Month: May 2025

A weight watchers meeting. Weight Watchers declares bankruptcy, but fat phobia is still as popular as ever
fitness · weight loss · weight stigma

Weight Watchers declares bankruptcy, but fat phobia is still as popular as ever

catherine w1 Comment

CW: discussion of weight, weight loss and fat phobia.

Weight Watchers filed for bankruptcy this month. It’s trying to manage a $1 billion debt after pivoting to a telehealth-focused service that combines its food plans with GLP-1 weight loss drugs and an app to manage eating and weight loss.

This model is a dramatic change from the Weight Watchers founded by Jean Nidetch in 1963. It offered an eating plan, advice about physical activity, and (most important for its members) meetings where people would share their experiences and get support around their weight goals.

Let me say right now that I’m not advocating for Weight Watchers here; quite the opposite. But humor me for a minute while I remind us of what Weight Watchers did and what it has meant (and still means) to some folks.

This 2010 newspaper article about Weight Watchers meetings in Jacksonville, Florida paints a clear picture of the power of Weight Watchers. Meetings feature so-called inspirational talks by women who’ve lost weight (and yes, they include before-pictures; sigh). They also offer nutritional and physical activity tips. All this happens after the initial weigh-in. Yep, they still do that.

Lots of women love this setup. They are angry and disappointed about the mass closings of WW meetings all over the US and beyond. You can read comments at the bottom of this article to get a sense of how important regular in-person contact with others has been. Many women are what’s called Lifetime Members (having reached their goal weight and fulfilled other requirements). The main perk of the lifetime members is free access to WW meetings. It is this perk that’s ending, or rather switching to virtual or app-based. An app is not what these women want. They want support and connection with others.

A New York Times opinion piece this week praised WW for providing a “third space” for women to gather, connect, support each other despite their social differences. It waxes wistfully about the democratizing effects of WW meetings:

In recent years WeightWatchers meetings became one of the all-too-rare places in America where conservatives and progressives found themselves sitting side by side, commiserating about the same plateaus or the same frustrations or the same annoyance that the powers that be had changed the point value of avocados, again.

Okay, it’s now criticism time. Yes, WW provided a space for women to come together and share their feelings about their bodies. But instead of telling them that they were just fine as they were, it (literally) sold them the idea that their lives would change for the better if only they kept focusing their energies and spending their time on reducing the size of their bodies. And, of course, paying for the WW plan.

Weight Watchers didn’t invent fat phobia, but it’s certainly profited handsomely off it for decades. Weight Watchers doesn’t support misogyny in its corporate charter, but it embodies it by pulling in mostly women (this article estimates that 90% of its members are women) and uniting them with the message that they are not acceptable as they are, that they will be happier if they can just lose enough weight to get to some distant goal. They deputize other women to tell stories of their success, not mentioning that in studies, the average weight loss at one year is very small, and regain of weight happens over time in almost all cases.

The 2015 obituary of Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers, is a vivid example of how fat phobia follows women throughout their lives, and (in this case) beyond the grave. The writer made sure to publish her weight when she died, pointing out that she weighed the same as she did after her weight loss in the 1960s.

The piece is filled with body-shaming terms: pumpkin-shaped (yep, it’s in there), overweight (seven times), chubby, and gluttonous (I’m really not making this up).

Yes, it’s 10 years old. And Weight Watchers itself has become more circumspect about weight loss, marketing itself as a health-focused plan. But we know, and all its members know, that it’s all about the weight– the weight of women. It needs to be watched, all the time, for a lifetime. That’s the message that Weight Watchers is trying to hang onto amidst its restructuring and pivot to GLP-1 drugs. New technology, same fat phobia.

Sat with Nat

It’s Flêche time baby! Nat supports a team a second year in a row.

natalieh (she/her)3 Comments

It’s 8am. As you read this I’m sitting and waiting for the five cyclists to arrive at the breakfast control. They have been riding for 14 hours. Just 10 more to go!

You can read up on what a Flêche is here

https://randonneursontario.ca/Fleche/Fleche.html

There are strict rules about when support can be provided. Only at controls!

