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!
Me! Me! I am 24 weeks along with #4 so will need lots of motivation in a few months.
Yes I’d love to participate! I’ve been wanting to work on getting fit, but doing it alone makes it easy for me to give up.
I’m in
This is perfect! I love the idea of the fb group and it would be awesome to see home workout ideas too for those of us who can’t (or are too lazy!) to go to the gym!
Love it! Let’s do this!
Yes! Great idea!
Your story completely inspired me. I started exercising in February last year (at 5:30 in the am to fit it in with 2 kids, full time job, husband and getting my Master’s part time) and counting calories. I lost 25 lbs. and then injured my back and gained some back. I let it heal and am now back at it. It is a constant struggle but your story was inspiring and I would like to read more about it! Happy New Year!
Love it! A support group and extra tips would be great motivation.
Love this idea. Maybe a forum where people locally can also meet up for moral support?
I’m game. Would love to be a part of this.
Great idea, I know I could use some motivation.
Great idea! I’d love to see workout tips and motivational posts. Looking forward to your new cookbook as well!
I am very interested! I just had my third baby 2 months ago. So far I have not had much of a desire or motivation to do much about my post-baby flab, but just reading about your idea is sparking some motivation. Any chance you could add some tips specifically for post-pregnancy abs?
Yes! I had my 6th baby a year ago and even though I have lost 20 lbs (40 lbs if you count pregnancy weight) last year I am still flabby. I had been weight training before I got pregnant with a surprise pregnancy and was happy with my efforts before, but this past year I have not done weight training. I have been trying to stay home and do more videos but that doesn’t work as well for me. I am about to join a gym again and get serious. So I am in! I need motivation. I liked having muscle and being stronger and I want that again.
Love the idea!! I think any help or motivation can’t hurt 🙂 plus it will be that constant reminder to never give up
Yes, yes, yes!!!!! I have referred to your blog post many times last year, and then I don’t know what happened, but from October through December I gained 15lbs!!! I am tired of living in yoga pants!!
Loved your original post! Would love ideas for meals and at home workouts.
I’d love some at-home workout ideas. I have three small kids and a husband that works long hours so it’s unrealistic for me to see ideas about going to the gym for a few hours a day. Also, I need some easy, healthy snack ideas. That is my downfall– being home all day with kids and only poor snack choices. Thank you! This will be great!
I’m in! I’m getting married in 10 weeks and although I’ve got a fitness plan in place already, I would love the additional motivation and support!
Also, something I’d love to see is ideas for at-home/body weight workouts. There are some days when going to the gym just isn’t going to happen, and I’d love to have an arsenal of 30 to 45 minute workouts I can do at home.
I’m in! Some motivation and teamwork would be great. Then I can stop disappointing Jacob with my weight bouncing. Looking forward to the cookbook!
YES! Your original post over a year ago was my motivation to start exercising! I was actually regularly exercising and seeing the benefits of it for the first time in my life. I loved having more energy as a mom. Then I became pregnant and was too sick to keep exercising. Well, I had baby boy #2 (I think he’s just a week or two younger than your baby) and I am ready to start exercising again! I would love to read about the exercises you do. I also had a c-section and was curious if that changes your approach to exercising for the first few months. Anything to motivate me and hold me accountable would be super helpful! And, of course, healthy recipes, especially for snacks!
What a great idea! I’m totally in!
That is such a great idea!! I’d love to see some healthy vegetarian options! Maybe things that don’t focus as mushrooms or tofu as the base.
I’m in!! Sounds fun!!
I would love this! I am 39 weeks pregnant so I might not be such an active participant at first but when I read your post last year I was so inspired and I actually lost a lot in large thanks to that great post, then got pregnant and you know how that goes. 🙂
I’m in!!! All of your ideas sound awesome. I recently fell off my determined/solid mindset and need a reset! A support group would be great. Thanks! Your blog is my favorite :] (and I’m not just here for the food…)
An OBB fit club is a fun idea! Please do it.
I would like to hear some basics about lifting weights. I read your story and was intrigued by the fact that you lost weight faster because of the weight training you did. I have lost weight by controlling my diet before but have not combined it with exercise (I had a hip problem which made exercise excruciatingly painful). I am now in possession of a new hip and would like some exercise guidance. Having a structured approach and knowing I am doing this with others will be very helpful. Thank you for doing this!
I don’t really need to lose many pounds, but I do need some motivation to keep me exercising each day… Healthy, inexpensive recipes are always welcome!
I am about 6 weeks away from having a baby, so not quite ready to participate with you, but I LOVE this idea and would definitely look forward to joining in the journey.