We need to talk.
The four scariest words in a woman’s vocabulary; at least for the person on the receiving end.
I’ve got a serious topic today, born from reading a blog post which set my little bitty brain a flutter and not in a good way. The short version: it pissed me off. It made me angry for the people reading it and sorry for the person writing it. I am not going to point my spindly finger or speak badly about this person, although I do want to talk about the topic of their post. Let’s just say it struck a nerve, a rather large one at that.
The message began simply: losing weight and being healthy are not the same thing. I agree.
The post went on to suggest weight loss should be the optimum goal though. The author expressed disappointment with nutritionists and dietitians whose focus is on health instead of weight loss, and said in order to shed those pounds, you must eliminate all natural, high sugar, whole foods. Examples were given: potatoes, bananas, grapes, figs, pineapple, corn, peas, beets, winter squash, you get the idea. Once you’ve actually lost the weight, then you can worry about being healthy.
You see why this a huge problem for me, yes? To say I was livid would be an understatement.
When it comes to healthy and sustainable weight loss, the way you get there matters a great deal.
Case in point:
I could cut out all solid foods and lose weight.
I could binge and purge and lose weight.
I could pump my body full of sugar free, fat free, chemical substitutes and lose weight.
I could drink diuretics for breakfast and lunch and lose weight.
I could subsist on two meal replacements shakes a day plus dinner and lose weight.
I could exercise six hours daily, splurging on egg whites and celery sticks and lose weight.
I could pop laxatives like they’re going out of style and lose weight.
I could cut carbohydrates and eat all the bacon and lose weight.
I could consume metabolism boosting pills and lose weight. Sure, I’d fuck up my ticker in the meantime, royally too, but hey at least I’d be skinny.
My point is it’s easy to drop weight utilizing a fad diet, a quick fix or eliminating food groups. That doesn’t make it right, nor does it make the weight loss permanent.
“Congratulations, Meghan you’ve lost thirty pounds in fifteen days. Tell her what she’s won, Johnny.”
“Meghan, Meghan, Meghan have we got a sweet deal for you today. You can expect to receive a lifetime of scale watching, with food being your main enemy. In addition, you’ll experience emotional anguish, physical damage, you’ll gain those same thirty pounds back and then some, although we will happily lighten your bank account along the way. All of this comes with a side of intestinal issues and an eating disorder. Hooray. We’ll also rob you of your ability to think clearly because we’re real peaches like that, although you’d do well to stay away from stone fruits; too much sugar. Even better, we’ll tie all these delights up in a pretty package with a pink bow, purple if that’s your preference. As always, it’s been a real pleasure having you with us. I look forward to our ongoing and tumultuous relationship.”
Enough shenanigans.
Enough quick fixes.
Enough fad diets.
Enough whole food hating.
Enough with the bullshit already.
Enough.
Switch the focus to being healthy, and the weight loss, or gain depending on your situation, will come, and in a manner which is sustainable, without doing irreparable harm to your emotional, mental and physical well being.
Thanks for letting me Rant Out Loud today, Ms. Amanda.
No questions today. Just your feedback.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
What that blogger said? That’s just sad. Besides, I’ve lost 35 lbs & actually maintained it for over a year – for the first time; I’ve lost that much before & not been able to maintain it – & I still eat potatoes, bananas, etc. it’s the actual sugar & processed foods, folks! And even they can have the occasional place in a healthy diet. Yeah, I could go on & on about that one, too.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…The food-running cycle: Thursdays are for thinking out loud
Meghan says
Thanks Judy. I appreciate your comment and glad we’re on the same page when it comes to healthy weight loss.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Juli@1000lovelythings says
WOW what a rant! I’ve had my fair share of experiences with cutting out entire food groups because they would make me fat/ would keep me from losing weight. Some of them still make sense to me like processed fake food, some luckily don’t anymore like bread for example. Looking back all I can do is shake my head at my delusional younger self and hope for people who are still caught in that mindset that they wake up eventually and get a better understanding about what they are doing now. Health matters most! And what I can say from my 18+ years of experience with health at risk alternated with being sick is that nothing is ever as good as it is when you’re healthy!
Juli@1000lovelythings recently posted…What I ate Wednesday #93 – The Sprint 2 the Table Edition
Meghan says
Amen sister and I do agree with you on the processed food part, although I don’t actually consider that stuff food. It’s more of a food like substance or frankenfood. Either way, it’s not high on my list.
