Despite what thousands are saying about her, Maria Kang isn't exactly apologizing for what she's worked for.
When Sacramento fitness guru and mother of three Maria Kang posted a picture of her hot body on Facebook one year ago, it went viral. Today there are more than 18,000 comments. The photo was taken just eight months after having her third child. Looking fit and furious, the caption across the top says: "What's your excuse?"
But while the comments have primarily been positive, Maria has also received some flack from women calling her a bully, fat-shaming and some even asking her to apologize for the hurt she has caused women. The comment that struck her most was that she was a bad mom.
"I just put my foot down and said, 'You know what? I'm going to respond to this because for the last year I haven't really responded," said Kang.
So she recently reposted the photo, with what she calls a "non-apology."
"I never called you fat, I never said that you were a bad mother, I never said what's your excuse for not looking like me, I never said anything like that. I just came out and said you need to own the thoughts you put in your own head because I didn't put it there you did," she said.
"Women's snarkiness is a form of bullying," said Lorri Ann Code, Momma Bootcamp instructor.
Code is a fitness instructor and works primarily with moms trying to get back down to their pre-baby shape. She says women should take no shame in taking time out for themselves, and the cattiness among other women needs to stop.
"Women are beautiful, strong, amazing people, and they're the hubs of their families," said Code. "I'm very hopeful that we can support each other more."
"And that's unfortunate you should be praising mothers who are taking care of their health and who have a family," Kang said.
Kang admits the road to weight loss wasn't always an easy one.
"Being a perfectionist, it made me very focused on my eating, and therefore influenced me to become bulimic," she said.
After a four-year battle with bulimia, Kang dug deep to find her own confidence, and set out to make a change.
"He's a former Marine, but I'm like a drill sergeant in this house," Kang said of her husband.
She met the love of her life and started a family. Now she says, she makes time to take care of herself the right way.
"Eat right, work out, a little at a time, the healthy way," she said.
And now, this "no excuse" mom has a message for all women out there.
"Be healthy because you love your child."
