Diabetes Late Nite Podcast Inspired by Maren Morris Coming In April

Country’s brightest star, Maren Morris inspires GIRL TALK about the challenges of living with diabetes on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2020, 6 PM, EST.

Do you know that being a woman with type 2 diabetes poses distinctive challenges along the path to tight diabetes management? 

“Many of the challenges due to diabetes women face are related to their hormones — namely, estrogen and progesterone”, says Gregory Dodell, MD.

Additionally, when it comes to getting treatment for type 2 diabetes, women may have much more of an uphill battle compared with men.  A review of 21 scientific studies from around the world, published in the Indian Journal of Public Health, observed that women deal with many more types of care-related obstacles. These include personal, economic, psychological, and health system–based barriers.

“Among those with diabetes, women were less likely than men to receive the care recommended by guidelines, and women received less-intense therapy and monitoring,” said  Neethu Suresh, PhD.

Women also tend to give less of a priority to their own health, and they often lacked family and social support to get medical attention compared to men. 

Our Diva Inspiration, Maren Morris has opted to do things her own way, shirking convention and obliterating expectation at every turn.

Her new album, Girl offers a masterclass in country rock (“All My Favorite People,” which features Brothers Osborne), super-sized pop (“Girl”), and pulsating soul (“Make Out With Me”). “The Feels” is anchored by a reggae groove, while “Flavor” and “RSVP” embrace heady ’90s-era R&B. 

“Getting married made me want to better myself and figure out why I do the things I do,” Maren Morris says of the decision to look beyond her songbook for relief. “And, for my own mental health, as I go deeper and deeper into this world of music, I need another outlet besides writing songs to get out what I’m feeling.”

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music. 

TUNE IN

Nat Adderley Jr. on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast

Nat Adderley Jr., Luther Vandross’s music director, co-writer, producer and arranger joins us for Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Podcast on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 6:30 – 8 PM, EST. 

TUNE IN

Nat Adderley Jr. wrote (and arranged) Luther’s first top 20 pop hit, “Stop to Love”, as well as “Wait for Love” and the Grammy-nominated “Give me the Reason”.

He also arranged many of Luther’s most popular records, including “Superstar”, “Here and Now”, “If Only for One Night”,  “Creepin”, “If This World Were Mine”, “So Amazing”, “There’s Nothing Better Than Love”, “Never Too Much” , and “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”.  Additionally,  Nat produced tracks on the last seven Vandross studio albums.  These include “My Favorite Things”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, “Going Out of My Head”, “Knocks Me Off My Feet”, and “The Closer I Get To You”, a duet with Beyonce Knowles. That track is featured on Beyonce’s grammy-winning  Dangerously in Love (best contemporary R&B album), on Luther’s grammy-winning Dance With My Father (best R&B album), and the track won the Grammy in 2004 for best R&B performance by a duo or group.  In 2003, Nat produced Luther’s Live 2003 at Radio City Music Hall. Nat was Luther’s musical director from 1981 until his death. 

Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Podcast

We’re celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for diabetes health-related complications (such as vision loss) on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast on Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 – 8 PM, EST.

Diabetic eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.

A 2019 Vision Source study of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 50% had issues with their vision in the past year, and 34% did not go for a professional eye exam. The major barriers to having an annual eye exam included not thinking they needed one (33%), unsure of where to go (25%), lack of insurance, (22%) and expense (22%).

Comprehensive eye exams are key to overall wellness and preserving a high quality of life. In addition to evaluating vision, annual eye exams can detect serious health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and even cancer.

Guests include Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN

Join fellow Luther Vandross fans, friends, musical peers for an evening of music, memories, and magic at the third annual FANDROSS concert on Sunday, April 19 at Joe’s Pub in New York, NY.  

BUY TICKETS

Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute Podcast in March 2020

It’s always an incredible honor to pay tribute to R & B legend, Luther Vandross on Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

Luther’s devastating stroke in 2003, linked to type 2 diabetes, was the catalyst for the creation of Divabetic (divabetic.org).

