No Excuses Mom Is Back — Yes, She Is! — With Some Hot Dads for the Holidays
Danny Knapp, 46
This dude, right, is a grandpa! In 2010 he weighed 391 lbs. and had a bevy of health problems and limited mobility. Then he found the No More Excuses movement, which jump-started his path to a healthier lifestyle. "By 2012 I had lost over 200 lbs. of fat, and I now enjoy surfing, running, and I spend a lot of my free time volunteering with physically challenged athletes," he notes on his calendar page. Todd Calkins, left, says he's always been active, but that his daughter has inspired him to reach for even higher health goals. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Fit Moms — and Dads!
This year’s calendar gets all parents in the mix. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Kendrick Michael Daniels, 35
"There was a time in my life about three years ago that I had daily unhealthy behaviors that were not a good representation of my core beliefs and what I stood for," he says. Now, with his wife and kids as inspiration, Daniels has totally changed course. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Thomas Tran, 34
"I've been struggling with my weight for the last 10 years," Tran says. "Every time I got on a roll, something would happen and I would go back to my old ways." Now he's sworn off extreme diets and deprivation in favor of creativity. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Omar Lozada, 34
A former couch potato, Lozada said he'd fall asleep on the sofa every night after work and was always tired. After hooking up with No Excuse Mom, he says, "I was able to get motivated and again to get healthy. I feel more energetic, happy, and strong. I run three times a week and do strength training as well. I've lost 32 lbs and feel great." (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Moms of Tucson, Ariz.
Plenty of moms still grace this year's calendar, like this beautiful desert crew. "The best part of being part of the [No Excuse Moms] community is to be surrounded by a strong group of women who support and embrace each other." (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Julio Lozada, 31
"I never had issues with weight gain and never really cared what I was putting in my body," this dad says. "Everybody else would always say how lucky I was and how envious they were of my thin physique, but I wasn't happy, I was sick internally." He ate junk food and was malnourished, but is finding his way back. "I have a long way to go," Lozada says, "but am taking it a day at a time, and I am very proud to be part of this Fit Dad movement." (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Moms of Stafford, Va.
Group leader Lacy Calkins says her family had just been relocated by the military when she pushed herself out of her comfort zone to lead this crew of No Excuse Moms. "These ladies have been a major source of inspiration, motivation, and, most of all, friendship," Calkins says. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
Paul Bean, 33
After eight years in the Navy, this dad of two put on 60 lbs. because of his habit of staying up late and chowing down. "I met my wife, and we were both struggling with our weight," he says. "I gained more weight while she was pregnant. What made me change was seeing my wife make small steps to change her lifestyle. I saw that she was shedding the pounds and I needed to join her." Bean has shed 50 lbs. and hopes to be an inspiration for his daughters. (Photo: Courtesy Maria Kang)
It's recently come to light that body-image issues and eating disorders are not the exclusive territory of women. Zayn Malik and football player Joey Julius are among those to bravely disclose their personal eating disorder stories this year, while various studies have confirmed that they are far from alone in their struggle.
So it's a thoughtful holiday surprise that fitness guru Maria Kang — mother of three and Facebook rabble-rouser, with more than 350 chapters of her No Excuse Mom workout groups worldwide — has chosen to include some men and their stories in what has now become her annual inspirational calendar. This year it has a slightly tweaked title: "2017 Fit Mom and Dad Calendar."
"I still haven't backed down from my 'no excuse' mantra, even though many critics celebrated my weight gain this past fall," Kang tells Yahoo Beauty. For this year's calendar, she says, "I wanted to include dads because they are equal parts to the equation of raising a healthy family. Our motto for No Excuse Dads is to 'become the hero of your home.' It’s becoming increasingly hard for men to be healthy, as they have sedentary jobs, eat calorie-rich foods, and lack activity outside of work. They struggle with their weight, motivation, busy schedule, and oftentimes they are independent and alone in their efforts to be healthy (while women typically reach out or join group endeavors). So here are some great role models of men who are making it happen despite their challenges: No excuses!" Get a sneak peek, above, at some of the men and women featured in this year's calendar, or snag every page for yourself at Kang's online store ($20).
Let's keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.