Here's the thing about "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
It doesn't apply to public figures. If people who don't have anything nice to say about a politician, they can and should criticize said politician. If a celebrity makes an insensitive remark, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will be called out on it.
And if a public blogger sets a horrible, dangerous example, they should have to face criticism for that as well.
You want to know why I disappeared off the face of the blogworld for a while?
YES I was focusing on other things.
YES I was very busy.
But what's the real reason?
I was (and still am, to a certain extent) so goddamn sick of the bullshit.
The health/fitness blog world seems especially afflicted by Obsessive Compulsive Bullshitting Disorder.
If you look like you weigh about 95 pounds and go on and on about having a healthy approach to food and exercise while eating grilled chicken and "unpictured ice cream and chocolate!!!" and taking pictures of your biceps that only look huge because there is not one ounce of fat on them, please shut up, stop blogging, get your shit together, and stop being a bad influence on other women and young girls. Blog your struggle! It's a very valuable story!! Blog about something else! Just don't normalize horribly disordered eating habits and thought processes. Don't. Do. It.
Likewise, if you look like you weigh a very frail 90 pounds and subsist on an impeccably "clean" diet and have to wrestle with the thought of a cheat meal, and have never posted a video of yourself squatting so much as 45 pounds, do not try to tell us that you squatted 185x6, which would give you a one-rep max of 215, which is greater than a record for the 97lb, 105lb, 114lb, AND 123lb women's raw powerlifting divisions per the USAPL. Are you kidding me? Do you know how long it takes for a female to work up to a 2+x bodyweight squat? By claiming to have so easily achieved this goal, you cheapen it for those of us who have busted ass, eaten our butts off (well, on, really), and trained for YEARS, to reach that goal.
You are also creating a very DANGEROUS atmosphere for aspiring female bodybuilders and competitors. Those types of women tend to be very competitive, and for them to see someone who has been training for two years and eating almost nothing (and certainly nothing indulgent) allegedly hit a goal like that, you are endorsing the type of starvation diets that are rife in this part of the fitness world.
You know who you are, and if you post a clear video of yourself squatting that weight (I mean, really, you did that and you didn't take a video to commemorate it? When you take 4958736 pictures of yourself flexing every day? Give me a break), I will eat my hat on a live feed at justin.tv. Swear to God. You read it here first.
Blog responsibly (at least try; I know no one is perfect) or don't blog at all.
*round of applause*. Never have truer words been spoken. Thank GOD there is someone out there who still has an ounce of integrity.
ReplyDeleteIt's the lying, the relentless deception that gets to me. I can't imagine how bloody exhausting it must be to live your entire life as a happy-clappy lie.
And not giving two sh*ts about the effect certain bloggers KNOW they have on their readers (because it has been pointed out numerous times in unpublished 'mean' comments) to me speaks of a very selfish, uncaring individual indeed.
I can only come at this from the perspective of running in terms of cheapening goals, but if some idiot fabricated a sub-3 marathon I would be spitting feathers, so I can imagine what effect this whole 'I squatted 185lbs la de da lift heavy ladies!' thing has. It makes me sick.
Do remember that your blog is a refreshing antidote to all of that disgusting deception though *hugs*.
xxx
Jess!!! Thank you for this comment. I KNOW you get exactly what I am saying - as hard as it is to actually put it into words. Your comparison to the sub-3 marathon is spot on (uh, I think, having never even run a 10k! haha!!) - squatting 185 is, depending on weight of course, elite for most females. It's not something you just wake up and DO - just like running a great race, it takes YEARS, proper programming, consistency, eating right (in most cases eating a LOT and by a lot I don't mean 1800 calories or even 2000 calories, I mean 3000+ and yep you will gain some weight), and a really strong foundation in cross-training (hello tendon and ligament strength!!) It's just so irritating for someone to be like "Oh I've trained for two years and just squatted 2x my bodyweight!" GAH. Because you KNOW people are going to just throw the weight on the bar and try it and get hurt, or get down on themselves for being at not even 1x bodyweight, or think they can get away with eating nothing and gaining strength. All-around dangerous.
DeleteThank. You. You are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much!!!!
DeleteI really want to praise you of the power of 100000 suns for this post. It baffles me to no end some of the bullshit that comes in the blogging world through working out and eating. I have since unsubscribed to so many blogs simply because of it. I don't have much to add but I love this post.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks - find 20 blogs you like and before you know it you'll have axed 19 due to disordered habits. I guess you have to have a certain fixation on health/fitness/appearance to start a healthy living blog in the first place but still.
DeleteThank you so much for this post. As somebody who eats and has worked very hard to squat just 1 x BW, thank you for calling bullshit.
ReplyDeleteUgh trust me I feel you frustration!! Lifting progression done the right way takes soooooo lonnnnggggg!
DeleteTHANK YOU. YES. AMEN.
