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!
My 5th baby turned 16 and I am still working on that healthy fit body. It is a long constant job. I would love to get more inspiration!
How crazy that I just put up that quote on my board by my computer today!! I am totally in!! You know what I would love is just some recipes that I can fix for my family that they will like and that are healthy for all of us!! I am a diet addict and will lose 10 lbs. in a short amount of time just to gain in back again. I am done!! I need something I can stick with!! Can you help??
I would be in but I am 5 months pregnant so my goal right now is to just continue with my exercise routine for as long as I can and to eat healthy. I was inspired by your post last year and got my butt in gear and lost 44 pounds.
Yes Please!!!! Totally In!!
I’m in. I want this to be my year to get healthy and would love some great ideas from you two.
I am so in love with this idea! I’m always looking for quick at home workouts and love a good challenge. Competition motivates!
Yes!!! Would love a support group & ideas of healthy eating & weight training!
Yes please…I am old and I want in!!!! Please!! 🙂
All in!!
YES!!!! I know I cannot do it on my own and I would love a support group to keep me motivated!! Thank You!!!
Definitely in!! Please include lots of healthy recipes that have no weird ingredients, just stuff many of us are likely to have on hand. Thanks for sharing your photos!! Especially the baby, they really are worth it.
I’m totally in! I was so inspired by your story before & I love your mindset now…that your beautiful baby is totally worth every bit of it! I have been needing to do something myself & would love it if you did a group thing! Thanks for all you do!
Oh my gracious, this is the greatest idea EVER!!! I would love ideas for weekly meal plans and the motivation of knowing we’re all in this together!!!
I’m in!
Really, really yes. I have been looking for motivators. My biggest problem is after lunch. I feed my stress after lunch.
Yes! I’m in!!
Um yeah. I’m so in. Due to some serious back issues I’ve regained all the weight I’d lost in the previous year, and then some. I’m tired of feeling winded just from walking across the room. I realize there isn’t a lot I can do because of my back (I’m currently waiting for surgery) but I’d like to do SOMETHING! So yes, please count me in. Thanks!
I’m in!
Yes!! Just had baby #2 in July and need the help!
I forgot to say I’d like some meal time recommendations.
Congratulations on that precious little nugget you’ve just welcomed to your family!
count me in too!
This makes me SO happy. I was inspired by your story especially when I saw that you actually LOST WEIGHT IN DECEMBER!!! Amazing. I saw that and thought I can too and now I feel amazing because I lost 10lbs during the month of December and now I need the motivation to keep it up for the next few months in order to get to my goal (which I then plan on having baby number 4 and probably ending up with some work to do after, but whatevah… :0 )
I’m interested in joining the challenge :). Need some encouragement.
Yes please! Just had baby number four and I am ready to make some changes!
I’m in!! Group support can be so helpful. Knowing others are working toward the same goal, cheering each other on….what a great idea!!
I am definitely in! I love this site and both of you fabulous ladies! I was very inspired when I read your initial post, and I’m ready to continue to be inspired! Thanks!!
Yes! Do it!!!
I’m in!! You have like 200 ins..so far!
I’m in…all 62 years and 155 pounds of me!
Congrats on your sweet baby! I would really appreciate yummy, healthy recipes that include nutrition information including calories.