In case you aren't as much of an internet fiend as I am, go take a look at this article about Maria Kang.
I had never heard of her before the recent explosion over a photograph of her posing with her three (adorable) children while dressed in a sports bra and running shorts appeared all over the place. She is rather beautiful, and her body definitely shows the amount of work she has put into it to look the way she does. Flat abs, strong arms and legs.
I think the problem begins with the caption she added to the photo. Without the caption, the photo is not only lovely, but inspirational. My first thought was, "WOW, that's dedication!" It's hard enough for me to find time to workout with one child, much less THREE. That's brilliant.
However, she also added text to it. "What's your excuse?"
The text soured it a bit for me. I don't think she is taking a stab at heavy people, or lazy people, or even people in general. The phrase is popular and common in the fitness world. Many photos are out there with the same caption, and they are meant to inspire. For the type of people that like having drills shouted into their faces by their trainers during workouts, this phrase does what it is intended to do - it makes them get up and work, and work hard.
For those of us that prefer a different approach - softer, if you will - the phrase is jarring and borderline rude. A trainer shouting in my face about how fat I am and to work harder would succeed only in making me cry and leave. I would never pay anyone to berate me, I do enough of that to myself, thank you very much. And that, I think, is where the problem lies. Many people took the message personally when it wasn't intended to be as such. They took it as a personal stab at women, mothers in particular, as if it said, "What's your excuse for not working out and looking as amazing as I do?"
I honestly don't know anything about Maria Kang. I know she has an online following and she is fairly popular in fitness circles, with many Likes on her Facebook page. And the only reason I know any of that is because of the sudden explosion of interest in her due to this one photo.
So I am certainly not an expert on Maria Kang. I don't know if she is normally a nice person, or rude, or conceited. All I know is that she is in fantastic shape for having had three children. (Though I am bit jealous of her lack of stretch marks. I have ONE child, and enough stretch marks to reach around the Earth if I lined them all up. So unfair.) I suppose my opinion is that I really wish she had no captioned her photo. I think it took something away from it that would have otherwise been wonderful for those that wanted to see it. I have no doubts that people still would have ripped her a new one simply for having the photo taken, and that is likely because they are cruising for an argument. Trolls, if you will. Whiners, certainly. And lots and lots of jealous ladies.
But had she not...I would have posted it on my Instagram in amazement and used her as a goal. Not necessarily to look like her, but as a way to tell myself, "Hey, if she can do it, so can I!"
But otherwise, I have no opinion either way. Go, Maria Kang. Do your thing.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
The disappointments of being healthy
This is my last week of what Google Image calls the 30 Day Challenge.
I am one day behind because I went into it full-tilt, and my thigh muscles were in such agony for two days that I could barely walk, much less squat. I caught up by doubling up my workouts for a bit at the beginning, and again in Week 3 because I was so down on myself I missed a day.
These sort of workouts make it seem so easy. They have the obligatory photo of a woman with crazy cut abs as the background, they build up "only" a few reps a day, and when you first start, you feel awesome. I'm productive! I'm burning fat! I'm building muscle!
And some of that is true. I startled myself in Week 2 when I crossed my arms and felt my right inner bicep and it was hard as rock, even though I was at rest watching tv with my husband. I was so excited, I made everyone I saw feel it for two days. I made muscle!
Here's the thing though. The entire ordeal is almost not worth it when you see what it is costing you in groceries, in time, and in ego when you realize that all your hard work has done absolutely nothing on the scale or in your clothes. I went from spending only $50 or so on groceries for a week to spending over $100. I was doing my absolute best to "eat clean" and not eat anything processed or packaged. That's great in theory, not very realistic in practice. I haven't had much of a problem actually doing it - I love veggies, chicken and fruit, so it isn't like I'm eating things I hate - but it's so expensive that each week I find myself doing it less and less. I just can't afford it, and that makes me angry. Packaged junk is cheap, and for someone with bills and a child (someone with the average life), it is just not feasible. Not to mention it makes eating with my family an absolute chore and nearly impossible.
I give myself one "treat" meal a week when I can have french fries, Dr Pepper, and a burger. My mom calls them Hamburger Wednesdays and we started doing them years ago. It's her meal to break up her stressful work week. The rest of the week isn't nearly as bad for her and french fries are her one vice, much like me. One meal will not set anyone back for life so I don't worry about it, and it hasn't stressed me out at all. Even the most dedicated body builder has the occasional pizza (The Rock even posts about it on instagram with a certain level of glee).
I am in Week 4 of my 30 day challenge. I've built endurance so that I can do a ton of squats and barely break a sweat (I'm doing 200 tonight). Crunches, pushups and lunges, I haven't built as much endurance for, but I am doing them and getting better every day. My calorie tracker I got for free through work tells me I burn at least 100 calories each time, though that was disappointing at first because I expected it to be more. I have a great support system that really helps me keep going - my husband cheers me on as I nearly kill myself doing crunches, a friend on Facebook sends me inspirational photos and quotes all the time, and I follow a few people on Instagram that make fantastic cheerleaders. I have all the things I need, and I'm working hard.
