’s crucial that we understand what a multi-dimensional process creating lasting physical change is and that in many ways, our physical selves (what shape we’re in) is merely a by-product of what’s happening in that thing on top of our shoulders. I guess we could conclude that being wealthy, intelligent, motivated, successful (in other areas) and having limitless resources at our disposal doesn’t necessarily equate to success; that is, permanent weight-loss. Sure, having your own Chef (Art Smith), Trainer (Bob Greene), Psychologist (Dr. Phil), Spiritual Advisor (Ekhart Tolle) and Doctor (Dr. Oz), on call might be kinda cool (as Oprah does), but clearly it doesn’t guarantee success because ultimately weight loss always comes down to the decisions and behaviours of the individual – even a rich, intelligent and well-equipped individual.
Even Oprah.
I’m sure you have some thoughts, feel free to share them. If you’re not sure how to leave a comment, click here.
Ciao x
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi there,
Regular lurker here, first time commenter. Love your work by the way, Craig. Today’s article rings especially true for me as like many people I struggle hugely with the maintenance part of successful weight loss and at the ripe ol’ age of 38 have added hypothryoidism to the equation.
While I’ve never been officially obese, I’ve certainly been overweight for most of my thirties and it’s become clearer than ever to me that until I fix what’s going on in my head the weight will always pile back on. In the past I’ve always become quite complacent when I’ve have had some success and allowed the old bad habits to come creeping in, and funnily enough the rest of my life begins to spiral out of control at the same time. Thanks for a very well timed article for me. Just what I need to re-focus again.
cheers
Karla
Damn good points you make, Craig. All the resources in the world don’t make it any easier for an individual to lose weight .. coz they’ve still gotta sweat it out like us normal folk. Physiological laws are a great leveller.
Actually, I was only just saying today how not only is there no “perfect time” or “perfect circumstance”, but that sometimes a situation you think should lend itself to making the process of losing weight easier, actually comes with its own challenges. I haven’t been working for the last few months, which seemed like the perfect opportunity. But while it made the training part easier, it make the nutrition harder. Too much time to think about eating and too much time to obsess about the whole process, really. Maybe Oprah suffers the same thing.
But hey, if she wants to make her situation a bit more difficult in order to make losing weight easier, I’ll take her chef, trainer and entourage off her hands! I know .. so generous. But that’s just the kind of person I am!
Suz (Sydney)
My OPINION, which I’m ALLOWED to have is this:
Oprah likes troughing potato chips more than she likes having a small arse.
It’s that simple.
Oh, and she has a raging eating disorder that probably stems from being sexually abused as a child and having a dysfuntional relationship with her parents.
It bothers me that I know all this about her. I stopped watching television nearly two years ago. She is a prime example of whyyyyyy.
Hi Craig,
As someone who has to lose (overall) 71.5kg and have already lost 25 of that, something that terrifies me is keeping it all off. Now before you go off at me I am fairly sure I am going to be able to maintain it and I have some wonderful support from family, friends and of course you Craig….thanks for that. I NEVER want to get to the size I was before and have photos on the fridge to help prevent that happening. I attend Weight Watchers and know that this will be for life (hence the lifetime component)and I know I will be ahead of the game because of that. I know it won’t be easy but anything really worth having rarely is. I am up for it though.
I know what I have to do, I just have to keep doing it!!!
Hugs
Shrinking Chelle xxx
p.s. I have chucked out all my “fat” clothes so it will have to stay off lol!!!
Hi Craig,
I’ll don my armchair psychologist’s hat and say that Oprah’s subconscious mind is one that has constructed her identity as one whose weight continually fluctuates.
She has some tremendous advantages, namely her personal health and fitness entourage (which I don’t begrudge her, because she has worked really hard on her career) – but as you said in your post, it all comes down to her decisions and behaviors.
Cheers,
Ben
(P.S. – A number of years ago I was home sick and watched an episode of Oprah where her guest outlined his research on learning abilities of adolescents – and this guest’s research and case studies that he described struck a heavy chord with me. In fact it helped me resolve some of the high school study performance issues that I had allowed to weigh my mind down for just over two decades. I can understand why Oprah grates on some people, but I think she is one who is trying to improve her viewers, not destroy them)
Oh, its a difficult one indeed. Like you said Craig, the capabilities are there. As they are with many of us. I go back to my same old mantra and that is we just need to “get real with ourselves.” And I’m not suggesting that that is an easy thing to do, however it is necessary.
