# Fit mom posts Facebook pic along with her 3 kids asking 'What's your excuse?' - Firestorm ensues **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 23, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010 "2013-10-23T04:47:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/41 "2013-10-23T18:06:37Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > What’s her excuse for having three kids in four years? What’s her excuse for assuming that everyone has the same priorities as she does? I’m sure that I could find some other personal failings that she has, if I cared to. Some people like big families. My cousin had four kids in five years. I don’t judge him, and actually as teenagers they are great people now. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/42 "2013-10-23T18:07:58Z")
> [@Chanteuse](#): > > I think it comes across the same way as those ads with Kelly LeBrock saying, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful!” I couldn’t help thinking, “OK, how about I just hate you because you’re a vain snobby jerk?” No doubt at all that a lot of us could do much better to get fit, and it’s the human condition to make excuses, but the ridiculing tone of her comment does little to motivate–it just antagonizes. Did you find the Nike, “Just do it!” campaign antagonistic? ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/43 "2013-10-23T18:15:16Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Did you find the Nike, “Just do it!” campaign antagonistic? Just do it talks about actions rather than results. It (hopefully) motivates people to get up off the couch and do something even if they’re not perfect at it. For me it’s motivating where “what’s your excuse” is enraging. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/44 "2013-10-23T18:22:38Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > What’s her excuse for having three kids in four years? What’s her excuse for assuming that everyone has the same priorities as she does? I’m sure that I could find some other personal failings that she has, if I cared to. Huh? Having three kids in four years is a personal failing? ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/45 "2013-10-23T18:24:31Z")
It’s been mentioned already, but I think people are still missing that this is a fairly well known meme on the internet. My Facebook routinely has pictures with this caption. A typical one is a double amputee marathon runner. It’s a common meme that she picked up and ran with since she’s in great shape despite having kids. No big deal. No reason for outrage, other than jealousy. People are reading way too much into it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/46 "2013-10-23T18:28:53Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > Just do it talks about actions rather than results. It (hopefully) motivates people to get up off the couch and do something even if they’re not perfect at it. > > For me it’s motivating where “what’s your excuse” is enraging. YMMV I agree to an extent. But every “Just do it” commercial I’ve ever seen has an athlete in it, or somebody in unbelievably good shape near enough to a professional athlete as to make no difference. So if I was looking for a reason to be insulted, I might look at that campaign and say, “Sure, easy for you to say! Look at you! Who has time to be running up those stadium stands?” But it’s harder to be as critical of Nike. It’s a corporation. It has no face. Plus, you’ve already bought their shoes. They’re sitting unused in the closet right next to the Adidas. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/47 "2013-10-23T18:29:08Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > Huh? Having three kids in four years is a personal failing? Some people would say it’s not enough and others would say it’s too many. And some others would say it’s her business and doesn’t have anything to do with anybody else. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/48 "2013-10-23T18:42:06Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > A question worded that poorly doesn’t invite debate or dissent, it just shames fat people. Which I guess works for her, since she doesn’t seem the type to hang out with fatties anyway. There are legitimate reasons that what works for her doesn’t work for everybody. Not everyone can afford healthy food and a gym membership. Not everyone is a mesomorph. Not everyone was born with a pretty face and treated like a beautiful person all their lives. Not everyone was raised by health-conscious parents who taught them proper diet and exercise habits starting at birth. Not everyone lacks mental health issues or motivation to get to the gym most days. > > But you know, keep fighting the good fight. :rolleyes: What makes you think this ISN’T an mental health issue? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/49 "2013-10-23T19:10:17Z")
