In this day in age, just about everyone and their momma has a blog. However there is a special population that bares it all (no pun intended). These individuals document their weight loss journey. Posting pictures of what they ate, taking selfies while at the gym, and weighing in on a weekly basis, needless to say that weight loss bloggers are a special group of people. Have you wondered makes these individuals bare it all on the Internet? Well keep reading and I’ll shed some light…
In our recent study published November 11, 2015 in Translational Behavioral Medicine, my colleagues and I wanted to find out why weight loss bloggers do what they do and what they get out of it.
I know for myself I started this blog out of spite. When my doctor called me fat and told me that I was going to die. The most sarcastic thing I could think of at the time was, “I’m going to run a marathon and blog about it.” Not really having the intention to do it, but when he told me that it was impossible and a stupidest idea he has ever heard… Well we all know how I like a challenge.
Anyways back to the article. We surveyed 140 weight loss bloggers about their reasons for starting a blog, how much weight they loss since starting their blog, bogging habits, likes and dislikes of blogging, and etc. I won’t bore you with all the intricate details of the study but if you want further information click one of the links to read the article or shoot me an email for a pdf copy.
Our findings showed that weight loss bloggers are pretty successful at losing weight. Having lost an average of 42 pounds!! That’s a big deal. The major reasons for starting a blog was it helped them stay focus on their weight loss goals, it provided them support and accountability.
Here’s something to think about Blogging= Journaling + Social Media. That means that you get all the therapeutic effects of having a journal and can generate social support and accountability from social media. It’s a double whammy—A new approach to something tried and true.
I know from a personal experience starting this blog has helped me lose close to 100 pounds and gave me the support and accountability to run a marathon. Now I’m not saying that by blogging you will lose weight (because that’s a discussion of causation vs. correlation.), but I am saying that some people have done it and were successful losing weight.
Blogging is not for everybody but if you’re struggling with staying on track with your weight loss goals, and need support and accountability along the way, starting a blog maybe the remedy you need to start losing weight.
Don’t know where to start? Check out this weight loss bloggers to see how they did it:
- A Black Girls Guide to Weight Loss
- Roni’s Weigh
- Curvy Fit Girl
- Bariatric Foodie (Check out the blogger spotlight)
- Weight Off My Shoulders (Check out the blogger spotlight)
- Brooke: Not On a Diet
- Obesity to Beast
Until next time.
