I don’t even know what to say about this piece that the UK Daily Mail wrote, which a college sorority sister forwarded to me (thanking me for speaking about about something many pregnant women feel and fear but don’t speak about).
Here are the stone-cold facts, straight from the horse’s mouth.
1) My blog is not — and never was — a pregorexia blog.
2) I never experienced pregorexia. While I feared gaining weight while pregnant, I canned all the disordered behaviors long before I was pregnant. I was in a good place when I got pregnant (over a year recovered). I did what I needed to do and gained a healthy 25 lbs for my baby — and have since lost all but 4.4 lbs. I gained in a healthy manner, and have lost in a healthy manner. I’m proud of that.
3) The emotional eating the detail in there – which, in Kate’s piece is explained as triggered by the genetic testing (all true) – seems as though it was a relapse into disordered eating vs. stress-eating that most humans do from time to time.
4) I never authorized anyone to use those pictures of me and Maya. I’m heart-broken. I realize they’re on the internet for all to see … but on my blog, my space … not pulled without warning.
This sensationalized story makes it sound like I was disordered during my pregnancy, restricting, etc. None of those things are true and it’s hurtful. VERY hurtful.
I guess this is one of the downsides of opening yourself up to the world … you can get slapped when people misinterpret your words or use poetic license with Kate’s. Her piece was researched and strategic. This … was just sensational!
So glad I will see my mom in Indiana tonight … I need the kind of hug only a mom can provide.
Let There Be Light 
This is horrible. I am sorry. I just finished reading the piece at ABC. I want you to know that you have shared yourself and your sturggles selflessly. I am sorry that this had to happen to you.
Enjoy that hug with your mom and snuggle time with beautiful Maya.
Thank you so much Kendra–I miss you! Been wondering what you’ve been up to these days! XOXO Hope you’re well!
Hi, I just found your blog by reading the article you are speaking of and I’m so sorry they took your story and did a nasty spin with it. I’m glad to hear the truth and know that you were and are well and so is your daughter. It teaches me again not to believe everything I read online. Hope your mom can make it all better with that hug.
Thank you so much for coming to the source, Michelle–that means a lot!!!! And my mom’s hugs certainly did help 🙂
PS – Forgot to say your daughter is just beautiful. Focus on her and just let the article fade away.
Aw thank you 🙂
What a sad, sorry excuse for journalism. That “reporter” is a complete moron and I hope you don’t let that bullshit article get to you. Hug your momma and your baby and know if it doesn’t get moderated (I swear I didn’t use any profanity!), there will at least be one comment on it calling out the writer’s inaccuracy and giving links to both the ACTUAL ABC article and your blog. Take care, stay strong, and big hugs!!
You’re the best, Kristen, thank you!!!!!!
Lissa,
I’m so so sorry that this happened to you. How violated you must feel! I am praying for this to slide off your shoulders.
Thank you, Clare … I know I can’t dwell on it forever but I’m so upset especially about the photos. I want them DOWN. That is illegal–I didn’t give anyone permission to use them and distorting the truth about my recovery …shameless.
Ugh.. I’m a long time reader/lurker and this is just disgusting and horrible. I’m so, so very sorry. Stupid tabloid.
And, by the way, there is no such disease as “pregorexia” it’s not in the DSM nor is it a valid diagnosis. So, they’ve already go their facts wrong in the first few sentences. This makes me so angry!!! Sensationalistic “journalism” at its worst.
Hi Leora and thank you so much for coming to my defense –I love hearing about new readers 🙂
I’m so glad to see so many comments supporting you, Melissa. You know as well as I do that article posted today is CRAP. Absolute CRAP. What really upsets me is them using your photos. I can totally understand your feelings. They are completely valid.
I love to see someone like Michelle, though, who saw the article sought you out and now knows the truth. That’s flat-out cool.
I love you tons. I’m glad your hugging your momma. You should be so proud of the wife, mother, daughter and friend that you are. So few compare.
Thanks sweets … have a FAB va-k!! And thank you for the (unwavering!) support! Love you lots!
I am from the UK (living in AL now). The Daily Mail is well known as the most trashy pointless piece of rubbish on sale; most of my friends are to embarrassed to even read a free copy left behind on the train. There are regular articles in decent papers pointing out the flaws in Mail reporting, and they are ALWAYS being sued.
Try to put them behind you and focus on everyone who is grateful you do what they cannot: help people by telling the truth.
Thinking of you.
Thank you so much, Lekkiwood–that means a lot. I do want to continue telling the truth; I won’t stop that. Thanks for the support.
This absolutely makes me sick that someone would try to distort your story into something that it’s not. On the contrary of what the author said, I think your blog set an EXTREMELY positive example for how to have a very healthy pregnancy! I know I haven’t ever been pregnant, but reading how you took everything in stride and always, ALWAYS put Maya’s health first just spoke of how powerful motherhood is. All I know is that when/if I get pregnant, I would most definitely refer to your posts to inspire me to lead a healthy pregnancy!
I’m just sorry you are going through this. Hugs to you, Melissa!
Thank you so much, Holly … I really, really appreciate this. Much love! (When the heck are we going to meet in person, woman?! How far is Indy from me?!)
Hi Melissa,
My name is Lisa and I have been following your blog for quite a while. I was hoping to find your email address to write you but I can’t seem to find it… so here it goes in comment…
I just want you to know how thankful I am for having found your blog. I think that identifying myself as a disordered eater (gradually after maybe a year of reading your blog) is going to help me immensely moving forward. I got so fed up with being a yo yo dieting (though never successful), weekly binge eating, two-time food restricting person with a slightly off body image that I finally decided to seek help. I will be visiting a center for people with eating disorders in April and hope to get help in overcoming this nagging problem in my life.
Also, I am sorry to see that someone is misreporting your story. How ridiculous. Would it be “feeding the troll” for you to post a comment on this “piece”?
Lisa
Hi Lisa and thanks so much for writing! I’m so glad that my blog has been a source of help for you — and please know I’m always here for support!!
I did comment … and, following my email to the managing editor, they did pull the piece (for now) . Still the damage has been done. 😦
I’m so sorry that happened to you. That’s definitely shoddy journalism. I read the article and they sound like idiots. They didn’t even sign their name to the article. Probably too embarrassed.
Sort of scary to know that people do this kind of thing, steal our pictures and twist our words.
Enjoy your time with your mom. She’ll make you feel better. 🙂
Thank you so much, Diana … it was a great night with my mom!
The UK Daily Mail publishes some of the most disgraceful journalism I’ve ever seen. You aren’t the first person to have been used it this manner by them and sadly you probably won’t be the last.
I’m very sorry this has happened to you but I commend you on your journey to recovery. It takes great strength to overcome what you did and you have my respect and admiration.
Please don’t be upset by this excuse for journalism, it is well known in the UK for being sensationalist and overtly controversial (and in my opinion a little mysogynistic) – most intelligent people won’t take all they read there as Gospel.
Hi Melissa and thank you … that means a lot.
Oh geez, Melissa. Just catching up with things and realized this had happened to you. I am so sorry. 😦
Thanks sweetie–yea, talk about major dramz …
So sorry to read this, Lissa. I was wondering what your tweets were about last week and now I’m just catching up on my reader. It looks like the story has been pulled by now, which is good. You are a classy lady. Hugs to you and Maya!
Thanks Lara … yea it was a heinous week that’s for sure. Thank you though 🙂