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3
DeleteAwesome post…thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carla!!!! <3
DeleteThank you so much for this. And I absolutely agree 100%. The 185lb squat (6 reps at that!) is complete BS unless videotaped.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being honest! Keep fighting your fight and doing what you're doing. Rooting for you!
The 6 reps thing makes it the worst - that'd be a one rep max of around 215! Yeah okay. The USAPL Raw Women's Record for this gal's age group and assumed weight category - heck, let's put her in the 114s just for giggles - is 214.75. I mean come on. That's a national record! That hasn't been broken in nearly 3 years! Bah.
DeleteThank you so much for this comment! <3
Love. This!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTHIS THIS THIS! Finally someone calling people out on their BS! There has to be some accountability in the blog world! And I can't believe that there aren't more people clear headed enough to see all the lies out there! Certain bloggers must think the rest of us are IDIOTS for thinking we can't see through all the dishonesty. *standing ovation for this post*
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much! That *really* bothers me - the fact that many of them think we - the very people reading their blogs, supporting their advertisers - simpletons, that they can pull wool over our eyes so easily. It's insulting!
Delete<3
Holly V... really?
DeleteThank you for this! It needed to be said. Hopefully the person it is directed at will actually listen for once.
ReplyDeleteAlso I find it funny how many anonymous commenters there are. Just goes to show we've ALL been thinking it and no one but you has been brave enough to (almost) call out the person by name. So thank you again.
I am HAPPILY surprised to find that there are so many others who feel the same way I do. <3 I was actually facebook messaging with a dear (blog) friend about this and I was like, "I don't want to read the comments I'm scared everyone is going to be mad at me!!" It's part of the illusion that these bloggers create by only allowing positive comments. We rational skeptics do exist - in large numbers!
DeleteNot mad --appreciative! You're right! Thank you for this post! :)
DeleteThank you so much Christiana! <3
DeleteExcellent post! Haven't read your blog previously, just came across this post- but this makes me want to start! Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much!!!
DeletePREACH Sable!!! This needed to be said, and no one better than you to say it. THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Stephanie!!! <3
Delete<3<3<3<3 Some people need to be called out for this sort of thing. Thank you for having the balls to do so!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!! <3
DeleteThank you so much for writing this. i know who you are talking about and to be honest, i actually believed her. I felt excited for her, but at the sad time disappointed in myself since she got it down so quickly... And i cant even lift my own bodyweight yet after months. After this post, i realize it is IMPOSSIBLE for her to accomplish that especially since i am a much higher ( but still healthy) weight than her!
ReplyDeleteSee - that's what pisses me the F off. You are doing everything right and even if this gal is half-squatting 185 (which I sincerely doubt), I can guarantee you she is going to injure herself and set herself waaaaay waaaay waaaaaaay back. Progress nice and slow and easy and you will reap the rewards for a lifetime!!
DeleteAfter watching your efforts to participate in figure competition and then seeing you struggle after the fact, I had a real eye-opener myself on the concept of health. You had said how unsustainable that sort of body manipulation was and I got to thinking about my own expectations of health. And my thoughts made me back out of the "healthy-living" blog world. People taking pictures of their food and spending hours a day at the gym--it's not normal or healthy. I don't record my lifts, my max of 220# (I weighed 135 at the time) was witnessed by a physical trainer that heard me yell out which I don't normally do. He's my witness. But yeah, it took me a year to get to that lift (from starting out) and progress slows down so much at these heavy lifts. But I agree, if she's going to post so much, seeing the actual lift would be great.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say record, I mean take pictures or video.
DeleteIt is completely abnormal and unhealthy but if you spend enough time reading these kinds of blogs, you can fall down the rabbit hole and into thinking it's normal - SCARY.
DeleteProgress does slow WAY WAY WAY down, and I feel like most people are just not prepared for that to happen & they get upset when it inevitably does.
Keep doing what you do girl!!! <3
Yeah that 185lb squat is a dash of bullshit!
ReplyDeleteI just laughed out loud at work.
DeleteSable, you're worthy of great respect.
haha! Thank you <3 <3 <3
DeleteGod I thought i was the only one that detected this shit! I honestly don't understand the women that eat 3 meals a day workout for "three hours" and do not also post about them passing out because those three meals consisted of only lettuce and chicken! Ugh it gets on my nerves especially when I start to feel bad about my own habits! no more I say!
ReplyDeleteRight? Although I guess that does explain why so many of them pseudo-complain cutesily (I know that's not a word) about being 'old ladies' who go to bed at 9pm. Well of course you're going to bed at 9, you have no energy left to keep your eyes open for another thirty minutes!
DeleteI really want to know who made this claim!
