TangoAlphaLima
Member
People are going to interpret it in many different ways. Giving it the most optimistically positive interpretation isn't going to be the consensus.
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Hot Mom Defends Herself Against Facebook Haters, gives a non-apology
- Thread starter Ripclawe
- Start date
- Status
People are going to interpret it in many different ways. Giving it the most optimistically positive interpretation isn't going to be the consensus.
If we're going to rely on broad statistics: over the last several decades, education levels in the US are holding steady, income levels are rising (although median income is stagnant), but obesity levels are rising aggressively. At least in the last 30 years, it has evidently become much harder to be skinny. Something about our culture has considerably amped up that difficulty curve.
But really, this is a moot point. The real point is that different people have different strengths and weaknesses. Something you struggle with for the rest of your life may be incredibly easy for me, and vice versa. So we can either stand here pointing fingers at each other, criticizing our different flaws, or we can recognize that we all have struggles and we're probably better off trying to help each other out. Saying "well my problems are more common than your problems!" just strikes me as a more vociferous form of finger pointing.
Neither should be the most negative interpretation. I mean, if you're taking things so literal, she was never overweight. So this pic clearly doesn't target overweight people, right?
SquiddyCracker
Banned
I think most people don't get the results they could be getting because of various training/diet myths & misconceptions such as:
- Toning bodyparts
- Fat is bad
- Lifting weights make you balloon up in muscle mass
- It only takes weeks to hit your goal
... among other things.
Vicetrailia
Banned
The fact that some people have a problem with what she did just goes to show you...
Everyone is not motivated by the same methods of "edumacation" empowerment. Fat shaming actually motives some, positive reinforcement via kitten gloves helps others, focus on showcasing negative effects empowers a different group and etc. That's why I don't get it when people merely say "Not enough fat shaming in this world!", how do you expect results when one size doesn't fit all? Many people will simply not adjust to that.
Everyone is not motivated by the same methods of "edumacation" empowerment. Fat shaming actually motives some, positive reinforcement via kitten gloves helps others, focus on showcasing negative effects empowers a different group and etc. That's why I don't get it when people merely say "Not enough fat shaming in this world!", how do you expect results when one size doesn't fit all? Many people will simply not adjust to that.
Dude Abides
Banned
Yeah, this doesn't sound anywhere near equivalent to the time commitment of a full-time job.
TangoAlphaLima
Member
I don't really care about the overweight people who find this offensive. I'm more concerned about the average, young healthy mother that does put in some effort, but still can't compare to "Hot Mom." I think that's where the majority of the push back is to this picture. It's not the extremely obese who are upset, it's the working mothers who do what they can, but yet feel inadequate when "Hot Mom" is flaunting herself.
This is so incredibly common. Exercises for a flat belly, food to eat for thinner thighs. Blows my mind.
Vicetrailia
Banned
What's her husbands role in all of this?
The average mother probably doesn't have a good program.
Thats the thing people are motivated by different ways. This "in your face" style is one of the ways for some people. Others need a more caring touch and thats fine because that too exists. We can attack the same problem in different ways.
I'm not sure what you're asking me to "back up." Most Americans are overweight. It stands to reason that many of these people are also among the working poor, i.e. those who work and still fall below the official poverty level (which is pathetically low, btw).
http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpswp2011.pdfU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said:
These are people who are working and still not making ends meet. Not even close, really, since the federal poverty line is far below what it should probably be at.
I'd argue that there are very, very few people who think that obesity is "perfectly fine." There are quite a few who think it isn't constructive to be accusatory or condescending when discussing the issue.
I agree with you, but the attitudes you've expressed in this thread are symptomatic of why these kinds of efforts get little traction in America. It's easy to look at others who are struggling with weight and assume their condition is a result of laziness and eating tubs of ice cream every night.
Try to put any blame on the food industry and you get a chorus of "NANNY STATE!!!" accusations.
You have issues if people being in better shape than you make you feel "inadequate". There are women more fit than Hot Mom in the first place.
shoplifter
Member
Here's her daily schedule:
"Tee Hee LOL I train in the middle of the day when I'm not working, what's your excuse?"
"Tee Hee LOL I train in the middle of the day when I'm not working, what's your excuse?"
MidgarBlowedUp
Member
And some of us know the truth about why this has happened while the majority of people will continue to ignore it. All one needs to do is understand what the main human diet has been since Home Erectus to get an idea.
perryfarrell
Member
Dudes, stop exchanging exercise tips and posting weightloss pics. Stick with the topic!
The topic was: Fatties vs. the hot mom! Pick a side.
The mom IS pretty hot, but her choice of caption ('What's your excuse?') reveals that she's vain & obnoxious. And that she probably spends her hours in the gym thinking to herself how she's so much better and hotter than the rest. She's probably boring too (the most common problem with health nuts).
So the fatties are right in that she's a biatch. But unfortunately for them they nevertheless are still fat.
The topic was: Fatties vs. the hot mom! Pick a side.