Think of all the sandwich porn we’d be missing.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Erin@BeetsPerMinute says
I agree that the focus should always be on health and a balanced diet, because getting this aspect right is imperative to succeeding with other health related goals — whatever they may be.
Erin@BeetsPerMinute recently posted…Lately I’ve Been… #TOL
Meghan says
Thanks Erin, I feel the same.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} says
Oh URGH I don’t even know what post your talking about and I feel cross.
I’ve been skinnier than I am and living off crappy foods and bigger than I am and living off crappy foods. But I don’t think I’ve been happier than I am, it’s all about the b-a-l-a-n-c-e.
Since eating real foods (and real sugar now and again, she says finishing off a GF marshmallow brownie. It was awesome if you’re wondering) my moods are more stable, my body stronger and quite simply my life happier. That’s my kind of healthy.
Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…The Intimidation Factor in Geneva, Switzerland
Meghan says
I am so happy you’re a great place now and you did through balanced eating with real foods, including a little sugar.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Michelle @ PerfectlyImperfectLife says
Ugh.
This is my beef with the whole ‘IIFYM’ and so many other eating “plans”. You could lose a significant amount of weight on a diet of Snickers bars but there’s a good chance that wouldn’t be super healthy (just a slight chance).
Quality trumps quantity, every time. Besides you need to learn to eat for every day life if you ever want to stop dieting.
Fantastic rant and well deserved!
Michelle
Michelle @ PerfectlyImperfectLife recently posted…Recipe Wednesday ♥ Apple Pie Oatmeal
Meghan says
Quality trumps quantity. Very well said I love the idea of needing to eat for everyday life.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Heather@hungryforbalance says
I love your message here! When I initially lost weight, I did so by eating lots of sugar-free chemical laden foods. It was an unhealthy diet, which led to an even un-healthier Heather. I made the transition to real foods and never looked back (with the exception of sugar-free gum- I can’t seem to shake that habit!)
Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…Thinking Out Loud about…BODYPUMP Instructor training?
Meghan says
No worries, we’ve all got one of those habits. I’m thrilled you’ve made it to a healthy place with whole foods. Congratulations.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
I adore your message, preach on 🙂
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Driving Your Life, Changing Your Fate
Meghan says
Thanks Michele.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Suzy says
When I was a teenager, I’d make a list of forbidden foods like chocolate and donuts and I’d date it and sign it and then about 45 minutes later I’d eat chocolate and donuts. If I hadn’t obsessed about them and written them down as forbidden, I probably wouldn’t even have thought to eat them. Whatever we focus on is where we will end up. For example, I had major daddy issues and when I was in counseling, I told my therapist that I don’t want to turn out like my dad, and I listed all the reasons why. And my therapist was like, guess what! You’ll turn out like him because he is the person you are focusing on. So if we focus on forbidden foods, we’ll eat them. Well, that’s my experience anyway. Balance IS everything, and your blog helps me with that. You inspire me to eat phallic veggies.
Suzy recently posted…Crossing the Lines
Meghan says
Mmm chocolate and donuts….wait, what were you saying?
Just kidding, restriction tends to fail for that very reason and where you focus IS what you become. I always liked the saying, “The grass is greener where you water it.” Focus on the good stuff or the stuff you want to become and that is what will happy.
It makes me happy to know I inspire you to eat phallic veggies.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
Thank you so much for posting this, because 15-year-old me is out there somewhere in the form of the next group of young, impressionable kids, and she really needed to read this!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Thinking Out Loud Thursday: Nostalgia and a Summer Storm
Meghan says
Thank you. Your comment means a lot. Mission 100% accomplished then!
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Tara says
Ah well, you already know where I fall on this issue. Food is food. That’s it. It’s fuel for our bodies, and you will pry my banana out of my cold dead fingers, thank you very much.
Meghan says
Ha! I love it. I’m gripping my bananas tight too.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
liz says
Wow. I understand your rage! That is just plain crazy talk! There is so much to be gained by just making healthy choices, by way of whole foods.
Meghan says
Amen! Loved seeing you today too!!
