WIAW, Food-Shaming, & Fat-Shaming
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a full day of foods on “What I Ate Wednesday,” so this week I was very diligent about taking photos so I could really show you guys what a typical day of eating looks like for me.
For several weeks, I have only posted a single recipe on WIAW (instead of a full day of food), unlike most of the bloggers who participate in Peas and Crayons’ weekly link party. This week though, I decided I should get back to the real point of the assignment.
What is the point of WIAW, you ask? I think it’s to inspire people. That’s what it does for me when I look at other blogger’s posts.
It gives me ideas for easy, healthy meals, shows me exactly what I need to eat in order to look like ____ blogger, and proves that everyone is human when you see the little slips people inevitably make from their intended perfect meal plans.
Right before I was about to write this post though, I heard a news story about a picture that’s trending today: “What’s Your Excuse.”
As you can see, it shows a mother of three showing off her fit physique in a bikini, asking viewers “What’s Your Excuse?” In other words, “I am an extremely busy mom but I still make time to work out and look amazing. Why don’t you look this good?”
Though the Sacramento fitness blogger posted the photo a year ago, it’s just now catching heat. Her post on Facebook has received over 18,000 comments, many of them accusing her of “fat-shaming.”
What does this have to do with WIAW? I think some could say that posting your day of perfect eating could be considered “food-shaming.”
Some people might look at WIAW and consider it bragging. Instead of having the effect of inspiring, it could have the effect of discouraging and making people feel bad about what they eat or the fact that they can’t be as disciplined as others.
Before you go accusing me of being a hypocrite, this is not my belief. As I mentioned above, I love WIAW and I find it beneficial. I just made the connection, and I want to see what other people think (so please weigh in below).
Now that you’ve listened to my diatribe, let’s jump into the food. Hopefully you will find it helpful.
My meals from Monday…
Breakfast:
Six Egg Whites, Sprouted Whole Grain Ezekiel English Muffin, 1 T. Peanut Butter, Pineapple, and Coffee with 2 T. Sugar-free Vanilla Coffeemate Creamer (not pictured).
Snack:
As seen on The Style Editrix this week, my Green Goddess Beauty Smoothie.
Ingredients:
1/2 Frozen Banana
8 Chunks Frozen Mango (Trader Joe’s)
1 Scoop Vanilla Whey Protein (Body Factory)
1 C. Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 Handful Kale
1 T. Shredded Coconut
1 T. Chia Seeds
Directions:
Blend everything down to the kale together and then top with chia and coconut.
Total Calories: 277
Lunch:
Salmon Caesar Wrap
Ezekiel Sprouted Tortilla, TJ’s Salmon Burger cooked and broken up, 1/4 Avocado, handful of Kale, and 2 T. Bolthouse Farms Caesar Parmigiano yogurt dressing.
Dinner:
Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti with half whole wheat noodles and topped with a T. Parmesan, and a side salad with Avocado, Spinach, Tomato, and Carrots.
Dessert:
“Reeses” Peanut Butter Protein Shake (recipe to come)
Now… back to the “What’s Your Excuse” photo.
The woman defended her picture saying that it wasn’t her intention to offend people, and the real conversation should be about obesity:
“I’m sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way. I won’t go into details that I struggled with my genetics, had an eating disorder, work full time owning two business’, have no nanny, am not naturally skinny and do not work as a personal trainer. I won’t even mention how I didn’t give into cravings for ice cream, french fries or chocolate while pregnant or use my growing belly as an excuse to be inactive.
What I WILL say is this. What you interpret is not MY fault. It’s Yours. The first step in owning your life, your body and your destiny is to OWN the thoughts that come out of your own head. I didn’t create them. You created them. So if you want to continue ‘hating’ this image, get used to hating many other things for the rest of your life. You can either blame, complain or obtain a new level of thought by challenging the negative words that come out of your own brain.
With that said, obesity and those who struggle with health-related diseases is literally a ‘bigger’ issue than this photo. Maybe it’s time we stop tip-toeing around people’s feelings and get to the point. So What’s Your Excuse? – Maria Kang”
I can see both sides of this argument. I find photos like this inspiring and I understand that she was trying to show people that there is no good excuse to let your health suffer (unless serious health issues are the reason you can’t work out). However, I see how this photo could make people feel bad about themselves and possibly have a reverse effect. I will also add that her “apology” wasn’t much of an apology.
Someone get this woman a publicist stat!
*For more inspiring posts about healthy diets, head over to Kelly the Kitchen Kop’s “Real Food Wednesday” link up >>
GiGi Eats Celebrities says:
I want that salmon in that cesaer right now. Oh no. Is Whole Foods calling my name A-GAIN!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!! As for the hot mom, If I ever have children (which I probably won’t but whatever), that’s how I am going to look the DAY AFTER leaving the hospital!!!! HA HA! I will be on the treadmill as I give birth. LMFAO!
