This blog is not supposed to be about me, but I just can’t help myself. I really feel like adding my two cents to the ongoing debate about the pressure for moms to be wonder-women.
What got my attention in a major way was a blow-up last year when some lady named Maria Kang posted a picture of her fabulous self on Facebook (or some other social media juggernaut). In the picture, she was basically wearing the skimpiest exercise wear that I have ever seen and was with 3 young children – ranging from 3 years old to 8 months old. The best part of the picture was.a caption that read “what’s your excuse?” . This reeled me in because you guessed it – I only have two kids and my baby was about the age of the youngest pictured, and there was no way in this world that I looked as fabulous as Maria Kang.
Now, let me back up to say that it is great that this lady looks sooooooo amazing. I typically don’t berate other women because they are more awesome than me. Kuddos to them! I truthfully mean that! But seriously, does this lady really think that she is motivating her fellow mom’s to exercise and be healthy???? She has two X-chromosomes and is at least 30 years old, so she surely understands the nature of women. I don’t know, let’s assume that she did intend to motivate ladies BUT that she is clueless. I think an article written in the Huffington Post summed up how lots of ladies feel about Maria Kang’s awesomeness – (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-slayton/whats-your-excuse-for-not_b_4414068.html).
Back to me. When Rachel first joined the gymnastics team (Fall 2011), I decided to maximize her practice time. You see, right next to her gym was a gym for grown-ups trying to get or keep in-shape. I thought that I would get a trainer and workout for an hour while Rachel was at practice – a win-win. The gym seemed pretty serious – almost every other person looked like they stepped out of a fitness magazine! My trainer was this young lady that had more muscles in her forearm than I had in my entire body! She looked amazing!!!
Anyway, this lady whipped me into much better shape. About a week or two after finding out that I was pregnant with Sarah Amelia (around June 2012), I was the thinest that I had been in many years. Not to say that I was skinny or thin, because at best, I am average. However, it was a big improvement!
With the help of my trainer, I continued to work-out at the gym until I was about 8-months pregnant. After about 33 weeks, I stuck to moderate walking. I certainly felt very lucky that I was able to stay that active. After the baby was born and my fabulous doctor gave the all-clear for exercise, I was back in the gym. It was great! I mean – wow – there I was full-speed ahead! Then, I saw that article about Maria Kang. I had mixed emotions – yes, having kids is no excuse for not exercising and trying to be healthy BUT sticking yourself out there as the goal for us mortals – ugh! What a “mean girl” thing to do!
I have been bouncing around the scale for the last two months. I will be within one measly pound from pre-baby and BOOM, Girl Scout cookie season arrives! Ugh, and there we go, goal not achieved. There is now a lot of push-back against the “mean girl”, Maria Kang’s of the world. A few weeks ago, I saw a clip of a mom who made a rap video-parody about her muffin top. It was really, really, really funny! The irony was that I happened to be running as fast as I could on the treadmill when I saw the video!
After I stopped laughing, I thought that maybe I should just let go and not worry about weight. The truth is, I like exercise. I am selfish about my exercise time. It is my time to focus on being active and forgetting about all the things. Plus, it takes a lot of exercise for me to stay in a “healthy” range. Like I said, I work very hard at being average!
So Maria Kang, have fun being beautiful, firm, and perky! Consider this – if some famine or other stressor hit the country, I would outlast you because I have more fat stored in my thighs and tummy, which would make me the “fittest”! hahahahahahaha 🙂
my first post-baby 5 K – Rachel did the fun run
Great blog post! I try to ignore those people but it is so hard. I’ve struggled with body image issues my whole life and it takes a toll. I stopped taking care of myself in law school and am still recovering. Ive made progress, but it’s been slow! I’ve been able to really change my eating habits and learn how to live without a ton of carbs. I really like eating the 6 smaller meals a day. The app on my phone keeps me accountable and honest about what I eat. Fear of diabetes complications keeps me motivated. You look great and should be very very proud of yourself!
Thanks Sarah! I think you are way ahead of the game! I think eating healthy is the most important thing! I struggle with that a lot.
Ruth, you are in great shape…I suspect the lady you speak of has taken a lot of flack about her post. One of the radio morning shows here added her post on its time line and asked the audience to respond…WELL, that opened the biggest can of worms! I don’t remember any of the respondents saying anything positive about this lady’s post….but they sure did have a lot to say! (negatively)…
Thanks Aunt Aileen! Yes, it is easier to see her as all bad. I tried to see a positive angle to her post, but no matter how you slice it, the delivery of her message is off-putting. I think that there are a lot of “fit-spiration” websites that encourage exercise and health, but there are also a lot “thin-spiration” websites that people with eating disorders go to for encouragement to make it one more day with not eating! For a lot of people, it is a fine line between those two things. I think this lady was trying to work the “fit-spiration” angle.
Ruth you look great !Stop worrying and don’t compare yourself to others. You are your own person ! Again, you look great !
Thanks Mom! For the most part, I try not to compare myself to others. I am way to old for that! I guess that this year I have been a little more sensitive to other women bragging about how great they look.