Is the tide changing toward diet culture? Perhaps, when one of America’s most prominent icons admits to fanning the flames of body shaming and the lack of willpower in millions of Americans trying to lose weight. By ‘Diet Culture,’ we refer to a societal obsession with dieting and weight loss, often characterized by the promotion of restrictive eating habits, unrealistic body standards, and the stigmatization of those who do not conform.
Recently, Oprah Winfrey acknowledged her role in abetting America’s toxic ‘Diet Culture during a three-hour WW special. For decades, she promoted guilt and shame as well as the redemption of weight loss on her various media platforms, including a cable TV network, magazine, and talk show.
“I’ve been a major contributor to it. I cannot tell you how many weight-loss shows and makeovers I have done, and they have been a staple since I’ve been working in television,” she admitted.
Sadly, Oprah isn’t the only one. Famous women’s magazines, Morning and Daytime Talk Shows, cartoons, and stand-up routines are rife with weight loss stories, jokes, and new diet programs promising quick results.
How harmful is our obsession with losing weight by any means possible?
Numerous studies indicate that yo-yo dieting is bad for your heart. Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, can stress your heart and increase your risk of heart disease. In the short term, regaining weight can cause problems like angina, heart attack, and stroke. The more significant the swings in weight, the bigger the risk.
My boss, Luther Vandross, gained and lost over a hundred pounds at least eight times while working for him. His developing stroke and untimely death at age 54 are primarily associated with a result of weight cycling.
He, like Oprah, lost a hundred pounds on the infamous liquid diet. But millions of other Americans suffer from this vicious cycle of hating themselves and their bodies for their inability to maintain and sustain weight loss.
Oddly, Oprah’s confession was part of WW’s slick rebrand as a weight-health company that offers drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. I’m still trying to understand why she confessed in this forum. But I cannot deny she seems to have seen the light since Oprah Winfrey backpedaled from her statements about weight loss medications being an “easy way out” to admitting they’re redemption.
Oprah Winfrey backpedaled from her statements about weight loss medications being an “easy way out” to admitting they’re redemption.
She added, “I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people, particularly myself.”
Recently, I attended a virtual demonstration on Abbott’s partnership with WeightWatchers and how the connected app experience can help people living with diabetes, led by Abbott’s Chief Medical Officer Mahmood Kazemi and WeightWatchers’ Chief Scientific Officer Gary Foster.
The new partnership allows you to share FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM (continuous glucose monitor) data in the WW app and unlock a whole new level of support.
Note readings outside the standard glycemic target range and identify the meals and activities that may have played a part.
View your weight and glucose trends over time and discover their connection.
Be guided to healthier choices by the WW Diabetes-Tailored Plan, which is shown to help those living with diabetes lose weight and lower their A1c.
Gary Foster spoke passionately about helping people with diabetes manage their weight. He mentioned that 90% of those living with type 2 also live with obesity. People living with either health condition are deluged with thoughts about what you eat for diabetes and what you eat for obesity. As Gary mentioned, gaining the knowledge, inspiration, and tools to answer those questions is a full-time job.
New Weight Watchers (WW) members can enjoy a free month of the WeightWatchers Diabetes-Tailored Plan and connect the WW app with the FreeStyle Libre 2 system until December 31, 2023. Any new FreeStyle Libre 2 users may be eligible to receive a voucher for a free trial of the FreeStyle Libre 2 system when they sign up for the MyFreeStyle Libre program.
Enjoy highlights from Divabetic’s World Menopause Day Panel discussion on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Our panel was moderated by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor Catherine Schuller and featured Dr. Julianne Arena, Donna Rice, and Amparo.
The news that WeightWatchers will be prescribing popular Weight Loss medications like Ozempic stinks. I wish they would admit counting points doesn’t work for everyone and apologize to those who spent their time, money, and self-worth trying to reach their goals via their program.
So many people who have been on WeightWatchers return to the program after leaving. They can’t sustain their results because counting points is unsustainable.
