SubscribeOprah's Multi-Million Dollar Story
It will be the largest amount ever paid for a non-fiction book - and - it will be a book about weight issues. Oprah Winfrey has signed a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster that will even top Bill Clinton's massive $12 million dollar advance.
The book will be co-written with Oprah's former fitness trainer Bob Greene, and will outline her battle with weight. The book will be released in January ("diet season").
The dollar amounts here are simply astonishing. Oprah's stellar popularity is enough to turn any book with her name on it into an instant bestseller. It's also a little troubling. Bob Greene has also sold a number of books (Get With The Program), and his association with Winfrey has been a great source of publicity (and sales) - not only for him, but for other companies like eDiets - who continue to sell the "successful" Winfrey / Greene formula.
Ironic, considering this next book will apparently be chronicling her ongoing weight struggles. Let's hope the book will offer some help and support to those with issues of emotional eating.
It will, however, be proof of one thing.
Money cannot buy you positive body image or solve your food issues.
Mmm, true Jim. Do you think (please don't take offense to this anyone) if you had the amount of money she has - that you'd do it through some surgery? I'd at least (again Oprah fans, please don't hate me) get rid of the 'arm fat'. I don't know about everyone out there - but I'm looking at hard work for the rest of my life. I think that if I felt I had a compelling enough story to share with others - I'd sell it (and she's right - she does. She has literally millions of listeners)
Her book will sell millions, like Jim said because it has her name on it - people love her. I love her too, and will probably read the book. But it's like anything else, there are thousands of ways to get to the same place.
Do what works for you, not what works for Oprah (just because it works for her), or whomever.
Read it all (every peice of information you can get your hands on), and take out the pieces you want/ need.
Compare yourself only to others that have most of your genetic qualities/ challenges.
But in the end - no, money doesn't buy us body image or self-worth. (but if I had millions - after working my butt off, which I think she has, I would get rid of the arm fat)
ReplyGood post, Rebecca.....
Oprah passed "millions" ages ago. She's into the "billions" now. And, yeah, I would get rid of the arm fat. The only problem with that is that it does leave scarring and maybe "O" doesn't want that.
ReplyI think that will be interesting. I lost my weight but I still struggle with being healthy and maintaining. I lost with weight watchers but I will be honest weight watchers isn’t a cure all it’s something I have to do after I lost the weight. Weight watchers is just one of the better programs. I have to work at it and be honest with myself to keep weight watchers working.
ReplyOngoing is the key word. I've lost 80 pounds now, through eating right and exercising. You'd think I'd have it whipped now, but I still struggle every single day, with the desire to snack, feeling hungry and deprived even though I'm actually full, because of cravings for sweets.
ReplyI don't expect the battle to ever be over, and sometimes that's pretty depressing. Ongoing stuggle bites!
Same here...I'll always have a food problem, even though I'm thin now. It's like an alcoholic that's sober...they'll always have a problem with alcohol, it's just not apparent from their behavior. Oprah's a human being, just like anyone and I believe she has to constantly "watch it" or she'll gain weight. And surgery isn't a magic option, either. I know several people that have had gastric surgery done and gained back the weight by "outeating" the surgery. Much of it is psychological, so that is where the problem needs to be addressed.
ReplyDoes anyone know how long she has kept the weight off this time?
ReplyRebecca,
If I had the money, no, I wouldn't do any kind of medical procedure to lose weight. I would have a nutritionist and chef at all times to tell me when to eat, what to eat, and to make it and have it taste great.
It gets hard eating healthy, sometimes it is just easier to eat out rather than plan and make meals ahead of time. Luckilly I have found some fast food favs that are fairly healthy such as Wendy's Spinach & Chicken salad (I believe it is called). Freaking delicious, and at about 380 cals(no croutons), 14g of fat, 33g carb and 32g protein, is about the perfect size for me. They are a bit expensive at over 4 bucks. I want to make my own, but can't find a similar dressing to the 'Sweet & Sour Bacon' that comes with it.
ReplyIt's funny, she'll make millions and sell millions of her book, and everyone will love her for it.
But people curse Dr. Atkins (My diet) for it.
I have Oprah's last book on weight loss, Make the Connection (also co-written by Bob Greene). It didn't help me. It's still the same low calorie message, eat salads and move more.
Personally for me, it didn't address my issues.
Oprah is a great lady though, so all power to her!
