I'm not sure how many of you read the Marie Claire article: The Hunger Diaries: How Health Writers Can Be Putting You at Risk. I checked it out this a.m. after having read about it on a few blogs. I personally don’t read any of these six blogs regularly, but have heard of their blogs from other bloggers and remember stopping by occasionally over my last couple of years blogging. Regardless of how frequently I read, I feel so sorry for them all right now. I just can’t imagine how betrayed they must feel by the author. She definitely took, what I think, is a build-up-buddy blog community and tore it apart, pointed fingers and made these girls seem like they were telling people what size to be, what to eat, etc., when really, the impression I get is that they’re doing what we all do – just sharing. Sharing recipes, chatting about daytime work drama, recapping races, posting exercise moves, etc. Not trying to tell anyone how much to eat or run or anything. I don’t know, I was just really disappointed that she messed with these ladies. And the thing is, perhaps there is something to what she was trying to prove. Who knows? Certainly not us because her article got so caught up in naming names and citing out-of-context information to prove her point that it got lost. It was odd. Like she had some kind of personal agenda. I don't post pictures of everything I eat. I never have. Truth be told i'm just really bad at remembering! But I do post calories and use the site as a tool to track my calories and workouts, not as a tutorial for what anyone else should be doing.
Q: What do you think about the article? What do you think about the idea that food blogging is dangerous?
Edited to post: I just figured out what this reminds me of... the Sex and the City where Carrie thought she was in a 40 and fabulous article but they got her after staying up all night/smoking a cigarette: 40 and fabulous? Totally skewed article that came out of no where. So wrong!
I'll return to regular programming later - just thrown off by this article!
15 comments:
It's funny, I just wrote a letter to the editor of the magazine. Of the "Big Six" who've even never even heard them call that, I read Meghann Anderson's blog (mealsandmiles.com) every day.
I am old enough to be her Mom, but I love living vicariously through her - she even posted a comment on a New Years post I had in 2009 (I hope to date more this year) and that's the year she started dating her boyfriend Derek now.
Yes, she did do a 5k, 10k and half marathon all in one weekend - but it was a fundraiser - 5000 other people did it, and I am pretty sure after I read that event, didn't put my running shoes on and attempt the same thing.
It's so sad how they can pick and chose random posts and try to slant it in one direction.
I commented on their facebook page, and tried to visit each of the girl's sites to just say i'm sorry and hate that this happened. :(
Yes, exactly - taken out of context. And I agree - I read a blog today where this guy ran 100 MILES - like in one run. I wasn't going to attempt that this weekend!! I agree, very sad and very slanted. Thanks for your note, Biz.
I read each of the ''so called'' ''Big Six'' and attended the Healthy Living Summit, so much negative talk about bloggers that are actually making a big difference in people's lives. I'll be blogging about this later on my blog. The understand what the writer is asking, but she shouldn't have attacked a certain group of people. She was very wrong in her actions.
I agree, Nicci - it's so unfortunate that she did this. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on your blog. Thanks for commenting!
I read all the blogs periodically- the article was just hypocritical. All the girls mentioned are thin, but not emaciated like models in Marie Claire. I had dinner with Caitlin once and she ate like a normal person! Such a controversy- which will just add to their readership.
After re-reading the article and reading the featured ladies responses I was inclined to send the editor an email (you can read about it on my blog). I feel sorry for them being portrayed so negative in this article :(
I remember that episode!! It's funny, I had an interview done by my alma mater- Ohio State, and they interviewed me and when the story came out, it wasn't negative - but the way she phrased certain things I said, out of context and not full sentences, it sounded like I was a MAJOR DIVA. At least that's what I thought. I just let it go because I've realized I can't control what others write or say about me, only MY reaction to it. I think articles like this- in general- sometimes point the finger at what they don't understand. Blogging in general and the relationships between bloggers and their audience is so strong- hard for traditional media and some traditional companies to grasp that.
This article is ridiculous.... Very one-sided and completely out of line. I hope that they (marie claire) get lots of negative comments and does another article on the benefits of these blogs! Also, I have never heard some of these blogs that they listed and from their link I went and checked them out to find yummy recipes that I might just make this week! So all Marie Claire did was add a few new blogs to my daily reads!
I aired out my thoughts on my blog, but I agree with you. If you're going to come at someone in a public forum it needs to be the truth. Slanted, biased views only make the author/journalist look bad. I feel so bad for all six women. Yes, they do put their lives out there for public consumption, but when you read their blogs you get the WHOLE picture -- not someone's editorialized view of their life.
I just read that article and man does it make me angry. I met Tina and Kath at BlogHer this year, and have been reading theirs and meghann's blog for a while now. They ate like normal people. We talked about things other than exercise and food. And to make it seem like that's all they care about is ridiculous! I mean, they write HEALTH FOOD BLOGS of course they're not going to start philosophizing on the meaning of life in a post. They are going to write about HEALTH and FOOD and LIVING.
Also, I think the girls are right in that most of America doesn't think ENOUGH about these things. I feel guilty when I don't work out for more than two days. As I'm sure does every running coach I've ever had. Does that mean we're all disordered. I think not.
Anyway. I know you agree with me. I didn't mean to "yell" so much. thanks for posting this!
I think it's sad as well that someone wrote such hurtful words. I love reading food and fitness blogs-there is SO much inspiration out there! Plus it's free! Holla holla save a dolla! I think it's awesome to "look up" to women who are confident in their skin, eating fresh and healthy food, and getting their sweat on. They also have accomplished some amazing things (said marathons and such). I don't think I will be purchasing Marie Claire anytime in the near future.
I think that article is just terrible - maybe even mean-spirited.
You know my thoughts on it. ;)
I still can't believe how one sided it was.
Dude - I agree. I think it's great learning and sharing. Again, just because one person is trying it does not mean I'll follow suit.
Exactly "Forty and Fabulous?"
Question mark?? LOL!
It was really sad to see the six bloggers attacked like that in such a public arena. After reading the girls' responses on their blogs, it sounded like the reporter started off sweet & innocent to lure them in and then started her attack on them, and after all that they still were nice to her! It's really unfortunate that she felt like attacking six girls who have just tried to motivate themselves and others to lead a healthier life and share it with anyone to read. It's especially ridiculous that Marie Claire would allow for these girls to be attacked on looks & weight, when they all look healthier than the cover models on their magazines. Don't let this get you down - love reading yours and others' inspriring blogs!
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