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 am currently pregnant (due March 5) but have gestational diabetes and so have been following a pretty strict diet almost since I found out I was pregnant. (I had diabetes with my first child and so knew it was likely I’d have it again.) I’d love some high-protein, low-carb recipes (or carb-optional foods, as my family does still have to eat). I work full time and have two kids, so time is of the essence, but I don’t mind putting in some extra time the night before for one of your recipes because I know they are always worth it. 🙂 Thanks!
I would love you guys to have a fit series! Info on what to eat, recipes and maybe some total body workouts that can be done at home. I don’t have access to a gym and had 3 little girls in 2.5 yrs(no twins!), so getting out to gym is insane. Love your guys personality in posts and all your recipes. Excited to see what you guys are going to do!
Yes! I would love this! Your other posts were so inspiring and helpful. I’d like to learn more about weight lifting specifically.
I would like to do group challenges and have a weekly series.
Great idea!
Yes! I am always looking for ways to be healthier and it’s great to see what’s working for others. This is going to be awesome! I would love to see healthy snacks and lunches.
I’m in!
Yes – I’m interested!! I am due in 8 weeks and also lost weight before this pregnancy started (my 3rd) and am more hopeful, yet realistic, about doing what it takes to lose the baby weight after.
Idea: Once the group gets going, I’d love to read compiled tips/tricks that worked for your readers!
OOO OOO OOO! ME! ME! ME! yes, please, and thank you. I read your story for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it was the first time ever I felt someone was in the exact same shape/size/predicament/cycle as I. Diet, lose a few then get happy and eat again. Different diet, lose a few then eat again. I have my first trainer appointment Sunday, so…yes, please! My only caveat is that throughout the process, I eat real, healthful food. NO DIETS. As soon as I go on a “diet,” I obsess about food and want all the things I’m not supposed to have being on the “diet.” YAY!
oh – and easy/healthy slow cooker recipes, please!
oh yeah…and is that a real baby?
I’d love to be involved! Something really step-by-step would be awesome! even your original posts are still a little daunting! thanks! 🙂
Very interested! Lost 37 pounds last year, would like to lose about 15-20 more. Always looking for ways to change up what I’m already doing successfully.
I love this idea! I think a weekly series would be great, or anything really. I’m all about positive inspiration when it comes to being healthy!
Sounds awesome. I’m in the preparing to have another baby stage and wanting to continue to focus on eating healthy and exercising. I’m with you on the gaining a ton of weight while I’m pregnant so hoping once again to start with a solid foundation and hope for improvement next time. I don’t beat myself up at all about gaining all the weight but I just wonder if I can help my body be more balanced so I don’t seek comfort in food. It’s so hard when you have less outlets like being as active as I’d like. I’ve had so much success with vitamins this year helping me balance my energy, mood and focus that I am hopeful they will only help my future pregnancy too. I love that commenting gives us a chance to let our thoughts materialize even if you don’t have time to read all or comment back. Thanks so much for all you too do!
I am in! I am like you, I finally lost all my baby weight after baby #5, then I had baby #6 and it’s all back on again. Last time I lost the weight simply by how I ate. (I know exercise is important, but it’s never helped me lose weight. I’m in a weekly jazz/tap class now and am hoping to get back to Harley Pasternak’s 5 Factor fitness exercises.) Anyway, last time I pretty much cut out breads/pastas, dairy, and sweets. (I do eat raw oats and plain -3 ingredient- yogurt.) I try to eat as many raw veggies and fruits I can; steamed veggies; lean chicken, fish, and eggs; and beans/lentils. Some days I love what I eat, other days I abhor it. I would love to see some tasty, yet simple “clean” recipes on here :).
I’m in.
I’m game for whatever you guys decide! At home weightlifting for folks without gyms would be nice!!
I’m in! This sounds fun! I’ve never done anything like this before.
I’m totally in! I need something new to get me back at it! I have 80 lbs to lose. 🙁
Yes!
I would love it!!
This would be awesome. I think that it would be so helpful to get information. Like, eat carbs following a workout because… I also think the group challenges and workout routines would be great. I have the at home one posted on my wall so I can work on it or remember to do my own. I think this is such a great idea and one I have been hoping you would do when you felt up to it after baby!
Interested!
I would love to see weight-lifting plans. I finally have become a runner-or slow jogger 🙂 but I love what it’s done for me. I’ve p90x twice, but I can’t take Tony anymore 🙂
I would love this!!!
A weekly series would be amazing!
I’m in!!!
I would love to join in, this sounds perfect!
This sounds awesome!
I would love the see a OBB fit club. I have struggled to get healthy lately. honestly I have had success and then fail, gaining all the weight back. This has become a major road block for me, I can’t start because I’m always afraid I’m going to fail again. With your help and inspiration I might just be able to over come this hurdle.
Love this idea! Yes please I love hearing what works for others. I’d also love to hear tips and helps about maintenance sounds like you were a rockstar at maintaining that great goal weight. That seems to be my biggest challenge.