Recently, I got a pretty harsh comment in response to my “5 Ways to not get Fat over the Holidays“and I felt like it was important for me to publicly respond to this person.
The person writes:
“I don’t get the obsession about being skinny. You waste your time obsessing about your looks when everything else is so much more important. You’re one of hundreds of thousands of women who just succumb to the pressures that society places on them instead of finding strength and fighting back.Posting stuff like this just makes you sound shallow. FYI you are skinny and you sound like an asshole stating otherwise. Beauty and being thin should not define a woman,yet you’ve ignorantly fallen prey to the pressures of society that tell you these lies”
Here is my public response:
Hi!
I am really disappointed to hear that you think that I sound shallow. That post was never about pressuring people to be skinny, it was to inspire people to be healthy during a difficult time of the year. You may not get the obsession/struggle with being a healthy weight, but millions of other women (and men) do. I agree that there are lots of other important issues in this world, but the fact is, obesity and heath are also a major problem.
I never claimed in my post that I was fat, but I do struggle just like everyone else does. Unless you know me personally and have seen/spoken with me over the past year, I don’t think it’s really fair for you to make any other claim about my weight. With all the eating I do for my job, I’ve had to work really really hard to stay healthy and maintain my weight. I’ve struggled both internally and externally and felt it was important to share those struggles with the world. I didn’t want people to assume I was this skinny girl who posts herself eating tons of food and then flaunt photos of herself like she’s “blessed”. The struggle is real girlfriend and honestly, I think that not sharing that perspective would make me shallow.
The fact is, I work hard at maintaining a healthy lifestyle every day and am constantly getting asked how I’m able to do it. The reason I actually wrote this post is because with-in the last month, I received 7 “Ask Erica’s” asking me for advice over the holidays. I felt like it was important for me to share the tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the last few years so that I could inspire and help other people who were dealing with the struggles I do.
Oh, and on a final note, let’s stop with the name calling? Women need to support other women and not demean them by name calling. We need to celebrate each other and work together to lift each other up.
Love always,
Erica
You go girl! Females should always help other females out, not push them down. I, for one, loved your article!
Apparently getting fat over the holidays is of no concern to that person so why did (s)he bother commenting on that article in the first place? “There’s one in every crowd”, they say.
I hear you, Erica!! -I’ve known 2 people in my entire life who can eat what they want and never gain weight (and I’m still suspicious on what goes on behind those closed doors). Staying heart healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and feeling good SHOULD be a priority in everyone’s life. Without your health, you’re on a slow path of destruction in so many ways. You don’t have to be a model or bone-skinny to feel good about yourself and I’m pretty sure that is NOT what you were saying in your article.
You do not sound shallow at all. You sound like a person who cares about their health and obesity rates. I enjoy eating lots of high calories foods (like anyone in the world) but if you have an active lifestyle, you can enjoy those things from time to time without destroying your health.
If people don’t like your posts, isn’t there just an “UNFOLLOW” button somewhere? Did you tie this person up and force her to receive your articles? HA!
There is one in every bunch and what we need to be aware of is that you were responsive and not reactive and you gave a place for someone to be heard and that is vulnerable because it is not always going to be unicorns and rainbows – so big props to you. You are doing a super job and putting out great information and letting people get to know you – which is not an easy thing to do. It is easier to throw jabs than take them:) But it is part of this game. Don’t forget, when people voice in this negative tone – remember your heart and what you intention was – and stick with that. You are living your dream and that sometimes makes other sassy:) Keep up the great work!
Well said Erica! I am proud of you and look forward to ALL of your posts. You are a true role model and I hope you know that you are not only a well respected person but a well respected female.
I find all of your posts inspiring and I find YOU inspiring, Erica! Keep up the good work! WLAS. XXOO
Bravo, Erica!!
It should never be about being skinny, but being healthy. Over the past 3 yrs I have gone from being a 245lb 5’9″ junk food junkie to a health conscious 150lb fitness & healthy life style junkie. I’ve been ridiculed by friends for not being fun any more because now I am healthier than they are. It is nice to be in the healthy minority, however much ridicule I face. I, too, allow “Positive Vines Only” around me. Life is too short!
Ok, so now healthy tips during the Holidays means your body obsessed? Did I miss some kind of overture within your blog?
It’s sad to read women bashing women these days.
Nice blog and perfect reply too!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and keeping it healthy!