Note: This post has been edited since publishing, and I apologize that I had to slap unsightly watermarks over most of the before and after photos. It was brought to my attention that my personal photos were being used by others on websites with fake stories and names promoting weight loss products I absolutely don’t use.
Oddly enough, considering I open up a certain portion of my life to millions of people on the internet on a regular basis, I’m actually a very private person. It’s an interesting dynamic when your job requires you to stretch those boundaries. Kate and I are both very hesitant to steer away from our comfort-zone of comfort-food because 1. There are some things we just prefer to keep private, and 2. We’ve found that the internet can be a cruel place, where good intentions are often skewed and hate loves to hide behind the anonymity of a screen name. But sometimes we do go out on a limb and get personal. And we’re always nervous about it. We worried when we wrote about our tender feelings of motherhood, and the heartbreaking experiences we’ve both had with our own Mothers. I know one of the hardest things Kate has done was share the horrific experience of coming moments away from losing a child in a near-drowning we both witnessed. And then just last week I published something I’ve been working up the courage to write about for over a year now.
We’re always a little nervous to put stuff “out there,” but the more we do the more we realize one very important thing: everyone has a story. Those 3 posts I just mentioned are 3 of the most highest-trafficked posts on our site. Every one of them was flooded with comments and personal emails and we never know how therapeutic/inspiring/relatable they are until they are in fact “out there.” When I started focusing on my own personal health and fitness a couple of years ago, I did it very quietly. I’m not the type of person to post workout announcements on Facebook or shout from the rooftops that I lost ten pounds. I did it for me. And I did it privately. Then just a couple of months ago I posted a photo on Instagram. It was just a little peek at an object lesson I was using to teach my kids about goal-setting and New Year’s Resolutions. It was this picture:
The response to that photo was overwhelming. I’d never had (or had since) a bigger response to a photo on Instagram. You asked for more of this story, so I tested the waters with my recent post on fitness. Again, I was amazed at the response and I loved hearing all of your stories. So many of you have emailed me, and left comments, and communicated via social media, and one thing is clear. My story is not unique! So many of you can relate! SO many of you communicated that you felt inspired and that alone was my goal. There is so much false inspiration in the media when it comes to health and fitness. You’ve probably all seen those before and after pictures taken by trainers on the very same day to demonstrate how easy it is to embellish those types of results. So here’s what I want to say: This is real life. I’m a real person. I’m probably a lot like you. I’m going to tell you my story in hopes that many of you can relate and if anything- can be inspired that if I can do this, so can you. Because one of the most satisfying feelings in the world is gaining control of something that has controlled you.
It all started in August of 2011. I went on a family vacation and when I got home and unloaded the photos from my camera I was very concerned. About my camera. Surely there was something wrong. Some sort of lens malfunction. I was shocked to see myself. Somehow it didn’t seem that bad when I looked in a mirror, but seeing photos, it really hit me. I had gotten way off track. (Every before photo in this post is from that trip. While going through my photos I found many recent photos that seemed to mirror the poses in older photos so I grouped those together and I’ll scatter them in this post.)
I’d like to say it was baby weight- I had a one year old at the time. But the truth is, I did a really good job getting a good chunk of that baby weight off in the first few months after having him. Something had happened in the months since and I let things go. I gained it all back and then some. The moment I got home from that trip, I vowed to change things, and I did. I joined a gym. I started eating better. Over the next few months I lost a little weight and was feeling much better but I had such a long way to go, and the thought was overwhelming. I was running like crazy every day, but not really seeing any big changes so it just all felt like a waste of time and that was frustrating. I was so sick of always being consumed with my weight. I didn’t want that to be something I stressed about day in and day out. I’m a very type A kind of person (just ask my husband or my business partner). I like to be in control of things. I’m a very driven person and I’ve found success in almost every area of my life- except this one. It drove me crazy that this owned me, and I wanted to change it but I had failed so many times that I didn’t have a lot of faith in myself.
