Weight Watchers Bankruptcy: Why We’re Not Here to Make Ourselves Smaller

We’re Not Here to Make Ourselves Smaller

When I saw the news that Weight Watchers (now WW) had filed for bankruptcy, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own experiences with the company and what this moment says about diet culture as a whole.

I’ve participated in Weight Watchers four times over the years. Each time, I was drawn in by the promise that this time would be different. That maybe, just maybe, I could finally get the body I "should" have, or at least feel in control of my health. But here's the thing: every time I counted points, I wasn’t just counting food; I was counting my worth, my self-control, and my success — all measured by numbers on a scale.

And sure, I lost weight. That’s the thing about Weight Watchers, the system works if you follow because it restricts your calories. But let’s talk about the reality of that system for a second. My points? They included chocolate cake, donuts, and alcohol. Yes, you read that right. The very foods that society says will ruin us were suddenly okay, as long as I kept track of my points and stayed within the limit.

But here's what I never really understood back then: even though I "followed the rules" and saw the number on the scale drop, I wasn’t feeling better. I wasn’t happier. And, I definitely wasn’t more confident. I was still chasing the same elusive "perfect body," still obsessed with how much I weighed, instead of focusing on what my body could actually do.

The Emotional Rollercoaster: Fear of the Scale

If you’ve ever done Weight Watchers, or any other similar program, you probably know the dread of stepping on the scale. It wasn’t just a number; it was my entire self-worth hanging in the balance. Every week, I’d walk into those meetings with a pit in my stomach, heart racing, dreading the moment when they’d call my name to step on the scale in front of everyone.

I remember the knot in my stomach as the weight flashed before my eyes. If I’d "only" lost a pound, I’d beat myself up for not doing better. And heaven forbid, if I’d gained even half an ounce, the shame and self-criticism would take over. I’d spend the rest of the day, sometimes even the whole week, mentally punishing myself. Convinced I had failed. And then there were the days I would skip meals before or after meetings, terrified that the extra food would "ruin" the results on the scale.

That was the real tragedy: I was so caught up in the numbers that I lost sight of the bigger picture. The fear of eating “too much” or “too little” consumed me; my relationship with food, my body, and even myself became more about control than nourishment or joy.

The End of an Era?

So, when I saw that Weight Watchers filed for bankruptcy, I had a bittersweet feeling. While this is a huge moment in the diet industry, it doesn't mean diet culture is going away anytime soon. Sure, the brand might change, or some corporate conglomerate might swoop in to “save” it, but the underlying message of diet culture, that we need to shrink ourselves to be valuable, will find another way to survive.

What’s truly wild is that Weight Watchers tried to "pivot" over the years. Recently they started selling compounded weight loss medications and promoted wellness programs to "adapt" to modern health trends. Those of us that had been deep in diet culture and escaped saw it the pivot for what it was. A money grab. But even that didn’t save them. And honestly, I think there’s something satisfying in that.

We, as a society, are pushing back. More and more of us are realizing that while diet culture is pervasive, the resistance to it is growing stronger.

My Last “Try” with Weight Watchers: 19 Years Ago

I’ll admit, for years, I kept going back. I couldn’t shake the idea that maybe this time, I could "make it work." But my last time "trying" was 19 years ago, and it wasn’t just a breaking point, it was a turning point. I got pregnant. I had a rough pregnancy with him. Morning, afternoon, and evening sickness. For the longest time, all I could stomach to eat was McDonald’s double cheeseburgers, with pickles, I don’t like pickles, Mother’s pink and white animal cookies, and Pubilx turkey sub with mayo (I HATE MAYO).

Was it my last restrictive diet? Was it my last restrictive diet? Well, no, I’d have other tries after that. But it wasn’t a shift either. Nothing just fell into place. As soon as I could after giving birth, I jumped straight into the South Beach Diet, convinced that the answer to my body’s worth was still found in dieting and restriction. There’s so much more to share about that journey, but those stories are for another day.

The Problem with Diet Culture

What’s often overlooked in the conversation about diet culture is how deeply ingrained it is in our society. It’s not just about losing weight. It’s about the standards we’re taught to uphold. Specifically, it’s the patriarchal pressure to keep women small, not just in body size, but in how we take up space in the world. It’s about being quiet, being compliant, and always measuring ourselves against an ideal that was never designed for us to succeed.

Even if Weight Watchers disappears tomorrow, another company or program will rise up to take its place. And the message will remain the same: your value lies in how much you weigh and how little space you take up.

But I’m here to tell you that we don’t have to play along.

Reclaiming Ourselves

If you’re tired of the diet cycle, I’m here to say that there is another way. You do not need to shrink yourself to feel worthy. In fact, the more you focus on strength and confidence, the more you take back your power from diet culture.

Here’s what I’ve learned over the years, and I want to share it with you:

• Focus on what your body can do, not just how it looks. Instead of worrying about fitting into a smaller size, celebrate the strength and abilities your body has. Can you lift something heavier than last week? Are you getting stronger every day? These are the wins that matter.

• Ditch the "good" and "bad" food labels. Food is not a moral issue. It doesn’t make you “good” if you choose a salad or “bad” if you enjoy chocolate cake. The key is learning balance, and not assigning shame or guilt to your food choices.

• Wear clothes that fit now. Not later. Stop holding onto clothes that you’re "hoping" will fit when you lose weight. Embrace the body you have now, and wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable today.

• Unfollow the accounts that make you feel less than. It’s easy to get sucked into comparing ourselves to others, especially when we see photoshopped or unrealistic ideals of beauty. Curate your feed with people who inspire you to be yourself, not someone else.

• Celebrate wins that have nothing to do with weight. There’s so much more to success than a number on a scale. Celebrate your strength, your energy, your flexibility, your joy, and your self-compassion. Those things are just as valuable, if not more, than any body measurement.

Pushing Back: Together

Every time one of us pushes back against diet culture, it cracks the foundation a little more. If you’re making moves, big or small, I’d love to hear about it. Hit reply and tell me your story. 💬 Together, we can create a world where we’re valued for who we are, not just how small we can get.

And remember: We’re not here to make ourselves smaller. We’re here to take up space, to live fully, and to be strong, confident, and unapologetically ourselves.