ReplyDeleteJamie and Abby give good hints ;-) haha
Deleteholy shit this is an intense post. i don't know what you think about my blog, but that is okay. i have ocd and struggle with working out too much sometimes. i have worked hard to maintain balance and portray balance on my blog - i mean chocolate is necessary. i have also put on weight recently and am learning to be super proud of it. i should blog about that - you are 100% correct. thanks for the reality check.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara! LOL oh I hope you don't think I was talking about you. I think you are very honest about your experience - I know you do have OCD tendencies and I can see that you do fight them when it comes to your health and the expense of working out too much. I do wish you'd eat more sometimes =) and I worry about you - but on the whole I do think you are VERY self-aware and that is the key (in my experience/opinion). Much love!
DeleteSara! I just found this blog and was about to comment because I loveeee this post! Too funny!
Delete*slow clap*
ReplyDeleteA Dash of bullshit shot down with one succinct post. I had to quit reading "healthy" living blogs as their definition of health was something completely different than mine. I need to gain, not lose, and everything certain people seem to do is find new ways to restrict food, activity, fun and health under the guise of achieving greater fitness. Bullshit. To each their own. Get off your phone, quit writing fiction and posting it as truth and stop with self-portraits of tons of "high fives!" You are not a motivational speaker. You are a fraud and eternally annoying.
That is all. You rock, Sable.
Yes yes yes yes!!! The healthy living blog world is in many ways the absolute WORST place to be if you are actually intent on becoming healthier, not skinnier. We need a revolution in this section of the blog world!! ;)
DeleteThank you, Sable. I've been trying to avoid this blogger because, in someone who is rarely triggered, this triggers me big time. For me, anorexia was about coping, but also about the calming feeling - the comfort. I felt like despite all that was wrong with my life I was doing something to finally turn it around, it was all in control.. etc... and this blogger actually causes me to yearn after that, because to me, she looks like she's got it all together, at least on the surface. She's going after her goals and getting fitter and stronger and making her life better...
ReplyDeleteexcept she's not. It's all lies. And that's what makes me ANGRY.
Do not lie about something as deadly as this - and do not make it out to be desirable, ever. She is such a bad example for others, and extremely dangerous - perpetuating the myth that living with an eating disorder is 'okay', is even 'healthy'. I just can't...
I have no respect for someone who so clearly lies about every aspect of her life.
EXACTLY. **THIS** right here is exactly the problem with blogs like the one I am referencing for the majority of this post -- really all the blogs I'm referencing in this post. I have felt that exact same feeling while reading some of these blogs. I realize that not every blogger understands this and I do know that we are responsible for how we react to what we read **BUT** these are risky sentiments to express on a blog marketed to a population already at risk for disordered habits.
DeleteLove ya Fi!
Except that she is in fact very healthy at her size. There is no need to be angry, because everything on Meg's blog is the truth about Meg. It would be unfair to say that she shouldn't have a blog because she a small person at her healthy weight. I understand that this may be a problem with some blogs, but it would be better to find a blog that does actually have lies if you are going to take the time to write a criticizing and hurtful post about someone else.
DeleteHolly, the writer of this comment is struggling to recover from an eating disorder. She is fighting for her life. And as she says, Meg's blog triggers her strongly. She is not the only one: dozens more e-mailed me, and some others left comments here. Are you really going to minimize their experiences, their struggles, to defend a blogger you've never met, who is claiming an improbable world record for a women's unassisted squat? I added links above to the USAPL women's all-time records.
DeletePlease peruse them at your leisure, remembering that a 185x6 squat indicates a one rep max of 215 (aka she should be able to perform one rep at 215) and report back.
I'm a long time lurker and love your blog but I just had to comment on this post. First off, thank you for finally someone being real! I have stopped following a lot of the HLB's and so called "fitness" idols on IG/Twitter/Facebook, because for the most part all of them are disordered and they really don't see it. I'm sorry but going to the gym 2-3 hrs a day, taking a picture of your grilled chicken and abs and creating a collage out of them is NOT normal. It's taken me a long time to realize this but I think I'm finally at the point where I'm realizing enough is enough, it's not your abs or biceps that define how healthy you are, but it's the mental state behind it..and really I think mentally a lot of these people are disordered and don't see it. Nothing is more important than health! Who cares if that means you have some cellulite or extra fat. Anyway, love this point! Back to lurking I go! :)
ReplyDeleteSunny - thank you so much for taking the time to comment =) I love my lurkers - I always wonder who exactly you all are! <3
DeleteYou are EXACTLY right. Defined biceps and a great deadlift mean NOTHING if you are not actually healthy - and if you are making collages of grilled chicken, vegetables, biceps, and your 3-hour workout, you are not healthy, no matter what you see in the mirror.
YES. All the "thinspiration" and "fitspiration" kills me. Having cellulite as a female means your body has fat on it, which means you're fertile. We need better role models, and this girl is not one. A friend turned me on to the Lift Big Eat Big folks and they are such a better example of girls who put up big weights and look like they do. And this girl is not squatting 185. The blatant lying is ridiculous.