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Jenna @ JMill Wanders says
THIS POST. I completely agree. Yes, I’ve done Whole30 a couple times in the past year-ish, but I can guarantee it wasn’t for the purpose of weight loss. I knew I would lose weight (I’ll take the bonus where I can get it), but it was more to get me back on a healthier track when I was slacking… both times. I’ve slacked many times in life, and I was on and off fad diets from age 10 to 20. After that, I knew fads didn’t work so well (took long enough to sort that out, genius). And it took many more years after that to figure out what exactly was the right process, even if it didn’t result in weight loss as quickly as I wanted. I’d rather go the healthier route at this point (your route, naturally) and maybe not lose as fast as I want than continue this yo-yo of fad to fail, fad to fail, on and on and on. Long story short, I agree with you. WHOLE FOOD, YO. I mean, who could stop eating bananas!? That’s just silly.
Meghan says
Bananas are one of my greatest loves. I will never give them up nor do I understand people who could live a banana free existence. My brain can’t even compute.
I’m so glad you found a path which works great for you. Whether your diet of choice is, so long as the focus is on whole foods, it’s all gravy baby.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
You know my thoughts on this — I agree with you 100%. I think one of our biggest societal problems (at least when it comes to diet stuff), is that people are way too focused on weight. WAY too focused. They set their whole lives to revolve around it, think and stress about it constantly, and then wonder why they’re not losing. Uhm. Hi. Because all the stressing is working a number on your hormones and your body is clinging to everything you give it. Same with metabolism. I definitely think that weight loss should be secondary to health gain. Because who cares about being skinny if you’re too sick (physically and/or mentally) to enjoy it. Without health, nothing else really matters.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #136 .
Meghan says
Very well said. It’s also true the more you fixate on weight gain, the more likely you are to gain weight, especially if your body is starving for nutrients.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Khushboo says
A freaking MEN…you know I’m 100% on par with you on this topic. Sure all those you listed can help one achieve weight loss…heck that is the easy part. Although if the weight loss is achieved through a quick fix, good luck with keeping it off. Let’s just say that the quicker the weight is lost, the harder maintenance becomes.
Fab post- loved the emotion behind it!
Khushboo recently posted…Monday favourites: 22/06
Meghan says
Thanks Khusboo. I knew you’d feel similarly. You and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to diet (for lack of a better word) and exercise.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Carly @ Snack Therapy says
Preach it, baby. I spent a chunk of my life eating Lean Cuisines and sugar-free Jell-O, and cutting out salads and vegetables because the taste wasn’t worth it for the extra calories. Was I skinny? You betcha. Was I happy and healthy? Not even close.
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Apartment Tour
Meghan says
I adore who you are now.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Well said. You can be super healthy and active and yet not skinny. You don’t have to be an ideal weight to be healthy either. And you don’t always need to be in weight-loss mode.I hate to see people doing crash diets, because they are bound to gain it all back and become disheartened. However, there is so much information out there though, that it can be hard for people to know what to do — I feel for those confused people who buy into extreme diets. Thanks for sharing your rant, because I certainly agree with it!! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…My five favorite free photo apps and websites
Meghan says
Exactly, I hate the idea of always being in weight loss mode or even worrying about weight maintenance. It doesn’t seem like a great way to live or enjoy your foods. I think we need to shift the focus entirely away from weight and move it over to healthy.
I’m glad you appreciated my rant. I really want to encourage people to ditch the restrictive diets. Life is so much better without them.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
This is quite the rant, friend…I love it 😉 It makes me sad when people demonize certain foods, especially ones with proven health benefits. Bananas are your friend, dammit! But unfortunately, that is the world we live in…weight and weight loss seems to take precedence over general health for a lot of people, making them think that sugar-free jello is a better option over say, a banana or some full-fat yogurt. It’s something that definitely needs to change.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…WIAW: Day In The Life.
Meghan says
I agree. We need a change and hopefully posts like this one will have spark it. I gotta keep trying right?!
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Lucie@FitSwissChick says
Well, you know I agree with everything you say.
Although I must say I feel a little guilty since I did this ‘I am unhealthy but at least I am skinny’. I was exactly like that and I swallowed all that shit. Though I made up these ideas all by myself, but yes I stuffed all the money into their asses. It’s all a business, simple money, nothing more, they don’t give a shit about anyone’s health.
Lucie@FitSwissChick recently posted…You can prep but not always succeed – Swiss Team CHallenge 2015
Meghan says
You shouldn’t feel guilty at all. We’ve all done things which aren’t ideal or healthy. I smoked cigarettes for years and years and years. We learn from those situations and if we’re lucky we grow and change for the better.
