What's your excuse?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Hmm, not really sure what that means, but I'll take your word for it.

"throwing her toys" as in having a fit, like a child.

Besides, the fact that she's a former beauty queen pretty much makes me think she's an attention whore, and this whole thing isn't so much to "inspire" other women as it is a "look how awesome I am, even with 3 kids!" thing.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

"throwing her toys" as in having a fit, like a child.

See how I prejudged there? Exactly what she's doing with that "what's your excuse" phrase

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Hmm, not really sure what that means, but I'll take your word for it.

At the end of the day, I'm not offended by the picture, but I also really don't have a problem with her getting negative backlash and hate mail. She chose to open herself up in a public forum, so she should be willing to accept everything that comes along with it.

Besides, the fact that she's a former beauty queen pretty much makes me think she's an attention whore, and this whole thing isn't so much to "inspire" other women as it is a "look how awesome I am, even with 3 kids!" thing.

I was going to post something similar. Whatever happened to being humble and enjoying your personal accomplishments in your own life without throwing it in other people's faces. It certainly doesn't come across as an " I did it, so can you" type image, its meant to provoke..and it did.

What would be the difference if some rich guy who grew up in a poor neighbourhood posted a pic of himself with stacks of cash and an aston martin? What's your excuse -- directed at the guy working retail driving a crappy old civic and barely scraping by but able to support his 2 kids. Motivation, or insult?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

See how I prejudged there? Exactly what she's doing with that "what's your excuse" phrase

oh I see you meant to put that dumb thought into your post.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I was going to post something similar. Whatever happened to being humble and enjoying your personal accomplishments in your own life without throwing it in other people's faces. It certainly doesn't come across as an " I did it, so can you" type image, its meant to provoke..and it did.

What would be the difference if some rich guy who grew up in a poor neighbourhood posted a pic of himself with stacks of cash and an aston martin? What's your excuse -- directed at the guy working retail driving a crappy old civic and barely scraping by but able to support his 2 kids. Motivation, or insult?

So all fat people are poor???

There can be a number of issues that affect an individual's ability to attain and retain employment.

There really is nothing stopping an individual going for a walk, not eating fatty foods, etc, etc.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

oh I see you meant to put that dumb thought into your post.

Meh, no less dumb and a judgemental as most of the comments in this thread, and definitely no less dumb and judgemental as her catchphrase, so feel free to interpret it how you want there champ.

[flamesfever]

I think most women are sensitive about their weight to some degree. And, I think a large part of it is the unrealistic expectation as to what an ideal shape is supposed to look like e.g. this particular woman, and many of the models.

I think we all have different tastes, as far as women's shapes are concerned, and this particular woman's shape, in the article, doesn't necessarily appeal to me. I prefer women with a lot more "meat on their bones". For me, it's all about weight distribution, and I'm more attracted to the Lopez, rather than the Dolly Parton type.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

So all fat people are poor???

There can be a number of issues that affect an individual's ability to attain and retain employment.

There really is nothing stopping an individual going for a walk, not eating fatty foods, etc, etc.

There is nothing stopping people from getting a better education, working 2 jobs, networking, improving their skills, re-tooling their resume. Its not really that different. Just excuses.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Meh, no less dumb and a judgemental as most of the comments in this thread, and definitely no less dumb and judgemental as her catchphrase, so feel free to interpret it how you want there champ.

Cheers Sport

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Igottago

There is nothing stopping people from getting a better education, working 2 jobs, networking, improving their skills, re-tooling their resume. Its not really that different. Just excuses.

I disagree, but that's fine, we can disagree.

[DuffMan]

I'm too busy golfing and masturbating to pictures of women like her on the internet, to get in shape.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Besides, the fact that she's a former beauty queen pretty much makes me think she's an attention whore, and this whole thing isn't so much to "inspire" other women as it is a "look how awesome I am, even with 3 kids!" thing.

If there's a case where an ad hominem argument had merit this might be it. If they were simply attacking her, rather than her message, by calling her an attention whore I would probably agree. I mean a social-media-whatever-she-is is a synonym for an attention whore. With that said, the issue seems to be with the message and the idea she's fat-shaming, whatever the hell that means.

She's simply asking those to reflect on the question. Some may have legitimate excuses, much more likely don't. For those that do, she's not attacking them, she's honestly not even addressing them. For those that don't, she's making them reflect on their lifestyle. Big whoop.

[Zarley]

I like this woman. Good for her.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I have no problem with her message, but I also have no problem with people showing her scorn and being angry at her. She's the initial provoker after all. Don't criticize if you can't handle the criticism back. She's prejudging people with no background info, so I think it's pretty fair that others are prejudging her back with similar fashion. You think I'm a fat slob? Well, I think you're a deadbeat mom who's kids need the help of social services.

And you're basing that on what?

She's not prejudging people, she's asking a question to those people who have an unhealty lifestlye. Her post is meant to ask the question "What's your excuse for living an unhealty lifestyle". She is asking that question specifically to the kind of people who make excuses about being too busy to make healty choices.

Saying you think she's a deadbeat mom based on absolutely no knowledge about her, other than that she is fit, is just being defensive becasue you feel insluted that she is challenging you to make better choices.

[Joborule]

Even if you don't like the tone of the message, anyone who's getting offended by what she posts needs to get a hold of themselves and not take offense. It's meant to inspire and encourage everyone to be dedicated to being fit despite how busy your schedule may be. Getting upset because someone is in terrific shape despite major commitments, and challenging you to do the same isn't going to help you sister.

[Devils'Advocate]

I am not going to repeat my credentials here... most know my story... but I will mention that I have been a motivational speaker on health and wellness conferences and meetings many, many times and have sat down with many weight loss support groups and worked with them.

My opinion is that “What’s Your Excuse” is absolutely nothing but cruel. It is meant to be demeaning. It is scornful. It’s not “Look. I did it. You can too.” It’s “You lazy slob... just making excuses....”


When out speaking, I talk to them about the health risks of not exercising and not eating right – diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol... But I also tell them about having more energy, being able to do more physically than you could ever dream, being more confident, being in better shape both mentally and physically... People are motivated by HOPE, NOT SCORN.


Some people are sadists and just like finding people to hurt. Others think they are being cruel to be kind... I can tell you NOTHING can be further from the truth. This is bullying. Insulting people make them reject your message and makes them feel bad about themselves. You think making people feel bad about themselves will be the impetus for them to change? Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Particularly with women.


My interview is here: http://www.halfsizeme.com/082/ and it starts around the 9:55 minute mark of the podcast. In there I talk about how the insults and bullying only made me more depressed and made me eat MORE. My impetus to change was out of HOPE and KINDNESS, not out of people being cruel. That does not work.


I would *NEVER* go on stage and tell people “Look at me. I did it. What’s your excuse?”. Compassion works where contempt does not. I always end my talks with a photo much like this one because I want people to know that it will take time and effort, but that the rewards are so awesome.

[rotten42]

Bullying? really? wow...just wow! This society is doomed.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by rotten42

Bullying? really? wow...just wow! This society is doomed.

If society is doomed by not wanting people to insult others, well then damn it, I can't wait for society to be doomed. Like I said, this type of shaming DOES NOT HELP.

[Kybosh]

You went from being a guy to a fitness chick? That's pretty amazing.

[habernac]

so the ones with the pictures of amputees with prosthetics who exercise with the "Your Excuse is Invalid" are bullying as well? I think you're being too sensitive.