About that same time I re-connected with an old friend on Facebook. I grew up with Paige, and vividly remembered her infectious smile. This is the Paige I remembered, but I hadn’t seen her in over 10 years.
The Paige I found on Facebook wasn’t the same person. In fact, I double checked the name. Was it really her? What the heck happened? Did she have surgery? Go on some sort of juice diet?
I clicked over to her blog, and was instantly drawn to her story because I could see from her photos that she didn’t just lose weight. She was an athlete. She was strong, she was toned, and she did it all the good ol’ fashioned way. That was inspiring. I read a post about her trainer and instantly recognized him. He trained at my gym. I saw him nearly every day. After reading about Paige’s experiences, and how instrumental her trainer was, I decided to talk to him one day. What I kind of assumed would be a quick chat, and maybe turn into a few sessions where he gave me some pointers, turned into something much, much bigger.
I spent over and hour talking to Jacob that first time and realized that my problems were deeper than just the simple fact that I liked to bake cookies (and eat them.) I needed to make some big changes. Some big life changes. I needed to get away from the idea of crash dieting and really learn how to manage my health for the long term. I have been on a million diets. I’ve done everything under the sun and I always end up right back where I started. Every. Time. I’ll find something that works for the short-term and once I lose a little bit of weight I get comfortable and let go again and then before I know it, I’m starting over. I wanted this time to be different. I didn’t want to quit. But it also seemed like a really big goal. We calculated numbers and got a realistic picture of what it would take and inside I wondered if I had it in me. Sensing my hesitation, Jacob said very matter-of-factly, “Extraordinary things are only extraordinary because not very many people do them. Just be one of the people that does it. Finish it.” When I left that meeting, I wrote down two words on a post-it note. My goal. He asked me what the one thing was that was most important to me; what did I really want to accomplish?
I wanted to finish it for once. Do it all the way. Not do it a little bit and get comfy. Go big or go home. That was the moment it clicked in my head. I was actually going to do this, no matter what it took. I wasn’t just going to lose a little weight; I was going to get fit. Get strong. Now I sit here writing this post, one month away from my 35th birthday. A thirty-something mother of 3 who cooks food for a living, and I can honestly say I’m in the best shape of my life. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t all that hard either. It took a lot of dedication, focus, and hard work. If you want to see big changes, you have to be willing to put in big effort.
I’m not saying I’m perfect. I still have work to do, and I’m constantly trying to push myself to get rid of the many, many things that jiggle (and shouldn’t). I’d still like to lose a few more pounds and push down my body fat percentage by a little bit, but I’m here. I’m doing it. I didn’t quit, I didn’t give up, and I’ve kept off the weight, and truly changed my lifestyle, which has made all the difference. I’m going to share a few of the most important things I’ve learned along the way, in hopes of inspiring someone else out there. If you’re reading thinking you wish you could do this too- YOU CAN! I may have had a trainer, but there was no top-secret diet, so never-before-seen workout program. Everything I did, you can do too. I promise.
Even if you’re a private person like me, if you’re going to take on a big goal, and make big changes, you need the support of the people around you. If no one else, your spouse or significant other. The people closest to you can be your biggest support, or your greatest challenge. I’ve seen enough weight-loss reality TV to know that when your spouse isn’t on board, it can be detrimental. It doesn’t mean they have to completely change their lives like you’re changing yours. At some point you have to be strong enough to make decisions for you, even if everyone around you is tempting you to do otherwise, but let them know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Let them know you need their support and encouragement. My husband is without a doubt the most supportive, encouraging, motivating person in my life. 
He arranges his schedule so I can make sure to get my exercising in. He passes up things he knows will tempt me when I’m trying to avoid them, and he tells me often how proud he is of my accomplishments. I couldn’t have done this without him cheering me on, and making sacrifices to help me succeed. The fun side-effect is that we’re now a much more active couple. We still love to go out to eat and watch movies on dates, but now we also go hiking together, work out together, ski, snowshoe, backpack together. We have so many active hobbies now and that has been awesome.
