If you haven’t already heard about the major blog drama going on, here’s the scoop: Marie Claire published a rather scathing and one-sided article criticizing “The Big Six” (six popular healthy living bloggers). The author, Katie Drummond, accused the six girls of exhibiting disordered behaviors and being bad role models for their readers. I have lots of things to say, but I’m going to keep it brief and ask for your thoughts.
I happened to blog about what I usually eat in a day today; good timing. Read my “Non-Hunger Diaries: Part 1” if you didn’t check it out already.
The Hunger Diaries: A Second Look
- The Big Six have definitely been inspiring for many, including me. If you are struggling with some of the behaviors the article talks about, like overthinking food and exercise, feeling guilty for not eating right, and having poor body image – I know first-hand that these blogs are helpful. These girls put themselves out there and have been incredibly honest and open with their lives; they were role models for me and others. Now that I am in a place of moderation I honestly don’t read those blogs that much because I don’t need them anymore (!), but I do not think that they were harmful. Instead, they were inspirational.
- Everyone struggles. Don’t judge before you walk 2 moons in someone else’s moccasins. When someone admits on the internet (the internet is written in INK, by the way, so it is hard to retract things) that she is having trouble with something, that is not an excuse to take that problem and blow it out of proportion. These girls were just being honest and opening up a discussion.
- Yes, there are some concerning issues brought up in the article. But instead of attacking the girls, why not offer some constructive criticism or some freaking compassion! If you are struggling, the last thing you need is someone yelling at and condemning you.
- Blogs are SUPPOSED to be obsessive. You aren’t going to blog about something you’re not passionate about, so there is going to be a level of obsession in any blog about anything. Do people criticize Stuff On My Cat for being obsessive about stuff on cats? No! Because that is what the blog is about.
That’s basically it.
The reasons that I blog the way I do (not everything I eat, not everything I do at the gym, and not every detail of my life) is because it’s not helpful for ME to blog that way, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad for others to do it. I don’t need to give all the dirty details to set a healthy example. My hope for people reading THIS blog is that they will walk away with some nuggets of inspiration, and hopefully…
- Tools to practice moderation in life.
- Some yoga tips.
- Ideas to be chillax about both food and exercise while staying thin.
- Ways to learn to eat intuitively (again).
- A bunch of New York healthy restaurants to try.
There are different ways of inspiring people and I think that most “healthy living” blogs out there are just trying to help (themselves or others). See the other bloggers’ responses here. These ladies are beautiful and fabulous.
- Meals & Miles (formerly Graduate Meghann)
- Hangry Pants Heather
- Kath Eats
- Carrots ‘n’ Cake Tina
- Healthy Tipping Point Caitlin