I’ve yo yo’d for years. And it wasn’t until I actually worked on my emotional intelligence, that I got to the place where I could comfortably take control and live my best life, because all the other bullshit just didn’t matter anymore. I now honour myself, my health and my body by treating it with the respect that my whole self deserves.
I don’t know why Oprah can’t get there, and while there are many assumptions out there because we all think we “know” her so well. She is the only one who can get to that ‘place’ of peace that will allow her the freedom to have the body that she will love being in.
That’s my insight… however worthy.
By the way… for anyone who cares: I’ve just finished week 8 and my total loss is 10.5 kilos !!! (Stoked)
Big lurker here on your blog but this one made me pop in and say I am totally with you on everything you have said Craig. For all her money and opportunities Oprah has had, one would think it would be so easy. Obviously not. She is human like the rest of us and has to struggle with things like the rest of us. As much as I would love to have her opportunities I wouldn’t want her life. I myself get a bit tired of hearing about her ups and downs as they just seem to make her richer. She seems to know all the answers for others but she doesn’t seem to have them for herself. She probably needs to give up her day job and concentrate on finding herself and her own answers. Khris
Losing weight is the easy part. I have done it a number of times over the years. Dealing with the emotional reasons that I overeat is the hard part. The terror that I occasionally feel from losing weight is what I haven’t completely faced yet.
Whatever your body weight is, there are pay offs for being there. Being overweight can be a form of protection from being so sensitive emotionally. Being overweight can be a wall of fat that keeps people at bay. It can be a wall of protection that physically keeps you at home away from people because you just don’t have the energy to get out the door. Eating can be a physical comfort for what is bothering you emotionally.
Knowing all of the above reasons doesn’t mean that a damn thing if I haven’t resolved any of those for myself.
You are so right, Craig. I had weight-loss surgery ONLY because I had cancer and learned through that process how cancer cooties LOVE fat. So, the clarity was get rid of fat and thwart cancer. The surgery itself was easy, the recovery easy, the maintenance has been harder than my cancer journey. Do I want cancer again, hell no. But that doesn’t make this journey any easier. There are days when that demon “head hunger” really gets to me and I struggle. There are days when this process is easy. The long run goal to be healthy and well is always out there. I have lost 68 pounds and need to accomplish loosing about 32 more. Thanks for a provacative topic. It really showed how all of us have to deal with those inner demons. TA!
I have to agree with Kitty. What do you prefer? Eating or looking/feeling/being healthy. As you said in a previous post – there are non-negotiables. Hopefully one day she’ll make that decision for herself and find a healthy (mind/body/spirit) balance.
That said, I’m off to (intentionally and non-negotiably) try out Billy Blanks Bootcamp for the first time. Wish me luck!
… “because the state of her body (what’s happening externally) is largely a reflection of the state of her mind (what’s happening internally)”.
You’re so right Craig, it all comes back to whats going on in our heads. Our self worth. Personally I think Oprah should move on from Dr Phil – nice guy but he’s obviously not doing it for her!!!
J9 ()
I have to laugh,”a big meany-weany, nasty-pants, Oprah-hater”. That is pretty funny. I wish I had something more, but I don’t.
Oprah has every advantage and still struggles. Guess that makes her human. She identifies her mistakes and tries to learn from them. I can too.
Were you talking just to me craig? OMG… There are times that I feel like a bloody yoyo with my weight loss! It really does have so much to do with what is inside your mind at the time. I have only lost 3.2kgs in almost 2 months, however I haven’t put on so something is sinking in… need more output I think, oh and may be Oprah’s chef, trainer……
Love TinaQ
You’re welcome Karla – nice to meet you.
( )
Totally selfless Suz.
St.Suz.
Hi Shrinking Chelle – being terrified about what ‘might’ happen… now Tiger… invest your emotional energy in the present ’cause that’s where you live…
You’re going great and I’m proiud of you. Don’t find a way to self-sabotage…. ( )
She certainly does a lot of good Ben – thanks for your armchair diagnosis…
I care Nicole – 10.5kg’s is fantastic – well done.
