sugar + spice

January 30, 2011

joining the fb revolution
i actually still remember when ‘facebook’ referred to a makeshift paperback containing — well, all of the freshman faces. and i have to admit that by the end of the year, my copy was as carefully annotated as my physics textbook, with vivid descriptors on some individuals and ball-point mustaches and horns scrawled on others.

we did have email and internet while i attended williams, but i don’t recall it being a primary form of communication. nestled in the mountains, we had no cell phone service. you couldn’t get a text about the location of a party (although i do recall doing invites via email); mostly, you just relied on word-of-mouth. discussion sections for our courses were held in old buildings with the snow swirling outside, not online.

i can only imagine how college has changed in the connected age! some schools have apparently even stopped issuing email accounts, which shocked me. everrrrrrryone is on facebook, from your niece in elementary school to your grandma.

i couldn’t fight it any longer!


so i succumbed. now someone please like me so that i can stop feeling like such a dork.

back and forth
while it certainly ruffles some feathers, i have to admit that i think a bit of controversy/argument in the blogworld — particularly within the ‘healthy living’ realm — is a good thing. the community is incredibly supportive overall, but sometimes that can almost get in the way of constructive discussion and debate. i have to admit that while they can sting a little, many of the most valuable comments i have gotten were ones that questioned my own logic or challenged me in some way.

this recent piece of controversy is minor by marie claire debacle standards, but it did pique my interest: texan reese’s runner wrote an honest (and somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as i interpreted it) piece about weight and happiness that clearly struck a chord among many (just look through the comments), to the point where she ended up writing two follow-up posts (here and here) explaining herself.

i actually think my own views lie somewhere in the middle of reese‘s view and the ‘love thyself no matter what!’ protesters. but i appreciate this writer for having the guts to express her true thoughts, much as i support the back-and-forth that ensued in her comments. much like this very recent controversial piece, it made me think. and i believe that’s a good thing!

what do you think — is controversy and debate in the online realm a positive thing, or is it just catty middle-school antics (claws out!)?

sunday musings

☑ all is not right in my body.
☑ i can thank my sick husband for that one. . .
☑ i really want to clean but i’m not sure i have the energy.
☑ i really really hope this clears up before we leave for arizona.
☑ at least i still have gilmore girls . . .

a more substantive post tomorrow — promise!

————————————————————————-

1.30.11

workout: 47 minute run (~4.9 mi) in shorts (it was 58 degrees!).

even when sick, josh makes a mean omelette

protein, protein, protein! my RD would approve.

11 Comments

  • Reply bump envy March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    hi sarah,

    i’m a lurker. i thought i’d finally post my first comment and tell you i love reading your blog! hope you feel better soon!

  • Reply Lee Becknell March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    I succumbed too. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-My-Tummy/155534684496031?ref=ts)” target=”_blank”> http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-My-Tummy/155534684496031?ref=ts)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.facebook.com/pages/In-My-Tummy/155534684496031?ref=ts)

    RE: that controversial blog post. I do think that being thinner can give you more confidence. I don’t think it makes you happier.

  • Reply Lee Becknell March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    I was reading her follow up posts and thought of more to say. I do think that in healthy living blogger world, there is sort of a taboo when it comes to wanting to lose weight to look a certain way. It’s okay to say that you want to lose weight to be healthier, but not to say that you want to be a certain size. I personally want to lose about 15 pounds. Not for health reasons. I’m perfectly healthy right now. But I feel more comfortable in my skin at a lower weight and I think I look better.

  • Reply Amy March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    I like seeing discussions about various topics on blogs as long as it doesn’t come down to mean, personal attacks. There’s a way to get your point across without being rude. I’d rather see discussion than a bunch of people just nodding and agreeing with everything a blogger (or anyone) says. I hope you feel better soon! Gilmore Girls helps any situation. 🙂

  • Reply Atilla March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    I’m a very passive facebook participant. I had to join to see pix of my 4th grandchild for the first time and I’ve left my acct open. I think its really interesting how people keep finding me but I have no interest in posting anything.
    Hope your enhanced pediatric immunity protects you a little

  • Reply anonanonanon March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    Where you going to be in AZ? Let me know if you want ideas on places to go/see.

  • Reply Ida March 10, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    I dont have a blog, so I can’t really know how much the negative comments hurt. But I do think debate is a good thing as long as it’s well worded and sincere. I do think someone wanting to write a response post should ask the author of the ‘controversial’ piece 1st, esp when using text.

  • Reply whatkateiscooking March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    That omelet does look really good!

  • Reply Jen March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    I think it’s great to have an honest discussion on controversial topics — as long as there’s no name calling.

    What bothered me about that particular post was not the losing weight bit. What rubbed the wrong way was the way the post (and some of the comments) tied happiness and confidence to "thinness." I also think there was a misconception about what size acceptance really is. It’s not a cop-out unhealthy behaviors. It’s that your happiness, confidence and self-worth doesn’t correlate the number on the scale.

    I eat healthfully and exercise 4-6 times a week. And yes, I would like to lose a few and be in a healthy weight range (I’m 5’6" and 170 lbs-ish currently) BUT – if I don’t that’s OK. It took me a long time to realize it, but being thinner improved my confidence only temporarily. And I spent a whole lot of time blaming my unhappiness on my weight when really, I was suffering from low self-esteem because focusing on the negative and not celebrating the positive. Does that make sense?

    Does that make sense?

    • Reply theSHUbox March 10, 2019 at 7:23 pm

      definitely makes sense. and your point is why i guess i fall in the middle of the spectrum — thinking it’s okay (and reality for some) to want to lose weight for superficial reasons, but also okay (and perhaps ideal!) to be focused on health.

      i agree the comments got a little too personal-attack-ish but sometimes i’m just glad to see people expressing real opinions in blogland 🙂

  • Reply minel March 10, 2019 at 7:08 pm

    Personal customization for you afterpay dress stores rentadress australia formal ball dresses perth if you want to know more Please visit our website http://www.minel.com.au/

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.