Maria Kang 'Apologizes' After 'Fat-Shaming' Mothers
Fitness mogul Maria Kang issued an apology for the "What's your excuse?' image posted to Facebook, but she is still defending its message.
Self-described as an "Asian fitness mom and social entrepreneur," Kang posted a photo to Facebook featuring her fit physique and her three young sons last month in order to promote her "No Excuse Program."
However, the image caused an uproar, and many viewers took offense at the image and its "What's your excuse" caption, accusing Kang of bullying and of "fat-shaming" overweight moms.
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One Facebook user pointed out, "I don't feel this motivates people all that much, it's sorta just a prideful brag thrown onto Facebook in front of many women's faces just to tease and mock them."
Alternately, many Facebook users defended Kang, with one saying the criticism was "ridiculous" and "probably coming from jealousy more than anything."
Nevertheless, Kang was forced to address the uproar, and did so with a defiant "First and Final Apology" posted to the social media site.
"I'm sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way, I won't go into details that I struggled with my genetics, had an eating disorder, work full time owning two businesses, have no nanny, am not naturally skinny and do not work as a personal trainer. I won't even mention how I didn't give into cravings for ice cream, French fries or chocolate while pregnant or use my growing belly as an excuse to be inactive," the California mother of three began.
"What I WILL say is this: What you interpret if not MY fault, It's Yours," she added, before advising readers to "obtain a new level of though by challenging the negative words that come out of your town brain."
Furthermore, Kang wrote that those who are obese and who took issue with her photo "literally have 'bigger'" problems.
"Maybe it's time we stop tip-toeing around people's feelings and get to the point," Kang concluded. "So What's Your Excuse?"
Ahead of her apology, Kang admitted that the criticism was "deep and hurtful" according to Kpopstarz.com.
"It's a natural response, I'm used to it," she said. "But it never feels good not being liked. I think people hiding behind their keyboards think I'm not human and I don't have bad days… To them, I'm just this person that's never experienced any hardship."
Check out Kang's Facebook page here.