You can follow the team’s spot tracker here, Buds on Bikes is my team!

https://spotwalla.com/lp/363c-c5eb689-c2b1/view

Supporting a ride is a great way to pay forward all the coaching and support I’ve received over the years to get and keep me cycling.

It does mean not getting my own miles in so I need to be deliberate about the rest of my long weekend.

I have goals to meet and that includes getting out on my road bike.

Nat takes a selfie. Her back is to the setting sun. The SAG wagon has all doors open as folks replenish fluids at the 58km mark.

In short, if you benefit from sport I do think it’s a good idea to help ensure that sport endures. You can give your time, talent or treasure.

Have a great weekend!

fitness

Happy Bike to Work Day!

Sam B

I hope you had a good day out on your bike. Here in Guelph, it’s warm and sunny, and a glorious day for riding to work.

I had a doctor’s appointment before work so I biked there first and then to my office.

Sam’s pink Brompton in her dr’s office.

If you missed today, don’t worry. It’s almost Bike Month.

“This June 2025, we’re celebrating our eighth annual Bike Month. Bike Month is an opportunity for people to try riding a bike for the first time, build connections in the cycling community, or simply enjoy the many benefits of biking. Dust off your bike and join us throughout the month for events that’ll be fun for the whole family. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a new rider, you’ll find something that moves you!”

Bike Month is also Pride Month, and one of my favourite events, Pride Ride, combines the two. Sarah and I went last year and blogged about it here. We’ll be going again this year, I hope.

Do the Next Right Thing
fitness

Do the Next Right Thing

alisonconway651 Comment

Since a friend lent me the Jan/Feb issue of Canadian Running, I’ve been mulling over some of the insights of one of the issue’s articles, “Goals, Goals, Goals.” I was particularly struck by the essay’s reflections on how to process a missed goal: taking time to mourn it, acknowledging the effort that went in to trying to achieve it, figuring out the lessons learned, and, maybe, letting it go. Citing Sharleen Hoar (mental performance lead at the Canada Sport Institute), Molly Hurford writes, “It’s OK to leave a goal in the past, whether you got it or not.”  This may sound like common sense to most folk, but to me, it came as a something of a revelation. Perhaps I knew it, but needed to see it in black and white.

I don’t think of myself as a goal setter, mostly.  My adult life has been taken up with work and raising children and maintaining relationships as best I can, and it was only when I turned 50 and started running again after a long break that setting goals (other than work-related deadlines) came into focus. And these goals were pretty straightforward so I didn’t need to think a lot about them: sign up for a race, train for the race, run the race. If injured, rehab and hit return.

Ten years after I signed up for my first 5 km clinic, I find myself at a crossroads. Turning sixty has reminded me that my time on earth is finite, and there is so much that I still want to learn. But setting the goal, “Learn new things!” is vague—so much vaguer than a marathon build. It would be easier, in some ways, to cling to the old goals than to leave space for new ones. These days, I’m trying to resist reaching for quick answers. I’m writing this blog on Mother’s Day, contemplating the questions asked by a New York Times piece that my son sent me, “25 Questions to Bring You Closer to Your Mom.”One of the questions it asks is, “What’s a phrase that has kept you afloat during hard times?” For me, that phrase is, “Do the next right thing.” Right now, the next right thing is walking my dogs, enjoying the spring weather, allowing myself some time to rest. What the next, next right thing will be—time will tell.

fitness

Sam, like Nat, is a local legend

Sam B1 Comment

Nat and I are both local legends on segments in our workday commutes.

Here’s mine.

.

Strava

In my case,  the segment is also one I created. It’s a fun thing to do, creating segments on Strava. Here’s my favourite, Osprey to Osprey in Prince Edward County.

Over the years I’ve covered that stretch of road a lot.  Ninety times since I created the segment in 2019.

And I was the local legend on segment of my Dunedin,  NZ commute to campus.

Oh,  I’m also the local legend on a segment in Prince Edward County,  near Sarah’s family farm.  Looking forward to lots of Big Island and Ice Cream rides this summer.

