ANOTHER Fil-Am mom created a firestorm online and on television because of her Facebook page picture, which showed her with her three very young sons, wearing a skimpy two-piece workout outfit that highlighted her svelte figure. A caption was posted on top: “What’s your excuse?”
The photo became viral. What was intended to be an inspiring photo of fitness advocate Maria Kang backfired, when some offended readers expressed criticisms and hateful words . She was accused of being a “bully” and a “fitness snob.” Mainstream media picked up the story, and she was interviewed in almost all major media outlets.
I think Maria’s picture and question gained traction because it touched some very sensitive and sore parts of the public’s psyche, especially when it comes to the current obesity epidemic, exacerbated by the culture of equating one’s worth and beauty to being skinny.
People who were offended by Maria’s picture and caption-question stated that they were outraged by Maria’s insinuation: that they are fat and not as sexy-looking as Maria, because they are lazy.
Maria has issued an apology after drawing flak for the controversial photo.
In my interview with Maria on Balitang America, I discussed with her that many people might have been offended by her picture and caption-question because of their own frustration. Many women, despite a reasonable exercise regimen, would never look as svelte as she looked in the picture.
Other considerations come in to play. Age is one: Maria is only 32. Most women in their forties, especially those who are menopausal, would respond differently to exercise. The older the person gets, the less “responsive” the body becomes because metabolism usually slows down with age.
Race is an important factor, too. Asians and most Filipinos like Maria do not really become obese, unlike how some Americans, Hispanics or African Americans do. The bone structure of certain race groups also affect the shape of one’s body.
Genetics also matter. If a woman has “fat genes” inherited from her family, then she will have a more uphill battle in keeping the weight off.
Health issues and taking some medication also affect the body. For example, some thyroid ailments cause either faster or slower metabolism. Some prescription medicines also cause weight gain.
Time and resources are also worth mentioning. Many women may be working two jobs to support the family, in addition to the demands of doing household chores and taking care of the kids when they go home and during their days off. When do they go to the gym? And what if they cannot even afford gym memberships, even discounted ones offered by some communities or the YMCA?
In the interview, Maria said certainly these are valid “excuses” for many women. But she contended that there are also those women who would rather choose to just be inactive: watch TV, play video games, eat big portions of unhealthy food. What is their excuse for not “moving?”
Maria clarified that it is not her intention to pressure women to have a body like hers. She said she was trying to motivate them to continue being active, to make healthy choices, to eat smart and to live a health lifestyle, regardless of the immediate visible results.
She took her picture and used her case as an example because she had been through the same battle. She was overweight by 30 pounds after giving birth three times in three years. She said she just wanted to inspire others. If she could do it, so could other women!
Maria said the key is to set long-term and short-term goals, and to create a health and fitness program to achieve these goals. One does not need to work out in a fancy gym.
Walking or running at least 30 minutes a day would help. Or perhaps dancing or taking on a sport.
What is important is that we invest a period of time everyday for moving and exercise. Women just need to stick to this regimen– no ifs and buts.
As we reported on Balitang America Maria, who was born in San Francisco. She is the daughter of Caroline Aducayen from Cagayan, and the granddaughter of retired Philippine Ambassador George Aducayen Jr.
She is a beauty titlist, winning the Mutya ng Pilpinas USA in 2003 and the Miss Petite Teen International when she was 17.
She is now married to David Casler. She is a mother of three and a businesswoman. Her family lives in Elk Grove, California — a suburb near Sacramento.
She also owns two residential care homes for the elderly and runs a non-profit fitness organization.
Truly a fitness advocate, Maria has offered free fitness programs to her employees in her care home facilities.
* * *
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
