I've been holding this post back for awhile. But I've thought about it. Do I really care what people think about my opinions? Nope. Not at all. This is my blog, so if I feel the need to say something then I am going to, regardless if I get a lot of backlash about it or not.
Lately, I've been seeing a plethora of bloggers coming across as people trying to 'help' others, when it doesn't seem like they are taking their own advice. I'm definitely NOT saying that I am a perfect blogger and that everyone who reads my posts just loves me. I'm sure someone has come along and thought "Oh great, another freaking 'healthy living' blogger. And she's young. So brainwashed."
First and foremost, I do not consider myself a 'healthy living blogger.' I am a teenage girl, with a lot of opinions, and a passion for fitness. So there's that. If someone thinks that I don't hold true to what I post on here, well, that's their opinion. I don't post about exercises I don't even do, and I don't post meals that I don't actually consume. What the hell is the point of that?
See that box back there? See the weights on the Smith machine? We actually used them for box jumps and a mixture of leg exercises. Shocker.
I honestly do not see the point of posting something that doesn't uphold in one's own life. It seems to me that some bloggers only post this 'fluff' on their blog to make them seem 'inspirational' and 'educated' in health and fitness, when in reality, it doesn't even seem like they read their own posts.
There's a reason why I try to keep my blog primarily centered around fitness. I don't like writing about food, because I know that, especially these days, food is a difficult subject for some people. For this reason, I have deleted my recipes tab. I just see no utility for it.
If you're going to talk about mental health, the importance of proper nutrition, getting rest days, WHATEVER, then you better make sure you practice what you preach. Sometimes, I kid you not, I read a blog post and this is what my face looks like after reading it:
Thank you, Jackie Chan, for this perfect facial expression. (Source)
It bothers me. Do I probably sound really mean and unappreciative right now? Yes. But I'm not trying to be 'mean,' I'm trying to be honest. What only adds fuel to the fire is when people comment on someone's blog who is clearly unhealthy and supports them for it, rather then telling them straight up that they have a problem, or just blatantly NOT COMMENTING at all so that they don't feed the ego and disordered thinking of the blogger.
If you think I have disordered thoughts, comment away. I'm not going to bash you or block you, I am going to respect your opinion and act accordingly. I don't want to sound disordered, but I am not concerned about whether people on here like me or not. If you don't like my content, you don't have to read my blog. It's really that simple.
Sorry for the little rant, but this has been bottled up for quite some time now. If you disagree, then TELL ME! I love to hear a vast array of different perspectives. Go for it.
Questions: Do you feel the same way as me? If you could change anything about the blogging world, what would it be and why?
Amen! What an excellent post and you said it better than I could have.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I actually find it hilarious reading all the "fitness" blogs when I know dang well that they probably don't practice what they preach. I don't write a lot about fitness stuff anymore for that reason -> similar to why you don't do it for food.
ReplyDeleteOn this same topic, I have a post coming soon for my own rant. WHY I don't do WIAW :) Great post...you keep your opinions coming!
Thank you Sarah! You are seriously so awesome and DEFINITELY one of my favorite bloggers. :D And PLEASE do that post about WIAW. Not hating on the creator of it, but I think it can make people really obsessive about what other people eat and I can't imagine going through a day feeling anxious that I must take a picture of everything I consume so I can blog about it.
DeleteI understand where you are coming from! I write my blog from my experiences, not just to offer fluff to people. It has to be real! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think realness is super important in blogging. Thanks for the feedback! :)
DeleteSo honest and so real. I couldn't agree more, I tend to just not comment when I see a problem there. I would rather not give criticism through a blog comment, just seems so impersonal and obviously not what they need at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And that's definitely true. I don't personally leave comments on these bloggers as well.
DeleteNot sure what might have set off your rant but I do agree with some of your points.
ReplyDeleteI don't leave comments where I don't support the post or the ideas - I prefer being silent to posting negative comments.