> [@Bob's Zombie](#): > > Some people would say it’s not enough and others would say it’s too many. And some others would say it’s her business and doesn’t have anything to do with anybody else. That’s what I say. Some people are obsessed by the number of kids other people have. I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/50 "2013-10-23T19:24:02Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Not everyone is a mesomorph. I don’t believe there is much validity to the notion of “body types”, aka, “mesomorph, endomorph and ectomorph”. Hasn’t that pretty much been debunked? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/51 "2013-10-23T20:00:24Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > A little warning would be nice next time. [She’s in exercise/running clothes](http://www.themilitantbaker.com/2013/10/my-excuse-im-glad-you-asked.html) and is posing with cats. What was so disturbing? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/52 "2013-10-23T20:18:40Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [She’s in exercise/running clothes](http://www.themilitantbaker.com/2013/10/my-excuse-im-glad-you-asked.html) and is posing with cats. What was so disturbing? WARNING: This feels like a cleverly laid trap. I wouldn’t answer. ---
**Author:** ![Kable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/53 "2013-10-23T20:21:53Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [She’s in exercise/running clothes](http://www.themilitantbaker.com/2013/10/my-excuse-im-glad-you-asked.html) and is posing with cats. What was so disturbing? She’s obese and obviously eats to much, and her body is far from perfect. I imagine she has a number of elevated health risks because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/54 "2013-10-23T20:24:48Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > She’s obese and obviously eats to much, and her body is far from perfect. I imagine she has a number of elevated health risks because of it. Why are someone else’s imperfections and health risks supposed to be disturbing? ---
**Author:** ![Kable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/55 "2013-10-23T20:34:01Z")
> [@Bob's Zombie](#): > > Why are someone else’s imperfections and health risks supposed to be disturbing? I don’t know if they are supposed to be anything. She’d probably look cute if she lost the weight instead of making all them excuses. She’d probably be healthier too. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/56 "2013-10-23T20:47:59Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > What’s her excuse for having three kids in four years? What’s her excuse for assuming that everyone has the same priorities as she does? I’m sure that I could find some other personal failings that she has, if I cared to. This does not come across as petty or jealous at all. Not even a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/57 "2013-10-23T20:51:42Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > … A typical one is a double amputee marathon runner. . . The one who was on trial for murdering his girlfriend? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/58 "2013-10-23T20:57:17Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > I don’t know if they are supposed to be anything. She’d probably look cute if she lost the weight instead of making all them excuses. She’d probably be healthier too. Everyone, including you, falls short of perfection. So what’s your excuse? I feel uncomfortable when I read a long list of excuses like hers, I must admit. It’s not that I think excuses/explanations don’t exist. It’s just that I think we can make up a convenient narrative to explain and justify just about anything. We can either take the “what’s your excuse?” bait and risk deluding ourselves (while coming across as whiny), or just tell whomever is asking to shut the fuck up. I like the cats and the self-deprecation of her humor, though. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/59 "2013-10-23T21:07:42Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > It’s amazing how much people read into three words. It’s an understood although not explicitly stated part of the sentence. Just as the sentence: “Even Bob passed the test” has the following unstated, but understood components. 1 - The test was easy. 2 - Bob isn’t very smart. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010/60 "2013-10-23T21:10:38Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > I don’t know if they are supposed to be anything. But your response to this question: > [@astro](#): > > [She’s in exercise/running clothes](http://www.themilitantbaker.com/2013/10/my-excuse-im-glad-you-asked.html) and is posing with cats. What was so disturbing? Was this. > [@Kable](#): > > She’s obese and obviously eats to much, and her body is far from perfect. I imagine she has a number of elevated health risks because of it. In essence I think you were shooting for the “I am not judging this person for being overweight and am merely voicing polite concern,” which is often insincere. You did it in response to the wrong question and wound up making the insincerity more obvious. I haven’t seen too many of the “What’s your excuse?” things, but I think they are generally supposed to be about overcoming obstacles in life- this one was pretty specific to weight loss and it was also a promotion for her own website, which makes it that much more tacky. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fit-mom-posts-facebook-pic-along-with-her-3-kids-asking-whats-your-excuse-firestorm-ensues/672010.md?page=4)