As I wandered through the greeting card aisle at Target recently, searching for a wedding card, I stumbled upon something truly perplexing: a card labeled under “Weight Loss.” I was taken aback—how is weight loss a reason to celebrate with a card? Should I really be monitoring the weight changes of my friends and family? Curious, I picked up the card, only to find it echoed the troubling messages society sends about women’s bodies.
Fat-shaming permeates our culture, affecting individuals of all genders, but a quick glance at the vibrant pink card made it evident who the target was. The front boasted a scale graphic with the phrase “Losing Weight and Looking Great.” The inside was even worse: “So excited for YOU and the WONDERFUL CHANGES you’re making in your life!” The exaggerated emphasis on “YOU” was a glaring reminder of how our society often equates worth with physical appearance. I couldn’t help but think of the unfortunate recipient—perhaps a colleague named Sarah in accounting—who finally got her life “together” after shedding pounds. Now she might finally receive the validation she deserves.
Is this card merely another product of the greeting card industry, cashing in on societal pressures? Or is it a blatant reminder that a woman’s value hinges on her size? I shared an image of the card in my local Facebook moms’ group and was met with an outpouring of agreement. Many expressed that receiving such a card would leave them feeling hurt and insulted. Compliments after significant weight loss are one thing, but gifting a card that essentially states, “You’re only valuable now that you’ve lost weight,” is both rude and insensitive.
One group member, who had lost over 100 pounds through gastric bypass surgery, noted how her father’s texts about her weight loss progress often fell short, responding with “Keep it up” rather than acknowledging her accomplishments. Another member shared her lifelong struggles with weight, explaining how she often feels more appreciated when she’s thinner. One woman remarked that her father constantly worried about her health due to weight gain, recalling how he pressured her to be a “nice, slim girl.” She expressed, “I do want to lose weight, but a part of me resists because it forces him to love me as I am. He has to recognize my happiness and success, regardless of my size. He would totally send me that ridiculous card.”
As an overweight mom, I may never reach a weight that would inspire a weight loss card, yet I manage to hit the gym at least three times a week. The two-hour childcare provided at my gym is a huge incentive, allowing me to work out without worrying about my little ones. Plus, I enjoy the luxury of uninterrupted showers and free coffee.
My motivations for working out have shifted as I’ve aged. It’s no longer about fitting into society’s mold of an ideal woman. I exercise to live longer for my children, for my mental health, and yes, sometimes even to blow off steam about current events. I often imagine stepping on certain political figures’ faces while on the treadmill; it’s oddly therapeutic.
Interestingly, a fellow mom shared that after the election, her desire to lose weight diminished. She didn’t want to conform to societal standards imposed by certain politicians. Instead, she began focusing on strength training, redefining her fitness journey as a way to empower herself. “Finally, I found something that wasn’t about shrinking myself, but about becoming stronger for the fight!” she said. Perhaps it’s time for me to explore weight lifting too.
It’s hard to imagine a card celebrating men’s achievements in overcoming issues like erectile dysfunction. Picture a blue card with “Staying Erect and Ready to Inject” emblazoned over a cartoonish graphic. Inside, it would read, “So excited for YOUR PENIS and the WONDERFUL ENGORGEMENT it’s making in your pants!”
What kind of greeting cards would I prefer to see? Perhaps one that congratulates parents for raising kind, empathetic children who would never think to buy someone a weight loss card. In a world where we need more positivity and acceptance, that’s a card I could wholeheartedly support.
For more insights on topics related to parenting and wellness, check out our post on the couples’ fertility journey for intracervical insemination at this link as well as an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination here.
In summary, the existence of fat-shaming greeting cards is a troubling reflection of society’s attitudes towards body image. We need to promote messages that uplift rather than shame, celebrating our worth beyond mere appearance.