DeleteYes going to the gym 2-3 hours is not normal. But why all the hate for Meg who lifts for an hour, 4 times a week? Meg does not inspire to be thin, she eats a lot, she eats healthy, she is just small.
Delete@ Holly - please see my reply above.
DeleteBravo bravo! ~standing up to applaud with everyone else~
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra! <3
DeleteI've never loved you more than this. I would stand up and cheer if I could. You're awesome. I fell off the blogosphere too because I just got so tired of it all. Such bs and you called it out. I repeat, awesome.
ReplyDeleteTianna!! I was wondering if you vanished for the same reason I did. We have got to start e-mailing again! Miss you!
DeleteGREAT post Sable!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! <3
DeleteYOU ARE AWESOME and I know exactly who you're talking about, ha. Although there are many many bloggers like her. It's sickening and exactly why I stopped reading blogs except about 4. Too unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteYep. It sucks but I can only read about 10 healthy living blogs regularly - down from, like, a hundred. I'm not even kidding!
DeleteThank you! <3
WOW!! You certainly told somebody! lol
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. There is a ton of disordered "healthy living" bloggers out there, but we're also a little self selecting. I mean, you have to be slightly obsessive about your body if you're willing to blog about all you eat and lift, right?
I also think it's up to the reader to take all these stories with a grain of salt. It's all just narrative, and certainly not a hard and fast rule for living. However, as you point out, it's the lack of honesty and transparency that's most annoying. For that's what social media is all about, right?
Something else occurred to me as I was reading your post though... You seem really angry right now. I know you've been through a big loss recently, but I wonder if some of this lashing out is more about the hurt you are suffering in your own life?
I hope you find some peace soon girl. I think you're awesome and you deserve it.
XOXOXOX
Caren:
DeleteYes, I have been through a lot lately - more than you can possibly imagine and more than anyone knows. However, I am incredibly self-aware (not to toot my own horn) and I can tell you for a fact that this post is NOT in any way a result of the tragic events that have littered the beginning of my year.
I have been blogging for over two years and reading blogs for about four years, and my frustration with things that are willfully misrepresented has come to a head. The American records (so these records can be broken at any USAPL-sanctioned meet, they do not need to be broken at a regional or national-level meet) for the women's raw (unequipped - Meg is certainly not using powerlifting equipment i.e. a squat suit) lifts may be found here: http://www.goheavy.net/records/viewrecordset.aspx?recordsetguid=483b182d-5451-4426-b5b4-ab5c627c61d9
Meg's claim of a 185x6 squat == a one-rep max of 215. As you can see, that would exceed the all-time national record in the 97lb, 105lb, 114lb, and 123lb divisions.
Those are records that women work for DECADES to set. For someone to claim breaking one, switch her story from full squats to half squats to just below parallel (aka full) squats, and provide no evidence of an absolutely astounding feat, is very frustrating.
I hope this helps clarify why so many people are so upset about this claim.
I love this post and agree with every word. I worry because the lies in that particular blog which are obvious to you and I could be really, really harmful to someone who actually believes it all. So glad someone has made this post. <3
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!! Thank you so much for your support!!! <3
DeleteI wish blogger had a like button, because I have SO MUCH LOVE for this post! It's so true!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO very much!!! <3
Deleteamazing. Well said :)
ReplyDeleteAhh I missed a whole section of comments here! WHOOPS! Thank you!!!
Delete::standing ovation:: ok, i haven't read her in MONTHS because i could not handle the blatant lies. when it appears it is a struggle simply to breathe, then you know there is a problem. hard gainer? um no, eat enough food first to LIVE and secondly eat more to fuel your activity and thrive!
ReplyDeleteit was a terrifying freak show and i simply could not in good conscience continue watching. some people refuse to listen and i just hope this one does before it kills her.
i also feel so badly for the minions who eat that crap up. it's not true girls! this is NOT a role model for health! she is spiraling and taking more down with her in that vortex. thank you for speaking the truth!
I guess I see how you could think this without having met Meg or without having eaten a meal with Meg. But Meg eats a TON, she is just really small and an impressively strong lifter for her size.
DeleteI've heard from people *I* know who have met Meg that she is anything but healthy. I'm not going to say more and reveal my sources or possibly reveal things that Meg doesn't want on the Internet, but I have no reason to believe that she is actually physically healthy.
DeleteIt has nothing to do with whether or not she is an impressive lifter. Squatting 185x6 means she would have a one rep max of 215, which is BEYOND elite for a woman of her size, which means it should take around 5 years of serious heavy lifting to achieve. And even then, a 215 squat to a powerlifting depth, which is "just under parallel," *is* in fact a world record for a woman her size per the USAPL. This is a matter of public record.
