While perusing the card aisle at Target in search of a wedding congratulation card, I was taken aback to find a card categorized under “Weight Loss.” Since when did tracking friends’ and family members’ weight changes become a greeting card occasion? Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked up the card, only to find it perpetuating all the societal nonsense surrounding women and their bodies.
Fat-shaming is a pervasive issue that impacts everyone, but the pink card I encountered made its target crystal clear. The front displayed an image of a scale with the phrase “Losing Weight and Looking Great” emblazoned across it. The inside message was even worse: “So thrilled for YOU and the WONDERFUL CHANGES you’re making in your life!” The emphasis on YOU, in matching pink, felt like a slap in the face. I couldn’t help but notice there wasn’t a similar card in a more masculine color.
The underlying message seemed to be that if you’re a woman with extra weight, you’re somehow less valuable. The implication was that once you shed those pounds, maybe you’d finally earn the recognition and admiration you deserve. I could easily envision someone buying this card for poor Sarah in accounting who finally ditched her dessert habit. Perhaps now she’d find a partner.
Is this just part of the ever-expanding greeting card industry, creating yet another “reason” to make money? It feels like yet another way to remind women that their worth is tied to their appearance. I shared a photo of the card in my favorite Facebook mom group and was met with an avalanche of responses echoing my thoughts. Many felt that receiving such a card would be hurtful, and they’d be tempted to retaliate against the giver.
One group member, who lost over 100 pounds in under a year thanks to gastric bypass surgery, shared that her father’s responses to her weight loss texts are often lukewarm—encouraging but implying she still needs to do more. Another member reflected on her father’s ongoing concerns about her weight, revealing that his approval feels conditional. “I want to lose weight, but part of me resists because it forces him to accept me as I am,” she said. “He would totally send me that ridiculous card.”
As an overweight mom who may never fit the mold for receiving a weight loss card, I still hit the gym at least three times a week. Thankfully, my gym offers childcare, which allows me to exercise without worrying about my little ones. I work out not to fit some ideal body image but to ensure I can enjoy life with my kids for as long as possible. My workouts also serve as a great outlet for my mental health—and at times, even as a way to vent my frustrations about the political climate.
One mom shared that post-election, she felt less inclined to lose weight because she didn’t want to conform to outdated ideals. Instead, she found empowerment in weight training, focusing on strength rather than size, declaring, “I’m getting STRONG for the revolution!” Perhaps it’s time I explored that avenue too.
I highly doubt we’ll see cards congratulating men on overcoming erectile dysfunction anytime soon—imagine a bright blue card stating “Staying Erect and Ready to Inject.” Inside, the message might read, “So excited for YOUR PENIS and the WONDERFUL ENGORGEMENT it’s making in your pants!”
So what kind of greeting cards would I prefer to see? Ones that celebrate parents for raising compassionate, mindful children who wouldn’t dream of gifting someone a weight loss card.
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In summary, the proliferation of weight loss cards is a troubling reminder of society’s fixation on women’s appearances. Rather than celebrating personal journeys or achievements, they reinforce harmful stereotypes and values. We need to shift the narrative toward honoring kindness and support, rather than superficial changes.
Keyphrase: weight loss card criticism
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