Oprah's Pep Talks

People tell me all the time they've tried every diet, they've worked out before, and nothing worked. Yes, but how many did you stick to? Most people can't lose the weight, because they're not willing to be uncomfortable. The slightest indication that there may be pain or discomfort and people want to quit. If you quit you never win anything.

One of my favorite quotes that has become a mantra for me during my longest day workouts comes from Lance Armstrong, Mr. "Live Strong." He says, "Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." Working out well is challenging. It can get uncomfortable. You're breathing hard, pushing, pushing—it's a feeling we're unaccustomed to. Lance tells me he works to and through the pain. Imagine days and hours and more days and hours on a bike uphill.

Our boot camp doesn't require Lance Armstrong skills, but you can borrow inspiration from his commitment to win. You will not be able to defeat the weight without a plan of attack that includes exercise and food control.

You're just fooling yourself if you think otherwise. There are some people genetically coded to "get away" with no exercise; who can eat "anything" they want. They're not a part of the 67 percent of obese folks who make up America. And did you ever notice the people who say they can eat "anything" really don't eat everything and volumes of it. And the stars that say they hardly exercise…well let me assure you they hardly eat either. I 've watched them push the same piece of lettuce around on their plate for an hour or take a bite (just one) out of a piece of cake—and leave the rest.

If you were one of those people who could get away with that behavior, you wouldn't be here reading this right now, and I surely wouldn't be writing it if I was one of those people.

I want you to have good luck with this program. Luck doesn't come without preparation and opportunity. Prepare yourself for the opportunity that awaits you to be healthier and to be your best.