Thursday, March 13, 2014

What's Your Excuse?

When Maria Kang, the infamous "hot Facebook mom," posted her first so-called inspirational "What's Your Excuse?" photo last year, I simply kept my mouth shut in spite of my extreme annoyance. After all, I realize that this woman is simply seeking publicity and hoping to draw a reaction out of everyone. But when she had the nerve to post yet another photo this year, further boasting about the fact that she works eight-plus-hour days, gets little sleep and supposedly has no nanny, I just couldn't keep quiet any longer.

Why? Because it makes me incredibly sad that this woman is still out there bragging about how great she thinks she is, and even sadder that many people actually think she is healthy and a "role model" simply based on the way she looks. I mean, sure, she may look fit on the outside, but who knows what is really going on inside her body, or will over time, due to ongoing stress, limited sleep and so on? As I recently discussed with a friend, size and appearance are not always a direct reflection of one's actual health. 


Furthermore, while it's great that she works out and likes looking the way she does, it's just not realistic or desirable for many others. Although I certainly believe in the importance of exercising and eating healthily, everyone's body is unique, and beauty is not one-size-fits-all. I, for one, would much rather do without damaging my body with constant stress and little sleep than look like her.

Therefore, rather than continuing to judge others primarily based on the way they look, or feeling pressured to try living up to someone else's perhaps unattainable standard, I think we should all instead focus on our own health and fitness, finding what works for us and allows us to feel happy about the way we look and feel. We should also keep in mind that it is indeed entirely possible to be healthy and live a long life without ever looking the way Ms. Kang does.

What do you think about this woman's photos and messaging?

14 comments:

  1. i think she had a good message about the importance of taking care of oneself but it was the one she went about it that appeared self-serving and arrogant.

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    1. I agree, Mrs. Pancakes. I'm all for advocating a healthy lifestyle, but presenting the message in an arrogant way and promoting practices that aren't even healthy at all, such as getting little sleep, isn't right, at least in my opinion.

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  2. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but it does seem like she's only doing it for the publicity.

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    1. I agree, Nali. The really sad part of it is that people take the message to heart and think they are somehow "failing" if they don't look like her and live the way she does.

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  3. I see it and my thought is 'when does she send time with the kids?'. I have 3 boys too and personal work out time was the first thing to go. My 'me' time is spent commenting on blogs ;) taking care of my home and prepping for an afternoon of chasing around and playing with my kids. Nights are for watching Tv, talking and drinking wine with my hubby. Healthy is definitely not always skinny and I am happy just the way I am!

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    1. That's an excellent point, Kate. When does she spend time with her kids? I think people also overlook the fact that running around and playing with kids can be a great workout!

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  4. I vaguely remember seeing an article about here or something. I guess I just didn't think she was important enough for me to really pay attention to her.

    Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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    1. I agree with you, and that's why I didn't even bother commenting the first time around. But the fact that she's still out there promoting practices that aren't even healthy just got completely under my skin!

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  5. If she wants to inspire others to be healthy and get fit that is one thing, but she shouldn't be putting others down and post the photo with "What's your excuse". Even Jillian Michaels has admitted that after having kids her life has gotten crazy. Plus if this woman is running on no sleep, that is where not healthy at all and no one should be promoting her method. Like you said, it's unrealistic and no one should be comparing themselves to anyone. We all have different bodies, inside and out. What might work for one person doesn't work for another.

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    1. I completely agree with you, Diana! Everyone is different, and the fact that she's out there promoting practices that aren't even healthy seems so wrong to me.

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  6. who is she trying to impress? what happened in her life that she feels the need to be extremely controlling over her life like this, to make it "perfect"? good for her, but i think it's kinda crazy and not realistic.

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    1. I agree, Elle! She may think she looks great, but she obviously has some insecurities if she feels the need to seek validation from others and present herself as being "perfect."

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  7. We all need to be aware of proper diet and exercise and practice it - I don't think there should be an excuse if we can make lifestyle changes that can prevent future illnesses or weight gain that makes us uncomfortable. But every person is different as is their ideal healthy weight. We should always be the best version of us, but not shame others if they don't look like fitness models!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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    1. I totally agree! Being fit and healthy is one thing, but shaming others is quite another.

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