But guess what? I have lost only a total of two pounds. My clothes fit almost exactly the same as they did when I started. I see only the most minute differences in my body, and in odd places - my inner knee, my inner arm, my hips. My belly looks exactly the same. My thighs, identical. I haven't even lost anything in my face, which is usually where you can see weight loss first. And I have been BUSTING MY BUTT, watching other people doing almost exactly the same thing see dramatic results. It's discouraging, it's disappointing, and worst of all, I want to quit. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Everyone says, "eat better, exercise for 15 minutes a day, and you'll see results!" And it's true...for everyone but me, I guess. I actually count every calorie I intake, and never eat more than 1500 a day, which is actually less than most programs tell you to eat.
And nothing. This is why people quit, or give up. I honestly don't know how people lose weight doing things like Weight Watchers, and not working out. Or paleo. Or this stupid "eating clean" bull. I'VE BEEN DOING IT. And NOTHING.
At this point, my frustration knows no bounds. I want to quit. I'm tired, I'm sore, and I'm so disappointed that thinking about it makes me tear up. It's so unfair to work so hard for nothing.
But I won't. Micah gets bigger and faster every day, and when I break into a disgusting, heavy sweat just carrying him across the house, or fail to catch him when he runs from me, it means I am a failure already. And I can't let this beat me.
But sometimes I want to.
I am one day behind because I went into it full-tilt, and my thigh muscles were in such agony for two days that I could barely walk, much less squat. I caught up by doubling up my workouts for a bit at the beginning, and again in Week 3 because I was so down on myself I missed a day.
These sort of workouts make it seem so easy. They have the obligatory photo of a woman with crazy cut abs as the background, they build up "only" a few reps a day, and when you first start, you feel awesome. I'm productive! I'm burning fat! I'm building muscle!
And some of that is true. I startled myself in Week 2 when I crossed my arms and felt my right inner bicep and it was hard as rock, even though I was at rest watching tv with my husband. I was so excited, I made everyone I saw feel it for two days. I made muscle!
Here's the thing though. The entire ordeal is almost not worth it when you see what it is costing you in groceries, in time, and in ego when you realize that all your hard work has done absolutely nothing on the scale or in your clothes. I went from spending only $50 or so on groceries for a week to spending over $100. I was doing my absolute best to "eat clean" and not eat anything processed or packaged. That's great in theory, not very realistic in practice. I haven't had much of a problem actually doing it - I love veggies, chicken and fruit, so it isn't like I'm eating things I hate - but it's so expensive that each week I find myself doing it less and less. I just can't afford it, and that makes me angry. Packaged junk is cheap, and for someone with bills and a child (someone with the average life), it is just not feasible. Not to mention it makes eating with my family an absolute chore and nearly impossible.
I give myself one "treat" meal a week when I can have french fries, Dr Pepper, and a burger. My mom calls them Hamburger Wednesdays and we started doing them years ago. It's her meal to break up her stressful work week. The rest of the week isn't nearly as bad for her and french fries are her one vice, much like me. One meal will not set anyone back for life so I don't worry about it, and it hasn't stressed me out at all. Even the most dedicated body builder has the occasional pizza (The Rock even posts about it on instagram with a certain level of glee).
I am in Week 4 of my 30 day challenge. I've built endurance so that I can do a ton of squats and barely break a sweat (I'm doing 200 tonight). Crunches, pushups and lunges, I haven't built as much endurance for, but I am doing them and getting better every day. My calorie tracker I got for free through work tells me I burn at least 100 calories each time, though that was disappointing at first because I expected it to be more. I have a great support system that really helps me keep going - my husband cheers me on as I nearly kill myself doing crunches, a friend on Facebook sends me inspirational photos and quotes all the time, and I follow a few people on Instagram that make fantastic cheerleaders. I have all the things I need, and I'm working hard.
But guess what? I have lost only a total of two pounds. My clothes fit almost exactly the same as they did when I started. I see only the most minute differences in my body, and in odd places - my inner knee, my inner arm, my hips. My belly looks exactly the same. My thighs, identical. I haven't even lost anything in my face, which is usually where you can see weight loss first. And I have been BUSTING MY BUTT, watching other people doing almost exactly the same thing see dramatic results. It's discouraging, it's disappointing, and worst of all, I want to quit. I feel like I'm wasting my time. Everyone says, "eat better, exercise for 15 minutes a day, and you'll see results!" And it's true...for everyone but me, I guess. I actually count every calorie I intake, and never eat more than 1500 a day, which is actually less than most programs tell you to eat.
And nothing. This is why people quit, or give up. I honestly don't know how people lose weight doing things like Weight Watchers, and not working out. Or paleo. Or this stupid "eating clean" bull. I'VE BEEN DOING IT. And NOTHING.
At this point, my frustration knows no bounds. I want to quit. I'm tired, I'm sore, and I'm so disappointed that thinking about it makes me tear up. It's so unfair to work so hard for nothing.
