Jennifer 1/20/2016

Is Oprah Midas or Medusa for Weightwatchers?weightlesschronicles.com/is-oprah-midas-or-medusa-for-weightwatchers/

Would you take weight loss advice from the most successful woman in the world? Would itchange your mind if that same woman has also struggled her whole life with the same weightissues that you have, and is still a work in progress?

In October 2015, Oprah became a member, board member, advisor and 10% owner of the world’s leadingcommercial provider of weight management services, Weightwatchers. At least, that is what the press release fromWeight Watchers said. I am not a member of WW, nor have I ever been. However, it is my mission to assist myclients in finding health on their own terms.

Oprah does not love who she is. Do you feel the same way? Click To Tweet

I am unique in my approach to weight loss, because I have never struggled with loving myself. Losing 100 poundsdid not make me a more beautiful person- it only allowed others to acknowledge how beautiful I already was. I amso passionate about being happy with your body that I am contributing a Master your Mindset video as part of theTake Charge online health coaching program. More on that below.

However, I understand that self-love is tough for most women to accept.

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The real question on everyone’s mind is not whether Oprah can actually lose weight AND keep it off this time. Shehas been completely open about her struggles with maintaining weight loss, which I admire. She is always achampion dieter. This means, that she has been successful EVERY TIME she tried to lose weight. I have noreason to doubt that Weightwatchers will be the same for her.

The real question on everyone’s mind is whether Oprah will provide the Midastouch for this company, or share the Medusa stare. Here are my brief comments oneach side. Read through my points, and let me know what you think!

Midas Touch

1. Oprah can touch anything or anyone, and it turns to gold! There are a plethora of success stories andinfluential health folks in this crowded weight loss market, many of whom were featured on one of Oprah’sshows. Oprah fans might be excited to join Oprah in her quest to find the “woman within”, especially as shehelped launch the careers of many influential health and fitness folks, including giants like Dr. Oz and HarleyPasternak. Find my health heroes on this blog.

2. WW is a program that works for thousands of people all over the world. I know at least 5-10 people whoattained lifetime member status, which is their way of honoring those who have maintained their weight overa long period of time. Follow several of my favorite WW success stories, Marci or Diane Carbonell.

3. Weightwatchers is still a very affordable program, whether you choose the online platform or in-personmeetings. If the company chooses to leverage Oprah’s influence to create special videos or content toconnect with her, that might inspire more members to join. I mean, how cool would it be to be one step closerto the great Oprah???

4. The previous Points Plus system was revamped to the new and improved Smart Points, which makes itharder to justify eating treats high in carbs. This is positive, as reducing simple sugars in your diet can leadto greater success. Get more specific details on the points changes from a longtime member Emily Bites.

5. There are now points and goals for exercising more. Exercise has many benefits, and should be part of anyhealthy weight program.

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Medusa Stare

1. Health at every Size (HAES) advocates felt sick totheir stomach after Oprah’s ad came out about herweight loss struggles. Health at Every Sizesupports people of all sizes in addressing healthdirectly by adopting healthy behaviors. Others areconcerned about the emphasis on weight from awoman who has surpassed every measure ofsuccess. MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry gavea much better summary of this concern than I evercan. Read her take athttp://www.upworthy.com/melissa-harris-perry-has-a-great-point-about-oprahs-new-weight-loss-ad

2. Previous spokespeople for WW were alreadysuccess stories, not works-in-progress. Starssuch as Kirstie Alley, Jennifer Hudson and Jessica Simpson apparently weren’t big enough names to helpWeightwatchers compete with other programs that focus on more than just points. If Oprah does not succeedin her effort to lose weight, how will it impact the motivation of those who join specifically to share thisexperience with her? Health tip: The best motivation for any transformation in your life should come frominside factors, not outside.

3. WW has revamped their program several times (kinda like New Year’s resolutions), and even experimentedwith offering WW-approved food products, which was basically over-processed crap. Those who are currentmembers will have to adapt to the new system, and it is unclear whether the new system will be interestingenough to encourage new members to join. The membership has been steadily declining over the pastseveral years.

4. While the new Smart Points decrease your ability to eat sugary snacks, it still favors low-fat foods. Followinga low-fat diet has many benefits, according to the National Weight Control Registry. However, as ayoung victim of the low-fat diet craze of the 80’s, I am an advocate of eating plenty of healthy fats like nuts,butter, olive and coconut oil, and avocado. Plus, eating higher-fat foods leads to less cravings. Takingaway sugary snacks is a step in the right direction, but who can enjoy steamed broccoli without a nice pat ofbutter, or apple slices without some almond butter? Check out this infographic on fats HERE.

5. Exercise does not specifically lead to weight loss. Exercise will improve your mood, circulation, stress levels,flexibility, energy, and ability to make good food choices. Adding exercise “points” to a primarily dietaryprogram takes away from the main mission of improving your nutrition. This could be overwhelming forbeginners who would benefit from one simple step, like starting with a healthy breakfast.

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As a health coach and girl who had her own weight loss struggles, my only goal is for clients to make changes totheir lifestyle that they can be happy with, and sustain for life.

Oprah is only doing what most of us are doing- trying to find a program that she can livewith. I sincerely hope that Oprah finds the path and the peace she needs to finally find thewoman within.

If you distrust big-name programs like Weightwatchers, why not choose a more customized approach? I work withwomen who have been burned by major weight loss programs, because they did not result in lifelong change.Stop taking the cookie-cutter dieting approach, and make the program fit YOU. Not the other way around.

Schedule a free Discovery session to see how I can help you reveal your inner beauty.

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