Photo: Maria Kang via Instagram
A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post that got a lot of attention: some very good, some really bad. It took days for the social media shitstorm to die down, as I encouraged women to tell Maria Kang?often called ?The No Excuses Mom? or ?The Hot Facebook Mom??via social media that healthy doesn?t have to mean sculpted abs and toned thighs. I was in the midst of coming to terms with my post-partum body, while also gearing up for a new pregnancy (I was newly pregnant when I penned the post), and I felt personally slighted by Kang?s message.  I?ve thought about it so many times since that post went live?about the backlash it received, and how my intention was to empower others in my boat, not to sink Maria?s.  But today I read Kang?s Instagram posts about her recent family and personal issues, and about her willingness to get back in front of the camera regardless of her physical changes. I read headlines that said, ?Oh, So There Are Excuses? or ?Hot Facebook Mom Gains Weight? and I instantly cringed. I?m no stranger to a biting, sardonic perspective but in this case, this isn?t an ?I told you so? post. This is about supporting another woman in her struggles and insecurities.
Maria Kang still looks amazing, but when your self-esteem takes a hit, no one can make you view yourself in a positive light. She sees extra weight and loss of muscle definition, and while these aren?t as important to me as being able to keep up with my kids and putti...