Life must be in a rough patch when even the fitness and weight-loss folks are telling people to take it easy.
With cocktail parties and celebratory dinners largely canceled by the pandemic, many purveyors of well-being aren’t issuing their usual holiday missives urging customers to resist second helpings, dodge the cookie tray or mind the nightcaps. Instead, weight-loss programs, fitness apps and lifestyle brands are emphasizing ways that users should be kinder and gentler to themselves.
“A lot of people aren’t celebrating Thanksgiving with the broad family they’re used to, so they’re looking for other moments of joy,” says Mindy Grossman, CEO of WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers. “Part of that is showing them what they can do for themselves.” Last week, WW launched a new program called myWW+, which includes app tools that allow users to more closely track their mindset and sleep, in addition to their food intake and exercise. Earlier this year the company started a hydration tracker for users to record how many ounces of water they drink each day.
The idea behind these new wellness goals? Letting people find some type of success even when eating and exercise don’t go well. During the shutdown’s early months, 36% of Americans gained weight, with women putting on an average of 10.7 pounds and men 15 pounds, according to a WW survey of 1,004 U.S. adults in May.
The more you pamper Americans, the more our fragility and mental instability. Just cut it out - this endless desire to infantilize grownup men, women and 'them'.