krknutson

As an overweight adult (240lbs), even I do a double take when I see people that large. My mother is probably about 400lbs and won't hardly leave the house because of her body. I have a compassion for people who are overweight as it really is the last accepted form of discrimination. Unlike drugs or alcohol, we MUST have food to survive so it seems to be even tougher of a battle. I could go on and on about that part but here's also what I am really thinking when I see someone who is over 450lbs or more: How do they clean themselves after using the restroom? What is sex like for them if they have it? I know I probably shouldn't say that, but it's the truth.

selders

Absolutely amazing! Thank you for sharing. I tried to post earlier, but I'm not sure what happened. I lost my mother 2 years ago, and she was only 49-years-old. I was on the phone with her the night before, only to wake up to the most painful phone call of my life...she was found dead in her apartment. Although the doctors say it was a heart attack, "obesity" is listed as a cause of death on the death certificate. My mother was nowhere near 400 pounds, not even 300, but to see that word on her death certificate was a real eye-opener for me. I am determined to live a healthier life now.

jarnett321

I'm trying to leave a comment - keeps timing out and logs me off.
I do believe people can be addicted to food. It is something I am struggling with myself...wondering if that is where I am at now. I will be watching the show tomorrow.

jarnett321

Watched the show today...it didn't seem like Oprah talked much about the topic today. I know that sounds odd, but it's just what I think. I'm not a half-ton person, but I am obese. I didn't like the show because it is like holding a mirror up in front of me - and I don't want to face it.

bebe03

After watching the show today I realize I will never be able to understand what these people go through each day. Here I am trying to lose a couple of pounds to look good in my swim suite for summer. It makes me feel picky about my body when I should feel lucky compared to others.

producersh

Bebe -- you bring up such a good point. After working on this show, my entire team felt grateful for being able to do the little things, get out of bed in the morning, get to the bathroom on our own, and take a shower with no effort. We take so much for granted that is a huge obstacle for people struggling with extreme obesity. For those of us that agonize over that swimsuit every year -- i think this year like you i'll be grateful, instead of getting mad at those unforgiving dressing room lights : )
suzanne

dianesu

I watched the show, but I think I missed the explanation for the reason the obvious obsession with food. I just can't understand why someone would continue to eat so unhealthy when it comes to their life. The people who are enabling are the ones I'm most frustrated with. There is no way I would continue to feed and enable these people who obviously need help.

simoone

Mar 27, 2009 12:14 PM

  |   in response to: producersh

Interesting about the "last accepted prejudice." I've been UNDERweight my whole life. Talk about an accepted prejudice. It's every bit as painful I'm sure as what these people go through. I have to remain covered up in the summer and can't participate in summer activities with my family. I get sick of the stares. And no, I'm not anorexic or bulimic. People think nothing of making comments right to your face. People think nothing of saying things like "do you eat?" I'm so tired of it. I'm on my 50 zillionth diet since Jan. to try to just get to a normal BMI. I hope I can do it this time. It's tough though. People laugh at me when I tell them that it's a known fact that gaining is harder for the underweights out there than losing is for the overweight.

This is a real problem for some of us. But all we get is people laughing at us.

thendryx06

How ironic this topic aires, we lost one of our neighbors last thursday to what appears to be obeistity issues... you know you live and breathe our friends everyday, we see and say to them that they're on a road to destruction, while they are listening, we have no promises of tomorrows, and unfortunately for some it never comes...

RIP Marcus Jones of Oak Cliff Texas

1bellgr3

When I see a really heavy person I think, "But by the grace of God go I." I've never been more than 30 pounds overweight but know that I could be. Food is my drug of choice. My grandmother was over 300 pounds and barely
five foot tall. Thanks to the Oprah show on this topic, I think more people in this country - including myself - truly see this as an addiction. The trouble is that there are those who are overweight because they are simply too lazy to exercise or eat good food. Like most things in life, the question isn't black and white. Not judging is just a good idea in general. "Don't judge your fellow Indian until you've walked many miles in his moccasins."

malumic

I have tried calling Brookaven almost 10 times but my calls are never returned. What kind of message does this send to someone who is desparately serching for help? Do I have to be Oprah Winfrey to receive a reply? Very upset.

becaholic

I didn't get to see the show, but I wanted to see it.

