Hi Bob:

I just watched Oprah's "confession" and I cried, and cried and cried. I look at her and all she offers the world and I think she deserves to feel good inside her skin. She gives and gives and gives to the world , could God at the very least give her the body she works so hard for and the body that she can feel comfortable in. I have struggled my whole life, at least from the age of 11, to feel good in my own skin. I wonder if my body image struggle comes from being molested by a neighbor at a very young age - I have never addressed it but I am aware of it. I feel such a kinship with Oprah in her struggle and such admiration for her humility to "put it out there" and be so honest about her problem. I believe it is a spiritual, emotional and physical issue, I struggle on all three levels. I have used exercise to maintain my weight, I have used all kinds of diets and I so identify with Oprah when she gets excited about a "new plan" she is starting, she always embraces the hope that this time she will do it - Oh GOD I just need to get this "thing" contained and move through the rest of my life at peace with my body. I have lost two breasts to breast cancer, once at 37 and the other at 47..............I have tried and tried to do the right thing to maintain my health and yet there is a child in me that simply rebels and wants what she wants when she wants it - so I fight the battle constantly. I try to live an active life - rather than focus on the "exercise" thing. I even moved to an area where I can walk or ride my bike to places, so that I am more active. I would like to think that I can kick this thing once and for all but I realize it just does not work that way and maybe my journey and my struggle is so that I remember who is in charge, that I need a deeper understanding and connection with my God and it is only in surrendering to him that I can move past this.

I am on a plan today which is three weighed and measured meals -

Breakfast 4oz protein 8oz fruit or 1 fruit

Lunch 4oz protein 8oz raw veg and 8oz cooked 1 tbs fat

Dinner 4oz protein 12oz raw veg and 8oz cooked veg 2 tbs fat

I am active, but exercise about 3 times a week, I am starting menopause, I am 50 and I want peace of mind around my body and weight. I am 5ft 2in and I currently weigh 169 and do not know what I should weigh. I feel quite good around 135. It seems no matter what I do I cannot get to goal - PLEASE HELP ME - I want to be healthy and live to see grandchildren. At 37 I just prayed and prayed that I could stay alive long enough to raise my children, now they are 19 and 23, and now I want to live to enjoy my life and give back to the world. It seems to be that for some reason unless I am totally selfish and focus on me me me I cannot stay with it. It is not like me to be selfish so I struggle back and forth.

I need help - can we start a small group with Oprah to meet once a week and help each other get where we want to be, emotionally, spiritually and physically. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get this - are you Oprah, let's do it together PLEASE.

Yvonne