On this year’s Tribute podcast we will be spotlighting Diabetic Eye disease. Diabetes Eye disease, caused by diabetes, is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss. Because of the high risk for eye disease, all people with type 2 diabetes should receive an annual dilated eye exam.

A 2019 Vision Source study of 1,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 50% had issues with their vision in the past year, and 34% did not go for a professional eye exam. The major barriers to having an annual eye exam included not thinking they needed one (33%), unsure of where to go (25%), lack of insurance, (22%) and expense (22%).

Comprehensive eye exams are key to overall wellness and preserving a high quality of life. In addition to evaluating vision, annual eye exams can detect serious health issues, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, and even cancer.

Join guests Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Michelle Cobbs-Hardy,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, Luther Vandross Historian Leon Petrossian, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach as we pay tribute to R & B legend, Luther Vandross and raise awareness for diabetes health-related complications in a musical way. Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN

FANDROSS: The Night I Fell In Love Tribute Concert

Join fellow Luther Vandross fans, friends and peers for an evening of music, memories, and magic at the third annual FANDROSS concert on Sunday, April 19, 2020 in New York, NY. This incredible night will have audiences remembering the magic of his brilliant voice. 

“We are celebrating and continuing my uncle’s musical legacy through FANDROSS because it’s authentic and beautiful.,” says Luther’s niece, Seveda Williams, who serves as its FANDROSS CEO and Founder. “Fans will be immersed by the actual singers and musicians who played and worked with him. You won’t get better than that.”

The intimate crowd will be treated to an amazingly talented group including:

Nat Adderley, Jr. – Pianist/Composer/Arranger/Producer/Jazz Guru

Luther’s friend, co-writer, arranger and musical director had his hand is in Luther’s most popular songs including “Superstar,” “Dance with My Father,” “A House Is Not A Home,” “Here and Now,” and “Make Me A Believer” to name a few.

Alfa Anderson – Vocal Icon/Song Writer/Producer

Alfa Anderson sang background on studio albums and toured with Luther for many years. She was a member of the soul and dance group, Chic, that thrilled us with hits like “Good Times,” “Le Freak,” and “Everybody Dance.” On her 2017 solo debut Alfa wrote a loving tribute titled “When Luther Sings.”

And if this weren’t enough, prepare to be awed with performances by Brenda White-King, Cindy Mizelle, Patricia Lacy, Keith Anthony Fluitt, Michelle Cobbs-Hardy, Fonzi Thornton, Tinkr Barfield, Ivan Hampden Jr., and Robin Macatangay.

BUY TICKETS

Other Side Of The World – Luther Vandross

Enjoy Divabetic’s Gypsies, Tramps & Peas Mystery Podcast

Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party aboard a yacht for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found swimming with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?

Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.

USA Today Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown, Catherine Schuller, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, Mama Rose Marie and Poet Lorraine Brooks help the fruit suit clad sleuth, Mr. Divabetic, in this seaside adventure.

This year’s mystery podcast features music from the original cast recording of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN

29 Days of Heart

African American women are disproportionately affected by heart disease. Together, we can do something to change that.

Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador, Hyvelle Ferguson Davis shares her experience of living with type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease on February’s Diabetes Late Nite with music from Camila Cabello.

Know Diabetes By Heart

Growing up, diabetes was a silent, omnipresent resident in Hyvelle’s family’s home. Her mother had the disease but never acknowledged it.

“Black folks have illnesses nobody talks about but deal with,” said Ferguson Davis, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Our mom would just say, ‘I’m tired.’ I watched her deteriorate over the years, but she didn’t make it known or relevant.”

She kept thinking diabetes was an old person’s disease. Then, in 2014, she had a stroke. Every two minutes, an adult with diabetes in the U.S. is hospitalized for a stroke.

“I was reading stuff backwards at work, talking weird,” Ferguson Davis said. “I came home and went to sleep. I woke up when my daughter Brittney, who was a teenager, came home from school. She said, ‘Mom, you don’t sound right.’

“She called my sister, who immediately called 911.”

READ MORE of Hyvelle’s story

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Camila Cabello

We’re talking about ‘ROMANCE & DIABETES’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from Camila Cabello.