@misathemeb - for some reason I can't nest replies more than 2 deep =( I completely agree with every sentiment you expressed here. There REALLY is no such thing as a hard gainer. There IS such a thing as wasting disease, and there is such thing as having an eating disorder, AND there is such thing as really just not eating enough to gain even if you think you are. Sure, some people have higher metabolic rates - but all you do is eat more!
DeleteThank you for this comment <3
Amazing. Seriously. Can someone post this on her blog please...I hope more girls see through her BS and lies. Awesome post !!!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure it got back to her, and others were questioning her as well, so I think the message was received. :) That wasn't even my end goal - I just wanted to intercept the vulnerable people who could fall into the trap of believing, comparing, and using her 'strength' as an excuse to restrict. Thank you so much for your support!! <3
DeleteTHANK YOU!
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteSable, this is the most incredible post on earth and you have no idea how thankful I am to you for writing this. I literally want to go out in the street and scream with joy. FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT.
ReplyDeleteEven though I still read a few blogs (like yours), I've stepped away from the whole blogging scene because not only was is adversly affecting my relationship with food again, but I just ABHORRED the lies and the pressure of living up to some dumb healthy living standard. It's about time someone called out the disgusting bs and as you can see, all of us respect you for doing so. It's women like you that I admire and respect, you have true strength.
Thank you again Sable. :)
PS-- I would love to email you to catch up, I hope you're doing well!!! <3
Alexandra!! E-mail me! I have been wondering about you and how you are doing. I feel like you are at the same place I am in terms of disillusionment from the blog world - especially this part of the blog world.
DeleteI had to take several large steps back to normalize my relationship with food. I can't go to any "this is what I eat every day" posts or any posts indicating insufficient caloric intake or excessive exercise. Like most people with an ED past, I am easily affected - and that is why I try to be careful with what I post. Not careful enough sometimes, but I do try.
Amen!!! I love you more than words can express for putting this out in the open!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!!!!
DeleteIt is sad isn't it! Hope you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! Thank you Jess <3 <3
DeleteYou. Are. Awesome. Thank you for posting this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kayla!
DeleteNow she's claiming "oops" it's just semantics, what the rest of the world calls a squat, might not be her kinda squat ;)
ReplyDeletesemantics?? She squats just below parallel! that's proper form without hurting your kness!
DeleteHolly - no. Squatting just below parallel is not necessarily ANY better for your knees and for some people, it may be worse. Additionally, squatting just below parallel = powerlifting squat = her alleged 185x6 lends itself to a one rep max of 215 = a world record for a woman even 15lb heavier than I believe Meg to be. She is a fraud.
DeleteAnon - God only knows what those 'squats' looked like if they ever even happened. As I recall, yesterday she said it was half squats. So first it was just a squat, then it was a half squat, now it's just below parallel? As far as I'm concerned, pics/vid or it didn't happen at all.
THIS is the bullshit post. Some people are smaller and some people are bigger. There are people that eat healthy and workout and have an "overweight" body but are still healthy. The same goes for small people. All the trainers at Meg's gym have commented how impressive her lifting is for her size. I don't understand how you can post this and call someone a liar when you haven't met her. She is anything but a liar. Yes her lifting is impressive for her size. Meg also eats A LOT to support her training. It is way more than most people bigger than her would be comfortable eating. She is just small.
ReplyDeleteI also do not believe in using a blog to write posts that are criticizing other people!! what is the point in this? blog about yourself or don't bother blogging.
Meg claimed a world record. That's why people are mad.
DeleteHi Holly.
DeleteI have been blogging for over 2 years now and most of the time I do blog about myself, but just as Meg has the right to write about whatever she wants, so do I. I have kept my mouth shut about Meg and a lot of other bloggers for a long, long time.
Let me ask you something. Have you met any of the trainers who have told Meg she is healthy or impressive? Do you know what their credentials are? Because a lot of bodybuilder gyms are FULL of people with eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Trust me; I've been an active participant in this world for over four years now.
Have you seen what she actually eats? Because if I look at a picture of her from a year ago and a picture of her now, I see NO difference, other than that she now knows how to use shadowing, muscle pumps, and favorable lighting to her benefit.
I am saying right now that there is ***NO*** way she squatted 185 even four inches for six reps. If she did, she would have posted a video. God knows she has no qualms about photography in the gym. As others have mentioned, 185x6 reps would mean a one rep max of about 215, which is a WORLD RECORD for someone even 15lb heavier than I expect she is.
I went to Meg's high school. She was average and had a bit of a belly before she became anorexic. She is not naturally as small as she is now.
DeleteInteresting Anon! I have heard that from a couple of people I "know" - I mean I basically know their identities, I've e-mailed semi-extensively with them. I've also heard from several people who have met her recently that she is exhibiting symptoms of being in ketosis, which can be brought on by a keto diet (something she certainly does not need to be on; I don't think she can afford to lose as much as another 2 pounds) or by starvation.