If you’re starting from zero, don’t try to drastically change everything all at once. I was notorious for this. Out of the blue, I’d make a huge goal, “I’m gonna lose 30 lbs by my vacation in 8 weeks!” “I’m going to workout for 2 hours every day!” “And eat no sugar! And only salad!” Sheesh. No wonder that never lasted more than about 7 days. When I first started training, my only responsibility was to exercise every day and eat about 1500 calories, keeping track of my food. That made it easy. I could manage that alone. After a few weeks, when those things were habit, we added more. Increasing the intensity of my workouts, focusing more on what I was eating, etc. If you want long-term success, I suggest starting with a few basic things that you know you can manage. It will help you develop good habits that you can actually stick with and make you feel successful.
When I had my first meeting with my trainer, I expected long list of certain foods I was to eat and not eat. Surely there was some top-secret miracle trainer diet that I would finally get to see. Nope. My only responsibility: log my food. When it comes to nutrition people make it so much harder than it needs to be. The math is simple. Every day you burn a certain amount of calories, an you intake a certain number of calories. If you eat about the same amount that you burn, you maintain your wait. If you eat more than you burn, you gain weight. If you eat less than you burn, you lose weight. 3500 calories = 1 pound. If you want to lose 1 pound each week, you need to have a deficit of 3500 calories, or 500 calories per day. Keep track of what you eat, religiously. I use MyFitnessPal. It makes it ridiculously easy to know where you stand. You might feel frustrated that you don’t have a lot of time to exercise, or you don’t have a gym membership, or you simply don’t have the energy to work out as you’d like to. The one thing you have 100% complete control over, is what you put into your body. You control what you eat. You can manage that.
End the mindless eating. If you’re going to snack, don’t stick your hand in the bag of crackers and munch away. Look at the serving size, count them out, and write it down. Invest in a Food Scale. Be aware of portion sizes and know exactly what you’re putting into your body. It takes effort sometimes to calculate the calories in a recipe and figure out the serving size, but take the time if you’re serious about weight loss. You can still enjoy good, indulgent foods, if you can learn to do it in moderation. My birthday last year was during a time where I was trying hard to lose weight. Instead of a big cake and ice cream binge, I made mini Somoa Cheesecakes. With all the good stuff: real butter, full-fat cream cheese, whipped cream, and creamy ganache. They were perfectly delicious, fit into my daily calorie needs, and I invited over some friends so I wouldn’t have leftovers; it was perfect.
Avoid Extremes. I would say that any diet that completely eliminates any food group is one to stay away from. Trust me: you don’t need to go crazy. You don’t need to go on a no-sugar no-carb low calorie blitz or any other weird thing that promises you’ll lose 10 pounds that week. Sure you might lose weight, but at what cost? (Including your sanity). Focus on things that are long-lasting. That’s why I finally, after all of these years, I feel like I have my nutrition in check. Is it perfect? No way. I do stupid things and eat way too much all the time. Just last Friday night I went out to an awesome restaurant and demolished a 16oz ribeye. 16 ounces. Do you know how big that is?? (It tasted like heaven. Amazing cow heaven.) But I correct it. I do better the next day. I find that if I make good choices 80% of the time, and live actively, then that allows plenty of wiggle room to still eat things I love (like dessert.) I’m going to dive further into nutrition on my post tomorrow on The Scoop (okay, not tomorrow because we’re having a technical issue with The Scoop- but soon!), so if you’re interested in this topic, check that out.
I talked about this in my Fitness post, so I won’t repeat too much. Dieting and cardio will only get you so far. You will absolutely lose weight that way, but chances are good that you’ll end up in that state people lovingly refer to as “Skinny Fat”. If you want to be fit, strong, and lean, you need to build muscle. You’ll lose weight and inches faster, and burn more calories while you’re doing nothing! The minute I started weight training, the weight melted off.
