I've exercised with women so thin that buzzards followed them to their cars.

The quote “I've exercised with women so thin that buzzards followed them to their cars” is a classic example of the sharp wit of Erma Bombeck, a beloved American humorist, newspaper columnist, and author known for her insightful and often hilarious commentary on suburban family life. This quote exemplifies Bombeck’s ability to use hyperbole and humor to comment on societal expectations, particularly those surrounding women, body image, and fitness culture.

By describing women "so thin that buzzards followed them," Bombeck is using vivid exaggeration to mock the extreme lengths to which some people go in pursuit of skinniness. The image is intentionally absurd—buzzards are scavengers that circle dying animals—implying that these women look dangerously underweight. It's a critique of unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure women face to maintain a certain appearance, often at the expense of their health or well-being.

The phrase “I've exercised with” suggests that Bombeck herself was part of this culture, observing and perhaps even feeling the pressure to conform. But her use of humor allows her to push back against it, making readers laugh while also questioning the logic of idolizing extreme thinness over balance and strength. Her writing often celebrated the imperfect, the ordinary, and the real, and this quote is no exception.

Ultimately, Bombeck’s quote delivers a humorous but powerful message about the absurdities of diet culture and society’s obsession with weight. Through satire, she encourages a more sensible, realistic, and even joyful approach to health and self-image—reminding us that laughter can be a powerful tool for cultural critique.