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’ve enjoyed reading about your hard work and Success! I will often go back and re read your posts and have shared them with friends. I agree, the rolls are nothing when compared to an adorable child!
Looking forward to hearing more on your “new journey”, enjoy your baby and your work outs.
FINISH IT!!!
Sounds fun and motivating!!!
I’m in!
I would love this- quick recipes, facebook group page, anything!
Sounds fun! I like new challenges, I already am into fitness, but anything to help keep me motivated.
I’d love the help and support.
I’m in. I want to be truly healthy and strong and well rounded.
I’m in. Bring it!
Sounds like fun! I’m in!
I’m in!!
I would love to be part of this. Count me in.
I am in!
Thank you!!! I am a total fitness snob and I love working out. The problem is that I like snacking too much. I work out every day but can’t quite discipline myself to snack healthier and lose the weight. I think that’s why I am not shedding the weight fast enough. I have tried what you did in the post where you shared all your snacks and food while doing the diet. It works but I need to be more disciplined. I like the idea of doing it together. I want to be you in the picture above and to get there I need help. I recently bought a kettle bell and will be doing that at home on a daily basis. We’ll see what happens!
I’m in. Would love some meal plans and exercise ideas. Ideally some crockpot recipes (tax time for us Accountants). Would love to come out of tax season thinner and healthier.
Yes! I’m in! Would love to hear more about nutrition – incorporating our family meals into this lifestyle. Would love to hear about new gear and work out clothes to keep it fun. Seriously cute baby . . . you go girl!
I have started walking around my neighborhood in the morning and it would be nice to have some more encouragement to keep it going. I hope to run a half marathon this year but am lacking the motivation to actually start running.
YES! So in. I love that you are doing this so much you don’t even know!
Yes please do it!
Yes! So interested! I would love to see some of the heavy lifting plans you’ve followed in the past that you mentioned before, and some daily meal plans from your actual life. I see so many “here’s what you should eat” posts from lots of people, but real, tried-and-true “here’s what I ate today” examples would be super-helpful!
I’m in! I am 11 weeks pregnant, but out of shape and would like “someone” to “exercise with”, even if I have to do it at my level. The FB stuff sounds good.
I would love this so much!! I am two and a half months from my fifth bundle of joy making his appearance and will be right where you are when he does. Eating healthy and exercising while nursing is always my biggest concern after having a baby, but I know I will LOVE whatever you share. 🙂 Thanks for such great recipes and inspiration!
A thousand times yes! I just had my fourth (and last) baby via c section six weeks ago and had worked out with a trainer until 38 weeks-I’m excited to get my forever body and you have been such an inspiration! I would love a facebook group for interaction between members and any posts you have to offer!
Yes please!
I’m in!
This is great. I’ve let two New Year’s go by and have not really done what I said I would (get healthy inside and out). It is difficult to be healthy on a budget and more difficult still to like what I’ve made. Easy, delicious meals that can be made in a pinch is what I’m looking for. Good luck with your plans!
I usually run but I would love other ideas for workouts (I use your travel workout plan when it’s really ugly outside and I can’t stand the thought of the elliptical in the basement again). Also, more of the healthy snacks (store-bought or homemade). I also just got an awesome blender so some yummy healthy things to make in those would be great. And, as always, giveaways are wonderful!
I’m in!
YES! YES! YES!!! I want to join in! I have wanted to do this ever since you posted about it the first time, but I just don’t feel like I can do it alone. I would honestly love to see what you are doing and eating EVERY DAY! And especially if you are doing short workouts and easy meals, that would be awesome–I’m all about simple.
I’m in! I loved reading about your journey…and have actually read it a couple times just for more inspiration! Because you are doing it the “old fashioned” way, I would be happy with reading anything! I don’t belong to a gym, but am happy to do things at home and outdoors when I can. So keep it simple for those of us that can’t afford the private trainer! 🙂
I read your fitness journey earlier, and I need the encouragement from someone who has been so successful. I’m an older reader of your blog, and would appreciate fitness exercises that I could do. I would like crock pot recipes. Thank you.