POV: I’m unhappy with my body

After a bit of a comeback in the fourth quarter, the Patriots lost to the Seahawks, 29–13. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said after the game he wanted to go back to the start and redo the whole thing.

If you felt mysteriously very under the weather this morning, you’re not the only one.

Once the confetti (and heartbreak) settled, millions of Americans decided Monday was optional. Roughly 26.2 million people planned to call out of work—a new high, up from last year’s 22.6 million—in what a global AI-driven HR firm Ultimate Kronos Group dubs “Super Bowl Fever.”

👉 Read the full story: Feeling sick after the Super Bowl? You’re not alone

Here’s what else we’re covering today:

📰 What we’re reading, news from around the state

📢 Question of the week: Should New Hampshire keep its first-in-the-nation primary status?

❓ Ask The Expert: “I’m unhappy with my body, and I’m seeing so many ads for weight loss drugs. Should I start taking them?”

P.S. Consider this a good-use-of-your-inbox moment. Know someone who’d appreciate it? Send it their way.

👉 New Hampshire commissioner resigns at request of Gov. Ayotte after ICE facility plans made public

“The commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has resigned at the request of Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the governor’s office announced Monday morning.” — WMUR

👉 Canterbury Country Store closes after economic challenges

“The store has struggled to survive under several different owners over the last few decades, as they’ve had to compete with big box stores and grocery chains nearby. Still, the couple decided to take over when the last owner closed.” — NHPR

👉 NH’s Grace Henderson’s result in Winter Olympics slopestyle qualifier

“Henderson placed 15th out of 23 in the women’s slopestyle qualification on Saturday morning with a score of 49.78, and didn’t advance to Monday’s final. Italy’s Maria Gasslitter earned the 12th-and-final spot in the finals with a score of 54.66.” — USA Today via Reuters Connect

👉 Supreme Court nominee lays out philosophy, says he won’t recuse himself from school funding case

“Judge Daniel Will would likely not recuse himself from a challenge to New Hampshire’s school funding model if confirmed to the state Supreme Court, he said Friday, despite having previously argued against a similar lawsuit for the Attorney General’s Office.” — New Hampshire Bulletin

New Hampshire has earned its reputation as the first-in-the-nation primary state thanks to a mix of law and tradition. State law requires that its presidential primary be held at least seven days before any other primary or caucus, ensuring candidates face voters here before anywhere else. That early timing gives the state an outsized influence—candidates spend weeks on the ground meeting voters, testing messages, and building momentum.

Political parties generally respect New Hampshire’s early spot, though technically they could penalize the state for jumping ahead. Every election cycle, as other states try to schedule earlier primaries to gain attention, New Hampshire simply moves its date earlier, making sure it stays first.

So this week’s question is…

Should New Hampshire keep its first-in-the-nation primary status?

Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.

We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here.

Dear Grace,

When I was younger, I was a little chubby, but I didn’t mind having curves. Since having kids, my body isn’t the same. My weight just keeps going up. Everyone is getting skinny now and I keep seeing ads for weight loss shots like Ozempic, but I’m scared to take it. Do you think it’s safe? I do want to lose weight. I can honestly say I love myself, but not my body. What do you think? What’s the best way to lose weight?

— Can’t Stop Dieting in PA

Dear Can’t Stop Dieting,

There is so much to unpack in your question, but let me just say that you’re not alone. I think that just about every woman I know has felt what you just described–feeling unhappy with the number on the scale or uncomfortable in our skin. It’s no coincidence, Can’t Stop. Companies in the diet, exercise, drug, and growing alternative health industries make gobs of money (especially this time of year) by telling us that our bodies are wrong and that their product could “fix” them. 

That said, we all deserve to have a happy, healthy relationship with our bodies, and I have struggled with some of the same feelings you’re describing. I don’t always have the answers, Can’t Stop, and with so many people out there claiming to be experts on healthy eating and dieting, I decided to reach out to a registered dietician to get advice we can all trust. Here’s what she said…

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and Galvanize Together. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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