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Oprah Hits 200 Pounds Again – What Happened

By Amy Teeple

Published on December 30, 2008

Oprah Winfrey has once again fallen off of the weight-loss wagon, but she is done hiding it. On the January 2009 cover of O Magazine, a picture of Oprah at her current weight of 200 pounds will be placed next to a much slimmer photo of the talk-show queen from three years ago. Oprah's Initial Weight Loss and Gains Ever since she wheeled 67 pounds of fat onto the set of her talk show in 1988 to signify the weight that she had lost, Oprah has become ensconced in America's collective psyche as a celebrity who took on the battle of the bulge and won ... and then lost ... and then won again. Oprah did not know it at the time, but she was on her way to being America's favorite yo-yo dieter.

To reach her goal weight in 1988, Oprah followed a liquid diet for about four months and did not eat any solid food. After fitting into a skinny pair of Calvin Klein jeans on that show, Oprah began to eat food again and she began to put the weight back onto her frame. Within two days, those jeans no longer fit. Throughout the 1990s, Oprah continued to gain and lose weight, not always an easy process on a national stage. At one point, Oprah trained for and completed a Marine Corps marathon before topping the scales at 237 pounds in 1992.

Thinking She Had Weight Battle Won

In 2005, with help of her personal trainer Bob Greene, Oprah had not only lost weight, but had also toned her body. Her 160-pound frame was displayed on the cover of O Magazine. Winfrey said she became cocky about her weight loss and told struggling friends that they just needed to work out harder and eat less. Looking back at her attitude, Oprah is a bit embarrassed now as she is 40 pounds heavier at 200 pounds.

Health Issues Contributed to Weight Gain, but She Is Not Guilt-Free

In February 2007, Oprah began to have health issues. She suffered from bouts of insomnia that lasted for days; her legs began to swell; she became lethargic and irritable; she slowly gained five to ten pounds; and she got heart palpitations whenever she exercised. Although she sought medical advice and was told she could still exercise, Oprah feared her workouts and began to seek comfort foods. A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism explained the initial health problems, but the medications that she began to take made Oprah feel worse, not better.

Where She Is Headed

With the encouragement of her friend and trainer Bob Greene, Oprah realized that she needed to have an open discussion with her doctor about how she was feeling. Under her doctor's advisement, she was slowly weaned off most of the medications and is now ready to get back on the road to health. This time Oprah's goal is not necessarily to get a toned sculpted body, but to reach a healthy weight.

Oprah is a big advocate of women living a healthy lifestyle. Gaining the weight made her feel that she was not setting a good example. So now Oprah wants to once again lead by example and be healthy again.

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Keyword Tags: celebrities, weight loss

Comments

1

Please give me a break. Oprah is WAY OVER 200 pounds.

Michael Morrell
10 months ago

2

Whether big or small, Oprah you look amazing!

PJO
10 months ago

3

I AGREE........SHE IS WAY OVER 200 POUNDS.

PAULA TOBIN
9 months ago

4

Oprah's is fighting the same battle as millions of women(and men) out there...and it's not one with food. I pray that she realizes that the way you look doesn't have to define who you are. She's an astounding women and she needs to focus on that...and not the plate of junk food that she can't eat.

Ellen Gower
7 months ago

5

I did the same as Oprah. Went on a 3 shake and 1 meal a day diet and lost 40lbs in 4 months. Thought I'd never put the weight back on again and now have gained half of it back in 9 months. During the diet my doctor (who supervised me the entire time) put me on a medication to keep the bile in my gall bladder thin so that I would not form gall stones (evidently common with rapid weight loss). Now I'm back on a more reasonable 1000 calorie a day diet still substituting with one protein shake in the morning and am slowly loosing...BUT just found out I have gall stones and need surgery to remove it! Doc says I was probably predisposed^&$^%$%%$#$#@ Oprah's weight issues are inspiring! Thanks.

Joan
7 months ago

6

i am currently 227lb with diabetes lost 5lbs, now i don't know where to go i use sunday as my cheating day and the rest of the week i diet try to walk at least 1 mile a day when i am not working that's mean 2 days a week and i am using low carb diet can somebody help me please.

titine
7 months ago

7

i believe in taking care of our health through proper diet and exercise. Do not deny your body the essential nutrients and this will work well with exercise. Dieting can be very very tricky and we all need to understand what we are getting ourselves into and to understand how the body functions and the exercises that work.

rahab
6 months ago

8

Oprah
Just pray to God to give you strength to resist junk food and help with better eating habits. He will give you the strength to overcome any negative habits.

