Comments on: Thoughts on Body Image and Social Media

By: jennincat

jennincat — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:37:59 +0000

Thanks Debs! I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees a difference between blogging and fb.

;I’m on my phone right now. Looking forward to catching up via email)

By: Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo)

Deb (SmoothieGirlEatsToo) — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:49:39 +0000

I saw a post just like that- a magazine cover-worthy tummy with the owner moaning about her figure. Totally begging for compliments (and got them by the dozens) I let it roll off my shoulders because (why wouldn’t I anyway), she has a very Eating disordered past and so I know that she’s using facebook as a form of therapy. and I don’t check facebook unless someone @’s me anyway. But it was an obvious cry for help and quite pathetic.

Your blog IS different- people do come here for inspiration and before/after sorts of results. facebook is a different ballgame.

I didn’t know about ‘Hide’ and like you, I am very aware of what i post- what if one of the disabled kids I volunteer with came to my site? Or their parents? I wouldn’t want to be embarrassed in the least. Great great post.

By: Missy

Missy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:15:58 +0000

Not sure how I’ve missed the last few posts – but I’m glad I read this- it’s definitely how I think (brain mash twin here!). I complained about my body to my niece once and I’ll never forget her telling me “Aunt Missy, there are people I know who would kill to look like you – you are their dreambody”. It really made me think, like you, that for these people who post pics of their not so perfect, need to lose maybe 5 lb bodies, that there are so many with 50 plus pounds they need to lose that read and have 1 of 2 reactions. 1- I’ll never look like that and besides, she’s unhappy so what makes me think I’ll be? Or 2 – wow if she can look like that, so can I!!

I’m guilty of both reactions. I have been motivated by some and sent into despair (aka ice cream party) by others.

I don’t have a FB anymore but I’d not like seeing stuff like that at all. It screams “I want attention” and fishing for compliments. But I expect body shots on blogs – the ones I visit for sure. I do think there is a difference since to me, FB is just keeping up with friends/family whereasa fitness/weight loss blog can legitimately have body shots. Just my 2 cents!

Thanks for great post (NOT a muddled mess!)

By: jennincat

jennincat — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:19:09 +0000

I agree Lisa! It was the “if they can do it so can I” that got me started. It makes me so happy (and humbled) that you read my blog and find it inspiring!

I hope I didn’t come across as harsh. I do love before and after pictures. I think what bothered me was that this girl was already really lean and then called insinuated that she was fat. It made me sad.

XOXOXO

By: Lisa S.

Lisa S. — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:21:15 +0000

I find it motivating to see people’s before and after pictures, or to hear about their progress. It makes me take a look at my own lifestyle and see what I can do differently. It also inspires me that “hey, if they can do it, so can I”. That is what I thought the very first time I read this blog and why I continue to read your blog. I do find your journey inspiring. I being someone who was always fit when I was younger but have struggled with weight as an adult. I need all the inspiration I can get. I however, when I reach my goal, I will find a way, without offending, to show off my new body, maybe a beach picture in that 2 piece that I long to wear!

I do have to agree, I can’t stand reading the negative posts on fb. Most of those people I have either deleted or have hidden their posts. My theory is if you are going to complain about someone or something, tell the whole story so all of us know what is going on. If you don’t want to explain the back story, you probably shouldn’t be posting about it to begin with.

As always, keep up the good work and I always enjoy reading about your fitness and family adventures.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:29:57 +0000

The operative word is “try” – sometimes my husband gets an earful. 😉 Shrugging and unsubscribing are good approaches!

By: jennincat

jennincat — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:19:37 +0000

Thanks Tamara. That’s great you can let things roll off. I’ve gotten way better at doing that. I used to think I was the chief officer of the FB etiquette police squadron. I thought it was better to call people out on their “bad” behavior but realized it wasn’t my job to change people. Novel concept huh. 😉 Nowadays I just shrug and if it really gets to me hit “unsubscribe”.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:40:44 +0000

This is a really good post, Jenn. I think about that type of thing from time to time. I don’t like to over-broadcast my fitness goals to very many people, for some of the reasons you mentioned. I’m not where I want to be, but I don’t want to make anyone feel badly who might, as you said, think it would be really great to be where I’m at. It’s all very complicated, like you said. I do think people don’t think, sometimes, about what they post on FB (I see your passive-aggressive statuses and raise you a bunch of those vague “I’m not going to say exactly what’s wrong so a bunch of people will ask me” posts – they all bother me but in the interest of being more positive and accepting, I’m trying to let them roll off without so much as a “grrr”!).

I do agree that your blog is totally different, in that the focus is clearly on fitness, body image, etc.

Thanks, as always, for making me think and for being so darn awesome! <3