DeleteShe eats clean and lifts often, that's what's supposed to happen. It's nowhere near a world record...
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? Yes it is. Please go check out the USAPL records - that is the league that conducts the most strict drug testing.
DeleteI feel like people defending her are taking legit crazy pills!! How can readers still be sticking up with her while maintaining a straight face?! This perplexes me and will continue to. I suppose I must accept that.
DeleteI think the people defending her aren't familiar with lifting. That's fine - you don't have to be a weightlifter. But for those of us who ARE, it's irritating when people are rushing to defend her from "bullying." We're not bullies - we're just saying that IF she really can squat that much for even ONE rep, it's a world record. And if she's not lying, what's the big deal about taping it, proving it, and claiming a new world record?
DeleteI'm so frustrated seeing women commenting who don't lift and thus, aren't even trying to understand why her claim is in question.
I definitely think you are right. Some people seem to be reacting like squatting 185x6 is the same as like.....squatting 95x6. (Depending on bodyweight of course but you get where I'm going with that: definitely a big achievement, but one that is attainable within a year of lifting.) Not crazy (okay some definitely are), just uninformed.
DeleteOmg holly- go out and try to squat that weight. Trust me. She's full of shit.
ReplyDeletetoo bad the shit didn't come out of her when she squatted the 185. oh wait... that never happened to begin with. probably would if she attempted it though!
DeleteHAHA
DeleteI would just like to warn anyone attempting a true max effort squat PR... I peed myself a little bit doing that one time. FYI.
DeleteLove, love, LOVE this post and you may be my new favorite blogger.
ReplyDeleteI have pretty much stopped reading other HLBs (with the exception of my friend's, Sara, who commented above and Jen at Peanut Butter Runner) and I have stopped blogging as much myself, because I am SO tired of the bullshit. Enough with the franken-foods and working out 40285 hours a day. I workout/teach because I love doing it and it makes me happy, not because I hate my body and the way it looks. Sure, I have some disordered tendencies from my past, but I have worked really, really hard to get to where I am today. The only reason I don't discuss it much on my blog is because I don't want to dredge up the past and I don't want to give anyone any ideas from my past habits, etc. I want people to enjoy being healthy, listen to their bodies, and treat their bodies right. I hope this is coming across the right way!
I totally hear you, Courtney. Thank you SO much for this comment. I agree - there is a HUGE difference in the effect you have on your mental health & body when you are working out for the love of it versus for the hatred of your body.
DeleteI just came here to say THANK YOU for this post. I am assuming this was spurred by a certain blogger's "185 squat" and you have articulated everything I was feeling. Constant PRs are not possible, nor are 20 pound jumps from week to week!
ReplyDeleteThat was the straw that broke the camel's back! This frustration has been building for a long time haha!
Delete"When you take 4958736 pictures of yourself flexing every day" HAHA this made my day. Thank you.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Thank you for this comment Lauren! <3
DeleteHey Sable. I know the blogger you are talking about, and I also know many others who are portraying a similar message. I know they don't think they are doing anything wrong, and they spew lots of venom at you and anyone else brave enough to call them on their bullshit. And - it almost doesn't matter to me whether she squatted the 185 or not (though 6 reps seems crazy hard, so I'm as doubtful as you are)... the thing that really bothers me is what you described. This idea that sharing all of this info, BRAGGING about it, under the protective shield of blogging, is really kind of irresponsible. No, I'm not jealous. I hate when I see that "answer" to anyone who has the balls to say what they think. I have only admiration for people who are serious and conscious of their impact and wanting to portray an image that is healthy or at least honest! I just see less and less of that anymore. Blogs that used to inspire me - now, make me feel shitty. But, I control me, so (like you) I just pull the plug on some things and stop reading. Anyway, I think this post is so timely for me personally and really hit home. Thanks for writing it.
ReplyDeleteExactly, exactly, exactly. It's not right that people can attain these huge readerships under the guise of healthy living and then brag about things completely irresponsibly.
DeleteI would LOVE IT for Meg if she could become healthy enough to break a powerlifting record. I would have nothing but joy in my heart for her. But indicating that you, too, can make crazy impossible lifting gains without gaining any weight as far as anyone can tell, and you can do this while eating nothing but lean proteins and vegetables and 'safe' carbs -- that is so, so, so irresponsible. It's a terrible message to send a vulnerable group of people.
Wow, I find all of these comments to be extremely immature and just plain mean. Meg is a sweet, wonderful, kind, and caring person. If you don't like what she posted, don't read it and MOVE ON. Lift what YOU can and don't worry about other people. Can you imagine how bad you are making her feel? You are no better than a bully. All of these "hints" as to who you are talking about? Immature. This is what I tell my first graders: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've done that for a long, long, long time.
