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!
Sorry I didnt finish my comment before posting! Lol. You inspired me last year, and I lost 40 pounds. I still have more to lose this year and I would love to have some sort of group thing going on here.
I just finished nursing my fourth and final baby. I had four kids in four years (one set of twins) and I’ve gone straight from pregnancy to breastfeeding to pregnancies. I will always cherish these years I have given my body to my children. But I am SO EXCITED to only be responsible for my own well being from here on out (as far as my body is concerned). I’d love to be part of this team and lose weight/get fit in healthy, realistic ways. I loved your earlier post and especially things you shared like how strength training made such a difference. Are you working out at a gym with a trainer again? Is there a way to do it at home with a treadmill? Thank you for being so brave to share your experiences and give the rest of us confidence and hope! Please sign me up for whatever group you’re creating!
You inspired me last year,And I lost 40 pounds.
Count me in!
I love it and would totally follow along! Easy, yummy, healthy recipes would be super awesome!
I’m in too!!
I would love it. I just got home from my first “back to the gym” workout. I haven’t done this before so I would love to be in the same boat with others. I’m in!
Your baby is beautiful…such a gift from God. I was motivated by your story last year and would like to hear tips, success stories and ideas.
This is awesome!! I’d love to be in!
Last year my extended family decided to lose weight using each other for a support team. Some did better than others and I was successful in losing 25 pounds. I’m near my goal weight, but not really firmed up in the jiggle department across the tummy. For that reason, I’m in!
Support for being healthy is always better. 🙂 I’d be in!
I’m totally in. As a working mom it’s hard to find the time to excercise, take care of myself, etc., but I need to change. I know you both are very realistic and would love to get more ideas that I can incorporate in real life.
Beautiful baby! count me in on the weight loss! I have LOTS to lose! Help!
I’m in!
So interested, please do it! My baby is due in march do I will be a late start but I’ll be there!
Oh yeah!!! You were so motivational to me when my third was about a year old. Now I have a 6 month old (first girl) and since I’m pretty sure im done having kids I want this weight off ASAP. Anything informational would be so great.
This sounds great! I run, but I think I’d be the most interested in strength/cross-training workouts requiring little or no equipment. I know lots of exercises, but I don’t love putting them together and creating workouts. I’d love it if someone else did it for me. 🙂 Also, that is one of the cutest babies ever (besides my own of course 🙂 )!
Yes please. I need major motivation!
I’m in!!
I’m so interested! Working on losing some baby weight myself. Like you said, worth it for that precious baby!
Ummm my baby is 10. Still at “before”. I’m in.
I’ve been waiting for this OBB post!
I’m in and excited!
Yes!!! Please do it. I am very interested and could use any help I could get
I would love to! Support is sooo helpful and I struggle enough as it is! The more help the better!
Yes, yes!
Sounds awesome!!
YES YES YES!!! I feel like I’ve got cardio down, but I desperately need help with strength training. Would love several routines that can be done at home with free weights on alternating days.
I’m in!
Love to hear your suggestions for what worked!
Anything would be so helpful! Thanks so much.