A few weeks ago my husband walked into the room where I was sitting with our 2 month-old baby, took a look at my outfit, and said, “Babe! Back in the skinny jeans? Niiiice!” To which I replied, “If by ‘back in the skinny jeans’ you mean, ‘Babe! You went to Target today and bought really huge skinny jeans!’ Then yes. Yes I am.”
Many of you will remember that about a year ago I shared my experiences losing weight and getting fit.
I accomplished that a few years ago and successfully kept the weigh off until recently. I know there are lot of people in this world who can carry a child for 9 months and then pop back into their skinny jeans a few weeks later.
I am not one of those people.
I knew that going into my pregnancy and I was actually okay with it. I knew I would probably gain quite a bit of weight, and I did. The difference between this post-pregnancy and my 3 previous ones is that now I’m not afraid and depressed of the “after.” Right now I look a lot like I did in that “before” photo up there, but it’s not scary for me anymore because I transformed my body once and I know I can do it again. I know exactly how to do it and I have the confidence I can. Even more importantly, I honestly and truly don’t care how many pounds I have to deal with when I have this to show for it:
Not to get all cheesy, but I can’t hate my belly rolls when I look into those little blue eyes. Carrying a child inside you for almost a year is an amazing, and also rigorous thing to put your body through, so I had a tendancy to reward that body with things like ice cream and onion rings-which is now very apparent.
SO. Why am I talking about all of this again? Because when I was working to shed those pounds a few years ago, I did it very privately. And when I finally shared my story last year, the response blew me away. Hundreds of you commented, and just as many have sent me emails, Facebook messages, and Instagram comments about how that post inspired YOU. I cannot even explain how awesome it has been to read your stories and cheer you on from the other side of the computer screen. So many of you had questions and needed help, guidance, and support, and now I’m in a unique position where I’m doing it all over again- so I figured a lot of us out there could do it together!
(Let’s be clear- I’m back at the “then” in that photo!)
Kate and I would like to do a regular series here focused on health and fitness, but we want to cater it to your interests according to your feedback. Obviously our main focus here at Our Best Bites is food, so we won’t take away from that. For all of you out there who don’t give a flip about all of this health and fitness stuff, no worries. Yummy recipes are still coming, and will always be the focus around here. But we thought it would be cool to use this great community for an OBB Fit Club for the next few months. Some random ideas I had were a weekly series, group challenges, workout plans, maybe a Facebook page to chat- some cool giveaways and prizes?? We’re up for anything. I just know from experience that it helps to have a support network.
So speak up. If this is something that interests you, you MUST leave a comment on this blog post! If you’re reading this via email, click here to hop over and leave a comment. If there isn’t much interest we’ll bag it and do it on our own! We don’t know unless you leave comments and tell us. If you guys speak up and want this to happen, let us know, and tell what you’d like to see/learn/do and we’ll make it happen! Together we can crush those New Year’s Resolutions!
Would love to join the fun!
Count me in on your health and fitness ideas! For the first time in twenty years, I’m seriously working to lose weight and get healthy, and I will take all the info and encouragement I can get! I’m down eight pounds so far, only 67 more to go!
I am very interested. I lost weight a couple of years ago and have gained it back for a few reasons. The motivation and group participation is definitely an interest – along with healthy recipes that my family will eat 🙂
Yes, yes, YES!!!!!!
yes!!! I would love a daily kick in the pants and keep going blog!!!
Yes, yes, yes please – I am absolutely in!!!
Yes!!! My “baby” is 3 1/2. Probably shouldn’t be blaming this on “I just had a baby” anymore.
Yes! I am in the same boat, just had a baby and want to get rid of these extra pounds and be fit once again!
Love it! I neeeeeeed to get healthy!
Yes, please, I’d be very interested in weight loss posts. I’m so, ahem, at a “before” picture. Sigh..
I would absolutely love to learn from you! I had my son 6 weeks ago and his cute chubby little 9.2lb newborn self took quite a toll on my body! I’d love to learn how to find time to exercise with two little ones. I’m also breastfeeding, so I’d love some healthy (but non “diet”) and yummy recipes too.
DEFINITELY!!! I keep telling myself it’s because I have had twins – twice, or that I had a baby, but my baby is now 3, and I can’t use him as my excuse any more! So something like this would be great to help me get going.
I’m in!
I need help! I’m in.
I’m in!!
I’d love to be apart of this. I’m in the same boat of post pregnancy weight that I want to get rid of again! I’m always checking out your website for new dishes and I’d love to have a good idea of which ones are more on the lower calorie side.
I would love it. I’m in.
I want in! I need some motivation and help. Especially with weight training. I have no clue where to start or how to do it.
YES please! this would be amazing. I welcomed a sweet baby girl in August and would love a support group to hold me accountable. Great idea ladies!
I think this is a great idea. I went through a small weight loss battle last year and came out victorious just in time for my wedding, I’ve struggled to find time to work out while juggling a master’s degree and a new home. That said, I am managing my weight by diet and would LOVE LOVE LOVE some healthy recipes that do not revolve around salads as I am allergic to lettuce and can’t eat it. Sadly, that actually exists. So, any recipe guidance for healthy meals would be greatly appreciated!
I would love it!! I’m in!
I’m in. Let’s do this!! You girls are inspiring!
Ha ha, 350 comments in less than a morning, I think people are interested! I would love whatever you have to offer, but mostly just a reminder that I can keep trying and other people are out there doing the same thing.
SO on board!!
Count me in.
I would love to participate! I REALLY would love specific work out plans. When you posted about your weight loss a while back I was dying to know what you did in your workouts. I have started working out regularly (mostly running), and while I feel I definitely have more endurance, I don’t feel like I look more in shape. I need to know specifics so I know how to work out more effective. I would also love more healthy meal ideas. A Facebook group is a fun idea as well.
Sigh….it’s too bad nobody seems to be interested in this idea. 😉 😉 I’m on board and I also think your baby is delightfully delicious!!
I’m in. I would love to have some simple, healthy recipes, as a older Mom, okay Grandmother, who does try to make it to the gym 5 times a week, but after working all day, need simple, easy, healthy things to fix for lunches and dinners. And not salads!!
This sounds like a great idea! I had twins boys back in November and want to get into some better workout habits this year.
I am so glad you’re making this a public experience! You have the power to influence many for good. I would love easy and healthy meal ideas along with exercise ideas. Love the idea of a facebook group. Let’s get Kate in on the action too!