Maria Kang is a working mom and posed for a photo with her children, showing off her toned physique, reports HLN TV.  Posting a photo like that on Facebook may be perfectly normal, but Kang received serious backlash on social media because her photo came with a caption that read, “What’s your excuse?”  The photo received more than 20,000 shares and 30,000 comments.  Some Facebook users applauded and encouraged her while others said that she was “fat-shaming” everyone else.

In response, Kang published what she calls her “first and final apology.”  She states that any negative reaction to the photo is a personal perception of what the photo is supposed to mean.  Kang apologizes that the image resonated in such a negative way with many people, but notes that a negative reaction was based on one’s own thoughts and not what the photo was intended to be.  Rather, the photo was supposed to be inspiring, showing that, despite having a family, she was still able to keep in shape.  By asking others what their excuses were, she hoped they would challenge those excuses and make healthier choices.

On the Facebook page for her photo, recent comments are generally more positive.  Users tell her she looks great and that she should not be the one that has to apologize.  This is a major change from those users that told her she was a bad mother because there was no way that she could have maintained that body and also gave adequate attention to her children.

One parenting blog, Tales of Unlikely Mother, defends Kang as clearly not trying to shame, but falling into the category of “fitspiration.”  However, the blogger notes that there are valid reasons, not excuses, for not being able to do what Kang does.  First, fitness is part of Kang’s profession and others do not get paid to work out.  Second, Kang has disposable income and a supportive husband.  She can pay for care while she works out and gets help with household duties from her husband.  Single mothers with jobs that barely make ends meet would not have that luxury.  Finally, Kang ignores the fact that others may not share her priorities.  Other mothers may just want to be healthy, without thinking they need to be fit and toned.

Last month, a pregnant woman showing off her fitness savvy faced backlash as well, reported in an earlier National Monitor article.