The mom IS pretty hot, but her choice of caption ('What's your excuse?') reveals that she's vain & obnoxious. And that she probably spends her hours in the gym thinking to herself how she's so much better and hotter than the rest. She's probably boring too (the most common problem with health nuts).
So the fatties are right in that she's a biatch. But unfortunately for them they nevertheless are still fat.
One thing though is that having a normal weight is really all about nutrition. You could walk every now and then if you want, but if most Americans changed their diets, they'd lose weight. Start by ditching soft drinks and processed meals. Make your lunch everyday instead of buying crap at work, instead of using shitty salad dressing use olive oil with vinegar on your salads, limit your portions, etc.
You won't look like this woman but at least you are improving your health.
You won't look like this woman but at least you are improving your health.
TangoAlphaLima
Member
Jesus, it's like you've never even met a woman before...
Studies have broadly shown that harshly critical motivational methods like this one are considerably less effective than positive approaches. That's without getting in to a discussion of whether it's nice or not; this is purely a discussion of efficacy.
Perhaps for you personally and specifically, harsh criticism works better. But for the general public, science clearly suggests it doesn't, and this "hot mom" message was directed at the general public, not you specifically and personally.
TUROK
Member
I sincerely doubt anyone who is happy with their body is going to be upset by this. The US is a place in which there's tons ofminders of how truly inadequate we are. Unless you're fit, you're going to need some thick skin to be happy with the way you look. That's not a fat joke. I'd wager that people who aren't happy with the way they look but don't have the means or motivation to change are the ones to be upset by this.
MidgarBlowedUp
Member
Hot Moms Please... um I'll have 2 or 3.
Plus, she has a regular schedule, a stable married relationship, and enough money to not have to worry about getting by.
Good for her for being in such good shape, but she seriously lacks perspective.
Fitness and nutrition industries are notoriously confusing, contradictory, and full of bad information. I dont claim to know it all either but I know a lot of people think they are eating "right" and exercising then get frustrated with lack of results.
I'm saying if the average person, male or female, eats enough good food and puts in some effort at the gym they will achieve a good physique. Maybe not ideal, but again, good enough that you'd not complain about your results.
You dont have to compare your results to hers, just your mindset.
I'm going to go with guilty here. Yes its awesome she can be so fit with 3 toddlers but at the same time the "whats your excuse" tag line is a dick move and it mocks people instead of encouraging them like she claimed she was trying to do. When you apply that tagline to other things you realize how much of an ass she is being; I have one million dollars, whats your excuse? My house is fancier than yours, whats your excuse? Not only is it extremely vain it's short sighted as well. It suggest other people are inferior and are making excuses to begin with. If she truly meant this to encourage people she failed. Like the Joker said, poor choice of words.
The thing is:
1) You don't have to be in top physical shape like her to be healthy and look good, and
2) You don't need anything more than 30 minutes of exercise and a decent diet to accomplish the above.
I was walking my dog. What were you up to? Did you want to snag breakfast?
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
I don't see what having ample free time necessarily has to do with being fit. You dont even need gym time to be fit (though it helps). If you make smart choices about what you input to your body, and move around when you can (ie whilst grocery shopping, etc), you will be slim enough. I say this as an endomorph who was obese as a teen.
Just to offer some of the more coherent objections that people are having to this woman's particular brand of inspirational posts:
And my personal fave:
And my personal fave:
I make plenty of time for me.
Good for her, fuck these people who are upset. It took me a long time to realize that I was my own problem when it came to my weight, and when I did all of those excuses I was making suddenly didn't matter any more. Being fat isn't cool, it shouldn't be normal, and if a woman looking like this makes someone feel bad it probably should. Not everyone will look like her regardless of what they do, but with a little time, effort, and dedication, they will damn sure look much better than they probably do now and that should be everyone's goal.
Drowning in a lake of diet coke after falling off my pontoon constructed of oreos, you heartless animal!
Pristine_Condition
Member
She has nothing to apologize for.
Except not being single.
I...I...I've been antagonizing enough in this thread...must resist...
Dude Abides
Banned
People of little genuine accomplishment who need something to feel superior to others about, and "at least I'm not a fatass" fits the bill.
So she works out for an hour a day. That sounds reasonable, given she's doing the right exercise. That's probably one of the biggest challenges -- most people can't really figure out a great regiment.
The other unspoken issue, especially with Americans, is probably eating habits. It's at least fairly difficult to resist shitty food and drinks in this country because they're goddamn everywhere. You have to seriously look for anything that isn't either soft drinks or water. Even after I started paying attention to my weight I've only been able to go down to one Pepsi a day. Actual good food is also a bit more expensive. A lot of institutional changes would have to be made before this is easier for a lot of people.
The "Hot Mom" also mentioned the park, but a lot of people, particularly lower-income urban people, don't really have access to parks, or have access to very few outdoor areas big enough to run around in. That's another institutional problem though.
Lastly, judging by this woman's history she seems to have built up a shitload of motivation over the years. Struggling with genetics and bulimia has probably given her more motivation than most people have to get in shape. Most out-of-shape people probably haven't had that moment where they've looked in the mirror after going through some shit that basically forced them to say "Goddamnit I'm gonna change!" Most out-of-shape people probably haven't gone through the same shit she has and gotten that same degree of motivation, and I really do think motivation is a huge factor in exercise. A lot of people just give up through boredom.
