I was all set to write a blog post about me winning the 1.5 BILLION dollar Powerball. I was going to go into great detail about all the things I would do with the money, which mostly involved me living the über good life.

But as I was reading the Sunday New York Times, I came across an opinion piece that switched my focus. Titled, “When Can Women Stop Trying to Look Perfect?”, the writer, Jennifer Weiner, had me at hello.

As I read the first few paragraphs, I was fist pumping and thinking, “Preach, sister!” Ms Weiner bemoaned the way older women are treated (or ignored), and the over weighted importance of a woman’s physical  appearance versus ANY other accomplishments she may have achieved or struggles she has overcome.

Then the piece took a mean-spirited turn. Ms. Weiner has decidedly negative opinions on Oprah and her new association with Weight Watchers. I happen to be a fan of both.

Ms. Weiner wishes Oprah would just accept herself as she is physically and  stop the struggle with her weight. She also suggested that Oprah was being insincere and that this was more about business and financial gain than weight loss. According to Ms. Weiner, because Weight Watchers depends on repeat customers and diets don’t work,  this is just a crass grab for money on the company’s part as well.

I like Oprah. I find her life inspiring, including her struggle with weight. I fight the weight battle, every day, and for most of my life. Wanting to NOT be obese, does not equate to me being anti-feminist. It’s not  something that has an age limit (as in “you’re too old to care”) and it’s not just a reaction to the pressures of the world view. When something, anything, in your life feels out of your control, that’s scary and emotionally draining.

I like Weight Watchers. I am currently a member, and yes, I am a repeat customer. Weight Watchers cannot be compared to some ridiculous soup cleanse or a diet that says pork rinds, ribeye steaks and sour cream are the answer  (I wish).  Weight Watchers offers a realistic way out of those diet traps.

I don’t begrudge Weight Watchers or Oprah making money. Together, they have built a business model that offers a responsible, intelligent approach to weight loss and ultimately a healthier life by giving alternatives. From my perspective, this is an ethical way to do business.

One of my purposes with this blog is to show that we – the TO 60 AND BEYOND’s- have options. At every stage of our lives we are re-prioritizing. Reaching the point in life where you say, “I don’t care about that anymore.” or “This is not where I want to put my energy.” , is the beauty  and reward of reaching this age!  I want  to make sure that the way I live is because first and foremost, it matters to me.

Fat shaming is one of the last bullying “free zones” that allows hate to be spewed. I don’t care how much someone else weighs and my hope is that we can all stop and think before judging others and  making assumptions about people’s situations.