'Facebook banned my weight loss photo,' claims woman who lost 120lbs

Marilyn McKenna weighed 265 pounds before beginning her weight loss regime in 2007 While cleaning out her closet recently she found an old pair of her 'fat pants' She posted a photo of her standing inside one leg of her old pants on Facebook, but it was quickly taken down She claims that Facebook told her it was because she was promoting an 'idealized body image', although they claim she was trying to sell stuff McKenna speaks and writes about health issues, but she protests that it is all free of charge On Sunday she tweeted that she has meeting with a representative from Facebook this coming week to resolve their differences

By David Mccormack

PUBLISHED: 17:47 EST, 12 January 2014 | UPDATED: 17:47 EST, 12 January 2014

A woman who successfully lost 120 pounds claims that Facebook won't allow her to post a photo showing her dramatic weight loss because it promotes an 'idealized body image.'

Marilyn McKenna, was a 'fat, grumpy middle-aged women' who weighed 265 pounds when she decided to make a lifestyle change in 2007.

Now just over six years later she describes herself as a 'fit and fearless middle-aged woman' who weighs 145 pounds and dedicates much of her time to speaking and writing about health issues.

While cleaning out her closet recently she found a pair of her old 'fat pants,' that she had saved as a reminder of her heavier days.

Marilyn asked her husband, former Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, to take a photo of his super fit wife posing inside one of the legs of her old pants.

Thinking the photo was funny and might provide inspiration for others, she posted the picture on her Facebook page which promotes healthy eating and exercise.

On Thursday morning, she said Facebook removed the photo.

'They sent me an email back when I inquired, saying 'This kind of image isn't allowed,'' she told KATU.com. 'I think they said it promotes an idealized body image, and they're trying to discourage that type of thing.'

McKenna said Facebook officials told her users aren't allowed to post before-and-after photos or anything with a scale or a tape measure.

'I'm certainly not about idealizing any kind of body image,' she said. 'I write about weight loss. I write about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.'

Since her disagreement with Facebook, she has taken rather enthusiastically to Twitter and recently posted the photo along with the comment: 'FB refused me this profile pic bcuz it 'promotes idealized body image,' deems it harmful. I call bull****'.

According to Facebook the photo was an issue because McKenna was trying to sell something.

'Facebook's terms require advertisers of weight loss and other adult products to limit the audience of their ads to people aged 18 and over,' said the spokesperson.

McKenna had opted to promote the photo which meant Facebook considered it an ad. But she says she's not selling anything.

'Hey, Facebook! What 'products' am I promoting?! You dunderheads! My website, my blogs, my videos... It's all free!! Im not selling anything!' she tweeted.

McKenna writes about her weight loss experience at her blog and on Sunday tweeted that she will be meeting with Facebook this coming week to resolve the dispute.

'Having a meeting with Facebook this coming week so they can clarify their arbitrary policy - and apologize to me. Dunderheads,' she tweeted.