Oprah's Weight Obsession Started My Obsession!
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2009
by Yangki Christine Akiteng
The Real People's Love Doctor
Before I even go any further, I want to make it clear that I am an unapologetic die-hard Oprah fan. When I watch her on TV, I sometimes cry tears of happiness at the sight of the woman who stands for everything I ever want to be [must be so nice to be a multi-millionaire]. I even have dreams about Oprah [and they aren't what you think, stupid!]
[Gosh! I can't believe I am here gushing about a mere mortal. Sorry I can't help it! Oprah, I love you! mmmwwa!].
Despite all my love and admiration, I have a bone to pick with one of my all time role models. It has to do with her "weight problem" and the mixed messages I am getting from her. I am up to here (throat) with Oprah on her Show talking about positive body image and self-confidence one day, and the next promoting some Weight Loss Diet/ supplement. One day, she's giving a shout out to BBW (Big Beautiful Women) and th next, they have a clip of her saying "I'm embarrassed. I can't believe that after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight. I look at my thinner self and think, How did I let this happen again?". And then she's back to talking about the importance of "normal weight", body image and self-confidence.
It doesn't bother me that Oprah is "fat". She looks amazing with her natural figure-8 shape. Oprah can put on a sack-cloth and tie a rope around that waist of hers and she'd still look gorgeous. In fact, she'd look more beautiful than she does in some of her "thinner self" photos. Particularly that one photo with her in jeans and reddish long sleeved shirt -- she looks like a smiling 30 something year old man with a little bit of waistline and kick-ass thighs.
It bothers me that Oprah despite all her good intentions is fuelling obsession with weight. And No! I have no problem with the ever-present, know it all, Dr. Oz. I think he's kind of geeky-cute especially with his shirt off [Now, what? Since when did appreciating God's handiwork become a sin?].
There are fatal risks to excess weight. Check. Nutrition is a key to good health and longevity. Check. Exercise is not just good for the body, it's vital to the mind. Check. And I fully get it and appreciate the struggle many women have with weight and body image. It's no matter to be taken lightly or mocked. I think that having someone like Oprah be so candid about it helps so many women feel that they're not alone, and that if it can happen to Oprah, it can happen to anyone.
But isn't it true that our minds absorb information/experiences from which it creates our immediate realty? That our bodies hear every thought the mind thinks? That our thoughts have a powerful effect on our bodies? More specifically, that "what we let our minds dwell on, we become"? "It's kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy", I think I've heard Oprah say.
There is already too much information/experiences out there and the last thing an Oprah fan like me needs is a full hour listening to one of my favourite people in the whole world talk about hips and stomachs and thighs and pounds and fat percentages, day in and day out. Because of watching Oprah Show, I am beginning to think that may be I am terrified of gaining weight. I don't know if I am actually terrified since I sincerely believe that a woman with meat on her bones is more attractive, looks happier and more alive. But then why do I obsessively watch Oprah's shows on weight control, diets and supplements, and even click on any web ad that says "Oprah's Weight Loss Diet" when I don't even have a "weight problem"?
I love Oprah [I just love saying that] but for my sake and millions of her fans like me, I think that Oprah should stop talking about hips and stomachs and thighs and pounds and fat percentages, and focus more on "normal weight, body image and self-confidence." We're whole beings (mind, body and soul) and not a collection of "fat" hips and stomachs and thighs.
And it'd be nice to see more "women experts" (and not skinny ones) talk about "normal weight, body image and self-confidence." Watching women who look like they are comfortable with their "normal weight" makes it easier to believe that there is indeed such a thing as positive body image in a culture obsessed with thinness. It also makes it easier to believe that Oprah is not obsessed with weight loss and looking thin, but that she's "okay" with having "normal weight" (I sincerely want to believe that).
May be this is my problem, if I can't take it, I should just change the channel. But, I love Oprah!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Christine.I certainly agree with all the role model stuff you said about Oprah. And I have a great deal of respect for the woman.I have to think that she doesn't always have the last word about what goes on the air. That somewhere in her organization there is a group of people who keep track of what is currently interesting to the majority of women and that is what gets pegged for the next show. Unfortunately, the various media do a great job of keeping weight and diet issues in the forefront. So, maybe, yes you are correct and the Oprah show should do a little less of that. But Oprah is also just a woman like you and me and I have to tell you that, for me, my weight is something that I take into consideration almost every day. One day I am fine with it. Another I am not. And I do consider myself to be at a healthy weight. I think it will be an issue for the majority of women for a long time.Well, excuse me for ranting a bit. You really got me to thinking.My best to you,DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.Dianne, Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I appreciate your openness in sharing about yourself. You’re so right about the show picking up on “what is interesting to the majority of women”. The counterproductiveness of this is that the more "attention" we give a problem, the more power that problem has over us.I was skinny most of my younger years, and was excited when I filled up, kinda off, after my third child. For the longest time, I didn’t mind adding a few more pounds, but since I began tracking Oprah’s “weight problem”, I am at that place where I am asking myself why it is that her “weight problem” fascinates me so. And you’re right in underscoring the fact that Oprah is only human after all. May be I expect too much of her, hence my current frustration. I still think that a Show with “normal weight” women talking about body image and self-confidence is much more helpful to women than a Show talking about fat hips, stomachs and thighs. A more consistent message would help too!Once again, thanks for coming by -- and for joining my fan club!Please log in to respond to this comment.Hi Christine.I never meant to imply that you weren't right about the normal weight women talking about self-confidence and all that. Because you are right, focusing on the problems just makes them all the worse. It's sometimes hard to focus on the solution, though, without giving some "weight" to the problem. Well, now, here I go again and I'm saying this rather badly. But I did get what you were saying.Thanks for joining my fan club, too,Hugs,DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.Hi Dianne, I guess my passion got in the way. I didn’t think you implied that I wasn’t right. On the contrary, I thought you agreed with me, and even went one step further to highlight the need to acknowledge the problem (give it weight) then focus on the solution.The re-emphasis on talking about self-confidence was just me justifying (I guess) my current frustration …:-).Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hiya Christine!!!! I agree with what you say about Oprah, I love the woman, not just about who she is, but what she does, she is a true humanitarian. I loved her show, and I can read about what she has done over in Africa, with millions going over there to aide, their cause with HIV and new schools, she is her own womans woman, I was going to send her a poem I wrote about her that pretty much says what I feel about Oprah, but never did, the poem reads, and I quote ;Oprah My Hero
To Ms. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah, oh Oprah,
I admire you so,
your heart is so giving,
I want you to know.