Food is crazy. Ever since I was little I was addicted to food, so my mom says. I have been struggling with this for forever it seems. I mean, you get up and you think today is the day where I am going to change - I am going to be the best person I can be and get out there, exercise, be conscious of what I am eating, but then you fall short and think "What is the point?" It's really sad. It's just mindless eating for me, I tell myself no and then I just go in the kitchen and eat while I'm still saying to myself that I shouldn't. A lot of people think that it is our faults, but if you were in the same situation you would be the same way. It's like the way a heroin or coke addict is, any kind of addict. It's emotional, you get sad you eat, you get angry, you eat, you get depressed you eat. And then you think "Hey if I go out and try to run today it would be great but everyone would see me." Yeah, everyone would see you do it, and the way our perfect American culture is today is so great that if we saw someone trying to make better for themselves that we would all laugh at them running down the street trying. And you know it if you saw it you would, and don't say you wouldn't because I would and I am pretty big... but I do think about that actually. It doesn't help if you are poor either because all of the cheap stuff is disgustingly bad for you and isn't real, it gets you addicted to it and when you grow older that is all you know so you keep doing it. I mean if you are poor you can't really get all fruits and veggies and good organic things to eat because its wayyyyy expensive and decays fast... so you have to buy those things that last a little longer and don't expire quickly.
I hope I put a little bit of insight into it. -rebecca

hallaluya

" Hello to Everyone"....."Blessed Be the Name of The Lord, Is what I always say"....... I am posting The Love Letters from Unhealthy Foods for Women/Men for you all to enjoy....I believe it will jump start you into making healthier choices in life no matter what those choices may be. May God Bless You as you go along on your journey......I hope that you enjoy the Letters.... and together we can "Light A Spark" God Bless You and Enjoy! Luyah

The Love Letter from Unhealthy Foods for Women: J. Ivey

Hello Sweetheart, how are you today? I've been hearing
all around town that You have been thinking about leaving me...Haven't I been there for you?.......Haven't I been home every single night waiting patiently for you to come in? I'm on every corner in some shape or form just waiting for you to drive by and think about me.......Haven't I given you all the fat and calories that any female has ever wanted?.......
didn't I raise your cholesterol level to an all time high?
didn't I make your heart beat faster than anything else?
Who fixed it so that you could lay around and do nothing all day?...."I did".....You once told me I was the Sweetest thing in your life......."Don't leave me baby"

Babycakes...I thought you loved the way that I make the fat hang over your jeans whenever you sit down, or the way your thighs wrinkle when your legs are crossed.......Have
you forgotten how my Sugar gets you so high?.....I know
that eventually it brings you down again and I apologize for that....."But I can't help it Sweetie, that's just the way I am"
I must admit that I love it when you think that people don't want you around anymore because I have made you so big and uncomfortable that you refuse to participate in anything anymore......."That's my girl, I can have you all to myself now"

Hey Darlin, "What is this I hear about you flirting with
Lettuce and Tomato at the grocery store".....What's going on with that?.....Was Water there?...."Did you happen to run into Whole-Grain Breads too?......They all run together you know, I'm not sure if this true but I hear they only deal with Women who have a little self-esteem and self worth....and I recognized from the beginning of our relationship that you
didn't hold either one of those qualities Sweetheart! Baby,I
know that you don't care enough about yourself to walk 2-3 days a week, do a little yoga with a friend or a few crunches here and there......I understand the fact that some Women really don't want to get to know the..."Healthier Them" because if they do, they just might have to deal with some old issue that is much easier..... left inside, "It's
o.k. with me Cupcake...... keep it all inside because I am here for you"

Baby, if you have been thinking about having breakfast with Cantolope and Oatmeal...."Forget About It".......They can't do a darn thing for you except" Bring you down, way down!!!!......"You don't need to be healthy and feel pretty, you don't need to get down to your idea weight, or eat foods that were created especially for you! What would you look like munching on Fresh Bell Peppers and Sweet Onions, that had been simmered in Olive-Oil, with some Whole-Grain Rice and a piece of Baked Fish that had been seasoned to your liking.......Everyone knows that "You are not on that level My Dear"

Speaking of Water....."He thinks that he is all of that" and believe me baby he is nothing compared to me...I hear that he is cheap, easy to get and has no color or flavor....."Unlike Me" I come in all flavors, shapes sizes and colors and "I am more expensive too'
I believe that it is time that I shared something with you, my Dove........."I lost my last Woman to Water you know".....She started hanging out with Healthy and his buddies and the next thing I know she was to darn Healthy to deal with me anymore....
Oh' sure, I run into her every now and then....and she tells me that I "Still Smell Good and Look Good", then "Poof, she's gone"
All I am trying to say is ,that "I Love You" and I am here to fill that empty heart of yours, whenever you get lonley, stressed out or bored....."I'll be here for you when you feel like you have nobody at all"....As long as you are comfortable with me "I'll never leave you"....Listen girl, if you stick with me I promise you "There will be Bigger and Better things to come". On the other hand, if you do decide to start hanging out with Healthy and his friends, I can only guarantee you one thing, "You Will Be Loosing Me"
Signed, Unhealthy Foods
p.s. don't go changing
In the words of the famous singer Amy Winehouse: "I cheated Myself, like I knew I would.....I told You I was trouble, You know that I'm no good"