( )
Hi Khris – thanks for dropping in and saying hi and thanks for sharing your thoughts on Miss O…
Hi Patricia – thanks for sharing a little about you… ( )
Hi Liesl – let us know how your boot camp goes… cheers
Hi Phlashh – wow, that’s an interesting story. For most of us losing weight and keeping it off is more of an emotional challenge than it is a physical one..
( )
Maybe she should call me J9?
Glad I could make you smile Candy… ( )
You’re right Kitty; in that chip-eating moment, I’m sure nothing else matters… but after… ‘nother story.
We care, Nicole … 10.5kg in 8 weeks is totally AWESOME!! Well done. Keep up the good work!
That reminds me, Craig .. it’s now exactly 3 months since you/we did the Commitment Wall …
I have a few things to say on this topic today.
Firstly, I don’t eat potato chips. Ever. I love them, potentially as much if not slightly more than I love my husband.
I haven’t eaten one in about 15 years.
I don’t eat any processed junk food. I haven’t eaten ice cream since the late 80′s. I never eat chocolate, sweets – none of it. White flour, processed food, frozen convenience foods. Never. Eating any type of dessert is a fantasy experience. Being greek, I stick to a med diet, eat whole foods and avoid sugar.
You see, genetically, I’m a fat wog (half greek), but I made my reality ‘thin Aussie’. Cause that is my choice. I decided to become a thin Aussie at about 16 years old. Haven’t looked back.
It’s all about choices. If I ate like the ‘average’ person, treats here and there and lots of sugar and fat – I’d be like the side of a house. You’d easiy park a car in the shadow of my backside.
Surely I’m not the only one who has managed to do this?
I think the saddest thing is that it’s easy to watch her struggle and think “well, if Oprah can’t do it with all her resources, what hope do I have?”.
Yes Suz, it’s time to re-visit the commitment wall… on it.
Holy crap, Kitty! You’re like the Discipline Queen! (Yeah, I know .. in more ways than one .. LOL.) But seriously … VERY IMPRESSIVE! You may not be the ONLY one to do so, but I’d say you’d be in the minority. Awesome mind control!
Hi Lightening – that’s the WHOLE point – it ain’t about resources; it’s about YOU!!!!
( )
“You see, genetically, I’m a fat wog (half greek), but I made my reality ‘thin Aussie’”
Too funny Kitty.
And insightful.
Take cover! It’s precisely Rant O’Clock!
I hear what Lightening is saying about if Oprah can’t – nobody can. I’ve sometimes fet like that before too. Life is tough enough – and being fit and healthy is not nearly as much an exhilarating jolly-fest that the professional’s would have us believe it is. *cough cough*
Running on my treadmill at the crack of sparrows and feeling like an prison escapee legging it across a darkened field being chased by wardens with shooty rifles, totally and utterly sucks. Sometimes, that is just what it feels like. I’m a desperate, tortured prisoner in my convenient, well appointed home gym. Boo hooooooo – woe to the phat kat. Puh-lease! It’s times like that I deserve a good beating with my hot pink Nike water bottle.
What a steaming pile of it! I choose to be there, hurting myself, cause I love the results! End of the story!
Using another person’s failure in order to excuse our own is just NOT CRICKET. It’s a cop out.
Oprah is PROOF that enormous wealth and having a fleet of super-clever supporters on the payroll is NOT the secret to success. Not being a mega-celebrity bajillionaire is not holding any of us back from achieving our ultimate body, and being ripped to shreds.
Determination, and a cast-iron will to be who you want to be, is the secret. Making a commitment to yourself and keeping it. That is the secret!
Oh, and I won’t wish anyone any luck either. Luck has nothing to do with it.
*Um…can someone help me down off this extraordinarily lofty soap box? I’m totally scared of heights….Halp!*
Hi Craig, I’m with you….Love Oprah to death but always wondered about why it just doesn’t happen for her with all the help she has! Great explanation. P.Ss. I live in the back of nowhere NSW and just love your daily comments. I feel that I can connect to the rest of the real world when I read your daily talk. Its the first thing I read when I turn on the computer. Thank you so much for your inspiration, insight, great one liners and laughs.. From a very isolated mother of 4..Peta
Who is Oprah?
(I’m kidding!) Why hasn’t Ms Winfrey seeked your services yet, Craig? You think she knows you exist? Craig who?
