WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy protection to eliminate over $1 billion in debt
WeightWatchers said Tuesday it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt and focus on its transition into a telehealth services provider.
Parent WW International Inc. said it has the support of nearly three-quarters of its debt holders. It expects to emerge from bankruptcy within 45 days, if not sooner.
WeightWatchers, which was founded more than 60 years ago, has struggled recently. In 2023, the company moved into the prescription drug weight loss business — particularly with the $106 million acquisition of Sequence, now WeightWatchers Clinic, a telehealth service that helps users get prescriptions for drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Trulicity.
Its latest earnings report Tuesday showed that first-quarter revenue declined 10% while its loss on an adjusted basis totaled 47 cents per share. However, clinical subscription revenue — or weight-loss medications — jumped 57% year over year to $29.5 million.
In September, WW International CEO Sima Sistani resigned, and the New York company named Tara Comonte, a WeightWatchers board member and former Shake Shack executive, interim chief executive.
Comonte, now CEO, said in a statement Tuesday that, 'As the conversation around weight shifts toward long-term health, our commitment to delivering the most trusted, science-backed, and holistic solutions —grounded in community support and lasting results — has never been stronger, or more important.'
Shares of the company have traded at under $1 since early February. In after-hours trading, the stock plunged by half to 39 cents.
The bankruptcy filing was made in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
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- Yahoo
Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and cottage cheese: The foods helping GLP-1 users hit their protein goals
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'I probably eat out once a week, and I know it's not the healthiest, but it's [my family's] reality because we're in transit far more often than we're sitting at the kitchen table.' Armstrong is one of millions of Americans taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. Many of these people refer to themselves, collectively, as a 'community.' And that community has developed countless 'hacks' to support their weight loss journeys. As a reporter, I've talked to dozens of people taking these medications, and it's kind of astounding how clearly certain foods have emerged as go-to ways for them to meet their oft-cited 'protein goals' quickly, conveniently and affordably. What are their favorite foods? Read on. GLP-1 medications — including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — work by simulating certain hormones in the body that tell you when you're hungry and when you're full. These effects on satiety signals mean that people on GLP-1s have smaller appetites and they feel fuller more quickly. 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Fattier foods, he adds, 'are just sitting there in your gut' because they take longer to digest. GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, the process of digestion in which food moves from the stomach into the rest of the digestive tract. The slowdown is particularly dramatic when someone first starts on a GLP-1, which is why they may be particularly sensitive to nausea from high-fat foods during this period. Although this sensitivity wanes over time, GLP-1 patients have to walk a fine line: Getting sufficient, nutritious food that's appetizing to them, without overconsuming stomach-roiling fat and grease. Luckily, GLP-1ers (as many call themselves) have pooled plenty of out-to-eat and at-home hacks. 12-piece grilled chicken nuggets: 200 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, 38 grams of protein Grilled chicken sandwich: 390 calories, 11 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbs, 28 grams of protein Small mac and cheese: 270 calories, 17 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein With a menu built around chicken, it's perhaps no surprise that this fast food restaurant is one of the best bets for someone taking a GLP-1. A commonly cited favorite order is Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken nuggets. Armstrong likes to order a 12-piece grilled chicken nugget meal and stretch it across a few meals (nuggets make great salad toppings, she notes). Or, she'll choose a grilled chicken sandwich, which comes on a multigrain bun, 'so it's got good carbs and whole grains,' she says. 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'I love the Chipotle chicken salad with no sour cream, no cheese and very light on the vinaigrette,' says Nadolsky. Since the salads and bowls are customizable, it's easy to order a Chipotle option that suits GLP-1 users' needs. And for some people, that allows them to return to an old favorite restaurant without having to eat more than they need or risk stomach upset. Branneisha Cooper, who started taking Zepbound in 2022 and previously spoke to Yahoo Life for our On My Weigh series, used to order a Chipotle bowl with extra protein. But since starting her weight loss medication, she's switched to ordering a kids quesadilla, which comes with meat and the sides of your choosing. She says it's about half the serving of food she would have previously ordered. 'I try to make sure whatever I'm getting, it's protein-focused, and I try to make sure I get at least some vegetables,' she previously told Yahoo Life. 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This retiree says 'I have no money now' after sinking her life savings into a half-built house in Florida
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
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Ozempic users report surprising cravings for certain smells: Here's what to know
While Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs have been shown to have myriad benefits, they can also present some unwelcome effects, primarily nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Some are also reporting changes in their sense of smell — sometimes referred to as "Ozempic smell" — as one of the lesser-known side effects of GLP-1 medications. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people taking these drugs could be suddenly drawn to sugary perfumes and scents, possibly even craving them. Is Ozempic Ruining Your Teeth? What To Know About Impact On Dental Health Some users on Reddit have reported unexpected cravings and appreciations for perfumes. "I started semaglutide in April last year and have lost 80lbs and gained a newfound appreciation for fragrances," wrote one user. Read On The Fox News App Another user replied, "My scent obsession started when I started my shots…" GLP-1 receptor agonists work by imitating the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps to regulate blood sugar and maintains a feeling of fullness. Originally created as an agent to treat diabetes, the class of medications has become a popular weight-loss solution. Weight-loss, Diabetes Drugs Linked To Vision Problems In Small Study The regions that control people's senses of taste and smell are also primary sources of this natural hormone, studies have shown. Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, says that while he hasn't observed this phenomenon in his own patients, the medications do alter digestion. "I have seen an increase in reflux and burping related to delayed gastric emptying with these drugs," he told Fox News Digital. "This can lead to an acidic or sour taste, which could theoretically affect smell as well." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The reported side effect aligns with another trend: Gourmand fragrances (sweet-smelling, sugary perfume scents like cake batter and caramel) are rising in popularity, as reported by Forbes. The gourmand fragrance market has been rising in recent years, and is expected to exceed $35 billion in 2025, market research shows. Searches for "caramel perfume" in particular are expected to grow by 42% this year. So far, no specific studies have determined what link, if any, GLP-1 medications have to proclivity for sugary perfumes. "This [effect] would be in a relatively small number of cases," Siegel said, referring to patients who develop an olfactory sweet tooth. For more Health articles, visit Further research is required to investigate the potential link between GLP-1 medications and changes in perception of the way people taste and smell, he article source: Ozempic users report surprising cravings for certain smells: Here's what to know
