You completely missed her point. it's not "why don't you look like me" it's "what's your excuse for not trying to improve yourself."
And for a woman who has 3 kids under 4 yrs old she finds the time so to think that all she does to work out is yet another excuse. So you're saying she's a bad mom? Neglects her kids? Being a Dad YOU should know that 3 kids under 4 IS a full time job and I'm quite disappointed that you give he no credit for that at all.
And genetically blessed? Really? Is she a leftover from Hitler's dream? Please.
People hate on those who work hard and challenge others. It's just too easy to sit back, eat, and hate.
That's what's wrong with society today, nobody want's to earn anything (money, health, happiness) they all just want it handed to them and they say people who have it are either bullies or just didn't earn it "fairly" according to a certain leader we have these days.
Quite sad actually. I also read that her husband came back from Afghanistan with a brain injury but I'm sure that they are able to afford nannies and private day care while she works out all day from his military "pension."
It doesn't look like you'll be changing your mind any time soon, but I stand behind what I said.
First off, I did NOT say anything about her mothering skills. I don't know where you got that impression.
And blessed with good genes? Yes, it happens. Different people have different body types and different body types react to exercise in different ways. Some bodies are built for being wide receivers, some for running backs, some offensive linemen and some for being kickers. No matter how hard they work, few linemen can become kickers and few kickers can become running backs.
Oh, and lest you think I'm one of the fat, lazy ones making excuses, for my being fat and lazy, my wife and I are workout fiends.
I've been practicing and teaching Shotokan karate (not so much teaching any more) for about 23 years, I run 3 days a week, and do some lower impact aerobic exercises (to save my joints) 3 days per week. I lift weights, ride a bike and while you were writing your response to me I was on a 2 mile walk with my wife and youngest daughter, since this is our 'rest' day.
My wife is a beautiful lady, but even if she could devote hours a day, she is not built like Ms. Kang.
We work hard. We challenge and inspire others, but we do it through encouragement and example, not shaming.
My wife and daughters agree that Ms. Kang has the right to show off the results of her hard work, but also think that she sets unrealistic expectations for the women who see the photo and the caption 'what's your excuse'.
Like I said, I probably won't change your mind, but I'll close with 2 things; first, her husband has nothing to do with this discussion, and second, here's part of an article from by a female trainer out of Chicago about the subject:
"Fitness is the lifeblood of Kang's career. She works at her body very hard because, well, that's her job. She's committed and to that I say good for you, Maria. She's a lean person, but has a toned, muscular physique. Her body itself should not be construed as anything negative. She's proud of herself, reaping what she sowed and letting us know about it.
The question, "What's your excuse?" makes me roll my eyes a little. Ok, a lot. It's a message that allows people to either relate or detach...and could have been positioned in a much, much better way.
I've been working in the fitness industry since 1998. Taking care of my body and making sure I eat right are two of my top priorities. When I see a question like "What's your excuse?" it's motivating to me. However, as a personal trainer and fitness coach who has worked with hundreds of other men and women who do not share the same career or personal goals, the question itself is bulls---.
A lot of people have legit excuses. Careers, school, divorce, lack of resources, health problems, etc., are all reasons why someone wouldn't be able to take care of themselves are good as they should, much less workout religiously. I believe we can all take better care of our bodies, but not everyone can look just like Kang. On the flip side, there are many people who have overcome obstacles and have successfully used fitness as the path to guide them. These people are constantly a source of motivation and inspiration for me and millions of others.
I like the picture Kang posted, but if we took the words "What's your excuse?" out of it, it would have been far less inflammatory. Knowing a little bit of her backstory, I look at the picture of Kang and see a woman who made a career in fitness after overcoming an eating disorder. Adding the words "What's your excuse?" completely changes the intent and tone of the message.
Without the words "What's your excuse?", it could be interpreted as "Look how healthy I am today." But with those three words, it's a little more like "Look how great my body is. Why don't you look like me?" Granted, this photo was blown way out of proportion, I'm a little surprised Kang wasn't more sensitive to the struggles of eating disorders that she herself once dealt with. She should be proud of herself for overcoming her disease, but she should also know that millions of other women are struggling with eating disorders right now.
Moving in a better direction
It's no secret that most people would love to have a leaner, healthier body. It's also no secret that people eat too much and don't exercise as much as they should. There are also plenty of the-dog-ate-my-homework style excuses. The job of any professional in the fitness industry is to lift people, lead by example and make people feel good about themselves. The better people feel about themselves, the healthier their bodies will be. The worse people feel about themselves, the less likely it is they'll take care of their body. I have no reason to believe Kang doesn't care about her audience, nor do I think it was her intention to make anyone feel bad or get (incredibly) angry. She just paired a phrase that many found to be cocky, not motivating, with an image that is inconceivable to most. The combination was resulted in this love/hate firestorm."