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!
I’m definitely IN!! I would love to see some healthy, clean eating recipes every now and again – maybe even healthy remakes of comfort foods?
Also, I work 10 hour days, 4 days a week, so exercise on those days is kind of hard for me. If there are any ideas on getting something in on those days, especially during the cold winter months, that would be awesome. One of the problems is we got to work in the dark, and it’s dark again by the time we get home.
I’m excited about having this group to lean on! You gals are inspirational anyway, and this is just one more thing to add to the mix.
Thank you for everything you do!!
Do you exercise at lunchtime, Jill? Either at the gym or just walking or climbing up and down the stairs in your building. Then you can eat at your desk when you’re done. For some reason it didn’t occur to me until about 12 or 13 years ago to do this, but now I walk over to the gym every single day at lunch and get my weight lifting done. If it’s possible for you, you might really like it!
Sign me up!
I am interested can’t wait for the new cookbook to come out for some great Low calorie recipes to make!
I lost 30 lbs the old fashioned way in 2014, I’d love to join you in 2015 to lose the remaining 50!
Yes…yes….yes! I loved when you shared your story. As a mom of 5I need all the help and support tovlosecthe extra fluff I continue to carry around! Also, as a foodie myself I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things y’all come up with. Here in southern Louisiana we’re about comfort southern food and all things rich and spicy. So, I say bring it on! I’m sure most of us could use some health advice and choices!
Dumb phone…. “to lose the”
YES! I just finished chemo (BC) and actually gained weight. I know I was able to tolerate the treatments because I really tried to eat well…ok, pretty well…any form of potato, salt and butter really tasted good at odd times 😉 But the lack of energy really took its toll. My energy is back and I’m ready to get strong and get rid of these lbs!
I’m in
I’m in! I have loved your posts and look forward to new ones!
Your story is so inspiring! You face every day challenges just like everyone else and yet made your health a priority, which I struggle with. I’d love to see a health & fitness group on your blog:)
Count me in. My youngest is 18, but I could still use the support!!
I’m in….would love some sort of a fitness/exercise plan
I’m in! Would love it!
Totally in! I had a baby four months ago and would love to get in shape in time for spring/summer.
That would be wonderful. I love all of your tips, advise and of course recipes!
Yes I’d love this! Especially a good daily earing plan!
Yes P L E A S E!!!
Yes, please!!
I love this idea. I am in a good place exercise wise thanks to your post last year. I’m exercising six days a week including lifting weights. But my eating habits are horrible. I need motivation for healthy eating. Especially dinners that my whole family will like. I’m excited for your new book!
I’m beyond interested. Please do this! I am interested in all the ideas you mentioned but especially love the Facebook page and prize giveaways. That would be very motivating!
Definitely in! I would love to get some exercise routines that I can do during my guilty pleasures (namely Bridezillas and TMZ. Don’t judge 😉 ).
I’m in!
Yes please! My fourth just turned six months old today, and I am just barely starting to get my act together in the health department. I like sweets entirely too much and I have bad knees and a bad back and I use those as excuses to not workout as hard as I know I should. Motivation would really be helpful for me!
I’m in as well! I echo quite a few comments when I say it would be wonderful to have strength training/weight lifting help (I get super overwhelmed with what to do, when, etc etc) and a challenge or two never hurt either. 😉 Having rambled on, no matter what you cook up, it will be wonderful and will help all of us!
Count me in!
This is awesome and refreshing as I am about 2 wks post partum with my 3rd
Here are some things I would love to see posted about. 1- How to lose weight without losing your milk supply. 2- Ideas for post workout high protein snacks. 3- Easter and or holiday guide to healthy eating. 4- Workout ideas with young kids. 5-smaller mini meals to split the calories up evenly throughout the day. 6- Hydration options that aren’t just water, but aren’t super caloric either. 7-super low calorie tricks to change up the menu- ie. salsa. 8- plate ideas of grains to protein to vegetable ratios.
Thanks Guys!
I LOVE this idea! I’m starting to focus on my health now that my little ones are getting bigger and I need the energy to keep up with them. 🙂
Count me IN!!! at 49 years 10 months and 16 days I NEED this!!!! OH and Kate I desperately need your address as I lost it…. you can send it to my e-mail which is filled out in the comment info. Thanks!!
YAHOO! simple & easy (few ingredients) recipes…some indoor exercises (it’s -8° out today!)…i’m ready to go!
I WOULD LOVE THIS! What I would love the most is lots of healthy, realistic meal/snack recipes.