This was a big turning point for me, and I’d say it was key to why I had been unsuccessful with my weight loss and fitness so many times before, and why this time was different. My trainer taught me to work out differently. He taught me to be comfortable in the weight room. To lift heavy. As I did, I saw my body transform. I saw definition in places I had never seen without flab (like that arm and shoulder below).
When I first saw this picture (below, upper) from that infamous trip a few years ago, my first thought was, “Sheesh. I guess I don’t ever look at my back. Does it seriously look like that??”
And then I had the exact same reaction when I saw the photos below it, snapped just a few days ago. “I guess I don’t ever look at my back. Does it seriously look like that?? Are those muscles?”
I can’t emphasize this enough. The real key to my success when it comes to fitness is that I stopped exercising like a girl. Don’t be scared of the weight room. Get in there and lift. If you can do 12-15 reps and not struggle by the last one, you can probably try something heavier. Keep going until it’s really hard at the end. Stay at that weight until you conquer it and then slowly increase. Cardio is still important, and your diet is important. It’s finding the balance of all 3 of those things that will give you the magic combination.
I have such a love-hate relationship with my scale. My trainer, on more than one occasion, has instructed me to hide it on the top shelf of my closet for a few weeks. DO weigh yourself. That’s important. One of the reasons I got so far off track a few years ago was because I literally refused to weight myself. I had absolutely no clue how much I weighed because I didn’t want to know! Weighing yourself regularly will help you keep things in check. That being said, DON’T be a slave to the scale. It’s not the only indication of what’s going on.
(That’s a Special K Scale, I admit I kind of like those cheesy commercials.)
Just because the numbers aren’t moving, doesn’t mean that that you aren’t making progress. One of the many reasons a trainer has been helpful to me is that I don’t just stand on a scale. Every 3 weeks we do measurements, where we measure with a tape measure pinch the fat, etc. Those numbers don’t lie! Combined with the number on the scale, you can see exactly what’s happening, like last December, when I was depressed I only lost 1 pound all month, but after measurements I could see that I gained 3 pounds of solid muscle. That explained why my weight didn’t change much, but my clothes fit better and I felt so great. Try weighing yourself once a week, on the same day and stick to that. And don’t freak out if you worked really hard and the scale doesn’t show it. Over time, if you’re doing the right things, it will reflect that.
Without a doubt, the key to my success being long-lasting this time, is that I figured out a way to simply live a balanced life. People are constantly asking how I stay fit when I’m obviously cooking lots of treats and indulging in good food often. The key is balance and moderation.
When you live actively, there’s room in life for good food. I love food. I always have and always will. I don’t live life on a constant diet anymore. I eat normal food, I just eat reasonable amounts of it. And I live actively. My entire family is more active now. We love exploring the world around us, and getting in exercise while having fun together.
I have so much more energy for my kids now, and I enjoy opportunities to have fun while also being healthy.
I’ve taken up so many new hobbies with my stronger body. My husband I love to ski, hike, play sports, backpack, and snow shoe. The best exercise is the kind disguised as a hobby!
Don’t quit. Don’t make excuses. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it.
See what I did there? And yes, I did just post a close up of my butt on the internet. There’s a first for everything. Seriously though. If you make a goal, follow through, but don’t let a bad day (or two, or three, or 10) make you quit. If you feel lost right now, find yourself. Out of control? Get in control. My entire journey has been 2 steps forward, one step back; the point is that you continue to move in the right direction. I think that’s normal. It’s impossible to be perfect, so don’t expect it of yourself. If you get off track, get back on track. You’re stronger than you think and you CAN do it! Getting fit and learning to better live a healthy lifestyle has changed my life for the better, and not just in a physical sense. Yes it’s nice to feel comfortable in my own skin, but it’s also very mentally and emotionally empowering to master something that’s been haunting you. If you want to change, do it. Be extraordinary. Finish it.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below- I’ll do my best to keep on top of them and answer them all. I also love hearing YOUR stories! If you have any tips and advice of your own, please leave a comment and share. There’s lots of people out there looking for inspiration!
