I was an overwieght teenager and am still overwight at almost 43 years of age. I have several medical problems the major being Asthma, I also have a seizure condition as well as having 2 heart attacks before the age of 40. I have almost lost my life because of being overweight several times. It finally took Oprah and Bob Green to wake me up. I was playing one day with my niece and nephew and I was so out of breath in about 5 minutes, because of the extra weight. I was watching Oprah and Bob that after noon and was very impreased. Bob said that you have to take baby steps in the begining because your body can't haddle it all at once. As someone once said to me "You did not put it all on in one day, Your not going to take it off all in one day . The one big problem I have is that I eat when I am board, sad, deppresed, and I find other excuses to blame it on as well. Well that time for me is over, Ijoined a gym and all the people know me rather well, because I am always there. I have worked myself uo to walking at least 65 minutes on the treadmill, and I have started lifting some light weights. I had noticed that my enegy level has gone up from about a 4 to a 10( being the highest). I notice when I do not go to the gym at all or even do some kind of physical activity during the day I can not sleep very well. Even just going for a 5 to 15 minute walk some where or even on my treadmill at home.

I really know how cruel and mean other kids can be, because it happened to me and adults to. Even my own father thaught that I was using my illness's as an excess to get out of exercising . And you know something he was right. It took me along time to admit to myself that I was overweight as a child and as an adult but sometimes you just have to say to youself "Okay today is the day it starts it may take a while and you may need some help, but do not be afaid to ask. The first thing you can think about doing is going to your school nurse and ask for the name of a good nutritionest, the next thing you can do is promise yourself that if there is a choice between the elevator and the stairs choose the stairs. It may take you a little longer and the other kids may get mad at you, because of this but let them . You are tring to make youself better, it may take you a while to get there but you will eventually. Take it from someone with expeience as an adult, teenager and a younger person that has always been overwight

Good Luck

Christine

Obesity is a growing problem with our society today teens are more sedentary than ever before with the computer and TV being a couch potato is becoming easier and easier you dont even have to leave the house to shop anymore. I am a father of two teens and I worry about there health daily. They just cant see the that their health by the time they are in their 30 's will be affected greatly and the life spans will be shorter than their parents. The big question is how to get them up and moving even as you said the energy levels will increase even with a 15 minute walk . I understand that some weight problems aren't from sedentary lifestyles and may be genetic however cardiovascular workouts will keep thier hearts and lungs healthier and the energy levels up and Dr Oz says that is very important to be healthy on the inside as well as the outside. I would like to say to all teens and preteens that are struggling with weight is first to learn to love yourself and accept yourself then make changes accordingly without hurtin yourself or starving yourself and you will experience the natural high you get from just eating healthier and moving that body each day god gave us but one body and our body like a car if we take care of it it will run for a long long time. God bless all that struggle and all that are making changes I'll be cheering you on dont give up and keep focused for the long run.

For those that tease and make fun just put yourself in their shoes it hurts and those words stay with you a long time!!

These agressive interventions don't work long term and create more psychological hurt.

Oprah should refrain from these dubious methods, especially if children are concerned, I would almost say: 'targeted'.

Disgraceful and ignorant methods.

I am the mother of one of the teens on the up coming show and he has progressed tremendously.Unti you walk in the shoes of theese courages teens don't be quick to judge them or those who are out there willing to help them.I am proud of all you kids from the show ROCK ON!!!

I too am a mother of one of these teens. These families should be applauded - this challenge took a lot of courage on all parts!. Teens were able to finally realize and admit some of the factors for being overweight. Families were also able to find out what role they were or were not playing in their child's life and their fight with obesity. The realizations that were faced by all at this challenge were very emotional, powerful and eyeopening for all involved.

My daughter has changed tremendously in many ways. She no longer feels alone in her battle. We were able to sort through many aspects of our relationship and it is better for that reason. She is much stronger and able to cope and deal with her weight. She is well aware it will be a life long battle, but has a new determination to change her lifestyle, eating habits and to SUCCEED!!!! Her determination and new outlook on life is one that more people in this world could be better for adopting! This challenge could not work for just anyone, but these teens and their families are devoted and want to make life better for themselves and their children.

I want to thank and commend Oprah, Yvonne, Rich, and all the others involved and who made this challenge possible for these teens and their families. As a parent, you gave us an opportunity to find out things about ourselves, each other and our children that we have battled and never had any idea that these things existed before. Thank you to all of you and all of those who have supported and offered advise and help along the way.

To all of my Oprah friends and family - Keep up the good work and determination -- ROCK ON !! I wish each and every one of the teens and their families success and openess with their emotions and feelings. You have been given the opportunity and the support to change your lives - and we are all working on that ! Remember you are never alone! The bonds that were formed are amazing and will last a lifetime!

Their parents were there with them and were included, right? They were all in it together. It would be hard to believe that any of them were forced to do this. I can't imagine Oprah doing something like that. I truly wish them all the best.

My sister Glo was alway struggling with her weight from the time she was born. Now I see her and 2 son's doing the same thing over again. 2 Boys are now 18 and 20, she was always at work. The boys stay home a lot and sleep. But, that is not all my whole family is obese. All 6 sisters and 3 bothers. We all were very active at one time in our lifes, after the age of 40 it seems that we just stop going out to walk, dance, run, etc. We all have problems with broken arches on our feet, bad knees, bad backs. I feel the pain of this teens. I get frustrated too. It is hard to get back on to a schedule for some kind of activity. I do not see us eating a lot of junk food or excess amounts. I think this all came from my mom, who is no longer with us.