satmul

It is tough to see these people perform their daily chores like eating or going to bathroom.But imagine their visit to a doctor for complicated problem.One gastroenterologist told me that he was called by a surgeon who just couldn't handle a surgery by himself.The Gastroenterologist helped in taking care of the digestive system inside the overweight patient.In other words,it takes two to handle such people.

sunny745

Aug 2, 2009 5:14 PM

  |   in response to: becaholic

I can really relate to you Rebecca, especially about being able to buy the fruits and vegetables. We run out of money before the month ends, and that's with my husband working as a security officer. We both have disabilities....I haven't been able to work, and he's working, but he gets very tired, so it's hard for us to take care of ourselves. I have fibromyalgia and I'm obese and definitely have a food addiction.

Pauline

kespinosa1

I think emotional issues are at the root of being overweight. I do think many of us have food addictions that are made worse when "junk" foods are available. Junk foods do seem to be harder to turn down once one starts eating them. And yes as some posts have already said, if one is overweight it can be hard to go out and exercise for some people because they don't want to be seen due to the weight. I also think that some people do not take our requests to not keep unhealthy foods around to heart. There are also hidden fats in some cooked foods so it's hard to know what exactly you are eating. A doctor told me one time she worked with very poor people and they could eat healthy so being low-income was no excuse. It is hard for some when there is very little money for food and sometimes fresh fruit and vegetables are not at the top of the list. Every time I see a show like this I wonder, where do people get all the money to eat out everyday or buy so much junk food (which I think is more expensive than fresh or whole grain? I hope our society will see being overweight as the true addiction it is. Yes, I admire people who keep themselves looking fit. I feel sad for the very obese. I have been overweight off and on since I was a "pre-teen".

dreamjuliet4

Many reasons for being overweight; Addiction, sickness, medication, genes, depression etc. People just don't know about this, even some doctors ignore the reasons and people tend to treat obese people poorly. Why? My theory is they are scared of the "different" and deep in their subconcious obese people are a threat and the weak link of the human herd. Just a thought.

summer2fal

Ok, I know this isn't going to be popular, but I think it needs to be said. I am SO TIRED of hearing parents say I couldn't say no to my child. WHY NOT? Look it is easy 2 letters, 1 syllable. NO. When you tell your child no you are teaching them. How many parents don't tell their child no they can't go play in a street with heavy traffic? Same thing when it comes to friends, staying out late, driving, food, etc. You shouldn't say no all the time but when it isn't good for them it is the right thing to do. That is why you are the parent and they are the child.
When it comes to the over weight mom I feel for her kids. I was always a decent weight after my 4th child I gained and kept gaining. It just seem to creep up on me. Now I have lost 4 clothes sizes. I don't have a scale so I don't know my weight. I do know I am losing. Hard to do, yes. I have been drinking lots of water. We went almost 5 months without being able to buy food and having to rely on food banks and the generosity of my friends. Now that I am able to buy food I am planning on being careful and still drinking water all day and with every meal.
I would tell the two girls to take every day as a gift from God and to eat healthy, walk, exercise in fun ways (ride bikes, horses, swim these kinds of things). You know that your Mom loves you and God does too.

bevporter

I may have a different perspective. I take care of disabled people. There are a wide range of disabilities from needing no assistance for personal cares to needing full assistance. I can relate to the level of obesity along these lines. The difference I see is that we have an ISP (Individualized Service Plan) for each person to help improve their life. This may include a special diet, exercise plan, physical therapy, etc. It is our goal to make them as independent as possible and to live a full healthy life with respect to their disability. I could see a similar approach to an obese person. It takes outside help and education to work through the everyday struggles that these people face. They need to be shown a different way of life and their potential to make it better.

krazy88

I was headed that direction at almost 500 lbs. Life is incredibly difficult both physically and emotionally at that size. So far, I'm down 100 lbs and have a long way to go, and I'm struggling this summer to maintain my momentum. I'm blessed to have found a total stranger at a stop light who has changed my life and has changed me and become an amazing friend. Thank you for bringing the plight of obesity into mainstream public. I hope that I can some day inspire others to take control of their health and weight after seeing me fight it so hard.