For some of us, holidays that revolve around food, especially Thanksgiving, is an excuse to indulge in all of our favorite dishes without guilt.
But for those who are trying to keep their waistlines in check, the upcoming turkey day can be a bit overwhelming.
Different people have different methods of avoiding excessive eating, and for Sarah Michelle Gellar, an old photo of herself in lingerie may do the trick.
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star shared the risqué picture on Instagram, but it was what she wrote in the caption that ticked a lot of people off.
"I'm just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday #thanksgivingprep," the mother of two wrote under the photo which was taken at a 2007 photo shoot for Maxim magazine.
Soon after the post went up, comments about the caption being "problematic" started to crop up.
"Your caption is problematic and I suggest you do some research on eating disorders, the mental health issues that go along with them, and how diet culture is harmful to women," wrote one follower. "Girls look up to you, and you should be mindful of the message you're sending."
Some people accused the actress of fat-shaming by promoting "thinspiration on a once a year holiday that should be about togetherness and gratitude."
One fan called Gellar a narcissist who "used this as an excused to show off pics she thought were sexy and assumed her narcissism wouldn't show."
"SMG's post is just stupid," wrote another. "I've enjoyed every production she has ever been in, but had hoped she was not yet another Hollywood bobblehead. She clearly has an eating disorder if she is so obsessed with calories that she won't feast on a day meant for feasting. She is behaving like a brainless bimbo by posting like this."
Still, there were many who came to Gellar's defense, and even thanked her for "promoting a healthy lifestyle."
"You are gorgeous and you have the right to post whatever you want. I applaud your hard work to look like you do and should be able to joke around," wrote one fan. "People need to stop caring so much about what you post or say about yourself and focus on themselves."
Gellar eventually apologized on Instagram, reassuring her followers she was joking.
"It's come to my attention that some people think I was "˜fat shaming' with this post. That could not be further from my intentions. I love Thanksgiving and unfortunately my eyes are often bigger than my stomach, and I tend to eat so much I make myself sick. This was a joking reminder to myself not to do that. I'm terribly sorry that people were offended by my attempt at humor. Any one that knows me, knows I would never intentionally "˜shame' any one on any basis. I am a champion of all people."