Oh, and her husband being in the military probably has something to do with it. Dat PT mentality.
Lastly, and most importantly, the image is probably an attempt by her to give other people a similar motivation by saying, "it's not as hard as you think." That's mainly what got me to start exercising. I realized that it wasn't really that big a deal to set aside 30 minutes a day on an elliptical plus some crunches. I don't know if I look any better than before, but I definitely feel better.
The other unspoken issue, especially with Americans, is probably eating habits. It's at least fairly difficult to resist shitty food and drinks in this country because they're goddamn everywhere. You have to seriously look for anything that isn't either soft drinks or water. Even after I started paying attention to my weight I've only been able to go down to one Pepsi a day. Actual good food is also a bit more expensive. A lot of institutional changes would have to be made before this is easier for a lot of people.
The "Hot Mom" also mentioned the park, but a lot of people, particularly lower-income urban people, don't really have access to parks, or have access to very few outdoor areas big enough to run around in. That's another institutional problem though.
Lastly, judging by this woman's history she seems to have built up a shitload of motivation over the years. Struggling with genetics and bulimia has probably given her more motivation than most people have to get in shape. Most out-of-shape people probably haven't had that moment where they've looked in the mirror after going through some shit that basically forced them to say "Goddamnit I'm gonna change!" Most out-of-shape people probably haven't gone through the same shit she has and gotten that same degree of motivation, and I really do think motivation is a huge factor in exercise. A lot of people just give up through boredom.
Oh, and her husband being in the military probably has something to do with it. Dat PT mentality.
Lastly, and most importantly, the image is probably an attempt by her to give other people a similar motivation by saying, "it's not as hard as you think." That's mainly what got me to start exercising. I realized that it wasn't really that big a deal to set aside 30 minutes a day on an elliptical plus some crunches. I don't know if I look any better than before, but I definitely feel better.
I completely agree.
I'm simply responding to the message of her original posted image, which is not "just a bit of hard work and decent diet can make you look OK and feel better!" It's "what's your excuse for not being in great shape like me after having three kids?"
I suspect we might be on the same side when it comes to that issue. Hahamuddream said:
I'm lifting bro.
o you're busy, want to grab brunch then?
Glass Rebel
Member
Like that Matt Scott video said "get disabled and play wheelchair basketball", I guess.
As long as it doesn't interfere with my 'mirin time.
Count Dookkake
Member
Slobs do this too when they look down on muscleheads and the like.
Circle of life and all that.
I don't even work out an hour a day, more like 45 minutes,4-5 days a week. That's plenty to feel better and make improvements.
But the real point, and the reason for the original picture and this thread, is that people put up road blocks. Why don't you:
Work out in the morning...
...oh I couldn't possible find the time
Work out on your lunch break...
...I'd lose my job!
Work out on the weekends...
...too tired, or other obligations
Get some exercise with you kids...
...they can't/have homework or something
...and besides I need 2 hours to get a workout!
...and besides I have bad genes
...and besides healthy food is difficult so what's even the point
Etc. Etc. Etc. always an excuse. I'm definitely guilty of this sometimes. So: "What's your excuse?" is a totally valid question.
But the real point, and the reason for the original picture and this thread, is that people put up road blocks. Why don't you:
Work out in the morning...
...oh I couldn't possible find the time
Work out on your lunch break...
...I'd lose my job!
Work out on the weekends...
...too tired, or other obligations
Get some exercise with you kids...
...they can't/have homework or something
...and besides I need 2 hours to get a workout!
...and besides I have bad genes
...and besides healthy food is difficult so what's even the point
Etc. Etc. Etc. always an excuse. I'm definitely guilty of this sometimes. So: "What's your excuse?" is a totally valid question.
The same way a luxury car or rolex ad isn't generated at the general public, so what? If she want's to focus on smaller group of people that her style resonates with then let it be.
Studies have shown that harsh motivational methods but I'm not sure this is one of them. Sure a parent verbally or physically abusing a child the data is obvious. Will this actually qualify as "harshly critical motivation" though. I'd love to see the specific study that focus on this type of specific motivation.
I interpreted it as, "I had all these issues and had three kids and still managed to get in good shape, what's your excuse for not making an effort to get in shape?" /shrug
Don't be ridiculous.
You're insane if you think the message of her original Facebook post was intended to be purely motivational. Sure, I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder, but I didn't take it that way at all.
People make excuses not to do all sorts of healthy/worthwhile things, and that's a legitimate issue. Perhaps she did want to motivate those who struggle with their weight, but IMO she did it in an incredibly tone deaf and condescending fashion.
apocalidiot
Banned
This is amazing. People love being offended by anything and everything. The fact that so many people where that offended by the imagine that they spent the time bitching about the message, to the point where it received media attention and was posted on GAF is amazing. Especially the part where they choose to bitch about stuff over the internet instead of making the active choice to exercise.
I hate everything
I hate everything
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked