Prior to reading the book I hadn’t heard of Maria Kang or the
controversy she created when she posted the following photo to her Facebook page:
The photo went viral and Kang was vilified by critics for “fat
shaming.”
At first, I was irritated by her photo, but the more I thought about it I became angry. If you look into Kang's background you learn she is a former fitness competitor and personal trainer making it easier for her to get back into shape after having children. Also, she admits to struggling with bulimia. I can't help but wonder if she isn't still obsessed with compulsive exercise and being thin. I don't think she is a healthy role model and do think the air-brushed photo above is fat shaming.
I would have been more likely to consider Kang a healthy role model if she would have used the following more natural photo:
As for healthy role models, I prefer Eliz Greene of Embrace Your Heart whom I've written about before.
Eliz was seven-months pregnant with twins when
she suffered a massive heart attack. Her life changed — not only did she survive
a ten-minute cardiac arrest, the cesarean delivery of her daughters and
open-heart surgery, all on the same day — she gained new perspective and passion
for life. Eliz developed strategies to fit activity and healthy habits into her life. She lost the more than eighty pounds she gained while pregnant and has kept it off for more than a decade.
I had the pleasure of attending a presentation given by Greene a few years ago. She is this teeny tiny women who danced across the stage persuading her audience to exercise in ten minute increments when we were unable to fit a 30 minute workout into our schedule. Many women can't make it to the gym 5 to 6 times a week, but we can dance around the kitchen while doing the dishes.
Do you think Maria Kang is a healthy role model? If not who is your healthy role model?
Maria Kang is not a good role model. Her background and the airbrushed photo make me think she's deceptive. As a fitness trainer, of course she looks great - no matter how many children she has! Thanks for the information about Eliz Greene. She's a role model.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia. I feel kind of bad for bashing her, but I just don't like her in your face no excuses campaign.
DeleteI definitely prefer the second photo and it certainly is alarming to know that she suffered from bulimia, but I have to admit it the immediate negative response to women in great shape bothers me. Along with fat shaming, there's also this bizarre cultural shaming of those who are fit.
ReplyDeleteSpot on. Sometimes it is a no win.
DeleteOur culture loves to build them up then tear them down. I'm not overly familiar with the culture of shaming those who are fit, but I'm sure Madonna and Beyoncé receive quite a bit of shaming. Notice I didn't disclose my weight for my live healthy challenge. I'm not overweight and never have been. I just want to lose the weight I've put on in the past year - I am afraid readers would say who does she think she is!
DeleteI hadn't heard of Maria Kang, but the second picture is much more inspiring than the first.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI think that woman is a terrible role model, to be honest. I've always struggled with keeping my weight down after kids and regardless of how "good" or "bad" I look in her eyes, I work every day to be healthy and to instill those principles in my kids. The ONLY thing I am happy about in that top picture of her is that she's not raising daughters. Although I suppose raising little boys into men who want to be like mommy and were taught to pay close attention to looks and image is just as bad.
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to kick something.
She runs this boot camp thing for moms and I watched a single mom of three struggle to stick to the workouts - the single mom worked close to 18 hours a day (no joke) to support her family and, while she was overweight and looking for a change, obviously struggled very much with trying to find the time to exercise for an hour every day at a gym. Maria, of course, saw excuses. This mom, in my eyes, was a hero just as she was. I could think of a million other things Maria could have advised her to do (including skipping Maria's gym-based classes and instead learning a few 5-minute moves to do at home).
Just really bitters my tang!
Thanks Jennifer. My sister has three kids and works a full-time job. There is no time in her schedule homework, soccer practice, etc. to go to the gym. She has a treadmill and an exercise bike, but honestly I think when she has a few free minutes she would prefer to take a nap. She is always sleep deprived.
DeleteOther members of the book club brought up the point that it is a good thing she's raising sons and not daughters.
One of the goals of my blog is self-acceptance and realistic goals. I don't think excessive exercise, airbrushed photos and bulimia fit this model.
Well since you put it like that. No but seriously - I did not know her background so I wasn't offended by her photo. I think the essence of what she was attempting to say is with 3 active boys all close in age, if I can do it you can do it too. Now I don't know if that comes off like bragging or putting shame on anyone else but I am proud of what I look like and while I have progress to make I am not offended when others show off their hard work. So is she a role model - maybe not for ME but she is for someone out there who didn't think she could and now believes she can because she saw Maria Kang. Also, why is the 2nd photo more accepting than the first one - because it doesn't make people feel as badly about themselves? Then that is THEIR problem not hers. She looks great in the first one IMO. #wowlinkup
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the points you make here. Food for thought.
DeleteThe second photo is better than the first because it is not airbrushed. I understand your point and do like her inspirational message - if I can do it you can too. I just don't think most women take it that way.
DeleteI only heard of Maria because of her controversy. I was disgusted actually by her new publicity photo and the phrase "take that". Really? We need to take that? Sorry, she lost me there. Eliz sounds like a TRUE inspiration. On a separate note - sincerely hope you are doing OK. I know where you are, the stress and anguish are horrible. (hug) You will get through this...
ReplyDeleteNo we don't need to "take that." We get enough negative feedback without having to take it from our fitness role models.
DeleteThank you for the hug and concern about our dog. The drugs have helped with his urethra blockage, but I know the time remaining with him will be short. I'm trying to savor the moments. It is hard though because now all he wants to do is sleep or eat treats - not his food.
I only heard of Maria because of her controversy. I was disgusted actually by her new publicity photo and the phrase "take that". Really? We need to take that? Sorry, she lost me there. Eliz sounds like a TRUE inspiration. On a separate note - sincerely hope you are doing OK. I know where you are, the stress and anguish are horrible. (hug) You will get through this...
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking when that photo and post went around that while she attempted to make a fair point, her presentation put people on the defense. She probably is a role model to some and an inspiration to some others, I imagine. It does take a lot of hard work and commitment to get fit. I don't have much of an opinion on her either way.
ReplyDeleteEliz definitely has an inspirational story!
I agree with Keisha that she's a role model for some and a demon to others. I do like the second more realistic photo of her and she still looks good. Like so many fitness models, they have their off seasons and their photo seasons and I think they should show their off season realistic photos more often. #wowlinkup
ReplyDeletePersonally I think everyone has to do it for themselves. This woman while interesting, didn't inspire me, she turned me off. Good for her that she was able to pop out the kids and still look this good. I did it too, but not how she did. I started eating healthy, and just plain old taking care of myself. Worked for me, Oh and a picture of me at my heaviest on the fridge, not one of her or anyone else that looks like this. Photo shop is an amazing thing.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, a realistic goal with healthy eating and moderate exercise is all it takes.
xoxoxo