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!
Could we also do some menu planning. It’s my downfall. Trying to plan something healthy for dinner that my one, two and four year olds will eat. Also budget tips on those meals would be super duper helpful
Just starting back to school and working part time with 5 kids, I need something to get me strong and keep me on track. I’m in.
Yes! Maybe readers could somehow connect via FitBit or My Fitness Pal, it is motivating to know others are working with you. Also, I love the healthy recipes you share with calorie counts!
I’d love this, I had a baby 4 months ago. I could use a push myself. Besides you ladies ate amazing who wouldn’t want to hang with you (even if it is just online)
I am in! Your post inspired me to hire a trainer. I have always been thin but I was not healthy! I haven’t gone for a month but really want to start again. My question was how and when did you start working out on your own?
I’m having my twins (babies #4 and 5) in about two weeks so I would love a little extra support while getting back to my normal self!
I’m in too! And yes I teared up reading about your baby because I’m in the same situation as I hold my 6 wk old boy in my arms as I write this. I’m excited to lose this baby weight though!
This sounds awesome! I’m sure you’ve thought of this (and maybe it’s obvious because we can access any previous post we want) but it would be great if someone who wants to start a little later (like me who’s expecting a baby in the end of May) could go back and follow along on a delayed basis. I’m not sure if it’s just going to be one continual source of inspiration and knowledge or an actual program to follow. Maybe you don’t know yet either 🙂 Keep up the good work! You are both a great inspiration in so many ways. Thank you!
I’m ready to join too! I finally started exercising and eating better 4 months ago after 4 kids and 16 years of marriage. I’ve lost 14 lbs so far but have about 50 lbs still to go. I joined a group training class at my gym with an amazing personal trainer. I’ve seen an improvement since we started 3 months ago. I’m stronger, more confident and have more energy to keep up with my kids. My whole family is eating better and getting healthier. Thank you for sharing your story with us Sara!
yes!
I love this idea! It would be great to get some ideas for excercise routines.
I am excited about this idea. Having tips and motivation from a real-life weight-loss Mom with busy kids and schedules would be great for me. Its difficult to relate to trainers and weight loss professionals but having someone in my situation give me tips and tricks would be perfect. Thank you for your willingness to put something together and invite your readers to be part of it. I’m ready for a change in my life…I’m in!!!
I’m in! I love your health posts – so motivating!
Thank you so much for letting us be apart of your journey. This is so exciting!!!
Can’t wait to try the challenges and make fitness apart of my life. Thanks!
I’d love to be included
Yes please!!! Food is the hardest part for me, so easy healthy recipes would be fantastic. Also, because I know you lift, advice on how to take the intimidation out of the free weight floor would be great. I want to start lifting but have no idea how/where to get started and am scared to get out there with all the people who look like they know what they are doing! Y’all are great. You’re inspiring but also very real. You make it look attainable. Thank you!
I am interested. I will be following but I am currently at the beginning of pregnancy but want to watch your journey and would love some more healthy recipes from you guys, I love all your recipes but especially the healthier ones! (One of my favorite is the black bean soup!) yum!!!
Personally, I would love some tips on starting a weight regimine and how to combine it with cardio to give me a strong, healthy body. I have lost about 25 lbs in the last year by cutting out a lot of refined sugar and eating more of a real food diet. My challenge for the next year is to get more fit especially in the winter when I tend to stay indoors much more to hide from our cold Canadian prairie winters.
I’m in! But don’t do fb so can you make sure you do emails as well!
Let’s Just Do It!
Yes! I need some motivation to get back to the gym and start eating healthy…I mean, looking forward to looking better SHOULD be enough motivation right? But I need to get that motivation back!!
I’m in. Good at home winter workouts would be great. It’s too cold for me to go running and my video is just too long with my newborn eating and eating and eating.
I’m in! I can get myself to exercise but I so often waste it with the foods I eat. I would love to have a better balance between food and exercise. Thanks for doing this!
Yes please! I would love to see your lifting routines! I need a plan with everything laid out. I get so lost in the gym. I had twins two years ago and I’m still battling the bulge! Let’s get it done!
Totally in!!
I’m in! after having baby #4 a little over 4 months ago i have alot to loose again as well. I can’t wait for your new cookbook to come out to help my whole family get healthy!
Yes!!! I have been hitting the gym since October and I always think about the original post and the tips you gave! Super inspiring and any other advice is always needed!
Count me in!
I would really like to see a weekly meal plan of what you are eating for breakfast lunch dinner and snacks. I get so lost in what I should be eating sometimes!
I’m in!
I had boy 5 & 6 four years ago, idk that I can call still count that as post baby 😉