But if others have work hard at it like Oprah, I guess we can do it too.. I want to encourage this teens to keep at it and do not quit.

~Marta

I am a home-based (I come to you) fitness instructor and personal trainer for both youth and adults. I use to have fluctuations with my weight as a child and as a young adult. During middle and high school was the challenge because of the peer pressure. During this time I wanted to fit in and be a part of a group. It wasn't until I was an adult that I became more conscious of what I was putting into my body. More importantly, it wasn't until I my father (who died of Cancer in 2004) and my mother (who suffered early stages of throat Cancer in 2006 - she is doing great now since I got her moving and helped her change her eating habits) that I diligently decided to make a change not just for me but my children (married working mother of three). I want my children to understand the nutrition and exercise is part of daily living. You can't do one without the other. My husband and I have to lead by example. I don't see this alot with most families. I will say that I am guilty of buying the Doritoes and chips. However, I make a conscious effort NOT to feed this (little, if any nutritional) snack to my children daily. The hardest challenge I have is not training the children but training the parents. Parent's have the means and control of what their children eat. We buy and prepare meals for our children. Teaching our children early will help them learn good healthy habits through adulthood. Some parents should stop looking for a quick fix or convenient way to fix the obesity problem with our children. They didn't get that way overnight! Let 's stop making excuses for why our children are overweight and make a way for our children to lose weight and remain healthy spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Talk to your child(ren) about things they enjoy. Make exercise FUN! Play kickball, dodgeball in the backyard, ride bikes, or take a group exercise class together (this opens up the lines of communication within the family). I enjoy training families in their home. I pray that more families open up their mind and allow someone like me with the passion for life help them.

I want to commend the young people on this show. To be able to express themselves and their inner most feelings of hurt, inadequacy, pain, frustration is something that it took me all of my 20's and through my early 30's to be able to recognize, process, work through and accept. My heart goes out to them because I have been there and I revere them for being so brave. I support you and pray for your success.

You are good enough. You are worth it. You deserve to be happy and feel loved Those who can't support you are not worthy of YOUR love or time.

I'm a mother of 2 young adults (one of whom died recently because of obesity), and I can share with parents of obese teenagers: whatever you have to do to help your child with this health challenge...DO IT! All of their arguments, tears, anger and frustrations is worth the end results...LIFE!

I've been facing challenges with my own personal health, along with other hardships, but there is NOTHING more devastating or painful than losing a child! I applaud the Oprah Winfrey Show for their dedication to making a difference in the lives of people on a daily basis. My biggest regret is that I didn't do more to assist my son with his eating habits. I would talk to him daily, and would say well, he's an adult and I can't make him do it, but I regret not taking more aggressive actions! Parents, please, don't give up on helping your children change their way of eating/living. My prayers are with you all!

A Mother Who Lost An Angel, BJ

Good for you! Its so hard I know, and sometimes it gets hard, well a lot of the time, but tough it out and keep going because you are worth being happy and healthy. I am proud of you. Remember you dont ever regret eating healthy and exercising, but you usually regret not doing it You go girl!

I am a 42 year old woman who was put on depression medication after the death of my brother. Soon after

I began gaining weight. If there was food in the room, I ate it. I was not like this off this medi cation.

Soon I gained 40 pounds and became depressed about the weight. My doctor then put me on another

medication that works well with the stuff I was on to lose weight. As soon as I was put on the new stuff I was like a different

person. No longer do I crave food and have lost 15 pounds in 3 weeks, that's without exercise. Is it possible there is

some chemical in the brain that just wants you to feel full all the time? I really think this is the case as no diet on earth

could stop me from eating.

I just paused the live show using my dvr because watching made me just start balling. It breaks my heart to see these kids in that much pain and especially the 18 year old boy named Josh. He said food is like his best friend right now and now i just wish that i could be that boys friend. I felt so horrible for him and he really seems like a sweet boy and i have this overwhelming feeling like i just want to hug him until his pain goes away.

-Lori, 25

Old Bridge, NJ

My heart goes out to all of them, I was personally disgusted when I heard how people have treated them. No one should be made fun of, or put down on a regular basis just because they are overweight. It is now at a point for them where it is seriously hurting their souls and their health. I wish I could personally help everyone of those kids, and yes I am a teen myself so I really think I could help. I can never truly know their pain, and their hurt but if and of you on the show read this I am here as someone to talk to. Especially to the young girl and her sick mother, my mother has breast cancer so I know how hard it is to see someone who is suppose to being taking care of you so sick. I, like yourself, have had to grow up quickly because of this, I think I could give you advice if you wanted it.

Where I work we have this big fake piece of Fat wrapped up with a ribbon on it. They have teams, and who ever loses the most weight each week gets this this. And we have many teams are trying to get this every week. They get prizes too, for the team who has lost the most weight. And we have people who are way over weight. Its so wonderful to see them lose it. And they are so proud of the weight they have lost too. And so is there Doctors. Who have tried everything to get them to lose it.

Its wonderful to see. On the other end, I have a friend of mine who is way over weight, and she refuses to do anything. She knows what it will do to her, she is in the medical profession. And health problems she has a basket at home filled totally up with medication because of her weight. I have a person I know in church that is so over weight he can hardly walk. It horrible to see.

Some people I know have gone and got operated on and had there stomach tied. And lost weight.

And the general public can be so mean towards them, and its not right.