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!
Yes. Please!!! I’m so excited. This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. (Not that the recipes aren’t great. But this is a fantastic idea!)
I’m 22 weeks with boy #3, so I will definitely need help later this year to drop the baby weight. For now, I would love healthy recipes (can’t wait for your new book!) and motivation to get moving. The holidays really helped me pack on a few extra pounds and I’m dealing with pregnancy insomnia so I have a hard time wanting to exercise every day. I always do better when I’m accountable to someone!
Great idea!!
definitely!!!
Bring it! I will gladly participate in OBB challenges.
I love it! I would love to see exercise helps-maybe teach us some strength exercises we can do at home with weights because your gym/trainer sounded great but there is nothing that close or as cheap where I live (I have looked and looked!). Also, I would love to see some yummy vegetarian/vegan meals to increase vegetable consumption.
I was also inspired after reading your posts. I’m in! It would help to have some type of a support/accountability factor.
Me too – sounds like a great idea
I’m in!
Yes! I just had my second baby just over a month ago and would love to get in shape!
I’m in! I have baby weight to lose and she is already 3 years old (can that still count as baby weight?!?!). Went out and bought bigger work pants and NEED to lose 60 lbs. Your post was so inspirational about your weight loss – let’s do it again together!
Yes, please! Some at home exercise ideas and meal plans. Do I make separate meals for me? How can my family with a meatatarian husband and picky kids eat my healthier meals? Thanks!
I’ve love to participate. After holiday eating, I need to get back in the gym and start eating better. Looking for realistic recipes with normal ingredients that taste good and are easy. Also something kids would like too. I know that’s a tall order but no one said it was going to be easy!
I’m so in. My baby is now 5 and started Kindergarten this year 🙁 It’d be really nice to lose this extra weight by the end of this year!
I’m in!
Count me in!! I would love healthy veggie/protein recipes, I use lots of yours already and am looking forward to your new book! Plus motivation on workouts, etc. Wahoo!
I’m in too!
Im so in!!
yes! I would love more healthy eating tips and workout plans, that would be awesome!
I’m in! I would love some new ideas on healthier things to eat, and I think the challenges sound great!
I’m in
I’m interested in doing this! I need some motivation and a jump start!
What I am most interested in is the weight lifting aspect of your health. You mentioned how it was the most crucial factor in changing the way you exercise, but for those of us who can’t afford a personal trainer it would be helpful to know exactly what kind of weights you’re doing. I have no experience with weights at all do I just go in and start lifting five pounders? How do I know what weight of weights I need? how do I know what exercises to do with those weights?
Yes!! Ditto!!
Yes please! I would love to know how to do at home weight lifting/strength training!
Definitely interested!
I love this idea! I’m not losing baby weight like so many of the posters above but I’ve been working on losing weight to have a baby and be able to have a healthy pregnancy without any issues because of my weight. My husband and I have been making a lot of changes with what we eat, working out, etc so it would be great to have another facet of support to help along.
I would love to see some healthy recipes (particularly for picky eaters as I never can find any) and some group challenges that encourage everyone to make some little changes that add up over time. And the Facebook group is a great way to build in some support for everyone! I think this is a really awesome idea, so glad I found this blog 🙂
I’d really love to do this! I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant with baby #3, and I know from past experience that most of my weight will just sit there unless I work hard and eat well.
I’m in but I’m not necessarily into losing weight because this year I choose to love myself and see what happens (this has been a 41 year struggle of mine). In spite of that, I do work out at Kosama regularly and loved your protein shake recommendation – I use it after I lift every time! I would love to see some unique and refreshing protein shake ideas. I’d also like to see some creative high protein meals. Lastly, I’ve taken an interest in tabata(sp?) and I’m not where to start or I’ll find one on pinterest and be like ‘eek, I don’t like that one set, so I guess that one is out. bummer’. So options or how to mix it up or replace what I don’t like, etc… Maybe a guest post from your trainer????
thanks much and your baby is such a doll. I just want to reach through the screen and gobble him up! congrats again!
Yes please, please, please! My little baby is officially toddling around, so I don’t feel so chained to the couch. I too went out and bought bigger skinny jeans recently. 🙂 I’d love advice and support on losing the weight while working and caring for family. The first (and last) time I lost 40lbs, I was single, right out of college, and had lots of free time to dedicate to the gym. Life has changed a lot in 10 years (yep, kept it off 10 years). I don’t need to lose 40 again, but 10 (plus some muscle) would slide me back in those skinny jeans! Facebook group and challenges/workout plans sound great.
I’m also starting to meal plan a bit, to prevent late night pizza ordering. Thoughts on that are also welcome.
Would love to join in. Thanks! Trying to get rid of my baby weight too.
Yes, yes, yes!! I refer so many people to your post, but I’m back in a position where I need the support. Love all the ideas.