DeleteI have also expressed my concerns privately and semi-privately.
I'm not going to sit back and allow irresponsible blogging/non-disclosure of obvious disordered eating and body dysmorphia to affect a VERY vulnerable population - the people who choose to read healthy living blogs. We are a self-moderating community. This is an example of that concept.
By the way - you do realize the irony in your comment, right?
I'm just trying to say that Meg is a great person. Maybe an email to her would have sufficed.
DeleteWow. I mean, I agree with some of your points but I strongly disagree with the way you went about it. I agree with the reader above, this is bullying, plain and simple.
DeleteI love the assumption that I have not tried to communicate with her many times privately and semi-privately. Perhaps I should have written that in the post, but there are actually a couple of people I'm addressing here - only one is very obvious. Unfortunately there are about 1,000 bloggers my first paragraphs can be applied to so it's not so easy to suss out who I'm discussing.
DeleteAnd NOT ONLY have many people tried to communicate with her privately - I know of at least 5 other people, who I strongly believe did in fact e-mail her - but when she has been confronted in private, she has either no replied at all, been rude, or been in complete denial (and then stopped replying). If she is going to continue to publicly post things that harm people - to a VERY large audience - then yes I will call her out to my entire audience. She has had MANY, many, MANY chances.
Deletethank you so much for this post.. you seriously saved me just now!.. i am severely underweight and have some idea that if i am to gain weight, i better do it right and lift weights at the same time (and they better be damn heavy ones!).. at first, i thought wow! so inspiring to be strong like said blogger and stay lean and have a bf (apparently).. and be free to eat ice cream and go out and have un-pictured burritos and nachos.. part of me was jealous that they just seem to "have it all".. but now i realize, it is NOT healthy at all.. i doubt they have a natural period, i now doubt they are as "free" with food as they claim.. in fact i think "intuitive eating" is an excuse to eat less.. i know for a fact that the what i ate wednesday post was not taken all in one day (when it was written to seem as though it was).. and i have a feeling there was a lot of water loading going on before the weigh in.. i also know for a fact that at least until a few weeks ago, said blogger was only eating around 1500 calories per day or less.. (hard gainer my ass!) and i'm not going to say how i know because i don't want to give away my identity, but again, thank you for this post and thank you for letting me see things clearly so i can stop prolonging my recovery!
ReplyDeleteTHIS is the reason I wrote this post. THIS RIGHT HERE. You! And everyone like you because I received dozens of e-mails from people stating similar things.
DeleteI am so glad you left this comment, and I am so glad you can see through the facade. It is a HARMFUL facade and I am just so, so relieved that you got access to "insider info" to help you see through and past it.
No one has it all. I know that's hard to force yourself to believe when you see the highlights of bloggers' lives expounded upon and the day-to-day annoyances and negative events minimized or not even mentioned. Just always ask yourself (easier said than done!) "What could this person's motivation be for saying their life is so great?" You'll always find an answer. Hold onto it.
I wish you a speedy, healthy, obstacle-less (as much as possible!!) recovery! <3
thank you so much! you are so right! i think i really need to figure out which blogs i should be reading and which ones i need to refrain from checking.. that is a very good point.. why would someone want to broadcast themselves as having such a perfect life.. almost like they are bragging about it.. it's almost like they WANT others to feel bad about their lives so that the "perfect" person can be/feel as though they are "better, better best" or w/e that stupid preschool, over-used quote goes.. gag me with a spoon! haha
Deleteyour blog is definitely going to be followed by me now! i'm so glad you posted this, i'm sure it took a lot of guts as i think what you have written is what everyone (even her closest "besties") were thinking, but too afraid to say..so thank you for taking this risk!
Sable, thank you for posting this. I don't think Meg is a bad person but I know some of her concerned readers have tried to send emails or post comments regarding her apparent eating disorder; concerns she continuously ignored or refused to allow through her comment filter. Meg may be nice/sweet/bunnies/rainbows but she's clearly sick and in denial, and THIS is what a majority of those "bullies" have tried to discuss with her (usually in private and/or respectful ways). Meg is not healthy and those with a more objective eye see how she perpetuates this awful disorder through the guise of clean eats and high fives. Any concern she has received in the past is met with denial, justification, or, if those don't work, the bully card.
ReplyDeleteNow she claims she squatted 185lbs/6 reps - a world record! Readers who have tried time and again to help her see the truth of her disorder have had enough (not to steal your title, Sable). She lies about her health, she lies about her disorder, she most likely lies about her food/exercise, and now she's clearly lying about her strength. It's okay to like a blogger and simultaneously express disappointment. But she's been keeping her concerned readers' comments buried for a long time and some people are just over it. I don't understand how anyone who reads her blog or watches one of her vlogs CAN'T see through her facade. She needs support in the form of a reality check, not in the form of high fivers and "loooove youuuuu!" So if you really love Meg then help her. Stop thinking your virtal hugs are more powerful than caring, honest words and the willingness to address the truth.
