Addressing the elephant in the room.
It’s not something I ever wanted to address; the subject of eating disorders has nothing to do with my website nor what I stand for, which is why I’ve let the rumors go unchallenged for so long.
But readers have recently been leaving an even higher number of weight-related comments than usual, now calling me both too thin and too fat. (I’ve even been called pregnant and anorexic in the same post.)
As I know girls are using photos of me for “thinspiration” and citing my blog as a reason it’s okay to eat 100 calories a day and starve down to 70 pounds…
I feel addressing it at this point is the right thing to do.
If you’ve ever googled “chocolate covered katie,” you’ve probably seen the search engine’s lovely (I say this facetiously) list of related searches, which includes “chocolate covered katie anorexic” and “chocolate covered katie eating disorder.”
It’s self-perpetuating: curiosity will cause people to click on the terms, and therefore the suggested searches will most likely never disappear.
Although I don’t have an eating disorder and have always eaten well, I did have an unhealthy relationship with exercise in the past that took a toll on both my appearance and mental health.
While I’d thought I was happy during those years and was technically healthy—with normal lab work and a good relationship with food—the over-exercising was sabotaging my efforts to gain the curves I desired. I wouldn’t allow myself to entertain the possibility my running routine could be partially responsible for my inability to gain weight.
When I finally did make the choice to give up running (that story is linked above), I gained about 10-15 pounds quickly, easily, and happily. Imagine discovering, almost overnight, that you suddenly have the body you’d always wanted.
Looking back, I wonder why I didn’t realize sooner the extreme exercise was not the healthiest thing for me: it had become a source of stress in my life and was draining me of energy, which was manifest in my appearance.
I am a million and a half times happier now, and it shows.
It’s difficult to make guesses about a person’s life simply by looking at a photograph or by judging his or her online persona.
No, my life is not all about food; and yes, I occasionally do indulge in “unhealthy” meals and desserts. I just don’t post about these occasions because it isn’t relevant to the theme of my website.
Hateful things are written on the internet under a cloak of anonymity, and it’s unfortunately women putting down other women all too often, writing words they would never feel comfortable saying in real life.
In my years of blogging, I’ve been called everything from “skeleton” to “fat slug” to “anorexic with a boob job” (neither of which is true; but even if they were, would it mean someone had any less worth as a human being?). The comments eventually forced me to realize my self worth needs to come from something other than the opinion of a stranger on the internet.
The routineness with which I receive these acrimonious messages has at least given me the ability to shrug them off.
Although… when I saw the “fat slug” comment, I could not stop laughing.
I completely stopped reading the internet rumors and conspiracy theories about myself a long time ago, even if that means letting some false claims about my life go unchallenged. While I could defend myself against the rumors, doing so would become a full-time job, and I’d rather focus my time elsewhere.
The people who know me in real life are easily able to tell the truth, which is all that matters.
However, the one thing I feel I do need to clear up is that anyone who tells you my blog promotes eating disorders is grossly mistaken. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Chocolate Covered Recipes have healthy fats, whole grains, and real-food (non-artificial) ingredients, and you’ll never find me promoting dangerous cleanses, calorie restriction, or touting any one food as a “miracle” cure.
I’ve turned down so many high-paying offers from companies to promote such things on the blog.
In consideration of the readers with a medical need, lower-calorie and sugar-free options are included in my posts when available. But the recipes are not specifically “diet” choices; just healthier choices, and you can choose the ingredient options that suit your own personal needs.
I go further into detail on this topic in my Chocolate Covered Katie FAQ Page.
Please, the next time you read any kind of gossip online, take a moment to consider the source before believing it as fact. And if you ever come across something written about me that you don’t understand, please always feel free to ask.
I’m one of the most candid and open people you could ever meet, and I don’t get embarrassed easily. If a stranger really wanted to know everything about my life, I’d have no problem leaving in every detail.
At the risk of sounding clichéd… all of the stupid mistakes I’ve made in my life have made me who I am today, and I’m not embarrassed about a single one.
If you want to use me as thinspiration, keep in mind that the thinspiration you are using is a healthy woman who eats a balanced diet heavy in calories, healthy fats, and carbs.
I’d hope that what people can get out of my blog is the message it’s important to treat your body kindly; to nourish it with real-food ingredients; to truly enjoy the foods you are eating; and to take in enough calories for the strength and energy to live your best life possible.
No crash dieting. No cutting out food groups. No starving. Please take good care of yourselves. ♥
I also wanted to write this post because I know there are many other girls out there (and guys too) who receive similar online comments. To anyone who might need to hear it, please do not take any of the messages you receive to heart.
Most often, people just like to write things online because they can (especially if it’s anonymous), and it has nothing to do with your worth, no matter whether you are underweight, overweight, or have anything else about your physical appearance that makes you feel insecure or less than.
Now, can we put this subject to rest and get back to the food?