ReplyToo many people believe that once they lose all the weight and reach their goal, they're done and they don't have wo worry about watching their weight or what they eat. That simply is not the case.
Most of us will have to work at being healthy every single day for the rest of our lives, whether we're already at goal, or whether we have 5 pounds to lose, or whether we have 120 pounds to lose.
I think it's refreshing to see someone addressing that issue with latest book du jour, and especially thrilled it's Oprah. Yes, I'm a big Oprah fan and will read her book. And, I have also been sucessful in losing over 90 pounds. But, it's not by following "her diet". What works for one person is not guaranteed to work for another. You have to customize your plan to fit your lifestyle. I just admire anyone who has the perserverence to stick to it!
ReplyThis will probably foil my chances for getting on the Oprah show, but here goes:
I love seeing the fit Oprah since she's my size, 5'7" and around 140 pounds. I wish I could have her hand-me-downs. I do feel for her though because she still doesn't "get it." Evidenced by the heavy pics you'll see now and then. The press actually is kind to Oprah because they don't scream about it too much, unlike the other poor celebrities who get plastered in the papers if they gain five pounds or dare let some cellulite show.
Bob Greene is a fanatic IMO--his recommended amount of daily exercise goes way beyond the amount most people could reasonably do, so for Oprah when she has a cook and a trainer and spends up to two hours a day working out, she gets into great shape. But left to her own devices, she regains every time. That tells me she still hasn't addressed the emotional issues that haunt her.
Why not Oprah? Learn simple techniques like EFT and get done with it, then I'll buy your book. Until then, she can't say one single thing that hasn't already been said a thousand times before.
Oprah is proof of what you can do with good nutrition and exercise, but then so are all the body builders. They do this all the time, but most of us can't devote our lives to working out and eating nutritious meals six times a day.
I lost 80 pounds over 18 years ago. I know how to regain weight, who doesn't, and I know how to keep it off, but it's not a struggle. I don't fight any demons or have to deny myself what I want. I just am reasonable about it. If I want to be a smaller size, then I must cut back my portions or add more healthy foods to the mix.
The point is, it's not a "diet" as in eat this but don't eat that. It's a lifestyle, meaning you eat healthy foods, in reasonable quantities, and hopefully work to get some balance in your foods (proteins, carbs and fats). Then you can eat whatever else you want, when you want them, again in moderation. One or two pieces of chocolate, not the whole box.
ReplyAs a writer who is starting to write his own fat memoir (not a diet book), I'm encouraged to see such books as this published. If I could get a fraction of that money for my story, I'd be stoked. :-) Seriously though, I think the world needs more compassion before it needs yet another diet book rehashing much of what has been said before. I mean, c'mon, picking on Oprah's arm fat is ridiculous.
Replyi would also never have surgery, even if i were rich. I am very overweight and have gained and lost weight numerous time. to me, flabby arms is not something that is important enough to have to get surgery. There are many more important things in this world. I truly find Oprah is a wonderful person who is just struggling to be the best she can be , like many of us. of course i wouldn't mind having enough money to be able to afford working out 2 hours a day, and get a chef to make my meals. :)
ReplyOprah is a marketing magnet. I wonder if part of the 12mil goes to advertizing in her magazine, tv spots, and her show. How could a publisher go wrong with that much marketing support.
I think part of my weight problem (and how I'm trying to change my life) is enjoying doing the fun stuff and the good food. I'm tired of the wheel in the cage that says eat this and not that, exersice this way for this amount of time.... No wonder there's not more yoyo's out there.
ReplyGreat post Rebecca. And lets see if "signed a deal" is going to help the big issues like emotional eating.
ReplyOprah,
ReplyI saw your program today as I do many days. It has been a problem with me for years. I lost a child at the age of six, had three major operations, and then lost my husband of forty-three years in '05. He was to retire from teaching that year.
I have fought depression, a sleep disorder, and diabetes to no results. I am retired from teaching and feel like I have years yet to LIVE.
Please help me.
Mary Mosley
Mary, try oprah.com. Diet Blog is not affiliated with Oprah.
ReplyCan you please tell me the name of Oprah's former Chef---she was a female & had a good cookbook. Was her name, by chance, 'Rosie'? Could you please let me know via e-mail.
Thanks so very much!
Love You, Oprah!!!
Irma Funderburk
Reply