In Response to The Oprah Phenomenon


Thank you for all of your letters in response to Oprah’s Phenomenon for being part of something that is vastly important to me, standing on my soapbox and disagreeing with the mainstream weight loss advice. I do not now, nor will I ever condone or support quick weight loss diets or any programs that promise fast and easy. My mission continues to be inspiring each person to discover the necessary changes that need to be made in order to contribute to a more positive lifestyle.

There is no secret, there is only your effort to find the different applications for healthy living that you can stick with. In my almost 30 years of healthy living (some days more than others), I will always believe that we are “duped” into thinking that we are unable to achieve good health (because skinny seems to mean healthy), we are “duped” into thinking that the only way to achieve happiness is to embark on some wacky diet and we are “duped” by those that have personal chefs, 24 hour access to trainers, psychologists and workout facilities that weight loss is easy and we too can look like Hollywood stars.

The reality is that it shouldn’t be anyone’s goal to look like anyone, rather it should be everyone’s goal to be the best “me” that they can be. We have to remember, that exercise isn’t just a “thing” that people do because they’re athletic, they may have been the case 30 or 40 years ago, but not now. We HAVE to exercise because our lifestyle has so drastically changed therefore limiting the amount of activity our body performs on a daily basis. We sit more than we move, we eat more than we should and we can’t understand why we feel so lousy. Too little movement, too much processed food and too much BAD information.

If I can leave you with just one thing, it is this, take the time to explore your lifestyle, where it is today and what habits you’re involved in that continue to take away from being as healthy as you can be. Is there too much stress in your life? Have you lost a sense of self? Are you depressed? Are you feeling that food is your only solace? Are you just confused and frustrated? The beauty is that all of these different scenarios have an answer. If you have too much stress, find ways to de-stress even if it means 5 minutes in the bathroom deep breathing and re-connecting. If you’ve lost your sense of self, find a great therapist. If you’re depressed, find a great therapist (exercise has been shown time and time again to DRAMATICALLY reduce the symptoms of depression you just have to get started, it’s hard, I know). Are you feeling food is your only solace? Seek out hobbies, classes, friends that perhaps you’ve distanced yourself from and find other ways to comfort yourself and feel “alive” again. And if you’re just confused and frustrated, continue to read my blog. 🙂 Because at the end the day, I believe that no matter what all of you have the ability to be successful in changing your lifestyle.

Be mindful and stop feeding yourself such negative messages, “I can’t, I’m fat, If only…. when I lose weight I’ll….” Change your thought process, do your best to tell yourself something positive each and every day. “I can be more active. I am capable of eating better, I’m worthy of being healthy,” and so on.

However, it’s important to note that in order to address the above, you have to really WANT to change. If you really want to change, really, really, really, than you can go back to the above and see where you can start.

I believe that all of us at one time or another need help, need an objective opinion, someone on the outside looking in. For women especially, we’re “doers” and spend more time helping other people than we do helping ourselves. Find something that brings you joy, it doesn’t matter what it is, find some sense of purpose if you feel “drab” and hopeless. Sometimes it means reconnecting with that part of yourself that gives you the ability to start doing more positive things for yourself; including exercising and eating well.

I hope that you all will continue to read my blog and find a source of education or positive inspiration there. I also hope that you’ve learned that anything you set your mind to do, you’re capable of, you just have to want it. I also hope that none of you ever go the “diet” route again, but believe enough in your ability to choose wisely and opt instead to seek out an R.D. (Registered Dietitian) a sensible food program that you connect with that makes sense for you and your lifestyle.

And lastly, I hope that you discover an activity that is enjoyable and that makes you feel good so that you are able to view exercise as a blessing versus a curse (for an imperfect body.)

Embrace your genetic make-up, take hold of what you can do and leave behind all that you believe you can’t do. Every day is an opportunity to live your life differently. Are you ready? Change is waiting!

Here’s to your health, today, tomorrow and always.


One response to “In Response to The Oprah Phenomenon”

  1. I agree, we should not want to be like anyone else but should be the best “me” we can be. You give great advice my friend.

    We can truly explore ourselves to figure out why we eat more and move less when we should move more and eat less.

    Elizabeth

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