After releasing three studio albums from 2015 to 2017 as part of Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello made her solo album debut in 2018, then this second album, Romance released in 2019 — and even she can feel the difference in the song-making process.

“I feel like this time around, I really got to bond with the people that I was collaborating with because I wasn’t trying to impress anyone anymore.”

Having diabetes affects much more than a person’s diet. It can impact every aspect of their life, including their sexual health.

When a person has diabetes, their body cannot use insulin properly, and this can lead to high blood sugar levels. Over time, these can lead to complications such as nerve damage and cardiovascular problems. Both have implications for sexual health in men and women.

Guests include ‘Intimacy & Diabetes’ Author Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, American Heart & American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis, ‘My Sweet Blessing: Adventures In Diabetes’ Author Trisha Porretti RN, BSN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Kathy Malleck.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Camila Cabello’s Romance album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.

LISTEN

INTIMATE ME Poem by Lorraine Brooks

INTIMATE ME by Lorraine Brooks

When I think of intimacy

I think of someone close to me

I think of things we hear and see

And sharing moments, light and free.

I think of talking out my dreams

Of waterfalls and quiet streams

Of how it is, and how it seems

Of all our plans and all our schemes.

But sometimes all I need is peace

All the noises stop and cease

A quiet touch and soul release

To listen to my own heartbeats.

A smile, a nod, a hopeful look

All spell intimate, in my book

That I’ll be OK, by hook or by crook

In spite of all the turns I took.

To be intimate is not defined

By circumstance or frame of mind

It’s everything we see, combined

The total of all humankind.

A compliment, a wink, a note

A birthday card, an anecdote

One friend who called, and one who wrote

All help me breathe and stay afloat.

So talk and hug and call and be

And share a cup of herbal tea

And burn some oils and potpourri

And you will get the intimate me. 

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Camila Cabello

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast Inspired by Camila Cabello focuses on ‘Romance & Diabetes’. Guests include ‘Intimacy & Diabetes’ Author Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, American Heart & American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis, ‘My Sweet Blessing: Adventures In Diabetes’ Author Trisha Porretti RN, BSN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, and Kathy Malleck.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Camila Cabello’s Romance album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a  lot.

LISTEN NOW

Soccer Mom Shares How She’s Fighting Back after Diabetes led to Stroke, and Heart Attack on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis shares her 14-year diabetes health journey which includes stroke, heart attack, surgeries and setbacks on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 6 PM, EST on blogtalkradio. TUNE IN

Hyvelle Ferguson Davis

Hyvelle was diagnosed with diabetes while pregnant with her son Ethan. The disease caught her totally off guard. “It was surreal to me,” she said. She wanted a healthy child, so diligently followed her doctor’s orders.

But not long after giving birth, she reverted to her old ways, “eating whatever I wanted to eat, thinking my meds would make up for what I ate,” she said. “I’d been checking my blood three times a day. But after having him, I didn’t. I ate anything and everything: chicken wings, red velvet cake. There was nothing I wasn’t eating.”

She kept thinking diabetes was an old person’s disease. Then, in 2014, she had a stroke. Every two minutes, an adult with diabetes in the U.S. is hospitalized for a stroke.

READ MORE

The American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, along with industry leaders, have proudly launched the groundbreaking collaborative initiative Know Diabetes by Heart to reduce cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks and strokes in people living with type 2 diabetes.

How To Minimize Your Heart Risk

Prepare for your visit. Ask questions. Write them down ahead of time if you need to.

Be honest. Have candid conversations about your daily habits and lifestyle. This will help you work with your healthcare team to implement changes that are realistic for you.

Take notes. Make note of consistent symptoms, questions about your medications, and any changes in your lifestyle. These can be helpful for your next check-up. Also, take notes during your clinic visits. This can help you remember things, particularly if there are changes in your care plan.

READ MORE

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Camila Cabello

We’re talking about ‘ROMANCE & DIABETES’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from Camila Cabello on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 6 PM, EST. TUNE IN

After releasing three studio albums from 2015 to 2017 as part of Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello made her solo album debut in 2018, then this second album, Romance released in 2019 — and even she can feel the difference in the song-making process.