So now, WeightWatchers has decided to cash in on the mindset of a quick fix.
This is another example of WeightWatchers riding the newest trend to sell weight loss. In 2018, they tried unsuccessfully to adapt to a body-positive trend by rebranding to WW International. They replaced the word “diet” with “building healthy habits” and configured their messaging to highlight wellness goals instead of weight loss.
Of course, WeightWatchers is already fending off criticism for their new acquisition.
“We have no interest in prescribing medications to those who are trying to lose 10 pounds for a reunion,” WW’s chief scientific officer, Gary Foster, told the Wall Street Journal.
WeightWatchers stresses they added this tool to their arsenal to support customers who already use semaglutides like Ozempic and Wegovy and to help get these drugs into the hands of the patient population they were intended for: people managing diabetes and those looking to lose weight as part of a doctor-recommended health plan.
Weight Watchers bought Sequence, a telehealth operator that can prescribe medications under brand names, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
Ozempic is a once-weekly injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It’s not approved for weight loss, but people taking it tend to lose weight. Wegovy is a higher-dose version of Ozempic specifically approved for weight loss.
If interested, you will pay separately for your WeightWatchers membership and Sequence subscription. And Sequence memberships aren’t covered by insurance (but they will work with your insurance company to pay for medications). Additionally, WeightWatchers will offer new eating and exercise advice tailored for people taking these drugs.
Sadly, celebrities, tech moguls, and TikTok influencers, who do not have diabetes, have used the drug to lose weight in short time frames. People like Andy Cohen, Elon Musk, and the Kardashians and their followers’ usage has led to people with diabetes not being able to get their prescriptions. The side effects of Ozempic and similar weight loss drugs include gastrointestinal issues, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It may also cause thyroid tumors, thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, kidney failure, gallbladder problems, vision changes, hypoglycemia, and allergic reactions.
Many people post about their experience with drugs, like Ozempic, on social media. They’ve admitted that their appetite and cravings went through the roof after they stopped using it. It’s been tough for them to maintain their results.
The diet industry is a 50 billion per year industry. With more money than ever going into solutions for weight loss … you’d think we’d be moving in the right direction.
But we’re not. According to the CDC, approximately 42% of Americans are classified as having obesity.
I’m fed up with the way I look, I’m fed up with being unhealthy. This is the year I’m doing it,” admitted late-night TV host James Corden who struggled with his weight for a long time.
The Emmy Award winning actor shared his weight loss goals in an emotional video posted to the WW YouTube Page.
“I’ve realized that every year for the past decade — probably even 15 years — on January the 1st I’ve told myself and anyone that would listen that I’m going on a diet, I’m going to lose a load of weight,” the new WWspokesperson said.
He said he hasn’t had much success with diets in the past. He’s hopeful that this time will be different. He said his son, Max, 9, is a major source of inspiration.
He goes on to mention that he believes that WW has the tools to make him fulfil his resolution for this year. With James Corden’s weight loss goal, the company is also giving away a hundred of thousands of memberships.
Five weeks after starting the program, James Corden said he’s lost 16 lbs.
“And I’ve been doing some exercise, which I hate. I just can’t bare it, so I’m using the word ‘hate’. But my wife is so good at it.”
During James Corden’s YouTube interview, Oprah Winfrey said, “WW is all about making yourself more aware of what you are eating and taking responsibility for that.”
Tune in To Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring Mila Clarke Buckley ‘The Hangry Woman’, Sex Therapist Janis Roszler, PhD, RD, LD/N, CDCES, FAND, and Bella Krueger and music from Celine Dion’s ‘Falling Into You’album.
Love New Recipes?
Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!
Gospel singer Tamela Mann started her 50+ pound weight loss journey by walking, even though walking was a challenge for her. A few months before beginning her amazing weight loss journey last year she had knee replacement surgery.
“During my recovery, physical activity was difficult for me, but I made it a priority to focus on my mental health and nutrition,” she wrote in an Instagram post her procedure.
