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!
YES! I want to lose about 20 pounds before trying to get pregnant later this year. Motivational tips would be so great to keep me on track. It’s always so difficult to go to the gym after a long, stressful days at work. Also, protein-based snacks for pre- or post-workouts would be fabulous!
It looks like you have a lot of support fire this idea. I’m completely in favor of balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle, and I certainly know how powerful a supportive community can be. Please tread carefully. There is a fine line between supporting a healthy lifestyle and objectifying the female body. If this blog becomes another place where the message becomes about pounds and inches and looking great in that dress I will stop reading even though I live all of your recipes.
And by live I mean love
Yaa….Anyone heard about fitnessblender.com? Best ever..all about living healthily and being fit….you don’t need a six pack to be fit. They use strictly common sense: exercise and real food.
Yes! I love fitness blender!!
Thank you for your comment! It’s good to keep things in perspective.
Love this idea! Bring on the healthy stuff.
Love it! I’m in!
I would love to have some good challenges to join in on, particularly if they are things that can be done at home. I work full time outside the house and have a young child, so spending extra hours in the gym only happens once or twice a week. If I could also find some exercises that I could do at night after he goes to bed or in the mornings at my house before I leave for work, that would be wonderful.
I’m in your boat, Marie. A soon-to-be single parent of a toddler who never had much help, plus working full time. Sucks big time. Never feel I have time for anything for “me”
I would love something like this! I just started a group fitness challenge this week and I’m always looking for more support, ideas, inspiration, and motivation. Count me in!
I lost 100 pounds on WW 15 yrs ago and have slowly put most back on. I struggle with getting motivated to exercise. I made some protein and veggie snacks and have started green smoothies. This would be awesome!!! I look forward to ideas and inspiration!
yes this sounds great!
I’m
In!!!
Absolutely! I have been needing this exactly. I have been trying but lacking some motivation. Challenges, support, accountability, that’s what I need.
I would love to see info/posts on how to stay healthy and as fit as possible during pregnancy (without going overboard of course). So tips on eating right and working out safely and effectively during pregnancy would be great!
YES! I start every day reading your blog. Not on facebook, but I am completely interested in seeing great tasting, light recipes and joining on the journey.
Sounds like a great way to start the New Year! :))
Yes! I’d love workout plans!
Yes!!!
Love this idea. I’m struggling to lose my own baby weight. Some new motivation and ideas would be great!
I’m like you– gain about a bazillion in baby weight that DOESN’T just come right off. In fact, I really have a difficult time losing weight while nursing. Every little thing affects my milk supply. I would LOVE to see encouragement for healthy eating and exercise. I don’t really need ‘how-to’s’ since I’ve also done this before…. but seeing other people’s realistic progress is always motivating. Emphasis on realistic. I only find it frustrating to see other people already back in their pre-prego clothes talking about how simple it is to bounce back. My body doesn’t respond that way and those kind of things just discourage me. I’d rather see “You can do it” posts and challenges than “See How Easy This is?” posts. 🙂
I’m in too! I’m excited!
I’m in, would love to do this along with others!!
I’m in! Would love group challenges, Facebook group, new healthy recipes (can’t wait for the new cookbook), and favorite things!
I think all of the ideas are good ones if you could kinda incorporate them all together – have a weekly series with the group challenges, giveaways, FB chats, etc. I’m totally for it.
I referred to your post so many times in my own weight-loss journey this past year — I even tried your travel workout your trainer gave you! I am at a good place now, but would love to hear more tips and just generally have support (I need to get back into the exercise full swing after vacation!). Pretty proud of myself for maintaining through the holidays though!
Yes yes yes!! We joined a new gym this year (we moved a year ago and waited until we were on our feet here before finding one). I’m back at it. Can we have a closed, private discussion group somewhere? Maybe Facebook?. Thank you for initiating this!!
I’m in- my baby (#5) came the day after yours, so I assume we’re similarly sleep deprived and unmotivated on our own- I know how to do it, I just haven’t made the time.
Yes! I’m joining the OBB fit club!!
I would love it if you shared work out plans!! Especially for weight training!!!
Yes!
Yes please! It’s like you gals read my mind with this wonderful idea!!! I am currently trying to lose weight before my wedding in May and although I want to “lose weight” my main focus is being healthy. I would love to see some healthy recipes, advice on meal planning, group challenges etc etc. Please and Thank You!
Yes!! I love all of your ideas!
Yes! Thank you!