Expert? Ha!

I have part of a weight loss website for more than three years. When I was having a bad day, it was my happy place.

In the last year, things have really become something else. The positive energy is less and less. I feel they don't take bullying seriously and listen to the victim fairly.

In fact, there is a popular member that constantly had to edit her blogs. But, why? Aren't blogs supposed to be about sharing our own personal thoughts with the public? When did it become "okay" to tell someone what to think? Seriously? In my mind, you are just be naive, at the very least.

Besides that, the staff seem to think they are the only experts. Why can't we, the members, be experts as well? It just takes education.

This is my situation.

I am on a team with one of the coaches, and posted stuff that dealt with the topic. The said "Coach" than makes me look stupid and feel down about me. But, here's the thing. I am smart. I am an Exercise Science major. I have loss 100 pounds in weight. I may not have years of nursing experience behind me, but I DO know a thing or two.

Okay. Okay. Let's calm down. Here is what happened today.

I posted this:
"Some of you may remember that about three weeks ago, I thought I was overtraining. It didn't go away even with rest. I went to the doctor, got tested and found I have normal levels for thyroid and blood. Since that appointment, I started taking a multivitamin. After about 5 days, I started to feel better. I am convinced I had sports anemia.

I am telling you this to remind everyone that carbs and protein is not the only thing us runners need to watch. Endurance runners can become anemic when they deplete their iron storage. If you are eating enough protein, you probably have enough iron.. but you also need to be taking in Vitamin C for the iron to be absorbed. For more information, google sports anemia."

It was supposed to be a friendly reminder to make sure they get their iron in, and MAYBE take a multivitamin.

"Coach" replied with:
"While some runners may experience sports anemia, it is not a common amongst many runners, especially those with low mileage and who are not menstruating. Unless you have been tested for anemia, please DO NOT take an iron supplement without medical supervision as having too much iron in your system can be very toxic to the liver."

Okay, first this is a half marathon team. They don't exactly run low miles. It is an ENDURANCE sport, for Pete's sake! Secondly, I never reccommend taking an iron supplement. Nope. I suggested eating more iron, and maybe taking in more Vitamin C. I never said to take a supplement! Thirdly, I would hope to God if one was to suspect this, they would go to the DOCTOR. I never said I was a doctor. Just that it is something they should be aware of!

Okay, deep breath. Trying to let it go!

After her response, another member responded with this:
"Coach. I could not have said it better myself. THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, but giving iron to someone who has not been proven to be iron deficient (not all anemias are iron related) is very uncommon. Most of us will get our iron we need from natural sources....

@ Savannah 'I am convinced I had sports anemia.' anemia has a definition and corresponding lab results - no matter how convinced you are :-)"

Okay, now I am just mad. Coach is not God. Hell, she has a nursing degree. In fact, once I graduate, my degree, Exercise Science, will have more credibity than her nursing degree. Now, don't get me wrong. Nursing is great but don't you dare trying to make ME sound stupid! Again, I mentioned from natural resources.. not a supplement! Grr!!!

And as for the comment directed towards me..

This lady does not know me and I personally feel they missed something. It happens with doctors. There are many reasons they could have missed it. Once I started taking multivitamins, it went away.

Letting it go...

I guess I am sick and tired of members acting like the coaches are god. They aren't. Hell, if they went into the field, they aren't even considered experts!

I feel like I cannot speak on the team so I might leave. I have already left the team once. More and more, I have been playing with leaving the team. It is just easier to communicate w/ some of my friends there. Maybe if I blog here more, I will.