One month later, Mann recovered enough to begin physical activity again. “Starting to walk without a cane, thank you to everyone for your prayers. The journey continues,” she wrote in the caption on her instagram post.
Her journey grew to include cutting down her portions, using an elliptical machine, and following WW weight loss program . The program sets you up with 24/7 access to a virtual coach and features a “science-based SmartPoints system” that’s personalized for your age, height, weight, and sex. It guides you on what to eat, cook, or choose at restaurants and parties based on your preferences—no food is off-limits. “We can still drink and eat!” Mann wrote in an Instagram caption.
https://youtu.be/2b03pUrQQIk
Tamela Jean Mann is an American gospel singer, and actress. Mann began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. Since starting the WW (Weight Watchers) program she has lost over 50 pounds.
Tamela Mann and her husband, David, are working together on their weight loss reports Prevention. David’s favorite healthy foods during sheltering in include watermelon and eggs.
David has asked Tamela to be his “sugar manager since he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2013 according to the Praying Woman website.” If David strays too far from his plan (she notes he has a weakness for sugary breakfast cereals), she gently reminds him.
“You don’t realize that we drink a lot of our sugar: in our sodas, our sugary juices,” David says. “I just tell people: Cut back off the juice and sodas.”
Tamela pre-plans her meals and typically starts her day with eggs, toast, and bacon for breakfast. “I’m beginning to eat the eggs without cheese to save SmartPoints,” she said. And her favorite ZeroPoint foods, which you can eat unlimited amounts of on the WW plan? Fruit! “There’s a wide variety of fruit [on the ZeroPoint foods list]—I love that,” she told WW.
https://youtu.be/ZK3Q7lJrzdE
The Grammy award-winning gospel singer and actress admits her husband and 31-year-old daughter Tiffany, who also joined WW, are her biggest inspirations.
“It’s nice to have a family member who’s like-minded on this journey! We both have goals we’re trying to reach,” Mann told WW. “Mama has always led by example—she’s a great wife and mother, and an incredible performer. I’ve found myself looking to her to learn how to take better care of my body because she’s taken off! She is doing so good!” Tiffany said of Mann.
https://youtu.be/YzYVporCGTM
WW and Pre Diabetes
Millions of people are estimated to have prediabetes and don’t even know it. WW’s proven weight-loss program can help people with prediabetes manage their weight. Weight Watchers doesn’t have a system for counting carbs, it does provide guidelines for making smart food choices. The WW SmartPoints® system guides you to foods that are lower in sugar and higher in protein.
Elliptical machines are easier on the joints and features an uninterrupted circular motion that allows for an impact-free workout. This can be helpful for individuals with knee, ankle, hip or lower back injuries. These allow you to exercise both your arms and your legs.
Gospel superstar, Yolanda Adams is inspiring our conversation about healthy ways to celebrate the holidays on this episode of Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
This Grammy-winning Gospel/Adult Contemporary artist has one of the most persuasive and popular voices in music and works closely with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources to ensure that kids in low- income areas receive immunizations. Along with that nationwide program, she lends her energy and commitment to Houston charities such as juvenile diabetes and The Escape Center. ”I’m very involved with kids because after being a teacher for seven years, I just can’t stop loving the kids. I am a teacher forever.”
“I like to listen to Christmas music year-round. It puts a smile on your face, and then it gets you in a spirit heart-wise to give and be gracious,” Yolanda Adams admitted.
December’s podcast guests include Dr. Bart Roep of City of Hope, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, Hint Water‘s Anthony Fiorello, FAND ‘Know Diabetes By Heart’ Ambassador Christina Herrera, Elizabeth Gallagher, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Yolanda Adams’ album,“What A Wonderful Time” courtesy of SONY Music.
One of our ‘FAVORITE THINGS’ for Christmas 2020 is a stylish Harlem’ss Heaven Face Mask. Check out their wide assortment and bejeweled and beautiful matching face masks and hats collection.
