If 160 was her weight when she was eating healthily with moderate exercise, then great. Health is about balance, not constant restriction or over exercise.

And whether she means to or not, these statements do suggest that women who may be this weight (or over it) have something to be ashamed of. Which they don't. She's an individual, but because of her position she's a role model and what she says matters.

I'm kind of appalled at all the comments bordering on fat phobia. How many times do we have to discuss the fact that health is individual and not something that can be based on weight alone?

And really, I'm just tired of our bodies being up for constant criticism and discussion because someone else doesn't like them because of personal or cultural ideals. I don't want someone judging my body, let's stop judging each other.

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Remind me NEVER to get sick in Texas (best thing I ever did was to leave), or anywhere else you intend to practice. If you are a representative sample of what's coming out of med school these days, I'll throw in my lot with the healers from Bali, thanks very much.

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I think Oprita's embarrassed because she's made such a big deal about weight loss and fitness before and yet she still "fell off the wagon". She needs to be kinder to herself. If anything she's a shining example of how hard it can be to prioritize fitness into your life. I mean if Oprah has struggles, I know I shouldn't feel so bad about my own. If she doesn't feel good, she should "get back on the wagon" by all means, but maybe not worry so much about being a particular size. Personally having a beautiful face and gorgeous hair is THE most important thing, and Oprah's got that in spades.

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Thank you again for writing this.

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And yes: She had a baby at 14? And it died?! OMG, she is such a force of nature, and has faced so many monumental issues in her life, and has so much to be proud of -- and she's walking around embarrassed about her shape?

Lord, lord, what hope is there for my generation of female self-haters if even Oprah can't figure that piece of it out.

To quote an article I saw years ago that riffed on the even older "Fat is a Feminist Issue":

Fit is a feminist issue, y'all.

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But if Oprah's not happy with how she looks and feels, she has every right to change it. Her decision to lose weight is not a referendum on all 200 lb women's need to lose weight. If you're happy with your body, and you feel good, then, great! But if everyone's so happy and secure, why do they feel so threatened by this?

Maybe Oprah realizes that, as a woman in her 50s with thyroid issues and other health problems, 200 lbs is NOT healthy for her. Maybe she is happier when she is more fit. Maybe she can't do the things she used to enjoy. Maybe she realizes that she has been letting self-destructive habits back into her life (she's an admitted food addict). And, maybe, she wanted to confront the issue head-on before the tabloids do.

I think this will have a net-positive effect on her viewers and fans. Oprah, more power to you.

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I look forward to seeing what Oprah has to say as a powerful, successful, admirable woman talking about herself and her own struggles and being happy, because she does indeed put it out there. And I will support her happiness at whatever weight makes her feel good about herself.

If people are bored with it, that's something else. It's okay to be bored, but not to presume that Oprah, of all people, is judging one's weight.

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