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!
Oh yes! Me too! P.s. Your baby is darling and so worth EVERYTHING! Congratulations!
Count me in!
I lost a bunch of weight 2 years ago this time of year, and have been gaining it back and then some this past year. Going back to that end of my closet has been depressing.
Yes!!
Snack ideas, meal plans, and workout plans would be fabulous! Thanks so much for the inspiration and opportunity!
I would love to be apart of this… A facebook group is a great idea!
OMG – how badly I need this!!! I too suffer from the yo-yo diet and healthy living. I am using myfitnesspal.com to log in my calories but considering the new fitbit since it has a heart monitor, too! WOULD LOVE WEEKLY weigh in’s or competitions OR exercise challenges!!! Anything would be great!
I definitely need the support! I want clean, healthy recipes that my family will eat! I want my kids (and husband) to know what are good food choices.
I’m interested
Yes, let’s do it!
Yes please and thank you for doing this. I need all the help I can get.
very interested. Can’t wait To hear more details.
I was hoping you would do something like this!!!
Please do it! I desperately want to stay on track and love the motivation that come from working together with likeminded people .
I love this posts about being fit. I would enjoy great healthy recipes and workout tips while taking care of little ones.
I’m in. Group challenges, healthy meals, and exercise ideas would be helpful.
I had a baby two weeks ago. I would love healthy recipes and exercise ideas/tips!
I’m so impressed. I was not one of those people who ever bounced back to their pre-pregnancy size. Each pregnancy left me with 20 extra pounds that just never went away (I also got a super cute baby.) I’d love to join this, because what I’m doing just isn’t cutting it.
I am totally in! I have a 3 month old and I am (what I read recently) “skinny fat”. I have never really been big into fitness and eating well because well honestly I never felt like I had a problem with my weight…I have fast metabolism and just never really had weight issues, but on the same note I have never been lean and fit and McD’s and BK are quick and easy for my busy family at times. I would love some help with just getting fit and feeling good, tips on quick meals (recipe ideas for my rice cooker that I got for Christmas – I know I can do more than just rice), and just any information that would help a mother of 3, working full time, and just wanting to feel better. I want water to be my favorite drink instead of soda.
I’m in! I would like some healthy snack ideas that don’t make me feel like I’m missing out on yummy things!
Your post inspired me last year. I bought a gym pass and started counting calories and for the first time since baby number 3 lost a few pounds. But I too feel a little lost at the gym. I would love to see examples of your workout routines. I get stuck doing the same simple things. My gym has a lot I could utilize but I feel a little lost when I walk in the door. Thank you so much for your post!
I always like ideas and commentary about healthy living.
I have another 50 lbs to lose as well…I’d be up for a group and challenges
would love to join!
Let’s do it, OBB girls! You are SUCH an inspiration, Sara! This makes me sooo excited!! 🙂
I’d love to be part of this!!
I am interested. I like the facebook page idea to keep everyone inspired and checking in each day with what they did. Good motivation!
I’m in.
Also, I think a few Q&A sessions would be helpful! Some detailed posts about how to pick/prepare veggies, that is where I get stuck!
Sounds great. I am definitely interested!
That sounds awesome!! I want healthy OBB recipes!
I started a diet Jan 1, and am seriously missing OBB dinner rolls.
But other dishes I’ve enjoyed like baked broccoli and sweet potato baked
Fries. I’d love even more delicious recipes & support.