“I feel like this time around, I really got to bond with the people that I was collaborating with because I wasn’t trying to impress anyone anymore.”

Having diabetes affects much more than a person’s diet. It can impact every aspect of their life, including their sexual health.

When a person has diabetes, their body cannot use insulin properly, and this can lead to high blood sugar levels. Over time, these can lead to complications such as nerve damage and cardiovascular problems. Both have implications for sexual health in men and women.

Guests include ‘Sex & Diabetes’ Author Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, Know Diabetes by Heart Ambassador Hyvelle Ferguson Davis, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Kathy Malleck, and Trisha Porretti RN, CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Camila Cabello’s Romance album courtesy of SONY Music.

My Doctor’s My Heart Health Champion!

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure himself, Rob Taub, 63, changed his lifestyle and lost more than 60 pounds with encouragement from his doctor. Rob shares how important the right doctor is in motivating you to face your diabetes challenges head on on January’s Diabetes Late Nite.

Rob Taub is a national volunteer ambassador for Know Diabetes by Heart, a collaboration with the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association to raise awareness between the link between type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke and empower people living with diabetes to reduce their risk. Rob has enjoyed an eclectic career television, radio, journalism and real estate. He has interviewed everyone from pop stars to presidents and has written for People Magazine, Newsmax, SI/Cauldron, The Huffington Post and Thrive Global.  Rob’s work has encompassed everything from scripted comedies to World Wrestling Entertainment, and his distinctive voice can be heard in commercials and movies, including the Coen Brothers Miller’s Crossing and Barton Fink. He is known for playing the role of weatherman Russell Carlton on The Onion News Network and has made more than 300 appearances as a political and sports pundit on television. Follow him on Twitter @robmtaub or at www.RobTaub.com.

Living with type 2 diabetes puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Here are the Top 4 Questions to Ask Your Doctor:

  1. What changes can I make to take care of my heart?
  2. What can I do before my next appointment?
  3. How will I know if the changes I’ve made are making a difference?
  4. What resources can help me learn more?
Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

We’re talking about how to minimize DRAMA in our DIABETES LIVES with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time you find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, you have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW

Body Positivity by Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDE

This debate about Jillian Michaels (the self-proclaimed “health expert”) and her negative remarks during an interview about Lizzo (rap singer) and her positive self-acceptance is not a new criticism. Jillian Michael’s question, “Why are we celebrating her body?” is not so surprising as she makes her living helping people to lose weight and get fit.  Lizzo, on the other hand, flaunts her curvaceous body size in her costumes when she performs on stage. Her song lyrics reinforce the idea that you can “feel good as hell” about yourself and celebrates how women should feel empowered.


The term body shaming describes the practice of making critical, potentially humiliating comments about a person’s body size or weight. This controversy about “fatness versus fitness” is not so black and white. Not every plus-sized person is unhealthy or has diabetes. Likewise, not every thin person has achieved their weight in a healthy manner, such as those with eating disorders.


How can you respond to body shaming? Try body positivity. It is the belief that all human beings should have a positive body image, while challenging the ways in which society represents and views the physical body. Body positivity advocates the acceptance of all bodies no matter the form, size, or appearance.
 

It’s human nature to experience hurt feelings when someone says something negative about you.  But the good news is there are a few things you can do to build up your confidence, feel better about yourself, and learn to move on:

1.    DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. Spend time with people who love you for who you are.

2.    DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL. Get a haircut, treat yourself to a manicure, or wear your favorite outfit.

3.    DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL ACCOMPLISHED. Love to run, sew, play chess, tell jokes, bake, juggle? We all have special talents, so find what you do well and do it often.4.    DO SOMETHING NICE FOR OTHERS. Pay it forward in the drive-through. Shovel a neighbor’s walk. Mail someone a handwritten note. Small kindnesses can make you feel happy, beautiful, and accomplished at the same time!

