TikTok has banned wellness influencer Liv Schmidt, 22, from the platform following controversy surrounding her weight loss advice. Schmidt's fitness and nutrition material, such as her "Skinny Girl Essentials" and "What I Eat in a Day" series, propelled her to over 700,000 followers. Critics and nutritionists claim that the social networking company removed her account for allegedly promoting disordered eating habits. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on September 16, Schmidt defended her material, claiming that her writings mirrored her personal story. “For me and my personal aesthetic, I like to be skinny, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. Schmidt admitted that weight might be a difficult subject, but she said that her audience responded to such information. “Weight is a touchy topic, but that’s what the viewers want.”Despite the ban, Schmidt maintained that her content was aimed at helping others. She told the WSJ she aimed to "save America from obesity, one person at a time," and expressed disappointment over TikTok’s decision. “I felt misunderstood and upset by their choice,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of user control over the content they consume. “We all have the option to follow or block any content we want,” she added.Schmidt stated that her material connected with viewers because of her attitude to eating and dieting. Unlike many health advocates, she stated that she does not restrict any specific dietary groups. “I don’t have any food off-limits. I’m not dairy-free. I’m not vegan. I’m not gluten-free. I’m not a health freak,” she said. Schmidt said that being honest about her lifestyle and working hard to preserve her figure helped to her internet success. Critics of the influencer said that her message encouraged bad eating habits. Several professional dietitians warned that her videos might cause viewers to develop disordered eating behaviors, prompting increasing scrutiny and the final termination of her TikTok account for breaking the platform's community standards. Schmidt's work frequently centered on her own issues with body image, which she said originated from struggles with body dysmorphia. In her interview with the WSJ, she noted how societal pressure played a role in shaping her mindset. “If you look around and every single person around you is blonde and skinny, you’re gonna definitely feel more peer pressure to fit into that stereotype,” she explained.Despite losing access to her original TikTok profile, Schmidt remains active on other platforms like YouTube and Instagram. She has also continued posting on a secondary TikTok account. In a recent video on the platform, she reiterated her weight loss strategy, saying, “Habits are a slay because they’re how I lost my weight successfully. My bloodwork is amazing. I feel amazing.” Schmidt attributed her weight loss to cutting fats and returning to a more disciplined diet and workout routine.In her TikTok content, Schmidt emphasized that her approach to fitness wasn’t solely based on appearance. “It’s just based on how I feel, and how I feel is based on how I look — and how I look is based on how I feel,” she said. When asked in the comments why her original account was taken down, Schmidt expressed frustration, writing, “Idk, so much for freedom of speech tbh.”Though TikTok has barred her main account, Schmidt’s wellness journey continues on other platforms, where she remains committed to sharing her fitness and lifestyle tips.