You’re right. I don’t think the industry gives a shit at all. In fact, the money is in the repeat behavior, not the cure. It’s sad and frustrating.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
danielle says
meow meow, yes yes yes! i love your little saucy sassy scratchy side 🙂 of course i whole-heartedly agree. first of all, i don’t like the dogmatic approach to anything. if you tell me that everything you are doing is what i SHOULD be doing, i’m going to basically tune you out. please people, do what the fuck you want to your body but don’t tell me what not to eat. you want to spend your life eating nothing but shrimp scampi? FINE do whatever the fuck you want!!!!!!!! but don’t tell me that this is THE way and will work for everyone else because it works for you… and when i say you say this works for you,it just did for this season. next season it will be something fu@$ing else. eerrrrrrrgh.
i get very fired up about this… i used to follow this paleo athlete chick who preaches simple but STRICT paleo and basically says you’re a fucking twat if you can’t eat this way. well guess what? she was a VEGAN before all of this. a VEGAN?!!!!! clearly she has experimented so please respect others. i will never say my way is the only way. i strive to eat the things that make my body, mind, and soul feel good. END OF STORY. if i didn’t mean my fucking green algae kelp quota for the day, well so what.
i don’t like liver – many people say we should all eat liver. does that mean i’m going to force myself? NO! i like salmon and eat it because i want to. it might be healthy, too. who cares.
ok girl i’m fired up. i’m sorry for the bleeps. i need to chill… with some tubers and a banana. love you <3
danielle recently posted…Week of ME
Nick Cicerchi says
Good take, Meghan… reminds me of the “fitness” vs. health comparison, too. You might perform great in a competition or race (i.e. hit your weight-loss goals), but get injured or sick. We want to be both “fit” (formed for purpose) and healthy (optimally able-bodied). I think being aware of these paradoxes is first step to seeking balance between them. Thanks for calling them out…
Meghan says
Thanks Nick. I agree entirely. In fact, I did an entire post on it: http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/2014/10/30/fitness-industry-sad/
We spend billion of dollars and fitness and weight loss with the numbers increasing every year and the only other thing increasing is obesity and obesity related illnesses. Seems like a strong and sad correlation to me.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Meghan says
Saucy sassy scratchy side. I love it.
I don’t like liver either. It’s weird. Shudder.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Lizzie Lau says
I absolutely agree. I’m on day 25 of Whole30 and I’ve never felt better. I’m sleeping better, I’m more energized, and as a bonus I’ve lost a few pounds. I’ve already decided that Whole30 is going to be WholeSummer and beyond.
#thinkingoutloud
Lizzie Lau recently posted…5 Ways My Dad Is More Graceful Than I Am
Meghan says
Good for you Lizzie. Congratulations on your weight loss. That’s awesome.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Miss Polkadot says
Preach it, lady! It’s very considerate of you to not disclose the author of this – as you nicely put it – bullshit. Because: seriously?! I’ve read a lot of non-sensical weight loss advice, often anithetic concepts in one and the same magazine but this leaves me speechless. It is making me SO sad to even imagine there are people who’ll follow any of this and essentially sign up to loose maybe a few pounds but most importabtly all joy in life. Now that’s a fair trade. Not.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Of evil laptops, Greek yogurt secrets and kitten
Meghan says
Thanks sunshine! I wouldn’t dream of disclosing the author. The idea isn’t to point out a person, but more so to talk about healthy and not so healthy ways to lose weight. Besides it’s really just a difference of opinion, nothing to do with a specific individual. Their post simply struck a nerve for me, which then spiraled into my thoughts on all sorts of weight loss fads and gimmicks. It was the spark for something which has been bothering me for some time. Truth be told, while I found their post upsetting, I’m thankful because it allowed me to articulate something which has been irking me for sometime. It was good to get this off my chest.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy says
Great post and a well said message. As others have said weight loss is often the focus along side calorie counting and labeling diets (paleo, vegan, fat free, etc) instead of general overall health. While all those statements may help one lose weight I would almost guarantee they are unsustainable in the long run. I recently tried a session at Orange Theory and the constant message of calories burned and achieving my fat burning level was a complete turn off and almost made me walk out. It is another example of the sad trend of ignoring overall health and focusing only on weight or calories. As someone who has lost a lot of weight and kept if off for many years I attribute it to not following any of the fad diets and eating a whole food based diet but allowing flexibility and going with what my body is craving or wants….sometimes it may be processed food and sometimes it is good whole foods (like the bowl of frozen cherries and grapes I enjoyed last night)!
Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy recently posted…WIAW #53
Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy says
Love the new site design BTW 🙂
Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy recently posted…WIAW #53
Meghan says
Thanks Kate. I appreciate you noticing the new design. 🙂
I agree. I love the idea of eating whole foods to get healthy, but I’m not a fan of banishing other whole foods along the way. I really don’t know the ins and outs of paleo, primal, whole 30, etc but I’m pretty sure one of them doesn’t allow potatoes and whole grains and that simply doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want anything whole food based to be off limits.
Also, amazing job on your weight loss. You’ve got every reason to be proud of yourself.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Chelsea says
PREACH IT GIRL! I loved this post. Loved, loved, loved. It drives me bonkers when people turn to expensive plans dependent on processed foods and junk just for weight loss. I just think “yeah, you might lose weight, but what about your overall health?!” I’m so glad I switched from the “I need to lose weight” mentality to “I want to be healthy”. It’s a world of difference. Whole foods all the way!
I definitely agree with you that quality is important. That’s why eating whole foods is important to me. The focus should be on eating whole foods…and if you find out that there’s a food that your body just doesn’t react well to (say, gluten or dairy or even specific foods like bananas) then don’t eat that. It’s that simple.
Meghan says
Exactly, and I knew you’d like this post. We’re definitely on the same wavelength when it comes to food, and I love that. It’s nice to have some others in my school of thought.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Chris says
Oh snap! Sucks that this is the culture today, huh? No one wants to learn how to eat properly because that is HARD! It’s time consuming, it’s expensive, it isn’t always fun. I know more than most and I definitely don’t do nearly all that I should be doing to eat a proper, healthy lifestyle. If people stopped to think about one of these shortcuts and how they are marketed as “SAFE”… why would the question of safety even exist in the first place? Oh, that’s right, because that’s not the HEALTHY thing to do! It isn’t natural! It all comes back to the teach a person to fish proverb and then them holding themself accountable enough to do the fishing.
Meghan says
Yes well said. I think I want to teach people to fish. The idea appeals to me tremendously, and by fish I mean cook, eat and love veggies.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Jessica says
Have they ever heard of the phrase skinny fat? Goodness sakes, give me healthy any day. Preach it sister.
Jessica recently posted…In defense of sleeping less: What to do when you just can’t get 8 hours
Meghan says
I love this. Skinny fat. Perfect description for those unhealthy weight loss methods.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Amen to all of this. It’s like my Np Shit Diet. It’s not fucking rocket science. Eat good food and enjoy it. Duh.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Asian Lentil Salad & Salmon [Recipe] + WIAW
Meghan says
Exactly. No Shit Diet indeed. Grab your bananas and beers and hold them up high!
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Niki @Life With Niki says
While there is a fine line between consuming healthy foods and consuming TOO MUCH healthy food, this blogger’s words truly sadden me as well! The focus should never, EVER be on weight alone- and too many girls get caught up in vicious cycle of trying to lose weight the with the quickest method no matter what the consequences are. No one should ever have to resort to unsustainable methods, and I hope everyone remembers that true health is what matters, not weight.
Niki @Life With Niki recently posted…Eating Even When You Don’t Exercise
Meghan says
I think there’s a fine line between consuming too much food period, although if we’re eating to excess, I’d rather it be nutritionally dense whole foods. At least this way, we’re pumping out bodies full of good vitamins and minerals.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Brittany says
Ummm..pardon my French, but f^ck yes. It’s frustrating and sad that people buy into this, but that’s America for ya. Damn media. Keep livin like this though, you’ve got the right idea! Another reason why I love ya so.
Brittany recently posted…When I’m Not
Meghan says
French away my friend, French away.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Sarah says
Agreed! I just finished reading Body of Truth by Harriet Brown which speaks directly to this issue. The author did an excellent job of reporting studies demonstrating ho the pursuit of health does not need to be about weight loss. She discusses in frank terms how sick our society has become when it comes to weight and body dissatisfaction. I’d like to send a copy to the person who made the comment.
Meghan says
Oooh interesting. I’ll have to check out this book. Thanks for sharing.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
caren says
Well said M!!! BTW, I’m not getting your blog posts via email anymore. I had assumed you’d taken a break from posting until I saw this on FB. Just a head’s up.