Gloria
6 months ago

9

Ms. Oprah Winfrey is a great lady. Shes got the will power. Like she gained 200 pounds she can also get rid of it when she wants :) .

xera
6 months ago

10

your right how you look doesnt define who you are it defines who other people think you are

elvira
6 months ago

11

I am 5' 2" weight 154 lbs. I walk a lot, dont' eat that much meat,
eat a lot veggies, (cheese is my hang up I like it) one thing I don't due is drink enough water. ( I know that) It has no taste for me. Any way all my weight is in my stomach. crunches hurt, I walk about 30 to 40 minutes 5 days out of a week and every other day I work out w/weights in my yard. BOTTOM LINE my STOMACH IS NOT GOING AWAY. (My husband states I look like I'm losing weight)can anyone give me a little advise please. Thank You.

Linda
5 months ago

12

I am also a big fan of Oprah and have followed her show and weight ups and downs for a long time. You would think that someone that wealthy would have all the luxuries of a trainer, cook making sure she eats healthy -- but in the end it's just her and the food. No-one can make you be in control if deep down you don't want to be. Sadly it always comes down to the old saying "no pain - no gain or my favorite - "NO SACRIFICE - NO VICTORY"

I just turned 52 and realized, I've lived almost half my life being obese. I don't want to spend the rest of my years crying in front of the mirror.
I am 5' 4 and presently weigh 226 lbs - 6 weeks ago I joined a women only gym weighing 239 lbs. Somehow something came over me and I said, I've had enough!

I changed my life and the way I think about food - who says you can't live without fat and sugar? I honestly never thought I could! Any recipe can be made "lean"and healthy with the right ingredients. It's about compromise - if you don't want to give up the lasagna - try making it with eggplant instead of the pasta and throw in low fat cottage cheese instead of the fatty ricotta...make your tomato sauce with vegetables instead of meat for the extra fibre and no fat!
It's very empowering to be able to cook meals and know they are healthy and lean!
MAKE THE DECISION TO CARE FOR YOURSELF - YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Now,I eat so much better and smarter (always a combination of protein,complex carbs, lots of fibre and a touch of flax seed and at every meal), I exercise 3-5 days/week and drink 2 liters of water every day. I also started taking a cleansing product to detox the vital organs and colon. I've had good results so far - by incorporating all of these elements. Losing weight is about so many things done right but by far - it's a positive attitude toward weight loss that has kept me going.

When I'm at the gym and exercise is so hard it burns - Instead of crying over it - I welcome it - the burn is good - it's the sign that the fat is melting away! That feels great!

Think positive and you will stay in control, sure there are times when you will fall off your wagon but don't beat yourself up about it.. tomorrow is a new day! WE CAN'T STOP LIVING BECAUSE OF FOOD! IT IS MEANT TO SUSTAIN US - NOT KILL US. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU TRYING TO BECOME HEALTHY - IT'S A SLOW PROCESS BUT WELL WORTH YOUR EFFORT. IN THE END ITS ALL ABOUT HEALTH - LOOKING GREAT IS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE!!

Joanna
5 months ago

13

Joanna, you have just the right attitude. Keep it up and you *will* be successful! In anything you do, you have to stay positive.

Eva
5 months ago

14

I don't find Oprah to be a good role model when it comes to taking weight off. People can relate to her struggle and that's fine. However, because of her recognizability and ability to influence others she needs to be painstakingly aware of the potential damage she could be doing by advertising each attempt she makes at losing weight.
Yo-yo dieting is a tough cycle to break on your own without having a high profile individual pulling you in for the ride. If Oprah wants to share with the public about what she is doing I feel she should be more vague about the specifics. This would keep people from emulating her, and I say this only because she hasn't been able to show others that she can maintain a healthy weight. Why emulate yourself after someone who ultimately isn't successful? It doesn't make any sense.
Instead, she should be making it crystal clear that what she does is in no way a recommendation for others. Her battles are the same as the rest of us. And, for many ongoing years now we can see that she too fails at keeping it off.
My main point is that she places hope in others that by following her weight loss regime they too will be successful. What happens to those people when they see her failing at keeping it off? What do they feel when they know she isn't acknowledging it? Are they too supposed to hide it, as if shamful?
Oprah's work in other areas is to be commended. I do feel, however, that this is one area she would be better off keeping a low profile on...for the sake of her followers.
Thank you.

Toni
5 months ago

15

Oprah i live in South Louisiana where we love food. I think you are an amazing woman and the fact you don't give up is awesome, i'm trying to find a way to lose weight myself I weigh 170 lbs and I'm 4'10 in height. I'm a single mom and i'm fat i have tried so many diet meds they work and then quit. I'm have a good man now but i feel i need to lose weight to keep him. I want liposuction or a tummy tuck but cant afford it please give me advice. I have a 8year girl who is my world i want to be around for her and be able to play with her and not have her ashamed of being seen with me HELP. Love Me Angel T.

ANGEL TOUCHET
3 months ago

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