But it has been getting quite a bit of backlash and attention. Maria Kang considers herself a mother, a business owner, a creator of the nonprofit, Fitness Without Borders, and a fitness blogger.
After posting this photo, she has been accused of 'fit-shaming' and 'fat-shaming' others. People are even calling her a bully and accusing her of being a bad mom. Really, people, really?!!?!?!
Why the negativity? Why are we getting angry at a woman who has taken the time to make her health a priority so she can be a healthy, active role model for her sons. Not to mention, she wants to live long enough to raise her sons and you need to be healthy to do that. Her point here is not to attack others or judge others' lifestyles. Her point was DON'T MAKE EXCUSES to be healthy. She is also not saying you have to have her body type or her abs eight months after giving birth, she is just saying don't let excuses stop you from living a healthy life.
Let's be honest we all make excuses. We're too busy, too stressed, too tired, too sick...whatever you tell yourself to get out of being healthy is not Maria's fault or problem, so stop projecting.
Hate to break it to you, but our country is overweight. Our country is lazy. Our country has many, many health problems that could be alleviated with fitness and healthy eating. You don't have to like Maria or even like how she went about making her point, but the fact is, she does have a point. And if you're angry with her, it might be because you realized you are making excuses and she is calling you out a little bit.
So, let's stop with the hate and judgment of others and instead look inside ourselves to see what is causing the negativity and excuses and figure out how we can make positive changes. At the end of the day it comes down to not comparing yourself with others and being happy and healthy in your own body.
Janelle from Renegade Mothering does a much better job getting her point across about this same topic in this post, so you should totally go read it now.
Anyway, I linked up with Sarah and Fan Friday for this post, because in case you haven't picked up on it yet, I am a fan of fitness and a fan of health.
Also, go listen to this song when you #backthatazzup with Whitney to go get your workout on.
23 comments
I agree with you! As much as I am jealous of those who have great genetics/metabolisms and a whole lot of time to work out, I try to do what I can with what I have! It did take me a while to get to this totes mature view point because I use to hate a lot lol Think: "Oh she's naturally skinny, whatever"
But I learned that ok, that girl is naturally skinny but you're not,ninikat, and that's not an excuse to not even TRY.
seriously SO glad you wrote about this because when I first heard about it, I actually wondered what your opinion on the matter was! I personally don't understand the issue with the picture/caption either. She was actually on our local morning show and I love that she's stuck by her statement through all the drama its caused-- http://thebertshow.com/fit-mom-three-millions-mad/
women need to stop hating on each other. YOU MAKE THE TIME TO EXERCISE end of story. it's not that she was bashing or throwing it in people's faces, she makes the time to exercise despite the fact that she has 3 kids. can you believe that i've heard some women saying to others "why do you prefer abandoning your kids to workout?" <--WTF!!
and like you said, we all have excuses. hell, i almost made up some stupid excuse not to drag my ass out of bed this morning at 5am but i put that out of my mind and did it anyway and i'm so glad i did! if you want to do it, then you will otherwise you won't..it's as simple as that!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
This is irritating. I thought I was going to read this post and you were going to say how people were PRAISING this woman. But bashing her?!?!?!?!? WHAT???? That is just plain silly. If I had that body and worked as hard as she clearly did, I'd probably personally email everyone on the internet and say, "HEY HEY HEY HEY LOOK WHAT I DID HEY HEY HEY LOOK AT ME! "
I 100% agree with you on this one!
-Elise @ 9tofit.com
I 100% agree with you on this one!
-Elise @ 9tofit.com
I totally agree with this, I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Projecting ones issues/insecurities onto others. It's time we take responsibility for our own lives! Completely agree, and I find that photo motivating and inspiring! As women, we should lift each other up, not criticize....Happy Friday!
love this, oh so much. especially cos i'm an excuse whore. right now my excuse is that i'm waiting for my tattoo to heal, which is reasonable, in my head at least. buuuuuuut monday is a new day, and you can bully me in to going to the gym if you'd like, p.s. that's a demand, please bully me to make it to the gym, i'll love you forever.
That's ridiculous.
Kudos to you Maria for being a badass.
i love your take on this- preach. she is awesome.
people are so obnoxious. good for this chick. and really? if you're gonna be mad at someone, how about yourself for being jealous.
really tho cuz I basically wanna be this woman
Well, I guess I'll be the first person to say I disagree :( I completely respect your opinion and I understand what you're saying, but my problem with this is one of communication. The image and the words, in my opinion, do imply that she is asking what our excuse is for not having a body like hers. I think the point would be better made if the image were of her working out with her 3 boys in tow- an action pic, because supposedly, that is what she wants to inspire people to do. Instead, she is posing in a skimpy little outfit, which is her right, but I don't like the arrogance of "what's your excuse?" I do work out and eat healthily, but I will never look like her- genetics have dictated that my skin will not shrink back after having been overweight. It's great that some people find her inspiring, but for many others her message is completely lost, and I totally understand why. Please don't hate me for dissenting- I still think you're cool. :)
I also believe that people find the wrong in everything, and that's tiring, but I also don't think this image sends a positive message. This picture tells me nothing about being healthy or active; it tells me she looks good in a bikini, which is not always indicative of a healthy lifestyle. And, to me, "What's your excuse?" sounds intimidating, not motivating. That said, barraging this woman with negative comments is also not healthy or motivating.
People are just just assholes! And you are absolutely right about who is offended by this, that person who is most likely making up excuses for not being healthy. I am a firm believer that skinny does not = healthy but eating well and getting off the couch to do anything (I love to just walk with my camera) = healthy.
This girl motivated me. I'm starting a new tradition. Hitting the gym on Monday and not gonna make anymore excuses. I have two boys and I want to look like that.
totally agree. i like what she stands for. i DO make excuses and i have to admit that. she doesnt. and it is motivation for sure
I saw this picture and got half way through an article about the controversy before just closing the page. So freaking stupid, this lady can do whatever she wants and no one else should even care. She looks good and she looks good after a lot of babies so good for her.
I'm so glad you posted about this! I agree 100 percent with you.
Could not agree with you more. I used to make a lot of excuses too, and now I'm trying my hardest not to. I only hope I have her motivation after three kids! She looks AMAZING, good for you for telling people like it is!
I swear, people are so ridiculous sometimes! I totally see this photo as inspirational and think it's great when people try to be a positive role model for others. I definitely make excuses all the time to justify eating junk (after all, candy corn season is just once a year, ha!) but this is a great reminder that we are all in control of our own choices.
Have a great weekend girl!
It's safe to say all the haters are jealous. She's got a bangin bod. I am nowhere near that and have zero children. Good for her.
And thanks for the new workout song. :)
We struggle with the differences between "healthy" and "skinny" in our society, and I think that that's what some people are taking offense to. That you can be very healthy, have great heart health, great lungs, a great workout routine, and looking nothing like this lady.
I am neither offended nor inspired. I get on Pinterest on the reg. I know what a hot chick looks like, and I know what my reflection looks like, and if I'm okay with those similarities and differences, then that's all I need to worry about.
I will make a sidenote to say that a lot of people are claiming 'genetics' as the reason they don't look like this woman, which while wholly true is not hte whole story. Just because you've got thyroid issues or a slow metabolism or a pear-shaped figure does NOT mean you were born to be overweight. You CAN (and dare I say should?) be healthy, you just won't ever look like that woman. .... Whew. /end rant
AAAAFREAKINGMEN!! I think that woman is a ROCKSTAR!!
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