Does this woman deserve to be hated?

Without meaning to, the LA-based mother-of-three sparked a war on Facebook when she posted a photo of herself dressed in fitness gear, showing off her super-toned abs, surrounded by her three little boys.

Maria Kang had no idea she would cause such a stir with her Facebook post. Source: Facebook

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MARIA Kang started a fitness blog almost a decade ago but you probably didn't hear about her until this week.

And when her name did make it on to your radar, it was probably accompanied by words like "judgmental", "fat-shamer" and "bully".

Harmless enough under normal circumstances, but at the top of the photograph, Kang asks What's your excuse?

Maria Kang, her three boys, a rocking body and a controversial question. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

That pissed off a lot of people.

New mums all over the world apparently felt that Kang was shaming them for not being in similar shape as her so quickly after giving birth.

The picture was seen by millions and attracted thousands of comments. These are some of the choice disses she attracted from other women:

"Not that I *NEED* an excuse for not working out, but here's mine you self-righteous idiot: fibromyalgia."

"What's my excuse? Cancer. If you really cared to promote health you wouldn't need to be half naked. You can show health by being dressed. The fact you chose attire such as this is that you were promoting appearance."

Kang issued a faux-pology, pointing out she's not naturally skinny and works relentlessly to stay in shape. If you interpreted her post as a dig at other mums, she says, that's not her fault. It's yours.

And for every hater, there's a woman on Facebook who supports her message:

"DO NOT APOLOGIZE!!! To look like this takes hard work. the people calling you a bully obviously don't have what it takes."

"Completely positive!! Good motivation and truth."

Kang, 32, is unabashed about her post-baby body, which may be fitter than the average but also proudly bears the hallmarks of motherhood - stretchmarks and excess skin.

Kidspot Australia's Alex Brooks says Kang's message isn't wrong, just provocative.

"People will take offence because body image is a very, very touchy and personal subject, particularly with mothers," Brooks told news.com.au.

"Our research shows 95 per cent of mothers find their weight one of the most stressful things in their lives. You'd think it would be juggling work and running a household and getting dinner on the table, but it's not. Body image is a very big deal.

And Kang's not alone in her quest to inspire other mum's to bounce back into shape.

Queenslander Sharny Kieser looks smoking after four children. Picture: Glen Bowden Source: Supplied

Fitness author Sharny Kieser says that if she can lose 30kg within eight weeks of giving birth to her fourth baby, other mums can too.

"It was never about the weight loss originally. I just wanted more energy to keep up with the kids and to get everything I needed to get done each day so I changed my eating and started exercising a little bit and as a byproduct of that I've lost over 30kg. I'm feelings the best I've ever felt in my life," she said.

"I would never have gotten in a bikini without shorts to cover bottom and legs and I've just done my first photo shoot with VEVE Glamour Swimwear.

"I never would have thought it possible for me to do something like that due to my stretch marks as a mum but for me to stand up with my stretch marks in a bikini and say 'I did this with my four babies, it's possible for you to do this too' ... that's what I want for other mums."

The Queensland mum-of-four, who says she has a better body now than before she had her babies, says Kang's seemingly harsh stance is needed.

"When others mothers are at a point when they're not feeling the best about themselves or they're feeling horrible about their body or they're tired and they're going through their journey they look at someone like Maria or myself who has achieved it and it takes them out of their comfort zone a bit," she said.

"It may give them the push subconsciously that they're maybe not ready for.

"If they're backlashing in a negative way it's nothing to do with me, it's what they're going through in that moment. I hope they might sit on it and then start their own journey towards happiness, loving themselves and good health."

No stranger to controversy after earlier this year saying fat people were exactly like dole bludgers, Kieser says Kang is an "inspiration".

"When I saw her photo I thought 'oh my gosh, wow, there's another mum out there and someone else making a difference the way I am'. I was so proud and excited for her," she said.

"I'm glad she's on her journey and not taking offence in any way to other mums who are putting a negative spin on it.

"I think deep down there definitely is (envy) because every mum wants to look and feel beautiful, feel amazing and have energy whatever size they are. I'd say to her 'keep doing what you're doing'. You're changing many mums' lives around the world. You're incredible. I love you to bits."

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