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Dieting remains a popular trend, but diet companies have come and gone depending on the latest diet fads, as well as competition from “instant weight loss” supplements. Through it all, Weight Watchers has held on with its point system, touting its program to be the long-lasting path to maintaining a healthy weight and eschewing all the diet trends.
In September 2015, Weight Watchers signed Oprah Winfrey to be its spokesperson, and their shares doubled in a single day, according to a Bloomberg report. The company is betting on her influence to give its subscriber base as well as its stock a boost. She has a ten percent stake in the company, so she stands to gain from the success, too.
U.S. News & World Report ranks the company first in 4 out of 9 categories for the 2017 Best Diets, which bodes well in such a competitive market. While still a major player in the weight loss business, it is floundering a bit in trying to revive its brand, especially with competition from free diet and fitness apps as well as other major brands such as Nutrisystem. Plus, it’s still struggling to find a replacement CEO, and is being run by a team of executives since the former CEO Jim Chambers stepped down in September.
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After holiday indulgences, it’s hard to get back into the swing of your daily routine and also be mindful of your health. We’re often tired, overstressed from the lack of routine, and not quite ready to get back to work or school. So we find ourselves indulging in that afternoon cookie break or skipping a trip to the gym, instead of taking care of our bodies.
This year, there are a few healthy habits you can adopt that can inspire you instead of making you feel pressured. When you incorporate new routines and practices into your life and see real results, then it’s a no-brainer to keep them up.
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Blue Apron, a popular brand in the fast-growing meal kit industry, has just announced that it is delaying its IPO for the time being in order to improve its financial metrics.
The company began to interview banks in September of 2016 for the anticipated launch of its IPO, but decided to wait until this year to move forward, according to Bloomberg News. Despite annual revenue last year of more than $800 million, competition from other big names in the industry like Hello Fresh as well as new niche meal kit services continue to divide market share. Blue Apron is targeting a $3 billion valuation for an IPO.
The meal kit industry is booming, and it’s no wonder. People are looking to eat healthier, which means turning to home-cooked meals. But who has the time to grocery shop, cook, and plan dinners when you have a family and career?
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We’re well into the New Year, and that means we have probably made resolutions and changes to diet and lifestyle. We all want to be healthier and happier, and this time of year represents a new start, a clean slate, which is encouraging.
So what have you been doing? Have you started using a personal trainer, or are preparing for that marathon, or began a new Paleo diet with home-cooked meals? These are all healthy, wonderful changes. But how much is too much? And can you stick to your resolutions?
The problem is after we sign up at a new gym, begin a new healthy diet, or supplement our to-do lists with social activities or volunteering to make us feel better, we can soon be overwhelmed. If you are pushing for too many changes at once, you could be setting yourself up for failure. As soon as life’s every day challenges come into play and January passes, you could find yourself reverting to old habits and feeling bad about your inability to follow through.
Instead of beating yourself up over failed resolutions, it’s time to take a different approach. Instead of focusing on everything you need to change and trying to do everything at once, it might be more helpful to take a bite-sized approach. It also helps to look back on the past year and see what helpful changes you have made in adopting a healthier lifestyle, and focus on your accomplishments to give you forward momentum.
Here are five different resolutions you can still make for this year:
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Wondering what to get your friend or family member who is really into fitness? Don’t stress, there are plenty of options for the workout fiend in your life. Instead of another pair of yoga pants, there are ways to get creative and unique when it comes to buying. (Or maybe you should consider treating yourself!)
Check out these health and fitness gift ideas:
Class passes.
For those who like to mix up their workout routines, and would rather not join a gym, yoga studio, dance studio, and hire a personal trainer all at the same time, Class Pass is a great choice. It taps into a network of more than 8,000 fitness studios in 39 cities around the world, giving its members access to a wide range of workout facilities from limited use (rather than having to commit time and money). It’s perfect for someone looking to dabble in a bunch of disciplines – a yoga or Zumba class, weight-training, or indoor cycling in different locations, so they can also see what kind of facility they prefer. It’s also a nice perk for business travelers looking to stay fit on the road . A base plan of five classes ranges from $40 to $75, depending on the market; classpass.com/gifts.
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Fifteen years ago, the American dream was built around home ownership and a consumer-based lifestyle. People saved their money until they could make a down payment, or to purchase high-priced items like cars and furniture. The vast majority commuted to work in an office for a 9 to 5 steady paycheck and strove for that corner office. Now, things have changed significantly.
The recession in 2008 caused a real shift in how Americans live and consume – especially among the younger millennial generation, who were saddled with college debt and low employment rates. They couldn’t afford to rent an apartment or room in expensive cities like New York or San Francisco where some of the most coveted jobs and industries are based. So instead of saving money to buy a house or car, they are making ends meet by opting to live more flexible lifestyles with the shared and subscription economy.