It’s fun but ultimately not that meaningful, which is really part of what makes it fun. Not many commuters use Strava.  Also, fewer women use Strava. See Diane’s discussion about the dangers of using Strava data for urban bike route planning.

But it’s one of those silly things that makes me smile.

See you out there!

A lavish orange and red and purple arrangement, featuring enormous parrot tulips in orange. It’s Blooming Thursday– strolling with art in bloom
beauty · fitness

It’s Blooming Thursday– strolling with art in bloom

catherine w

Every year, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston hosts its Art in Bloom weekend. I think events like this have become the Nutcracker equivalent for museums– they sell a ton of tickers and get loads of attendance from folks who don’t usually attend such cultural venues, many of whom will return. Some (like me) have used the occasion to renew or initiate a museum membership. I consider this a very good thing.

The first weekend in May, six friends and I headed to the MFA, along with thousands– the museum sold out of tickets the day we went. So there were a lot-a-lot of people there, pretty much all of whom were in fine humor. I mean, how can you be cross while surrounded by the combo or art and flowers?

Here’s a bit of what we experienced.

a dress made with tubular beads, and gorgeous twin arrangement.
a dress made with tubular beads, and gorgeous twin arrangement.
a large stone with writing, and its floral partner.
a large stone with writing, and its floral partner.

All sorts of statuary and decorative arts got their chance to shine, courtesy of floral partners.

An inlaid cabinet, with details shown in blooms.
An inlaid cabinet, with details shown in blooms.
A lion statue-- they used different flowers for its chest and back.
A lion statue– they used different flowers for its chest and back.
Marble statue of a couple, wth classic flowers to match.
Marble statue of a couple, wth classic flowers to match.

Some of the exhibit pairs emphasized movement as well as color.

A boy drumming, which we see projected.
A boy drumming, which we see projected.
A desert scene with statuary fragment and lone man.
A desert scene with statuary fragment and lone man.
Both the painting and the flowers show leaning movement and absence.
Both the painting and the flowers show leaning movement and absence.

These two were my favorites.

The simplicity of faithfulness to color is lovely.
The simplicity of faithfulness to color is lovely.
Parrot tulips are now one of my favorite flowers-- so out there!
Parrot tulips are now one of my favorite flowers– so out there!

Of course, experiences like this are even better when shared.

Me and six of my pals, all very happy.
Me and six of my pals, all very happy.

It was refreshing, renewing and a respite from the less fragrant events dominating our world. And we deserved that. I hope you find some beauty for yourself, with maybe extra to share. Happy Thursday!

fitness

Stress Test is Stressful

Diane Harper

A couple of weeks ago, I had to do a stress test as part of figuring out next steps for my newly-diagnosed heart murmur.

It all seemed very straightforward: wear comfortable clothes and running shoes (or other comfortable shoes). Then walk on a treadmill while someone tracks what your heart does.

Then I started walking. The treadmill was on a slight incline and went faster than I was comfortable with, but I figured out how to adjust my pace and walk almost normally – for three minutes. That’s when the incline got steeper and the treadmill got faster. It happened again at six minutes and at nine. After ten minutes, I called it quits.

I felt like I might have been able to keep going until the next adjustment at twelve minutes, but decided it was dumb to try simply to prove a point to myself. Besides, I don’t run at the best of times and I was certainly going to try running without wearing a bra!

At the same time, I was mad at myself for giving up because I wasn’t going to get an A on this test dammit! I always want to get an A (or an A+). Nothing the tech said before or afterwards could reassure me that it wasn’t that kind of test and I had actually done just fine. A friend pointed out that I need to distinguish between diagnostic and competitive – yup.

