"The constant chase to look younger, slimmer, fitter and unblemished is a death spiral for the soul."
Angie I couldn't agree more

Interesting discussion. I think it's worth remembering that Oprah is an extremely ambitious and marketing-minded celebrity, above all else. In some ways, as has been pointed out in this thread, she has changed her message to match the prevailing marketing/sponsorship opportunities. Pardon me if that sounds cynical, but I know from way back that she's had her eyes on the prize of remaining influential and relevant, and this WW partnership is one more step along the way. I like many of her messages of self-acceptance and the strength of women and minorities, but I'm sure all of these things are carefully molded to her public persona and Oprah as a brand and tastemaker.

Ok, on to the topic of weight loss and image enhancement as the primary goal of "self-improvement"... absolutely I agree that hyper-focusing on these things is a sure way to be unhappy.

Example. There is a woman in the resort where I am currently staying. Very slim, very tan. Posture is impeccable. Obvious but clearly quality boob job. Long, carefully styled and very expensively colored blonde hair. Perfect white resort wardrobe. At first glance, you think this woman is in her 30s, until you see her face. Again, immaculate makeup but it becomes quite obvious up close that she is likely in her 60s. Ok, I've got no problem with any of this, right? It's clearly her prerogative to "take care of herself" in whatever ways she sees fit. The thing that strikes me, however, is that she looks miserable. She doesn't strip down to her swimsuit and jump in the water. I haven't seen her smile or laugh with her husband. She is in a beautiful place, is an attractive woman, presumably with the love of her life, and presumably with enough money to be vacationing in quite a nice place and in high style, but she just looks so unhappy. I can't help but wonder what her pursuit of physical perfection has gotten her.

Meanwhile, my pasty white, cellulite-thighs and I are having a blast. Yes, I've been working out walking or running for at least 45 minutes each day, but I've also been going without makeup and eating guacamole and drinking margaritas every day too. I'd rather be physically imperfect and enjoy myself!

I wonder how Oprah's parents, grandparents, and other relatives/ancestors were built? Perhaps she has a genetic predisposition to being heavy. My dad's family was pretty thin; my mom's family not so much. The older I get, the more I want to eat like my dad. I used to think he was crazy for eating two pieces of fruit at lunch; now I absolutely demand that for myself! I also want to eat at particular set times just as he did.

I hope for her sake that Oprah eventually comes to peace with her weight. I found that after menopause, my hormonal cravings ended. I still weigh a few pounds more than I'd prefer, but my weight is generally stable and the pain and sacrifice of getting it down is not worth the pleasure I get from eating. I decided I need to make my upper body more functional through more upper body strength, plus I'd like to have Michelle Obama arms, so to me, lifting free weights a couple times a week is FUN and an adventure to see what my upper arms will look like come summer.

One of my DDs exercises a lot to relieve stress, and to improve her stamina. I admire that. Exercise has never been a stress reliever for me, except yoga. But I need more than yoga to stay active & relieve joint pain. There's certainly nothing wrong with wanting to look one's best, but exercising and/or dieting solely for that reason would make me awfully miserable. I see a toned body as a nice side benefit. For me & my family, it's about functional fitness.

More likely than not, Oprah may just have the body type that makes weight loss very difficult & unsustainable.

While I don't doubt that Oprah wants to lose weight again, we really need to keep in mind that she isn't stupidly wealthy for no reason. And the financial gain she is getting from this makes all the facebook commenting and articles written about her well worth the while. I refuse to believe that anyone her age with her business savvy doesn't know how she appears to the public, but as she ages (much like Kirsty Ally), I would wager a guess that her image is less important than her bank account. This is something that makes business sense, and I applaud her for taking the deal, whether she keeps the weight off (or even whether she even really wants to) or not. I cannot say that I wouldn't do the same in her shoes.

Like so many other things in so many people's lives, it is the money. Now that can be just as sad as the weight being the motivator, especially because she has plenty of money, too, but I am not sold on the idea that the weight loss is more alluring to her than the money here.

Lots of affirming thoughts here. The weight issue is so loaded for women especially I don't even know where to begin. For me, nothing has been more freeing than weight training and yoga. For one thing, after you do it, you cannot "ruin" it later in the day. It is a positive way to relate to my body rather than a punishment or deprivation. Regarding Oprah's motivations, I don't really think it matters.

Janet - so glad you are enjoying your holiday & thanks for sharing the story of the unhappy looking woman It reminds me of some of the comments about the Tilda Swinton character in Trainwreck, lots of people thought she looked "better" in that role than she does in real life - all I could see was some conventional idea of what mid-life women "should" look like. I much prefer Tilda the way she is

DonnaF - menopause can be tricky weight-wise for many of us. I'm glad you are doing what feels right for you

Echo - I wonder if she will ever have "enough". I have no objection to people making money but I do think there comes a point when to keep wanting more becomes irrational - imo there is something else going on.

shevia - I agree. I like to focus on what my body can do too. Yoga is fabulous for body acceptance & for understanding there are good days & bad ones.

Yoga is the best thing I have ever done for my body. I wish I had known about it and practiced it years ago.