Dr. Beverly S. Adler, aka “Dr. Bev”, is a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator with a private practice in Baldwin, NY. She was honored in 2016 with the “Certified Diabetes Educator Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”

She is the author/editor of two diabetes self-help books which include insightful lessons of empowerment written by successful men and women with diabetes.  She has published articles in print and online about diabetes management – always with the focus on emotional adjustment. Dr. Bev has been quoted in numerous magazines and contributed to a monthly diabetes advice column online. She is a frequent contributor to the Divabetic Diabetes Daily Wire, where she blogs about diabetes topics from the psychological perspective.

Dr. Bev has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 42 years. You can connect with her on her website www.AskDrBev.com and on Twitter @AskDrBev.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maria Callas

We’re talking about how to minimize DRAMA in our DIABETES LIVES with music from the ultimate diva, Maria Callas on January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

If there’s drama in multiple areas of your diabetes life, be honest with yourself—you’re the constant. Are you creating it? We don’t do anything repeatedly unless there’s something in it for us, so, what’s the payoff?

Every time you find ourselves immersed in something that seems overwhelming, you have an opportunity to learn how to deal with challenges better.

Guests include Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Lorraine Brooks, American Heart and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes By Heart Ambassador Rob Taub, Yoga for Diabetes Author and Director Rachel Zinman and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN,CDE.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Grandiose Stimmen: Maria Callas album courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW

Leave Lizzo Alone, Jillian Michaels!

It seems as though every January, no matter what else is happening in the world of greater significance (hello Australia, hello impeachment, hello Iran…???) if a celebrity loses weight or gains weight or is a fat, happy person, there is no peace for the plump.  The internet is abuzz…. Did Adele lose too much weight too quickly, did Lizzo get fatter and Jillian Michaels get snarkier about Lizzo’s weight “problem?”  

As one of the first plus size models in the early 80’s, I’m known for having carved a curve out in the industry and become plus royalty.  I can’t lie, I wish I was born with the thin gene, but I’ve long given up beating myself into an unnecessary place of body bashing and self-bullying.  I’ve made peace with my abilities and learned to dress for the size (and shape) that I am.  And I’ve become a role model in the meantime.  I don’t claim, “Come on girls get as big as you want, we have clothes for ya…”  I try to be a better eater, not a perfect eater and move and groove with the rhythm of my life’s purpose.  And being a member of Divabetic has helped me fulfill my desire to tamper my message in a world of finger wagging and blame/shame games.  I have a balance in my meal program… and I don’t binge and purge, or starve and sate myself.  I live in the means and watch my numbers.  It’s called mindfulness….

All these accusations and admonishments, where do they come from?  Why do we need examples of who is getting it right, and what does that even mean?  It all stems from the fact that we live in a completely image and size obsessed world and have been since the photograph and camera was invented. (Well, maybe Eve said to Adam, “Does this leaf make me look fat?”)  It all comes down to that little aperture, the shutter that should make you shutter, that moment in time captured and frozen for all to gaze upon like some reverse narcissistic trip.  The invention of the camera started it all, then airbrushing and lighting and photo retouching came about (long before photoshop there still was retouching).  But the one invention, the fitness expert, the guru, the admonishing diet industry has worked its way into our self-doubt and self-loathing, finding a way to lower our self-esteem and compare ourselves to others even more.  And like gawkers at a car crash site, we are curiosity seekers wanting to see the transformation or the cat fight that ensues from the comments, criticism and backlash that spirals out of control.  Going viral is almost a rite of passage, like it hasn’t mastered the art of breaking through and causing a riot if it hasn’t been posted, pounced on or passed on.  It’s a giant train wreck on social media these days.  Sometimes what’s trending is so vapid and yawn-inducing that you wonder when people are going to get real lives and start living off their smart phones.  I think the fact that we can make comments and they are uncensored to the point of being downright demonic, mean spirited, snarky and border on bullying, really tests one’s capacity of finding inner peace and tuning out the noise.   No matter if we are not particularly obsessed with the person losing weight, it’s as if everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon and express their opinion.   There is a vast assortment of gurus and trainers who want us to “give ‘em twenty” – and have you PAY them for it and fan the flames that capitalize on the debate that ensues!!!  