I’m going to hashtag this photo #fatslug 
Katie,
I have never posted a comment on any blog. However I was completely moved by your post. I too, have struggled with an unhealthy relationship with exercise. In believe this is something not well recognized in today’s society, particularly with the increase of more intense forms of exercise, such as crossfit, making their way into the mainstream. I work in the medical field, and I see more and more young people now needing joint replacements, etc from completely wearing down their bodies. I have followed your blog for a few years and watched your transformation and I feel compelled to tell you, that you have never looked more beautiful and radiant.
Thanks for the post Katie, and it’s unfortunate you even have to write it. I’ve battled my weight up and down since I was kid, and always had unhealthy eating habits. I’ve changed my diet for the better after I had kids, but unapologetically eat plenty of meat, cheese, and fast food. I don’t follow food blogs, because as much as I like to cook, I find so many of them too pretentious to bother with… Until I found yours last summer. I have made so many recipes and incorporated them into our regular baking routine. When my son’s preschool requested only “healthy” snacks for birthday treats and suggested strawberries or yogurt, I brought your pumpkin muffins and black bean brownies instead and they were such a hit and the teachers were amazed.
So from someone who admittedly likes to roll my eyes at Whole Foods shoppers and scoff at skinny girls with a touch of envy, you and your recipes are inspiring and life-changing. I’ve lost 50 pounds in the past year, switched entirely to spelt and almond flour, coconut oil, natural sweeteners, and more. Thank you so much for all you do, and keep being healthy and beautiful!
Thank you for making the recipes! 🙂
Lol you sound a lot like me… But really I commend you for your determination and achievements of change. Congratulations and keep moving forward : )
I wondered about you back in the day but then you wrote the post about running. I know a lot of people probably don’t believe it, because I am on the thinner side and know how incomprehensible thinness can be for other adult women who are average or bigger. I go through phases where I’m healthier than others – when i eat fast food and junk every day for months and eat a LOT of a lot of bad things and drink plenty of wine or cocktails or whatever on the weekends and don’t exercise – when i absolutely and totally gluttonous and unhealthy, i “balloon” to a size 4. when i eat low carb with a little bit of fast food and sweets and eat a LOT in general of what i do eat, and exercise regularly i get down to a 0 and then I have to hear from my heavy aunts and cousins on my dad’s side how I’m “anorexic”…and my mom and her sisters who are all like, 100 pounds naturally just roll their eyes.
You look great!
This just made me love you so much more! Thank you so much for clearing things up and being a healthy role-model.
Dear Katie, I admire the way you have handled the criticism and your response. No matter what you do someone will find something to criticize. I would like to thank you for your wonderful blog. I have been a vegetarian (almost vegan) for many years and was always looking for ways to add variety to my food choices. I love the recipes you offer. I have made so many of them, and they allowed my to experiment and create my own versions. I thank you, and my friends thank you too.
Hi Katie,
I was given a link to this page as an inspiration to shrug off the haters that I’m currently dealing with, except its more so – in laws. I am so glad to have read this post as it has truly inspired me to keep on going and never mind what mean spirited people have to say because I know the truth. You seem like a very genuine person and I adore that. I also want to thank my friend who has brought your blog to my attention and you will now be considered on my inspiration page in my blog. Keep doing what you’re doing friend.
Much love from Canada.
http://www.1987blog.com
I’m so sorry to know you’re currently dealing with haters as well. Just please remember that their insecurity is THEIR issue, not yours! Sending good thoughts your way.
I love this post! I started healthy food instagramming a few months ago and had no idea my page would grow so quickly. I also didn’t realize that once you reach a certain point of sharing, there are those that attack, gossip, are unkind, and so forth. My sensitive soul wasn’t prepared for it and I’ve had to take time to refocus. I will say that I have never heard these comments made about you! I’m not a daily follower but I love to read from time to time. My mother reminded me recently that “people throw rocks at things that shine” keep shining Katie for the world to see!
Ps I’m @eat_juicy on Instagram if you ever want to check out my page! ❤️
I have been visiting this site for don’t know about 3 years and I initially did see you as thin. But that’s it. Never heard about any rumours and did not indulge in them. Just enjoyed every visit here.
I am glad you addressed this in a manner that is fitting. Salute !
Katie don’t let peoples invasive and inappropriate comments deter you! You are absolutely beautiful and I love your blog! Keep doing what you been doing! Your awesome!
You are amazing, Katie. I’ve been an avid follower for a while now, and I just want to say that you are so inspiring to me. I am in recovery from anorexia, and your blog helps me stay strong by seeing your healthy, yummy, and wonderful recipes! I have come a LONG way from three years ago, but I still struggle with dessert. I read your blog to grow more comfortable with the ideal of dessert, and I hope to one day eat one of these scrumptious treats!
Anyhow, I just wanted to say f*** those rumours. Haters will always be jealous of those who live happy, healthy, lovely lives. You keep on being amazing, dear. xo Julie