Okay...I usually don't jump on the headline wagon, but this definitely got my attention.
I read the thousands of comments, in response to her fitness ad, some calling her "selfish" and a "bully"....while others praised her.
So, how do I feel about this and what's the point of putting this on my blog?
Weight has always been an issue for me. I was chubby being born, "sturdy" growing up and just plain FAT as an adult. I hated (sometimes STILL hate) the *RAH RAH--I'm ALL POSITIVE - ALL THE TIME* stuff...And I have to admit that 2 yrs ago, I would have looked at this ad, and rolled my eyes, at yet ANOTHER health nut, rubbing it in, that I was just another lazy mom, who didn't care about her body. (I was) My journey was too long. I was too tired and angry at life, to feel good about ANYTHING! And ANYONE who tried to tell me "If I can do it...You can do it" was just another thorn in my side.
I had my wake up call. And it was a scary one...A year and a half ago, while Bailey was still going through chemotherapy, I stepped on the scale. My "excuses" had gotten the best of me and I was shocked into reality, when those numbers showed up. Not shocked really. More like shamed. I had done this to myself. And I was the only one who could do something about it.
Today, looking at this ad...Maria Kang is a champ. A woman who took control of an eating disorder...And worked HARD to get where she's at. No where in her story or website did I see a "bully" or a "fat shamer"...
I see a motivator and an inspiration. ...I see a NO EXCUSES WOMAN.
My ENTIRE LIFE has been filled with excuses. Those EXCUSES got me to almost 240 pounds and I was living a life that was depressing and shameful. I was killing myself, right before my children's eyes...and I was setting an example that was saying it was okay to let "life's stuff", get in the way of what I wanted.
I am a mom of SIX children...All my excuses are legitimate and sound good. I have a disorder that causes tumors and extreme pain. I have hydrocephalus and a brain tumor...I have every reason, to just give up and let life do what its going to do to me....
I was/am dying in 10 different ways.
BUT...I have ONE THING I have control over...The ONE thing I could do something about...My Weight!
Forget genetics for a second....because - in MY opinion, that's just another excuse. I know I will NEVER EVER look like Maria Kang....But that isn't the point. She NEVER says, that women need to LOOK like her or BE like her to be healthy....She DOES say that YOUR LIFE is in YOUR HANDS.
My wake up call, was my second chance--
Over the last year and a half...The weight didn't magically fall off me. I've been working really hard! I FIND the time. I FIND the energy. I FIND the willpower....Even when I feel that there is nothing left to give...I dig deeper...And guess what I find? MORE!
Finding the time to exercise with my son holding my feet..
with unfolded laundry on the couch, 'cause that's just the way life is
There are truly NO EXCUSES to find a way to get what you want. That may sound harsh to some, but it's true. If you want something bad enough...You have to find a way to get it.
THRIVE ON!
Your full of crap!
ReplyDeleteAt least my "anonymous" -- Is a loyal reader! :)
DeleteKristi your so right on so many levels. I am also struggling with my weight and dealing with constant pain. Pain that I tend to use as an excuse to lean towards comfort....FOOD! I also deal with thyroid issues, and it makes it even harder to deal with the weight. I have been eating better, and trying so hard to not lean towards food when I am in extreme pain. I try not to bring those OREOs in the apartment, because I know that if I open them, I will eat them, and eat, and eat them...I try hard not to bring any other of my favorite sweets in the apartment. I find myself wanting them more and more now. My new favorite item are pumpkin donuts from Dunkin Donuts. When I go get, just ONE....I walk out with TWO! I'm hurting, I tell myself, so I deserve it....I had a hard day, or I am heading to the doctor, so why not.
DeleteMy Mom has weight issues, and has developed diabetes, she has asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and thyroid problems.Her Mom had thyroid problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was over weight as well. My Mom's brother has weight and health issues too, so yes, it all runs in the family. But I can't use that as my excuse. When I was younger I was much more active, and I wasn't over weight. I watched what I ate, and really limited my sweets. I have noticed that since I have gotten older, the NF worsening, the pain becoming an everyday occurrence, even as I am typing this reply, I want to curl up in a ball and throw-in the towel, the pain isn't fun. The pain is hard to live with each and every moment of my life, but yet I get up and go to work each day, I get up and get out in the sunshine, and I smile. Doing all this is very hard and to deal with weight gain, a lot of it at that and having NF, is hard, very hard....Sometimes I wish that the people who call me FAT or CHUNKY, needs to spend one hour or one day in my shoes. Just to see what it's like, but I can't let living with pain and NF, or having family history my excuse of being overweight. As you know it's HARD, really hard! Sometimes I wonder why I must deal with all these factors stacked up against me, but I can't let it be who I am.
You made lots of valued points, thanks for sharing!! FYI: I didn't want to be totally Anonymous: Laurie (on Facebook) :)
"Anonymous" - YOU ARE THE ONE FULL OF CRAP. Show yourself, you coward! Kristy makes a difference and all YOU do is spread negativity around like its the plague!
DeleteGrow up.
So I'm thinking 'Anonymous Laurie on Facebook' isn't 'Anonymous' full of crap....! ;)
DeleteSo "Anonymous" thinks I am full of crap. Why I wonder? Is it because I am DOING SOMETHING other than hiding behind a computer screen, blasting off negativity?
DeleteWho are you? And why do you keep coming to my blog, if it is so horrible?
This was a great post.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Kristi!! Your right, when people are ready to do it and not use the excuses it happens, not just in exercise but in living.
ReplyDeleteEach to their own.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like "anonymous" is an excuse filled bitch!
DeleteKristi - I am so proud of you!! You have overcome so much and did it! An inspiration to me for sure. Now I just need to do it with no excuses! If you can, I can!
ReplyDeleteHi. I'm a follower of your blog and am so impressed with your reaction to the Maria Kang hype. When my kids were young, and we were dealing with the (hopefully) worst years of my daughter's disability, I had excuses, too, and got fat. About 8 years ago, I steadily addressed all my personal "issues" that kept me fat. I one-by-one eliminated things like too many cups of coffee with creamer in each, and too many carbs with chips on the side. Plus I scheduled exercise with friends so that I would be ashamed to cancel. (A good way to use shame beneficially. :-) I lost all my extra pounds within a year, and have kept it off since. I've changed the way I eat a lot since, and changed the way I exercise, but I have kept it off.
ReplyDeleteAt this stage of life & health, it's easy for me to see Maria Kang's challenge as a positive--a personal challenge to go from "thin & healthy" to maybe even a little more ripped. But I wondered how someone who was still in the throes of the struggle would perceive it. Your positivity and acceptance of the challenge just makes me think more highly of you. You are an active, wonderful role model to your family and friends. I think you'll find, over the years, that your children (and others who have witnessed your example) will take their challenges like "bulls by the horns" and kick butt overcoming them. Because they will have witnessed and embraced your example. Yea for you, Kristi!
I'm glad to know you....if by blog only! And I love your weight loss photos. As you take more, please post. Hopefully that will encourage you to keep it going, as it encourages others. But you really are most beautiful in your pictures when you are just having fun with your family.
Great post Kristi. There will always be people who are negative and the only way to deal with all that negativity is to spread positivity.
ReplyDelete