I confess, this is the first I've heard of it. I don't really follow Oprah and I rarely watch TV apart from SBS and the ABC.

It's interesting that Oprah has decided to lose weight again. It sounds like a deal too good to refuse and I also think that Oprah is very motivated by challenges and success. WW also have a good maintenance plan IF you continue to engage. I don't think it's easy and it can become tiresome. Maintenance is the hardest part IMO.

I'm all for body acceptance IF you can genuinely accept. My sister struggles with her weight and it goes way beyond physical appearance. It impacts her knees, blood pressure, and skin. She is constantly on the diet roller coaster and I know it makes her unhappy.

I have no problems with women who choose breast implants, face lifts, Botox, whatever. If they want to look a certain way, that's their choice and I think it's unfair to judge and make assumptions about it. I see celebs get trashed in magazines because they've apparently done something to their face or body or they're not ageing well, or they have cellulite or whatever and it really sickens me that women are constantly criticised (including by other women) about appearance.....we're damned if we age naturally/accept our weight etc. and damned if we don't.

Me too bettycrocker

CocoC. I agree it's always an individual choice. I think Angie said it best though:

"The constant chase to look younger, slimmer, fitter and unblemished is a death spiral for the soul."

My guess is she did the deal not for more personal wealth but rather to keep funding her philanthropic work and her OWN network. I don't watch much on her network but find her SuperSoul Sundays and the like inspiring. I think she's a well-intentioned individual.

No offence to Angie, but I think it's very much a generalisation. The chase to be slimmer for my sister is about her health. Do we really know why Oprah has chosen to lose weight again?

I hate to see women criticised and judged for their choices and will speak my mind about it, whether it's a popular opinion or not.

So far on this forum I've been told I look uncomfortable for wearing something too short, and that I might have been mistaken for a prostitute for something I wore.

Perhaps I simply don't belong here.

Coco I've never thought you looked uncomfortable in your shorter skirts, you've got great gams so show 'em off if you want to! I hope your sister's health improves, and I also hope you'll stay on the forum I don't think it really it matters to us as individuals WHY anyone else (especially someone we don't know) decides they want to lose weight, does it? Such a personal decision; if it's important to the person in question it's fine with me, sure doesn't affect my own health and well being.

CocoC - I showed you an article highlighting cultural norms in parts of Asia - it is a fairly superficial article but I thought it got a different viewpoint across. I NEVER even entertained the thought you may be taken for a prostitute. Sorry you have taken one sentence from the article personally.

One of the things I love about YLF is that we can speak honestly & it is (mostly) done with respect for the feelings of others.

FYI - my point was not to criticise other women.

In the six or so years I've been on the forum, I don't think I've ever read a cruel or rude comment intentionally directed at a another forum member. But I have seen members offended by comments that they interpreted as being directed at them or viewed as critical of their choices.

I think it's important to keep in mind, since most of us only know each superficially through our on-line persona, it is impossible to know each others' sensitive spots. Most forum members are very careful to indicate that their opinions are just that--their opinions--and others, as adult women, are free to disagree or ignore opinions.

Caro, you are one of the most tactful and sensitive commenters on this forum. Your views and opinions are always worth reading, so please continue to open threads like this one.

CocoC--I hope you stay on the forum. You are not alone in disliking seeing women being criticized and judged for their choices. That said, though, I think it's healthy to discuss WHY we make the choices we do. I've learned, during my time on the forum, to question many of my attitudes and judgements because of the generosity of members like Caro who pose questions which make me rethink my instinctive responses.

I'm an Oprah fan myself, though I haven't followed her for ages as I gave up the t.v. 10 years ago and magazines even longer ago, so I may be out of touch. I love that she has all this money and personal chefs and all of that, yet still struggles in some areas -- just like any other human.

More and more research seems to be suggesting that weight whether high or low is driven by our gut micro biome, more than anything else. This is fascinating to me. I've gained weight since I switched jobs and I can't help wondering if it's because the frequent travel has changed my micro biome.

This concept has very much led me to self acceptance as I don't think I'm in control here (who is this "I" anyway??). Microorganisms in my gut are in control -- dictating what I crave, when and what I eat, how much, how it's processed, and also maybe even how much I feel like moving and exercising, as well as moods and sleep.

It's interesting how we are constructed -- there's this whole battle between what "I" want, and what the biome wants.

It's really awesome being over 50, as every day is my peak and no matter what that's something to rejoice. I'm never going to be better than right NOW. Even if I was razor thin and exercising for peak fitness, time marches on and I can't stop the aging. I'm finding this freeing. I worry less and less that I'm being judged for how I look, but rather, what I can do and contribute.

I, too, have been fascinated over the years by Oprah's trials with her weight. I had weight-loss surgery almost 6 years ago and it was truly life-changing for me. Honestly, I can't for the life of me understand why Oprah hasn't done the same thing. She is obviously a very motivated and disciplined person and I think she would be very successful. I can only imagine that she has bought into the whole "surgery is the easy way out" myth. But my philosophy has always been "high five for the easy way!"

Edited to add I think Oprah looks great at every size, and I think beauty comes in all sizes. But since her weight is obviously a tender spot for her, I'm puzzled why she hasn't looked into all of her options.