I just was called on yesterday by Cindy Hsu of CBS News and asked to come out and make a comment on Adele’s 50 pound weight loss.  It’s like she wanted me to say something like, “Well we lost another one.” But Cindy is great because she and I analyze what does this mean societally and she calls on me for that wisdom.  Somehow every celebrity succumbs to the industry’s obsessive pressures to lose weight.  It wasn’t Twiggy who glamorized the gaunt look, it was Wallis Simpson who claimed, “you can never be too thin or too rich”  Now that seems to be something at least we all would somewhat agree on.  Except if one has become rich by being too fat.  

Enter Lizzo…she would never be Lizzo unless she was a beautiful, talented, songstress who is sort of the more zaftig, musical equivalent of the sassy, quick witted, and lighthearted Tiffany Haddish.  They are the epitome of the African American woman who is allowed to be voluptuous and almost garish in her garb.  Fishnets, short shorts, body con dresses, hips and butt twerking for the masses.  And that flute. Lordy, lordy….she is a in your face, this is me, take it or leave it (we’ll take it) and her song is infectious and anthematic.  Just like Gwen Stefani with her “ain’t no holler back girl song,” this Lizzo music is annoyingly memorable and sing songy, too.  And Lizzo’s lyrics are empowering and rap clever. (“I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch”)…. 

Enter today’s latest news cycle war….Lizzo vs. Jillian….Jillian Michaels who is a taut and toned, somewhat judgmental, ex -coach of The Biggest Loser, whip cracker, and a fitness expert who makes her living from getting people completely reinvented and molded into shape is criticized for fat shaming.  The fat shaming label is being kind to what she used to do to people’s egos on that show.  Jillian has somewhat mellowed now that she is not trying for Loser rating gains.  I don’t think she was shaming her.  She was merely pointing to the facts, and the facts don’t lie. She is large enough that she may be developing a metabolic syndrome.  Our bodies are just giant chemical reactors and we eat foods that produce too much glucose, that gets stored as fat  and we become pre-diabetic if not diabetic because we are insulin resistant.  She never criticized her beauty or talent.  Everyone wants her to just focus on how talented she is.  But that’s not Jillian’s brand.  She is using Lizzo as much as Lizzo is using her.  Battle of the brands.  I am okay the way I am, get out of my face Lizzo to Jillian who wants to highlight the dangers of obesity.  I know that she is citing the facts, and it has nothing to do with the fact that they are directed at Lizzo.  Take Lizzo out of the equation and level them on anyone who is overweight for any period of time.  Everyone heard judgment from Jillian.  I heard facts.  Lizzo is young enough that she has a few good years of werking the twerk left before she may have knee problems, or back problems or become pre-diabetic.  She shied away from Instagram and she was a vegetarian and a vegan for seven years and she has an Instagram account called @LizzoBeEating.  It came her food reviews and morphed into music. I don’t know what her food regimen is, but she has a bold style and no one tells her what to do these days I am guessing.  She can’t eat before she performs because she feels sluggish but as she says, after I perform, “It’s going DOWN!”  I love both these messages and think the operative word again goes back to BALANCE.  It really is that simple. Stay outta the comment section or the viral spiral and live YOUR best life.  As the liberated Lizzo says in Truth Hurts, “I put the sing in single” and “Don’t text me tell it straight to my face.”       

Catherine Schuller

This Divabetic blog post was written by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller. Catherine Schuller is one of the plus size industry’s pioneers to know. Former Ford model, consumer advocate, promoter, marketer, editor, image consultant (Certified by AICI), author, and entrepreneur (owner of Catherine Schuller Enterprises, (Emerging Visions Enterprises and CurveStyle: Reshaping Fashion) as a Plus Size spokesperson and diabetes advocate she has changed attitudes about living well with diabetes for thousands of people. In partnership with HiTechMODA, Catherine presents the best and most talented emerging designers in an unparalleled runway style during New York Fashion Week!