A Confession: I Love Fat Shows

Finally! Oprah was really pushing it with all those reruns, but she's back now so I embrace her once again. And the first new episode of 2008 was a WINNER!

First, I must confess that I am obsessed with shows about weight issues -- The Biggest Loser, Big Medicine, True Life: I'm Obese, and any episode of Oprah that involves Bob Greene. I may be a little sick -- I really like the journeys that fat people go through. Maybe it's because I'm afraid of my inner big girl (who is lurking just beneath the surface and ready to eat Honey BBQ Fritos dipped in Ranch all day long), maybe it's the emotional angst of overweight people that moves me to tears, or maybe it's the satisfaction of seeing the physical transformations. All I know is: If you're fat, I'm all about watching you get thin on TV.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me highlight some favorite parts of the episode:

Watching Jeff go to the gym made me feel like a total ass for skipping pilates this morning. The over-500-lb. inspiration in 6XL even leads some of the water aerobics class. Oprah calls him, "Incredible." I'll say it: I think Jeff deserved an ugly cry.

Whoa! A segment on extra-large caskets from the Goliath Casket Company, which builds caskets for people up to 1000 lbs. This was an unexpectedly dark moment for Lady O, and I like it.

The before-and-afters were great, but I'm looking forward to watching our Mississippi friends lose weight over the course of the year -- when it comes to weight loss, I'm really about the journey, not the destination.

Oh, and I love that Oprah drinks and talks about drinking on the show. It makes me feel better about my own love of alcohol. Down that bubbly, Miss O!

This is our year, indeed.