What you do for others,
God only knows
What impact you have on them,
Their smiles only show.
Your heart is so tender,
so giving as well,
I have always admired you,
your an angel, I can tell.
God gave you a talent,
this is so true,
I just wanted you to know,
What I think of you.
I have watched you grow,
throughout the years,
on your TV program,
I have witnessed tears with cheer.
God gave you a heart of gold,
I find this so Devine,
That I wish you the best,
with this heart of mine.
Keep making them smile,
that is what you do,
for your love of humanity,
Is what shines in you.
You give and you gave,
to others we know,
And God will always bless you,
Give you strength, and grow.You are my hero,
this is a fact,
you make folks happy,
I'd like to give something back.
Its not money or fortune,
For that I don’t have,
just this little poem,
To let you know that I am glad.
That God has shared you with us,
for your deeds, you expect zero,
That is why Oprah my friend,
that you are my hero.
I hope you enjoyed this little poem, as it was meant for her, from my heart. I loved your article, and will remain your fan and friend in pen......Gary.Please log in to respond to this comment.O-yah! I loved it. Got me all mushy-mashy. You really have a gift for this poetry thing. Your articles are written with pure passion, but when you do poetry, it’s kind of like a window to Gary W. Halsey Sr.'s heart. -- the tender side to Gary. Your wife is very lucky to have a man who watches Oprah and admits it publically. And is also a CRA-ZY free spirit. God doesn’t make very many of them with that combination… :-).Like you, I am very impressed with what Oprah is doing in Africa. Unlike many “humanitarians” who “throw money at the poor” to feel good about themselves, Oprah is about the people she’s giving to. And she’s not trying to be someone else, just Oprah.You said it so well in your poem… God gave you a heart of gold… And God will always bless you.As always, I enjoy and appreciate your comments. Just curious as to why you never sent this poem to Oprah. I think it’s wonderful to let people we love know how we feel -- it may just be the words they needed to hear at that particular moment in life.Please log in to respond to this comment.Christine, the only reason why I didn't send it to her is because I was affraid she would never get it.....not to mention "where to send it" I know she owns the "O" magazine, I was going to send it there, but then I'm sure that she has tons of people working for her, I'm not really sure she would get it....that is the only reason why. Besides, its just some thoughts from the heart that I enjoyed doing, and she is one of the people that I admire the most. If I am fortunate enough, perhaps I will get my book published, "Life's Little Hiccups", and she just may read it from that God willing. At any rate I, like you, love her to pieces just for "What she does, and her wonderful heart". You know the old saying "Actions speak louder than words", Hers has.......I have another poem on here called September 11, that is also very passionate, I was devastated when that happened......I truly loved your article, as it hit home with me, because I admire her so much.....Your fan and friend in pen....Gary.Please log in to respond to this comment.Makes sense that she might not get it.I looked up your 9/11 poem -- another very touching poem. I think that the whole world went into shock at what happened that fateful day. Let’s pray nothing like that ever happens again.Interesting book title. Given your work here, I bet the book will be a hot item. Let me know when it’s out.Please log in to respond to this comment.
I'm not sure why I haven't bought a ticket on the Oprah train like every other gal on the planet but I wanted to comment on your well written article. As always, you write in such a lovely way. I may not be Oprah's biggest fan, but I very likely might be yours. Have a great day and please don't hold the Oprah thing against me, I mean I don't dislike her or anything, I just haven't formed an opinion yet, if that's possible.MylaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks Myla for your comment. I have a Kenyan friend who thinks Brad Pitt is the hottest thing alive - most women think so too. She is baffled as to why I can’t see it. I am also baffled…lol. So YES, I think such a thing is possible… :-)I am your biggest fan too -- not like I am Oprah’s but close…:-).Please log in to respond to this comment.
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