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 love how you keep it real. I am interested in all your tips and tricks especially nutrition and feeding the family. However, I am not on Facebook and would like to other options. Thanks!
Awesome! I too just had a baby two months ago and am having a hard time finding the motivation to cut back on the junk. On the other hand, I teach Zumba fitness at Idaho fitness factory so the exercise part is a breeze for me… It’s the accountability and food I need help with!!!
Yes, please do it!
I’m in.
I’am so in. I really don’t know where to begin and need all the help I can get. I want to start and do it the right way and half way.
Why would you not do this? We all love good food, but we also all want to look and feel great. Looking for ways to add a lot more veggies to my diet that are super yummy and super fast.
I’m in. The 4th kid totally kills you.
I love this idea. I would really like some recipes that are healthy and great to eat when you are trying to watch calories. I can handle the exercise part much easier that the nutrition part 🙂
I’m totally up for it. What I would love to see are easy meals that the whole family will enjoy and that are easy to prepare with kiddos running around during the bewitching hour. I would also be super interested in workouts that are totally doable from home without fancy equipment. Thanks, and way to go!!
My youngest and last baby is turning 9 months, I am now feeling ready to not just lose some weight but just feel healthy and be active.
I would love to join in!
I love your recipes, and am always so excited to see the January ones with nutritional information. Your posts, even before your big weight loss one, inspired me to get a body bugg, too, and it makes things so much easier when I have nutritional information. I like to do recipe exchanges, and see what others have made that is tasty, and good for you. I’m not very creative with ideas, but whatever you choose to do, I’ll be up for it!
I would love this! Accountability is very motivating for me.
I’d love some workout suggestions and weekly posts about nutrition. Great idea!
I think this is a great idea!!!
I’m in!
Im in. Help me lose this weight. Im also like many others, I can’t afford a gym membership or anything like that. Plus, I am 48 years old. But I would love your help.
Very much! (oh…and my daughter is getting married in August and I would love to look pretty at her wedding)
Thanks!
I would love weight training help (I know how to cardio) and some good ideas on yummy healthy low calorie/fat snacks. I feel that’s where I fall down. When I need a little something to snack on and have had enough fruit what is there to eat?
Would love to see a list of simple exercises or tools (weights, bands?) that would be easy to do at home (in the winter especially) if you don’t have access to a gym or a trainer or even work out videos.
I’m interested
YES! Thank you for your motivation.
I would love it! I’ve got a wish, but need a plan!!!
Count me in!
I would love to do this it sounds awesome! Something that would be helpful is a full on meal plan. Tell me exactly what to eat! I need that…. The easier the better. I don’t just want this to be a life change for me but I want to help my family eat healthier too!
I’m in!!
I would love to see this happen. I’m not trying to lose weight, but I’m incredibly bored with my gym stuff right now and am interested in seeing what others are doing. I vote yes!
You look so Blazing Hot in your after picture! I am starting a 3-day juice cleanse on Monday to kick start my loss goal of 15 lbs. Trying to kick the after dinner snacking is my challenge. My hubby bought me a Fitbit for Christmas, Bless His Heart. I go to the gym 3X week and put in an hour on the ellyptical plus a few weights, but after a “certain age” it just gets tougher. Plus, I love to cook and am addicted to food blogs!
I’d love it!!! If we say yes, can we get an early copy of your new cookbook to help us out? 🙂
I’m IN . . . need all the support and knowledge as to how to do it right. Thank for doing this and sharing as well 🙂
SOOOOoooooo count me in! I’m starting a boot camp with a personal trainer next week so the timing is perfect. I need a support group for sure!
would love to have healthy recipes with awesome flavor AND get support in fitness as well!!