Oprah feels like a failure because she weighs 200 pounds
The big news today is that Oprah has gained weight. Not just gained weight. She claims that she now weighs 200 pounds. She stands on the cover of her magazine, next to a thinner version of herself, looking at her former body apologetically, hiding in a freaking jogging suit, as though the approximation of workout wear lessens the blow.
"I'm embarrassed," she writes. "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?"' (Source)
I haven't read the whole article, only snippets leaked early to AP, but what I have read seems to amount to self-flagellation. She whimpers about not setting a good example, and uses the words "failure," "disappointing" and "fat cow."
What do you think about Oprah's vegan diet?
How sad is it that the richest woman in show business, arguably one of the most inspiring success stories for anyone who has ever tried to start something from nothing, is measuring her successes by the stupid number on a scale? How sad is it that an arbitrary number like "200" would be the knell of failure? And what kind of example is she setting now for people who are, say, 200 pounds or more, and now have just been told by Oprah that their weight is a "failure" or "disappointing."
Promise me something this week: you will not weigh yourself. Not even once. You are not the sum of your parts. You are not your fat ass. You are you. You are your accomplishments. You are the amazing friendships that you have built around you. You are amazing. And don't let Oprah tell you otherwise.
It's time to shut up already with the self hating!
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