I think it’s time for her to ‘do different.’ Employ a new Team. Might be an opportunity for you for 2009? “Craig spends a week with Oprah.” [She might need a 3 month intensive?] You might end up bald by the end of the first day, having plucked out every single follicle. “Never argue with your mentor.” Maybe she could book in for RYL to save you an overseas trip!
Laughing my guts out at your witty and remarkably insightful comments Kitty. That’s enough; now you’re just showing off
Hi Peta – you’re not isolated, you’re talking to me! Glad you enjoy my articles and I’m glad you’re part of the gang.
Hug for you.
I’m not sure she could afford me Jules
But Oprah, if you are reading this (and don’t pretend you don’t come here every day), I’m sure we can sort something out…
Why is the divine Ms O, overweight? Guess, it all comes down to the ‘applying what you know’ adage – obviously, she must ‘know’ a lot, with all that education and information from the experts but does not apply it. I guess that is your whole point Craig and Oprah’s story a good way to remind ourselves of the truth and validity of it.
I was going to mention too, that perhaps Ms Winfrey needs to visit craigdotcom from time to time (great minds think alike, Jules !) – perhaps we should drop the website address into her inbox (somehow?!).
BTW I also just wanted to pass on my sympathies to Lauren and all those who shared their losses on Friday. I read Friday’s post on the weekend and I hope everyone who shared left the site with healing and hope. There is hope, lots of it.
hugs,
Mon ( )
PS I’ll go soon (promise) but I have to say I loved your comment today Kitty! You’re a brave women up there on that soap box – but the message was a good one.
Gee, shucks – ‘watches Kitty slowly descend her soap box and bow humbly to computer screen’.
(sorry, couldn’t help meself – love ya work guys!)
Do you think Opray really wants to be thin? Would her audience love her as much if she were thin, fit and totally perfect? No they would not. They love to identify with the fallability that makes her “one of us”. Oprah has made the sacrifice of a perfect body in order to maintain her ratings. The entourage carefully maintains her at just the right degree of obesity. Her audience are not following her in order to solve their problems – American women would all be perfect by now if that were true – they are there for the warm fuzzy feelings Oprah evokes while they devour their ice-cream or cookies lazing in front of the TV.
Hieee…..not so lurker Mon here. Now I did comment earlier, I think, did I? Hope you find me floating out there in cyber space, Craig.(I know, I’m needy. I have commentor issues.) Thanks for understanding!
‘leaves desk, packs schoolbag and waves goodnight to class and teacher…..’
See you tomorrow.( )
Mon
PS Kitty cracks me up too !!
Being relatively new to the website, I’ve grown quite fond of Kitty’s rants…
I’m sure we shouldn’t encourage you, but…Love your work Kitty.
Hi Craig,
I'd like to bounce a question off you? I'll give you the précised version. A member of our very small community has recently had her 4 year old son diagnosed with Leukaemia. Along with her husband's health issues (heart disease) she is also struggling with obesity. I've meet this woman on a number of occasions and each time she made me smile like no-one else I've ever met (……..it had nothing to do with the ‘alleged’ incredibly naughty cup cakes she sold at the local markets) As a personal trainer running my own business, I have offered to help with an exercise program. KS was ecstatic that I showed an interest in her health & fitness but declined due to finances. KS is not coping with their current situation (that’s a no brainer) but worse still she's not coping due to her own poor health. More than anything I want to help this woman, every part of my being is screaming to offer assistance. She needs an outlet through exercise (or does she?) I want to train with her, motivate & inspire her, so in turn she can face this situation a fitter, healthier & stronger woman. But how do I approach KS and make this offer of free unconditional support through personal training? Got any ideas…..or is the answer as simple as knocking on her door and laying it all out? Am I being a sympathetic bleeding heart fool, or could I really assist this person?
Kindest Regards,
Melanie
It’s true Craig. Wealth certainly doesn’t guarantee success. But perhaps there’s another reason; as well as what’s going on inside Oprahs head.
With all the wealth she has at her disposal to do all those things that would equate to success in weight loss, perhaps she has too much choice in all the other areas of life which will frequently mean success to a wealthy individual.
Perhaps she’s just spoiled for choice and just oscillates with the guilt when she tips the scales the wrong way.
She just doesn’t know what to eat next or which trainer or high paid assistant to help her next.
(And the on top of ALL the other things we humans all struggle with.)
Alan
Just a thought