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I was envious... So I looked...

NikkisNewStart
NikkisNewStart Posts: 1,075 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I must admit that I was a little jealous and in awe of a poster's avatar. She looked thin, fit, and in shape. I thought... I need to be doing what she's doing! Her food diary is public, so I snuck a peek. Whatever she us eating, I need to be eating to have a body like that!

Boy was I mistaken!

It seemed apparent, in my opinion, that she was putting herself through starve and binge modes. Some days would have as little as 400 to 600 calories whereas other days were obvious binge days by the food choices and amounts listed.

I am not posting this to be judgmental but as a way to disclose what I discovered for myself on this journey. I learned that everything is not always what it seems and to not assume that based on the outside appearance that someone is healthy or unhealthy. I've learned that I shouldn't be envious of someone else's success because it may in fact be the result of unhealthy habits. I learned to not compare myself to anyone other than myself and continue to do the best I can for me and me alone.

I hope this post helps others who may find themselves, like I did, wanting to emulate someone else's success. Be careful because all that glitters is not gold!

Replies

  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    Unfortunately I have noticed this myself.
  • FireRox21
    FireRox21 Posts: 424 Member
    Well, I guess this gives new meaning to "each his own". I, too, have seen others post that are my height, etc. and want to be a size 0 etc., and I want to emulate them. But, this "wanting" invokes the true need to look within each and everyone of ourselves as to why we are here 'on this site'. Are we here to emulate someone else and to appease the wants and needs of others??? Or, are we here to be true to ourselves? Do we want to be healthy? Do we want to be fit and provide positive role models for our children, family, co-workers, etc??? MyFitnessPal is exactly that. "MYfitnesspat". We are here to make OURSELVES healthy....you may want to for your kids, family, etc. but really.....it IS OKAY TO BE SELFISH WHEN YOU ARE HERE. YOU WANT TO BE HEALTHY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

    While it is frustrating to look at someone else's diary and see that they can function on 500 calories, but can you? Is that the healthy way to do things?? While it is tempting to follow these people, make sure you take care of number 1. YOURSELF!!!
  • Enchantica
    Enchantica Posts: 117
    Well said! :) And lets face it (if you believe all you read in the press) the people who's bodies we envy the most are usually models, film stars and the like - and look at what some of them go through to look great!! No thank you!

    Most of my friends don't have their food diary's public - even to friends. I find that a great shame as those who do have their diary open often give me great ideas for foods that I wouldn't even think of trying. I like to have mine open for viewing because that way I feel I have to be honest and I'm less likely to cheat.

    Netty
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    I don't mind if mine is private or public it will be the same either way, If I cheat in my diary I am only cheating myself.
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
    I was curious about what you were eating but ...
    lol

    I love snooping around food diaries. It fascinates me to see what others are eating to achieve their successes.
    I, too love getting ideas for meals that I might not otherwise think of.

    THE best part of MFP, in my opinion, is that anyone and everyone can use this site whatever the program they follow and still achieve success even if it what they're doing goes against all the "rules".
  • sarahbear119
    sarahbear119 Posts: 80 Member
    My mum, my two sisters, and my grandma have all been Bulimic or Anorexic, because they hated themselves that much. I have been really sick and would never want to do that. Plus I love food... I am just eating healthy and trying to be my best...
    Sure, we might want to emulate models and movie stars, but their lives might be horrible and they might feel ugly some days. Just be you!
  • 623Hernandez
    623Hernandez Posts: 458
    I just started looking at other's food diaries. Interesting.... Sometimes i feel like every one gets to have more cals than me. But then if i want to eat more then I need to get my but on the elliptical or break out the wii fit! lol
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Another thing that I have noticed is that some people have beautiful bodies as their profile picture, but that's not really even them. Perhaps it is motivation cause they want to look like that... My avatar is certainly not me, but it kinda reminds me of me since my trouble spots are the lower half areas. :flowerforyou:
  • purple1butterfly
    purple1butterfly Posts: 689 Member
    Another thing that I have noticed is that some people have beautiful bodies as their profile picture, but that's not really even them. Perhaps it is motivation cause they want to look like that... My avatar is certainly not me, but it kinda reminds me of me since my trouble spots are the lower half areas. :flowerforyou:

    I have read a lot of posts but i have not looked in any ones food diary. I have made mine public to friends, If i have no idea what the cals are so i over estimate to cover me like last night. My avatar is my lower part of my body which helps me to think about keeping going.
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    The grass is always greener on the other side....then you get there and find out it is thin, buggy, and sometimes fake!
  • bizybeemom
    bizybeemom Posts: 84 Member
    Strict calorie restriction can't last forever. Once the weight is off, very often it comes back. It is never good to strictly restrict your calories to lose fast. Moderation is your key not deprivation.
  • maroon58
    maroon58 Posts: 289 Member
    yea i did the same thing last week! this poster had lost weight and looked awesome so i looked at their food diary and noticed they barely ate 600 cal/day and when they did they commented on how much they had overeaten:( it made me sad to see that. i am glad they lost weight but its not the right way.
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