A mother who discovered weightlifting after having children has spoken out about the shocking online abuse she receives for her muscular physique, stating that critics are simply "jealous".
From 'Skinny Fat' to Super Toned
Tina Fernandez, a 45-year-old single mother from California, USA, had a long-standing difficult relationship with her body and food. After gaining 75lbs (approximately 34kg) during her first pregnancy, she began attending the gym but initially stuck solely to cardio. Following two more pregnancies, where she managed her weight gain to 35lbs (around 16kg) each time, she was still unhappy, describing herself as 'skinny fat'.
Her turning point came with a New Year's resolution to radically change her approach. "I was scared of food," Tina recalled. "[So I set a resolution] to eat more and lift weights, and change my body extremely and gain confidence." This commitment to strength training was the key, transforming not only her physique but her self-esteem. "My confidence now is through the roof and I'm so happy and proud," she said.
Mixed Reactions to a Muscular Mum
While Tina's dedication has given her a powerfully toned body she loves, the reactions from the public have been sharply divided. In person, she often receives positive attention, including compliments and requests for selfies. However, the landscape on social media is starkly different and frequently toxic.
"I get so much love and compliments but I also get an extreme amount of hate – mostly from men but women too," Tina revealed. The abuse is often vicious, with trolls labelling her "repulsive" and "hideous", making cruel comments about her desirability and even her parenting. "I’ve been told to kill myself and that I’m an awful mum," she shared.
Rising Above the Hate
Despite the barrage of negativity, Tina has developed a resilient mindset. She believes the vitriol stems from the insecurities of others. "People love trying to humble me – but it doesn’t work. I’m just confident and that seems to bug insecure people," she explained.
Drawing on her own past experiences of being "severely bullied", Tina now meets the online hate with empathy rather than anger. "I don’t let it bug me, I just feel sad for them... Now, I laugh about it and I have a tremendous amount of empathy," she stated. Her focus remains on being true to herself and the strength she has built, both physically and mentally, refusing to let anonymous critics dim her hard-won confidence.
