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 am in!!! Right now I have a goal to lose 30 pounds this year but w/out a plan —just a wish!
Sounds great!
Nutrition is where I FAIL miserably at. 6 years ago I started exercising (mainly crossing training with kettle bells) regularly and have come to crave it – 3-4 days a week. I still don’t LOVE exercise, but I love how I feel. I work full time and am raising 3 kiddos (8, 7 & 4 yrs old). Sometimes (okay, a lot) it is super easy to grab take out, Chinese, pizza, etc. So meals, meal planning etc would be helpful.
Yes! I’m so interested!
A million times YES! I’ve just begun to work on a fit lifestyle for myself and ultimately my family. I would love a little extra guidance along our journey.
I’d love to see it! My baby is five months old, and just like with my first, I seem to gain weight breastfeeding (I’m not one of those fortunate women who loses weight breastfeeding). :/ I technically weigh more now than I did pre-pregnancy, though I only gained 14 lbs when I was pregnant (though I’d lost to 10 lbs lighter than pre-pregnancy right after I had her). Anyway, I’m not so concerned about pounds right now as I am with how my clothes fit, and they’re getting tight! So I’d love to join you in your efforts (and keep my clothes from getting any tighter)!
Yes please! I would love to follow along to see what you do with food and exercise.
I’m in, you are totally on to something here!!!
Great idea!
I am SO in! LOVE this idea of helping each other! I read every word of your post!
I’m totally in!! I had twins back in June and it’s time to get back in shape!
I’d love to be involved.
I am totally interested! This is what I need – I had twins 2 years ago and have not dealt with my physical health yet! Would love to have a community to do this with – I think this is a great idea.
I would love to hear about what workouts everyone is doing. I think I have hit a plateau with what I have been doing and would love to change it up. Healthy recipes are a bonus! Thanks!
Sounds great! I just had my 3rd and am in the same boat!
Totally in!!
I’ve fought my weight for 19 years – since I had a hysterectomy. I’d love to see more info re: hormones & weight loss!! Will definitely follow along! I already exercise 5-6 days a week & eat healthy (DH is a diabetic) so love new recipes & info! Keep up the good work & congrats on that beautiful baby!!
What a great idea. Count me in!
Help! I meant help! Lol
Yes!! I need all the hell and motivation I can get! I look much like that before picture too. Ready for a change!
I’m in!
Count me in and please share your meal plans and how you incorporate hat the family eats with you!
I AM IN!!!
I need all the motivation I can get :). Thanks for including all of us in this!
I’m in.
I am in! I need to get back to my after photo as well and I could use the support. Your little guy is adorable!
I would love this. It sounds so real and down-to-earth. I have done WW and might do it again, but have to do it online and it is so hard without encouragement and accountability. It would be so nice to have a FB group for that as well as smaller challenges along the way. I would love it!
Not interested in reading an exercise/fitness blog and hope we would still see recipes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I love your food blog! Please don’t forget the yummy recipes.
I would love it. Been low-carbing for 2 years and lost 50 pounds. Did a little backslide over the holidays and gained 4 pounds after being stalled for a few months. I’m ready to get back in it and lose 20 more pounds. I would love low-carb recipes (cause that’s the only “diet” that has ever worked for me and I would love a FB page where I could ask questions and hear from others who are struggling like me. Thanks for doing this!
I’m in!