Exactly! Many, many people have expressed their concerns and even frustration to her - I know of five people who I don't think would bring it up and say they had e-mailed her if they had not done so. You are absolutely correct in saying that her responses are not conducive to even hearing what her "best blog friends" have to say. It seems to me that once someone expresses concern and does not accept her excuses, she cuts off all contact and never mentions them again.
DeleteI can't believe people don't see right through her either. She exhibits CLEAR symptoms of being in ketosis - a state achieved only by a strict and specific weight loss diet (something she surely must know she does not need) or starvation.
If I am going to be completely honest, I think the people standing by her fall into two categories:
1) People who simply want to be featured in her High Five Fridays for traffic to their own blogs, and
2) People who truly do not know better: Many of them have active eating disorders of their own, and many of them simply do not understand weight-lifting and weight gain progressions.
I wish all of her "blog friends" would read your last sentence.
To everyone who says Meg is "naturally" that small:
ReplyDeleteHere is a photo of her from high school back when I knew her.
http://imgur.com/BpiEF55
As you can see, her figure is not naturally emaciated. Her arms are not normally toothpicks. She has a stomach and body fat and her face isn't sunken in. Unless she is starving herself and putting on a show to the world, like she is now. Stop letting her pull the wool over your eyes.
Oh wow. That is a HUGE difference! She is naturally slender (& looks vibrantly healthy & happy in that picture) - but not as unnaturally skinny as she is now.
DeleteTOTALLY. I even put them side by side for comparison (this might seem crazy, but she was making me feel crazy!)
Deletehttp://imgur.com/8oruRDi
You can clearly see that is not her natural size. It's sick that people believe her.
I don't think it's crazy - I think it's responsible. There are SO many people falling for her BS and it is really dangerous. I hope A LOT of people see this picture!
DeleteSable, I think someone was copying and pasting comments from here, adding her own sentence or two, and claiming them as her own comments on Meg's site. Lame.
ReplyDeleteI saw that!!! Thank you! I was shocked & attempted to leave a comment stating my suspicion that those comments were ripped from my comment section, and indicating that I did not believe my readers would do something like that, but it did not find its way through moderation. Strange.
DeleteThank you for writing this! I've been trying to write a comment for the last 10 minutes but every version I tried sounded to braggy, lol. Anyway... when these bloggers lie about their weight lifting, it really feels like a slap to the face. In a way, it's cheapening the efforts and accomplishments of those of us who are actually doing the work and hitting big goals. Between bloggers lying about their reps and all these tiny HLBs thinking that their shitty crossfit form makes them powerlifters, I can barely stand to read blogs anymore.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for writing this!
Totally agree with you on the shitty crossfit form. It's sad to see, actually.
DeleteI totally, totally agree with you - it does make your achievements - and the achievements of everyone who IS working hard, IS eating to gain, HAS lifted for 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 years - cheap. Now when YOU say to a common reader (if you have a blog) "I hit a 1rm of 215 after 5 years of training and eating right" (and, sidebar, disordered readers: "CLEAN" does not equal RIGHT by ANY MEANS), that accomplishment is dirtied by the claim of someone who did not earn those bragging rights.
DeleteI weight about 105lbs and my 1RM is 185, my ass and legs are proof. Really any female who can squat twice her body weight will have a very developed posterior chain, no questions. Looking at her pictures where she does show her legs/lower body, I find it extremely hard to believe she can handle that kind of weight in the bottom position. It's just not physically possible. She makes it seem so easy, to "throw the weight on" but really it takes months of good programming and periodization to achieve those kind of percentages, I know from experience. She appears to have a developed upper body, relative to her lower body, but seriously, if girlfriend wants to gain, she should focus on squatting heavy and taking in 2500+ calories a day. I guarantee she will get the results faster. By the way she looks the same if not worse when comparing pictures from a year ago and now.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY Lisa! Look at Christine (http://fortheloveofcookies.wordpress.com/) - I believe her 1rm is in the mid to high 200s (forgive me if I'm wrong Christine! Don't kill me with your bare hands! :-P) and LOOK AT HER! Look at her legs! You cannot have what are CLEARLY emaciated legs - tinier than mine were during my show, at which point I weighed 94 pounds - and squat 185x6. I am trained as a powerlifter with a 1rm *near* 200, not EVEN 200 at this point, and when my legs looked like Meg's, I'm pretty sure I was squatting like 95x3. (I'd have to look in my training log, and, well, I'm really comfortable on the couch right now.)
DeleteYou are exactly right. Unless you are a beginner and/or just learning how to squat, you do not add 20lb to your 6rm (taking you from a 1rm of 190 to 215) in the course of a week. Nope.
Thank you for commenting Lisa!! <3