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! I am in! I have read your other posts about health and fitness more times than I can count over the past year. I hang on every word. Keep it coming! PLEASE!
I was inspired to start working out when I read your blog post, and I also started lifting weights as part of my exercise program. I am excited about the way I feel, and the results I am seeing are encouraging as well. I’d love to be involved in anything that would keep me motivated.
I am totally in! I love your website and have told many people about it. I started
reading the virgin diet by JJ Virgin and although some of it I agree with I don’t believe it is very realistic. I love your recipes and some low calorie high protein snacks or meals would be great to see. You guys are my heroes so let’s do it!
I would love to do this! I lost almost 40lbs since last Feb. Over the holidays I gained 10 back! Grrrr!!! I just can’t get back in gear and I don’t want to gain the weight all back! I would love to see recipes that have weight watchers points and also recipes that are yummy but healthy.
Would love it. Just found your website & love it.
I’d love to be in on this!
I’m in, too! Your story really inspires me! With 2 kids, and my youngest being 19-months old now, I’m ready to start taking better care of myself. I could definitely use some motivation/meal planning ideas/support/weight loss and exercise challenges…anything! I would love to be involved with whatever you decide to do! Thanks so much! 🙂
Um, my baby is 12 years old, and I am much chubbier than I was three months after having him. Help!
I, with what I suspect is the remainder of the female gender, am IN!
Interested!!
I would love fitness posts and encouragement! Everything you mentioned sounds great. Bring it on!
I would love some help with weight lifting. I have some equipment at home but don’t really know what to do, how much weight to lift, how often, ect… and I don’t want to go to the gym to learn! Some motivation would also be really great! maybe a couple of times a week a new lifting workout?
I had my third baby a year and a half ago and have been in such a rut about losing weight. Not just doing it but finding the motivation to do it between working full time and also feeling like I’m giving my kids the time they deserve. I hate looking in the mirror at my post 3 children body and with 2 girls I want to be a role model of what a healthy life entails for them. Not just how you look but how you feel about yourself. I’m not doing my part if I don’t practice what I preach. I feel like this is something that would totally keep me focused, especially knowing that you are in the same boat I am. I love this idea, count me in!!
My little one is just six months. This is my third and I am in the exact same boat! Puh-lease share your journey with us!! 🙂
I’m in too! I’ve book-marked your original, inspiring post and I’ve re-read it probably a dozen times. Giveaways sound great! What I’m looking for is education: how to feed my family (and myself) balanced, nutritious meals; there’s so many opinions out there about what “healthy” means. We do eat bread and we don’t eat fish everyday, know what I mean?! Thanks for doing this, it helps, it makes a difference and I really appreciate it!
I’m trying to keep my family healthy and it’s really hard for me to fill half a plate with non starchy veggies when my family hates salad. Help! I would love ideas for a main dish and a side dish in healthy portions. Love you guys!
I’m so…. in!
I want IN! I need some inspiration for healthy eating that the whole family will love. 🙂
I am in!
I’d love a regular blog series on health and fitness. I’ll take all the motivationI can find!
Please help me!! This is the year I am going to make it happen.
I am middle aged and need a fitness plan that is not going to kill my body but also gives me the reward of a good workout while burning calories. I also have 2 teenage boys so eating what I want to eat and trying to satisfy them is difficult. I need help with recipes that fit both of our needs?
I really enjoy when you put the nutrition information out there.
PS. Be gentle with yourself if you don’t find yourself bouncing back as quickly with this kiddo as the last. As muscles tear over and over it takes longer for our bodies to recover.
I’ve already declared myself elsewhere but here seems like a good place too for accountability sake. By year end I’d like to be back in normal range for my height. 142 or bust!
Yes please!!! I’m working off year old baby weight and need support and ideas for healthy meals and snacks!
I’m in!
I’m in! And like many others have said, I want to get back into weight training but feel so lost. I would love to have some help and work “with” someone else.
I am very interested. I was a size 4/6 when I got married 12 years ago and I am now a 10/12. That is also 12 years and 4 kids later. I really would just love to be back to a 6/8 again but I don’t want to be miserable doing it either…. I am very interested!
Totally in! Can’t wait for the new cookbook too!
I’m in!
I think that it would be nice to have some healthy lunch ideas that are quick! Healthy snacks, breakfasts and dinners are a bit easier for me. But at lunch time I want to satisfy my hunger without feeling like I have to take a lot of time/dishes etc. to make a separate meal for myself while making a peanut butter sandwich for my kids! So, quick, yummy, healthy lunch ideas would be awesome!
P.S. I probably wouldn’t use the Facebook idea, just your blog. But it sounds like some folks would really like it. Just casting my vote 🙂