Whitney English says:
I don’t doubt that Gig! I can see it now :)
Jules says:
Hmm… this is a tough one to call. While I didn’t immediately find the picture she posted to be “fat-shaming,” it didn’t inspire me either. You know what I would have found inspiring? If she’d said something like, “If I can do it, so can you.” Furthermore, when she had a chance to apologize, it wasn’t — as you point out — much of an apology. Instead of condescendingly saying how she wasn’t going to go into how she works and doesn’t have a nanny and more, I would have liked to see a response that was heartfelt and actually helpful. Why not share with the rest of us apparently inadequate mothers how you do find the time? If she has some great tips for squeezing in workouts or incorporating your kids into your workouts, I would love to hear them. I’m a strong believer that women should lift each other up, and I think she missed an opportunity to truly inspire and encourage other women. So, while I don’t necessarily take offense with her photo, I do take offense with the tone in which she addresses it.
Whitney English says:
That’s a great point. It was more about her messaging than the actual photo. I agree that women should lift each other up! I think that’s the whole point of healthy living blogs. I strive to make mine inspire instead of alienate. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Liz says:
I actually thought the photo was cute, and it didn’t bother me at all. I feel like she has to realize that if you remind others of your successes – financial, physical, emotional – it will always arouse jealousy and bad feedback. However, her inappropriately defensive response made her appear arrogant and, well, kind of crabby. I don’t feel an apology was even warranted, and had it been me, I would have just ignored all the ruckus.
Whitney English says:
Good point! People are always bragging about their success on Facebook, whether or not it has to do with appearances. And as the saying goes, “haters gonna hate!”
Lisa Bishop says:
The very way her question worded can put people on defensive, (as some have noted here) but her point about not tip-toeing around the issue of overweight is one we all could think about more. Is an intervention ‘shaming’? Don’t blunt questions like this intervene between how you’ve been behaving and how you could behave? Maybe some of the people that got so angry will, sooner than later, reflect on her question. And come to grips with the excuses they’ve been making. As a former smoker, people who loved me didn’t have any problem being in my face about the dangers and stupidity of my smoking. Without their candidness, I could have easily stayed in denial. Public health announcements about the dangers of smoking are on TV all the time. Why aren’t there obesity warnings “Those 60 extra pounds are killing you. Stop stuffing your mouth so much.” Which, by the way, 60 pounds is what I have recently lost and kept off for over a year. Gained during menopause…that was my excuse. Not the loads of ice cream and junk I was eating without being active. She’s not shaming, or attacking, she’s just asking.
Whitney English says:
First off, I commend you on your two major successes! Quitting smoking and losing 60 pounds?! You have a lot to be proud of.
I think your sentiments are right on. Obesity is just as dangerous as smoking and it’s time we started informing people of that.
In addition, I like your point that her question was simply that, a question. When I first read it, it sounded like an accusation. But if you really look at it, she’s only asking you to ask yourself what it is that’s holding you back.
Thanks for weighing in!
Pam S says:
I don’t think the photo was to make people feel bad about themselves, and like she said if they feel like they are being shamed, it’s their own insecurities that are making them feel that way. If I had 3 kids 3 years and under and looked that good, I would probably want to show it off as well. I agree with everyone else in that her wording is what can make people get defensive, and if obesity is the bigger issue than she could have put it in a more friendly and, I’ll give you tips that work for me, kind of way.
Whitney English says:
It seems most people who commented here approve of this photo (not so much with her approach though). I’m guessing it’s because people like us who write about and read about healthy living are already in the right mindset to use statements like hers to our advantage, instead of going on the defensive.
Thanks for sharing Pam!
Amber Murphy says:
I love the photo and the question, I found it to be inspiring. I am also a mother of 4 and weigh 117 pounds. It’s not easy, like she said it’s something that I have to work for by being very conscious about what I eat and working out 5-6 days a week. That being said, the negativity she got I think is really common even without posting a photo of yourself. People make snide comments (in a “joking” sort of way) all the time. If I order my dressing on the side I get an eye roll with a “you obviously don’t have to worry about that” or if I’m eating a cookie it’s “I’m surprised you eat that, I’d of figured you live on granola and vegetables.” Its really a no win situation. Women can be some of the most hurtful unsupportive people out there. I think it was really brave of her to put herself out there like that. If a person is trying to make good choices and in the right frame of mind they would see that and think if she can do why can’t I. In that way her post was a success. Anyway, love your blog!
Whitney English says:
Hi Amber! Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
I completely understand what you mean about people being very judgmental of your healthy lifestyle. I get the same comments, dirty looks, etc., from waiters and occasionally my fellow diners when I ask for modifications to meals or nutritional information. We just have to remember that being healthy and conscious of what we put in our bodies is a positive thing. If others choose to criticize that, it’s their problem, not ours!
Kudos on sticking to your diet and exercise routine even with your busy schedule!
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