But I won't. Micah gets bigger and faster every day, and when I break into a disgusting, heavy sweat just carrying him across the house, or fail to catch him when he runs from me, it means I am a failure already. And I can't let this beat me.
But sometimes I want to.
The mama diet
Starting today, my husband and I are starting a new lifestyle. And no, it isn't the fun kind.
I have a friend that had a baby six months ago, and since then has been on the Paleo diet. Not terribly strict, either, but she lost 95 pounds. She is built very similarly to me, and is the same height as me, so I thought, "Hey, maybe that's what I need to do!" I got really gung-ho about it...until I saw the diet itself. While it isn't full of food I don't like - quite the opposite, in fact - my problem is that I live in the desert. We don't get a ton of fresh fruits and veggies year round here, though we get a decent amount in the summer if you stalk the farmer's markets. Since we are not in harvest weather yet, I had to go frozen, and it was still a really big grocery bill. Painfully big, actually, and all of it was for Micah and me - none for my husband! He's going to be the hardest to feed, for sure. He hates everything that is good for you, except chicken, and he will get rickets if I let him. He likes corn and peas but corn has a ton of carbs.
Oh, the BUTS. But it has carbs, but it has sugar, but it has FLAVOR.
Here's my issue with diets. They all, every last one, cut out the things that I love the most. And I don't eat bad as it is, but I do eat pasta, and I do eat potatoes. Not even that much, but I eat them, and they are my favorite things to eat. It's frustrating that I have to basically deny myself one of life's pleasures just to look good and be healthy. I love veggies and chicken, but I never feel like I have eaten unless there is meat and carbs. So I am constantly cranky because I am hungry! And a cranky mama = an unhappy house. So I am trying to find a balance. I am also eating a lot more often, every three hours or so, so that I won't bottom out and get that hungry feeling. Like today:
6am - Chobani raspberry yogurt (yummy, and it's actually staying with me)
9am - Snap peas, carrots (carbs, arg) and tomatoes
11:30am - Lunch (which is turkey with sweet potatoes and brown rice today)
2:30pm - Something snacky at my parents when I pick up Micah (not sure about this yet)
5:30pm - Dinner with my husband (likely grilled chicken and veggies today)
I heard about the "every three hours" trick from a body-builder friend so I know it works. Plus it keeps me happier, less cranky. I am also doing a circuit at work once an hour to keep myself awake (I tend to get sleepy) and get my heart rate up. Down the stairs on the west side of my building, across to the east side, then up the three flights back to my floor, and across to my desk. Our building is huge, so while that sounds small, it's a good place for my inner sloth to start. And it's rather embarrassing at this stage, how out of breath I get.
We all have to start somewhere! Have you made a lifestyle change recently? How's it going?
I have a friend that had a baby six months ago, and since then has been on the Paleo diet. Not terribly strict, either, but she lost 95 pounds. She is built very similarly to me, and is the same height as me, so I thought, "Hey, maybe that's what I need to do!" I got really gung-ho about it...until I saw the diet itself. While it isn't full of food I don't like - quite the opposite, in fact - my problem is that I live in the desert. We don't get a ton of fresh fruits and veggies year round here, though we get a decent amount in the summer if you stalk the farmer's markets. Since we are not in harvest weather yet, I had to go frozen, and it was still a really big grocery bill. Painfully big, actually, and all of it was for Micah and me - none for my husband! He's going to be the hardest to feed, for sure. He hates everything that is good for you, except chicken, and he will get rickets if I let him. He likes corn and peas but corn has a ton of carbs.
Oh, the BUTS. But it has carbs, but it has sugar, but it has FLAVOR.
Here's my issue with diets. They all, every last one, cut out the things that I love the most. And I don't eat bad as it is, but I do eat pasta, and I do eat potatoes. Not even that much, but I eat them, and they are my favorite things to eat. It's frustrating that I have to basically deny myself one of life's pleasures just to look good and be healthy. I love veggies and chicken, but I never feel like I have eaten unless there is meat and carbs. So I am constantly cranky because I am hungry! And a cranky mama = an unhappy house. So I am trying to find a balance. I am also eating a lot more often, every three hours or so, so that I won't bottom out and get that hungry feeling. Like today:
6am - Chobani raspberry yogurt (yummy, and it's actually staying with me)
9am - Snap peas, carrots (carbs, arg) and tomatoes
11:30am - Lunch (which is turkey with sweet potatoes and brown rice today)
2:30pm - Something snacky at my parents when I pick up Micah (not sure about this yet)
5:30pm - Dinner with my husband (likely grilled chicken and veggies today)
I heard about the "every three hours" trick from a body-builder friend so I know it works. Plus it keeps me happier, less cranky. I am also doing a circuit at work once an hour to keep myself awake (I tend to get sleepy) and get my heart rate up. Down the stairs on the west side of my building, across to the east side, then up the three flights back to my floor, and across to my desk. Our building is huge, so while that sounds small, it's a good place for my inner sloth to start. And it's rather embarrassing at this stage, how out of breath I get.
We all have to start somewhere! Have you made a lifestyle change recently? How's it going?
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