I was missing your posts, so glad that wasn’t the case.
C
Meghan says
Grrr, thanks for letting me know. Stupid email. Let me check into it for you. Hmm, hopefully you get this comment.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Catherine @ foodiecology says
So well said…and true. I’ve never dieted for weight loss, but I know firsthand you can stay “skinny” on Lean Cuisine and cereal bars but feel like utter shit and damage your health in the process. Good, natural, whole foods are NOT the enemy. I haven’t read the original post, but that’s probably for the best.
Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…On the Right Foot: Kushyfoot Review
Meghan says
Yep, totally true. I always find it humorous when people say it’s organic so it must be healthy, or she’s a vegan so she must be healthy. You can eat organic and vegan doritos; it doesn’t make either of them healthy and the same thing goes for Lean Cuinsine.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
ADORE this post. I personally think those types of posts are detrimental to many out there.
You are a gem. Let’s get this post viral.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…No Bake Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
Meghan says
Yes please wave your magic viral wand for me. I’d sure appreciate it, especially because this is a message we need to get out there.
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
Standing ovation with a massive round of applause Meghan!
I wish more would come out and say things like this. The amount of blogs I read that make me shudder with fear both for the writer and all the readers out there who believe that being ‘stick like thin’ equals health… Hopefully, folk who believe that will read this and change their mind!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…CrossFit – Whip it!
Meghan says
Thanks. I appreciate it. I normally steer clear of blogs which preach these types of messages. I happened onto this post by accident though and the rest is kind of history or all over the internet. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food Hating
lindsay says
now i’m wondering what blogger said this. Rest assured.. they must be tired of living a harsh goal. Food is what keeps us thriving, not the lack of or fake low calorie gimmicks. I love you so much for being TRUE to your health, mental and physical
lindsay recently posted…Cotter Chronicles – Volume III – Links to Love
Meghan says
Thanks sunshine. I happen to think pretty damn highly of you too. 🙂
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
I absolutely love your prerogative on this. It’s so, so sad to see all of the messaging out in the media and in our society in general that perpetuates this idea that skinny should be the #1 focus. Hell, I grew up in a household that focused on that too, and only in adulthood did I start to realize that I wanted to be first and foremost HEALTHY. Nowadays I admire an athletic, toned physique so much more than a skinny chick who looks like she eats 500 calories a day. It just isn’t attractive to me, and I feel like so many women look for happiness and validation in that, and unfortunately they usually don’t truly find it.
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…Red, White & Blue Pancakes [Vegan & Gluten Free]
Meghan says
Thanks Nicole. I’m so glad you were able to change the mentality you grew up with; I can only imagine how difficult that must have been but so rewarding now.
Meghan recently posted…The Ultimate Italian Panini Recipe
Kirsten says
Well said, Meg!
Kirsten recently posted…Pizza with Beet Greens, Potato and Sausage
Meghan says
Thanks! I thought you might approve. 😉
Melissa @ Mango About Town says
FAB FAB FAB. This is exactly how I feel while reading half the crap on the internet. People who clearly don’t know a thing about metabolism, food, or nutrition shouldn’t have a platform to rant their made-up information!!
Melissa @ Mango About Town recently posted…Tackling Our CSA: Week 2
Meghan says
Yeah this kind of stuff makes me crazy too, especially when people dog my beloved bananas. 🙂
Frugal Foodie Frank says
Ugh I feel your pain, sister.
I get so frustrated when I see things on pinterest showing young women how to lose 15 pounds in ten days, or drop 6 dress sizes in the time it takes you to re-pin this post…
I struggled with body image and weight issues for YEARS. It wasn’t until I realized that there was no miracle diet, no powder, no shake, no “21 Day Fix” that would make me 100% happy with myself. At that point I decided if I was going to be forced to live in this body (we really do only get one) then I was going to make it the healthiest body I possibly could. And you know what? I’m happier with myself now than I ever have been.
Frugal Foodie Frank recently posted…Monthly Meal Prep
Meghan says
I think your philosophy makes great sense, especially since we do only get the one body. Well unless they’re doing new things with plastic surgery I’m not aware of. 🙂
Kudos to you for getting to a happy place.
Meghan recently posted…Simple Salad Hacks Guaranteed to Sway The Skeptics