I’m now waiting anxiously for my results to be uploaded into the hospital’s patient portal so I can see for myself how it went. Because of course I can’t simply wait until my next appointment with an actual doctor…

I did not look this good on the treadmill. Instead, I was wearing a bunch of wires that poked out from beneath an oh-so-elegant hospital gown worn backwards and taped shut for a little modesty. Photo by Bojan Milinkov/Shutterstock
fitness

Small things, big improvements: Some of our suggestions, #DailyWritingPrompt

Sam B

What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

Elan

My small life improvement is to have a bunch of coloured spray paints handy. Because sometimes I just want to spray paint something, but then I’m like: do I go all the way to the store for just that one thing? Is it worth it to pay $13 dollars for a can? If I always already have a wide selection of spray paints, then my creativity and impulsivity won’t be set back by inertia. Tip: this works for other things, like snacks.

faceless talented woman painting graffiti on wall
Photo by Felicity Tai on Pexels.com

Diane

Stand up straight (but relaxed). Improving my posture has been a huge part of recovering from various repetitive strain injuries and issues with my back.

man person flying arm
Photo by Kulbir on Pexels.com

Martha

I structured my week around my two morning weight training sessions. I only reschedule if I am ill, planning a holiday, or have been booked to teach. This allows me to prioritize my training. Then, I use the afternoons for meetings, errands, or appointments. Of the three days remaining, one is reserved for planning work (one day) and the other two are writing days. As a consultant, my time is pretty flexible but I found blocking the space allowed for greater control over the week even when work gets very busy. It helps me manage my time better where I often have multiple projects in various stages of development and action and with different deadlines.

black dumbbell lot
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Cate

Do my foot exercises every day. Cut my cat’s nails when I’m fully dressed instead of ADHD-ily grabbing her when I’m in my skin-revealing jammies and I notice that her nails need cutting. Keep ice cream in the freezer at all times. Put cat food order on automatic refill. Foster relationship with last minute teenage cat sitter who lives in my building. Dance. Use my standing desk. Drink more water. Use the annoying hard roller thing on my hamstrings and kettle bell smashing on my calves. Breathe.

woman eating ice cream with spoon
Photo by DS stories on Pexels.com

Nicole

Stop doubting myself.

Starting HRT may have been one good thing but I hope the headaches I am experiencing today don’t become a regular thing.

motivational simple inscription against doubts
Photo by Leeloo The First on Pexels.com

Christine

My post from earlier today was all about making small improvements to help my current ailments to heal.

In addition to that though, I am working on regularly doing small tasks for tidying/organizing my space instead of ‘saving them up’ to do all at once.

My idea with saving them up was that it wasn’t ’worth it’ to do a single task because it wouldn’t be noticeable* but it turns out that while there may not be a visual difference there is a HUGE difference in my feeling of accomplishment. I was just using the wrong metric before.

*And because it is always a risk to switch tasks when you have a distractable brain!

blue tit perched on branch in springtime garden
Not sure why, when I searched “small tasks” I got this blue bird with a yellow belly. Photo by ArWeltAtty Attila on Pexels.com

Sam

Keep good snacks in my office. Chomp!

Buy nice notebooks and good pens.

My sleep mask!

Stretch often.

brown wooden notes word puzzles
Photo by Jess Bailey Designs on Pexels.com

Catherine

Set aside 30 minutes (or 15, or 60) to do one small task that’s either been bothering me, or that I’ve wanted to do but felt I didn’t have time for. I’m thinking about small home improvement tasks, home organization tasks, plant care and maintenance or cooking/food prepping. I can make time for myself and take better care of myself by doing things I want to do and which make me feel more comfortable and on top of things that don’t involve constant email or online activity. I love my home environment, and caring for it feels like caring for me. Because it is.

five succulent plants
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com
Creating Ease Isn’t Easy
ADHD · fitness · health · injury · mobility · self care

Creating Ease Isn’t Easy

Christine Hennebury1 Comment

After last week’s conundrums, this Tuesday finds me feeling a lot better overall.

Things are getting a bit easier in my brain and in my muscles and while it’s tempting to jump back into my regular routine, I am determined not to fall into that trap.

Instead, I am working bit by bit on creating more ease for myself in my day to day actions.

And, like the title says, creating ease isn’t easy.

A drawing of the word ‘ease’ against a background of sets of concentric circles that overlap.
This ease was actually fairly easy to create. Image description: a drawing of the word ‘ease.’ Each letter is capitalized and is a different colour (blue, yellow, purple, dark pink) and the background is all kind of overlapping sets of concentric circles.

