It's that time of the year where people overindulge in food and deserts because Friday they start a new year and a new diet - this one is going to work. Yes ... yes... Most of us have been down that road and maybe it worked for a while - or maybe you fell off - or into - the food wagon (cart) and the weight returned. But something is happening for 2016 that never happened before ... Oprah and Weight Watchers.
When Oprah speaks ... millions react and follow. We end 2015 with Oprah's new Weight Watchers commercial which created an emotional outpouring online. She knows how to connect and what makes us tick ... especially women ... overweight women. She will have millions starting a New Year's Diet now and sticking to it. If you are dieting with her ... and you feel an urge to cheat ... think of Oprah. Also ... your brain will adapt to eating less and your eating patterns will change. I am not promoting Weight Watchers because it may not be for you and I don't plan to join.
My daughter Zsia lost 20 pounds this month on a plan where the food is delivered each day and that's all you can eat - weighing in weekly. As a business professional and partner in an Accounting firm - Zsia and her coworkers eat out all the time - but she is determined to get to her goal weight and if anyone can do it - she can.
My next door neighbor Artie owns Lean Chefs - another good diet where food gets delivered each day. There are so many options. You know the deal - keep it simple and get rid of the obvious.
For me - I diet on my own - protein and veggies only - cook for myself - now holding at 140 pounds which is the norm for 5' 6" - but I feel more comfortable between 125-130 pounds which was my weight most of my adult life. Okay, Oprah ... you inspired me. I will finish my diet ... promise.
When I get under 140 pounds, people sometimes tell me to stop dieting, I'm getting too thin. I use to argue the point, but now I just go along and agree with them ... then do my own thing. No one knows your body better than you do - what to eat, how to exercise without harming your body, how many hours to sleep, how much stress it can take, etc.
I also have very strong opinions about obese women who model and say they are fine being overweight. They are rationalizing. It's their emotions talking but their bodies will eventually get sick from the pressure of both the weight and emotions that drove them to get fat/obese in the first place. Most of these models are just fat - but some are obese and speak to me of health issues. Oprah has always carried her weight well, but is way too heavy for 61 - almost 62 - and must now be feeling it.
Another point ... years ago an astrologer told me that when Jupiter is in your sign it is harder to diet as Jupiter represents expansion and you can get bigger. Jupiter is in Virgo: August 11, 2015 - September 9, 2016. Virgo is an Earth sign along with Capricorn and Taurus which can cause them to have bit of a struggle as well. On the upside for the Virgo - it can mean growth in areas such as career.
To diet or not to diet it's your decision and as I always say ... If you're programmed to lose weight now you will.
In Oprah's ad - her first since announcing her involvement with the company back in October - she talks candidly about her struggle with weight loss. "Inside every overweight woman is a woman she knows she can be. Many times you look in the mirror and you don't even recognize your own self because you got lost, buried in the weight that you carry. Nothing you've ever been through is wasted. So every time I tried and failed, every time I tried again, and every time I tried again, has brought me to this most powerful moment to say, 'If not now, when?'"
