It’s friday again? Already? Funny enough I’m drinking coffee out of my Disney Cruise Line mug. It’s kind of like a reminder that the weekend is a mini vacation that is right around the corner. Don’t mind this other random picture I’m using since it is not my Disney mug…
If we were having coffee today I would probably have more than a few cups. Fridays are my long days. I’m really surprised that one hour of sleep makes such a difference in how I feel throughout the day. Most days I’m in bed around 9pm and up around 5 or 5:30, having a good 8 hours of sleep. Well, they aren’t always a “good” 8 hours, but 8 hours nonetheless. Fridays I often get around 6.5-7 hours of sleep since I get up earlier to coach the 5am class. That little hour makes all the difference for how I feel the next day. Is it nap time yet?
If we were having coffee I would ask you your thoughts on the most recent Maria Kang picture and the backlash it is receiving. I think the first one may not have been ill intentioned, but this one got under my skin a bit. She knew how people responded to her first picture and I imagine she anticipated the same reaction on this one. It comes across like she is saying “What’s your excuse for not looking like me?” but what if people don’t want to look like her? Not to mention they might not be excuses… they might be real reasons… I have been working my ass off for 4+ years to lose weight. I have a daughter, a full time job, a full time business, finished 4 years of college and I have some serious hormone and thyroid issues. I have to work twice as hard for half the results. That is not an excuse… that is my reality. It isn’t fair, it isn’t an excuse, it is what it is. I may not look like Maria Kang, but I am proud of my progress. Everyone is on a different journey. Some may be just starting, some may be in a good place mentally but the body hasn’t caught up. Just because I don’t look like her doesn’t mean I’m any less healthy or happy… and I hate that she is implying that. I think we can love our bodies where we are, while still wanting to make changes to better ourselves. I guess sometimes the line is blurry between excuses and reasons. I just feel like this is SO negative and judgemental. And that picture looks a little (or a lot) touched up.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am struggling with chicken right now. That sounds so weird to say (type?) I don’t like any fish so my lean meat choices have been turkey and chicken. I’ve been struggling wanting to cook it and I don’t even want to touch it. It is in several of my meals on my meal plan and I don’t like the taste, texture, or smell right now. I need new ways to cook it, got any ideas?
If we were having coffee, What would you tell me?!
linking up with alissa.
imperfectly courtney 
Do you roast a whole chicken? I find that to be delicious and then I have chicken on hand to use in different ways all week. I just stuff the bird with a few lemon wedges, sprinkle with a little garlic salt and roast for an hour at 450.
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I have a hard time with chicken on bones. I already halfway gag cutting up chicken breasts, the idea of peeling the meat off the bones is even worse. I do hear it tastes alot better though… maybe I’ll take a chance and try it. It also appears more cost effective…. but those bones are so gross! LOL
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I get what Maria Kang is trying to say…. but I’m not a fan of how she’s going about it. What she also doesn’t point out is that she has one thing that most don’t…amazing genetics. Not saying it comes ‘easy’ to her…but ‘easier that most’. I would love to see a photo of what she looked like prior to the 3 children. Probably not a whole lot different than she does now.
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That is a good point, genetics are a huge part of the equation. Yes, she still has to work for it, but not half as hard as others might have to without that advantage.
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I think that the most frustrating thing is that we all get sucked into these campaigns’ momentum.
Genetics is the most difficult part of this. I was born with a whopping case of “wide butt” and saddle bags. No matter how hard I try, without surgery those things will never change. I also had 4 very very large babies that caused me permanent skin damage.
I much prefer the campaign’s that focus on people that have really overcome adversity.
We need to be supportive of all types of images. And recognize that you may work hard to be thin and strong but you may have lucked out–I work out hard and eat right–have done for years–yet I will always have the same issues!
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Me too, Rose! I was “blessed” with Child Bearing hips from a young age. It is near impossible to make that go away!
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Girrrrl I hear ya.. I’m not a big chicken person either (people think I’m crazy, so I was glad to hear you’re not the biggest fan.. we must be related!). 😉 I would prefer steak steak and more steak, and a burger here and there. I just try to mask the flavor of the bird as much as I can with heavy spices– chicken fajita bowls, chicken lettuce wraps (doused with Asian flavor– my absolute favorite), chicken teriyaki (in the crock pot). I don’t really make a lot of turkey except in turkey chili, which I love and never miss the beef in. Again.. I spice spice spice it up as much with flavors that make me forget I’m eating chicken. 🙂
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I used to love chicken, I’ve just been cooking and eating it the same way for months since starting with my nutritionist. Now that we are seeing light at the end of this dreadful winter I may try to grill more… or just cover it in sauce. Buffalo is my current fav!
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Love they called out her airbrushed photoshopped “stretchmarks”..
I don’t know what you can or can’t have on your plan, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE broiling chicken thighs with Kerrygold, garlic, and coconut aminos,10 minutes each side in a cast iron skillet. DELICIOUS.
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I am such a snob when it comes to chicken… I only like white meat and it can’t be on bone. So boring… I know…
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I love your Coffee Dates! And unfortunately I think this attempt at motivation by shaming from Maria Kang is following the “negative publicity is still publicity” school of thought. What a shame that is…
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Such a shame! I think it is making a negative impact on people, not wanting to even try because they will never look like that. Or because they are ashamed of their “excuses” – counter productive if you ask me!
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