SubscribeOprah’s Weight Gain…Just Another Catchy Headline?
I admit, when I saw Oprah all over the news for her recent weight gain, I jumped at the chance to write about it. But as I was writing, I changed my mind. I really didn’t think that you needed to read about another celebrity’s struggles with weight. Don’t get me wrong, I like Oprah (unlike some of the other celebrities that can’t seem to stay away from the headlines) and I respect her A LOT for all that she’s accomplished.
I think it’s incredibly brave of her to come out and let the entire world know about her weight problem. Can you imagine? Once you make the headlines, you’re like an open target for anyone to shoot you down with judgement and criticism. But if you know Oprah, you can be sure she’ll use her problem as an example and put a positive spin on it to shed more light on the very serious problem of obesity and the general decline of health in America.
So why did I stop writing about Oprah’s infamous weight gain?
The reason is that I don’t have an inkling of an idea as to what her personal situation is, therefore, I don’t feel like I have the right to comment about her struggles with weight. Being that I’m in the health and fitness industry, I’ve worked with many clients battling weight issues. And even though the problems are often the same, the underlying causes of each person’s issues are very different.
I don’t know why Oprah has struggled with weight all her life, but one thing is certain—her problem is not unique. There are millions of people that go through what she’s going through (just not so publicly). The reasons are likely complicated (possibly medical) and deeply rooted (emotional), which are commonly the case for so many that suffer the roller coaster ride of weight gain and weight loss.
However, I can speak for myself and the people I’ve personally helped get back into shape and stay in shape.
As simple as it sounds, there are 2 words that I’ve found to be very powerful when setting in motion a commitment to change.
1. Responsibility
2. Accountability
These 2 basic, yet life-changing words have personally helped me as well as many people I’ve worked with, stay on track with their health and fitness. I always visualize those words written on a post-it note (probably because I have sticky notes everywhere in my office). It just seems to stick (no pun intended!) in my head better when I visualize things this way.
How I’ve Become Responsible & Accountable
When it comes to health we’ve all got different issues, but it’s how we deal with them that matters. Personally, I have digestive problems, which have plagued me from a very young age and to this day are still undiagnosed. It’s a constant battle. BUT, I’ve found that by making myself both responsible and accountable I’m able to maintain good health more consistently.
Once I took responsibility for my own health issues, I was able to see myself dealing with things differently, which affected my health in a positive way. I realized that by not taking care of myself, I was not only hurting myself but also the people around me. When I get sick my entire family suffers. Just like with weight problems, feeling bad (emotionally or physically) brings about a great deal of negativity. But, if you don’t take care of yourself, how can you honestly take care your family or be supportive to your friends?
How You Can Be More Accountable & Responsible For Your Health
I’ve found that surrounding myself with like minded and supportive people has helped me tremendously. A social support system keeps you accountable in a good way—keeping you on track through positive reinforcement.
The same goes for your workouts. Having a workout partner is a great way to make yourself responsible and accountable for maintaining your fitness. Plus, it’s always more fun to go through a workout with a partner. A little push goes a long way!
If you don’t have a workout partner, just the simple act of letting your friends and family know that you are starting a journey to be healthier almost forces you to take action. Suddenly, you’re accountable to these people when they start asking you questions like, “how’s it going?”. What’s your answer going be?
The Big Lesson
So the lesson here isn’t just about how we shouldn’t judge or criticize Oprah for her weight gain. Instead learn from her. Be accountable and responsible for your own health. You have this one body and one life to live. Make it a good one.
My question to you today is, what do you do (or what are you going to do) to be accountable and responsible for your health and fitness?
About The Author
Shin Ohtake is a widely recognized strength coach and fitness & fat-loss expert. His unconventional, no-nonsense approach to getting fit has made him the go-to source for fitness enthusiasts and trainers alike. Shin is also the author of the world famous, MAX Workouts book, which has transformed and reshaped the bodies of thousands of people across the globe - without requiring hours in the gym. To learn more about how MAX Workouts can help you achieve your fitness goals, visit maxworkouts.com.
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I have a eating log every week so that i can see all the good day’s and the bad day’s.How much caffeine i have,how much fruit,water intake.How much excersize i do.These help to keep me on excersizing.To be accountable and take responsiblity.
I find lists help me. I just made a spreadsheet for my workouts that track exercises, time, calories burned, high and average heart rate, and percentage of time burning fat. (It’s on my Polar heart rate monitor, so I include it.) I feel “rewarded” when I write down all that detail. Also, I feel motivated not to leave a day blank. I seem to need a visual reward.