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!
I for sure want in on this action 🙂
This is fantastic! Any healthy food recipes or fun exercise ideas would be welcome!
I’m in as well! My husband and I signed up for a Spartan a few months ago to help motivate us – problem is, as the race gets closer I feel less motivated and more terrified. I need smaller goals to reach instead of the looming giant one. Thanks for creating a support group to help me take this one step at a time. 🙂
Healthy, kid friendly recipes would be greatly appreciated! I am also working to lose baby weight, but with 4 kids there is no time to cook separate meals, or want to rip out my hair by the end of dinner because I am trying to get my kids to eat what I made. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story! I did the workout of the week this morning with my husband and was so grateful to not have to think about what I was going to do and for how long. It was so nice to just have it planned out already. Thank you!
yes please.
I think it sounds like a great idea – I am in!! Towards the end of March last year I happened to be on your website and read the weight loss post. That inspired me and gave me the tips I needed to get started. I am over 50 years old and I was always afraid to try and lose weight because most people lose weight and then just gain it all back plus 10 pounds. Since reading that I now track, weigh, count etc. my food each day and I make it a point to run/walk 6 times a week, plus do other physical and weight lifting activities. I have lost 27 pounds and have just around 5 pounds left to go! I can now run well over a mile without stopping to catch my breath! Thank you for sharing and inspiring me!!!
Love your website and cook books! My husband and I would like to join the challenge.
Yes!! I still try to do the workout your trainer gave you for those times when you couldn’t get to the gym. I have a 7 week old and haven’t worked out regularly for the past 9 months! I’m in and I’m excited!!
Sounds great
Without our health we have nothing! I’m changing the lifestyle and not thinking a diet!
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this idea! OBB is my go-to for any recipe or how-to food advice I need, so the thought of having your support and ideas as I get healthy makes me SO HAPPY! I need all of the help I can get! I struggle with feeling motivated to work out, as well as meal planning. I too hate the Mom Lunch and find that my toughest meal. I currently don’t belong to a gym so this will be done from my living room. I know weights are important and I have 10 lb. small weights, so any ideas to work out at home would be appreciated. You ladies ROCK! Thank you for all that you are doing!
I’m excited to get started.
Yes, please! I’d love to be a part of this.
A little late to comment cause it took me a while to commit, but I need to make some changes so I feel better. Count me in! Thanks for the inspiration.
I’m IN!!
I’m in! I have been hovering about 10 pounds over my goal weight and just CANNOT stay motivated. This year my goal is to change my outlook to knowing that losing the weight will help me in every sport I do – I will be faster, more efficient, and it will be easier on my joints and body.
I would love to have a club. Something to help motivate me and keep.me accountable!
I’d love to join the challenge and get fit! (and hopefully skinny!)
Yes please! My youngest is 17 months old and with the start of a new year I’ve decided I want to be rid of the few inches off my tummy (my muffin top) that I gained when I had him. Healthy lunches would be great, particularly picky kid approved ones. Or even better, healthy snacks since those are often my undoing.
I’m in! Working off baby #3
I’m totally interested!! Need some motivation!!!
Sounds great!
I would love to participate!!!
I would love for you to help me lose my baby weight (from 6 years ago)!
I would be very interested in a supportive group with other women in the same situation as I am.
I just had by third baby at the end of October. I gained a significant amount of weight and I’m struggling to lose it. I’m not sure how to cut calories while nursing, and exercising is not a priority when I’m running on a few short hours of sleep. I’m excited to join this fit club, because I know you are dealing with the same setbacks. I’m motivated and ready to get back into shape with you! Lets do this!
I delivered December 4 and the only thing keeping me sane about the weight I put on is that I live with a retired army man who is willing to whip my butt back into shape. While I appreciate that idea, I’d like to do this with less Drill Sargent and more support. So…I am definitely in and I’ll go with anything, but I really need healthy recipes (can’t wait for the book!) and workout routines.
I’m super excited about this! Your transformation last time was so inspiring, and it’s obvious you know what you’re doing, so bring it on 🙂 I’m also REALLY looking forward to the new cookbook!
I might be interested. I have a perfectionist attitude and black & white thinking, so fitness groups are a challange for me. When I’m not perfect at my goals, I feel like I’m 100% failure. I would love to join in a community of moms who have the same goals and the same struggles. I would love to feel inspired and supported, not guilted. Also, a Facebook group might be nice for interaction, but also blog posts that kind of focus the discussion and goals, etc. Thanks for all you do and for trying to help others!
I’m in too. Just had my 4th baby in November. Would love to join!