Creating ease means doing gentle yoga and stretches, breathing deeply, relaxing when and how I can and, it means spending a lot of time and energy paying close attention to how I am moving, how I am sitting, how I work, and how I do a variety of tasks.

My ADHD brain is ok with the first few things but it is not a fan of the latter part of that list – in fact, even the thought of paying that kind of attention to those details is tiring.

But I do want to feel better. And I know that unless I make some adjustments, it’s going to be a) harder for my neck/back/shoulders to heal and b) I’m going to keep having some of the same issues over and over.

Right now, I am working on two things that I hope will prevent me from exacerbating my current issues AND will help me avoid some other issues in the future.

Here are my current practices:

1) Getting up and rolling my shoulders/doing a few neck stretches every 20 minutes or so.

I already like to use the repeat timer app throughout my work day so I have a better sense of time passing AND so I don’t feel like any given task is going to take forever. (I have given myself permission to change tasks whenever the timer goes off)

Now, I don’t just note that time is passing, I use the chime as a reminder to move and stretch. It’s not perfect – I sometimes inadvertently ignore the timer – but I definitely have a higher success rate than I would without it.

2) Practicing holding my head differently when I am drawing, writing, and using my phone.

Since a lot of my leisure time is spent doing one of those activities making this change will really help.

Instead of spending so much time with my head down and my neck jutting forward, I am taking Katy Bowman‘s advice about how to hold my neck:

A video called ‘Hold Your Head Better When Using Screens’ from the Nutritious Movement YouTube channel. The still image shows a woman in a purple shirt standing in profile holding a phone in her right hand and holding her left hand up to the back of her neck.

Since I can’t necessarily put my drawing/reading/writing in the same place I would hold a phone, I am also using the same movement to take breaks during my drawing/reading/writing sessions – here’s a demo in this Facebook video of hers from a few years ago.

Between these two movement elements things, the yoga, the massage therapy, and all of the being-careful-but-not-coddling-myself, I am hoping to keep inching towards more ease in my body – especially the muscles of my neck and upper back.

Creating ease isn’t easy but it will be totally worth the effort, right?

Right?

Right?

(It had better be!)

fitness

Sam makes two, wild, out of character, eye-related purchases

Sam B1 Comment

There’s a lot of people in my house right now.  Family members coming and going all hours of the night and day.  Sarah often works into the night.  It was all okay when I was on research leave with a flexible schedule but now I’m back to my big job with long days,  I need to sleep at night.

People flashing on the bathroom light and the halllight wake me up. I can’t keep my door closed because there’s a dog involved.  Cheddar!

When sleep masks showed up in ads in my social media newsfeeds, I jumped. That’s out of character for me.  I’m usually pretty good at resisting internet ads, but not this time.

This sleep mask is pretty comfy.  I’ll report back on how it goes.

That’s purchase one.

I blogged recently about all the Botox ads on my Toronto walk home. The neighborhood is gentrifying and is full of yoga and pilates studios,  hair salons,  cosmetic surgery clinics,  mani-pedi places,  blow out studios,  and brow bars.

Brow bars! A whole salon just for eyebrows. I haven’t done anything to my eyebrows since high school when I occasionally tweezed them and then used eyebrow pencil to drawn in the line.  But that was a shortlived adventure in makeup.

I’ve been joking about eyebrows ever since a hairdresser asked me if these were my natural eyebrows.  What else would they be I wondered? Turns out there are options. Cate blogged a bit about that here.

And then as if on cue stories about brow make up started to hit my newsfeed.

I thought maybe I should try eyebrow gel. My new big glasses kind of push my eyebrows around.  Maybe with gel,  they’d stay in place.

I read this: I Tested 32 Brow Gels, and This $6 Pot Is the Only One I Want to Use and bought the $6 gel and a little brush.

Eyebrows

Here is the brand I’m trying.  For $6 it’s worth a shot. Although the odds of me remembering to actually use it are small.

And that was purchase number two.

elf brow lift