And I write two separate blogs... one mostly food related, and the other mostly fitness/running related because I know I have 2 different audiences for them.
Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Nothing really set my rant off. It's just been a build-up of these far from genuine posts. I don't prefer to leave any comments either. Although some time, I wish someone would have the guts to just acknowledge the elephant in the room. I like your idea of having two separate blogs; I think that's a brilliant idea. I hope you have a good Monday as well! :)
Deletebloggers piss me off. plain and simple! i need to start writing my blog again though because I dont piss MYSELF off....lol. love that you put this out there,maybe some of your ummm fitfluential friends will read it? ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou definitely don't piss me off. Your blog is up on the list of favorites. :) And oh gosh I hope so...
DeleteCouldn't agree more. I've never thought you sound disordered for what's it worth. It's usually pretty obvious to me when someone is. Keep being you girl, it's all we can do! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara! I know that everyone has their own opinions and I don't mind hearing them. You rock :)
DeleteA-(insert explitive here)men!!!!!!! THIS!!!! THIS has been driving me crazzyyy, especially in the case of those who have fitness inspiration brand sponsorship and are supposedly acting as a role model for others. As someone now in my early twenties it literally breaks my heart that often younger girls, teenagers, whatever, could be looking up to these bloggers, preaching mental health and a balanced approach only to think that these are what people who follow this advice are like, both physically and mentally. I have so much deep compassion for those struggling with disorded eating and/or exercise behaviours, that is one damn deep, dark hole and when you're in there it is one hell of a fight to claw your way out, so please don't take this comment as an "attack" on people truly struggling...BUT....the issue is not that someone, or even that a blogger writing publically, is having these issues, but rather the fact that they then PRESENT themselves as the picture of health and wellness to others. Your blog is so refreshing and, as others have said, for what it's worth, you;ve always come across as real and positive and passionate about fitness, so keep on killing those workouts and writing with such a strong, genuine voice! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha I LOVED this comment! I am a teen myself, and I've had to force myself to see the disorder in some of these blogger's words. I sincerely hope that other teens can see right through it, but I don't think that this is the case. I am absolutely NOT taking this comment as an attack... girl speak your mind! I COMPLETELY agree with every single thing that you just said. Thank you so much for your kinds words--they mean a lot!
Deletelove this. love this. very well written. kudos to you for speaking your mind.
ReplyDeleteAlways speak your mind girl! Sometimes I think people are afraid to be honest, but other times I think people are too honest. It's a tough balancing act.
ReplyDeleteThat is SO true!
DeleteFREAKING LOVE THIS POST!!! I completely agree 100%!!!! There are so many blogs on my reader (that I should delete!!!) that are so clearly disordered and sick..yet no one calls them out on it! Or they just delete the comments that offer from constructive criticism. SO ANNOYING.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kaila! I really need to clear some of the blogs on my Reader. I really truly feel that if you're going to put yourself out there, you have to take the criticism that comes with it, right?!
DeleteHELL YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BRITT THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally someone who isn't afraid to address this evergrowing issue. I think all these "healthy living bloggers" who aren't practicing what they preach are just so annoying. I had to stop reading a ton of blogs because of that-- I just couldn't handle the lies and disgust anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I admire you so much Britt-- you're HONEST. Very refreshing haha You've got yourself a great head on your shoulders :)
Oh girl you know it. :) You are too darn nice. Thank you my love <3
DeleteGo girl! I love your honesty :) I see where you are coming from, for sure. It's refreshing to see someone speaking the truth! I try to keep it real on my blog, and I barely ever even comment on other blogs (mostly on pure laziness) ha ha. But I definitely do think people should be real especially if they are putting their life out on the internet.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brittany! I personally adore your blog. It comes across as REAL and you don't preach to people. LOVE it. And yes, I get lazy too don't worry. ;) Thanks for the feedback!
