Fifteen days ago, I posted this pic:
Four days ago I received an email from Oprah’s team inviting me to join a conversation next week. This is an excerpt:
“When you were little, your body spoke to you.
And you listened.
You danced.
You jumped.
You ran.
You played.
Your body said you were strong.
And you believed it.
But, somewhere along the way, that connection was lost – drowned out by what others told you was real.
Your size became something people criticized.
Your shape was scrutinized.
You felt the shame.
And chased what you believed to be a perfect version of yourself.
We have been taught that our weight somehow represents our worth.
But that ends today.
You are here because you are ready to make a shift in how you think about, talk about and live within your body.” – OPRAH
I am beyond ready to think about, talk about, and live within my body differently. Aren’t we all? Aren’t we exhausted from all this? None of it HAS EVER WORKED.
I’m weary of the shame, the diets, the meanness, the way we trigger one another and splash our internal shame on other women. I’ve offended and been offended. There just has to be a better way.
I’m joining Oprah on May 9 in NYC with other women to find our way out. I don’t want to live the rest of my life at war with my own beautiful body.
Nothing matters to me more than the safety and health of this community. Not even for Mother Oprah would I subject us to harmful diet culture jazzed up for a new decade. I wouldn’t subject MYSELF.
Sisters, not only do I hear your concerns about the Oprah special being sponsored by Weight Watchers, loud and clear, but I and my team asked ALL the same questions before committing to this event.
Here are some of the links I referenced while considering the invitation:
New conversations start somewhere, imperfectly, and I believe this is one of those moments. The whole event will be streamed and free. I’d love for you to join the conversation. Let’s do this together.