DeleteI think you should keep a recipe tab if you want one. If people don't want to read about or make your recipes they don't have to! I think if you keep your resolve to only post the food you eat and post the things you actually do and what your honest experience with exercise then you will build up an audience that won't resent you in the end. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the blogs I follow, even the great Tosca Reno! Health can definitely be over-complicated; the last thing people need when searching blogs is to get crap that the bloggers themselves wouldn't value if it weren't for their need to blog something! That is why I don't blog every day, maybe only once a week or so. I want my posts to be real, effective, honest and relevant. I would love it if people would be less apt to put up a façade and just be themselves. That’s one reason that I loved your post about cheat meals.
ReplyDeleteYou know that's very true. But personally I am not that 'passionate' about food like some of these other bloggers who come up with these brilliant recipes. My diet is very simple and convenient. I truly agree with you! I used to feel the need to put up a post everyday but is it genuine? No. It's just to put a post up. And those posts where bloggers are sponsored by brands that they wouldn't dare consume their products.... makes NO sense. Thank you so much. :)
DeleteI'm so glad you posted this - I've had the same thing on my mind lately! The problem with healthy living blogs is that it's pretty easy for people who have obviously disordered habits to masquerade themselves as healthy. And because no one wants to create waves (and frankly, we all want to come off as upbeat and cheerful so that people click over to our blogs) no one calls them on their shit. Incredibly frustrating - there's so many girls whom I just want to give them a big hug, sit them down, and beg them to get some real, professional help.
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's all a mask. I wish some would just take it off and be REAL. You are right. I never want to come off as sad on here. I mean, who wants to read a pessimistic post?! I don't want to yell at any of these girls but I do want to hug them, like you, and get them the help they truly deserve.
DeleteYou might be a teenager but you are a discerning reader and blogger. It's quite scary for me to read your blog because I might be 26, but I am nowhere near as savvy and mature as you. It is only recently, after four years of reading blogs, that I have come to the same conclusion as you about many of them. I am now totally jaded and cynical about several blogs, and I think it's very sad indeed that they are so disordered that they will not even let well meaning but critical/concerned comments through, instead labelling them as negative, mean and/or prompted by jealousy.
ReplyDeleteTo change things in the blog world, I'd have every post go through some kind of lie detector filter (can someone please invent one?) and I would ban all alliterative themed days - they are lazy, promote a really patronising happy-clappy unicorns and rainbows and utterly disingenuous tone, and I really want to throw up every time I read a post related to them.
You might be younger than most of these bloggers, but by God you are a breath of fresh air. And good on you for not being afraid to post your true opinions - we need more honesty like this!
Holy cow this has to be the best comment I have received in awhile. Everything you just said voiced my opinion 100%. Someone seriously needs to invent this lie detector test. Instead of saying "Oh yeah I eat boatloads of food to build that muscle" it'd come out as "I ate nothing today but I'll post this picture of food to make it seem like I am legit." And YES to the alliterative-themed days. They bug the hell out of me. It seems so immature and childish to me. Your words made me smile. Thank you so much for this excellent comment :)
DeleteOh Brittany, you are awesome! I love your blog so much <3
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read these type of posts, I always think "oh gosh, I hope she's not talking about me!" Haha. I know I don't lie about what I eat or don't practice what I preach, but I guess I always worry because I am obviously trying to educate people through my blog. I don't want people to think I'm arrogant, and I worry that I can sometimes come across that way. Usually if people ask I tell them I have a website, rather than a blog - I don't want them to associate me with HLBs.
Oh gosh that makes me so happy to hear Tara, thank you so much! :D
DeleteAnd oh boy Tara, this is the opposite of you! Your blog is one of my favorites because it's not a blog where you detail every little thing you do in a day, but rather it's a blog that gives you INFORMATIVE posts. Not "Oh well this was my breakfast, then I went to the store, YOU SHOULD JUST LOVE LIFE." Definitely not about you. I always recommend your blog. :)