Questions & Reviews
I was drinking a can of PEPSI as I read your story:/ Thanks for sharing. I feel completely inspired. Gold’s Gym here I come!!
Good Lord – It took me 5 minutes to scroll to the bottom of the comments, so unfortunately I’m afraid this post might not make the cut for a personal response… But I can always hope!
This blog post was so very meaningful to me today. My family of four just returned from a wonderful trip to San Francisco. It was beautiful, great weather, and glorious blue skies. We spent most of the trip outside with great vistas for family photos. I love to take pictures, and I love my dear little family (2 boys and a husband) so, so much. I never want to forget any details of great times like this. BUT THERE WAS ONE BIG PROBLEM…
I AM FAT. WHEN I LOOK AT MYSELF IT DISGUSTS ME. I am not a vain person, I promise. I went on this trip without a haircut or highlight, because I just didn’t have the time or money – and mostly because it just wasn’t that important to me. The camera went with us everywhere and I took tons of picture. But only ONE with me in it. At the base of the Golden Gate Bridge we took a family photo, just so that I could prove that I was there. And when I looked at it later, I nearly cried.
Just last night I told my husband that I disgust myself. When I see myself in the mirror, all I can see is rolls of gross, gluttonous fat. Fat arms, fat waist, fat back, and a couple of double chins. I am not ugly, I know that. But what I see is someone who has always put everyone else first, who feels absolutely out of control of my body, and totally intimidated by weight-loss.
In my whole life (42 years) I have always had “baby fat”. I never lost it as a child, and have carried it for years. I have added to it, and lost from it a few times, but never for long. The only times I’ve lost significant weight were during my pregnancies because I was so sick, and a few serious illnesses that lasted months at a time. I hate to be sick, so that’s no way to lose weight.
So here I am. I am slated to participate in a big fundraising effort this summer in my community. It will involve many dinners and parties and balls. I will have to dress up and try to look decent. AND I AM TERRIFIED! Then, I have a two week vacation to the beach in July. Once again, I will be the big, fat, ugly duckling of my family. I’ll be trying to avoid the camera again, and in my head hearing those voices of what I assume people are thinking about me. (total strangers: thinking, WHY does she let herself get like that? Why can’t she just control herself? Why would anyone WANT to be that fat…)
All told, if I lost 30 pounds, I’d look good. It’s not a huge goal, but it feels insurmountable. And like you, Sara, I am type “A”. If I can’t be successful, why even try?
But you inspired me today. I am going to try. again. with God’ help. And I may have to reread your blog over and over to be inspired…
So thank you. Thank you.
Best of luck to you and just remember with God’s help, all things are possible. He will be there to help you as you pray for help and strength.
You have taken the 1st step–admitting that you need to change and wanting to do that. There are different types of exercise programs on TV. Weights can be cans. Stretch with a broom, etc. swing with the kids, play kickball, run bases, there are many different ways to exercise. You can do it! Good luck!
You look amazing, I really appreciate you putting yourself out there to teach the rest of us how you did it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Your story is amazing and fact that I see you at the gym everyday and know who you are, that you are a real person and not just a story I read on the internet makes it all the more better! Thank you for sharing, you totally inspire me! I feel like I have hit rut in my workouts and I haven’t been seeing any changes up or down. I need to change things up, reading your story will hopefully inspire me to push forward!
I don’t ever really comment on blogs, although I do read yours. I was so inspired by your fitness post. I kept mulling it in my mind. Now my husband has banned me from gym memberships b’c I get one and then use it for a few weeks and then stop. While cleaning one day I found a coupon for a gym membership where if you paid up front for a full year, you could get unlimited basic gym membership, unlimited classes, unlimited tanning (I don’t do that though), unlimited guests (you can bring a guest FREE EVERY TIME YOU WORK OUT!!!!!!!!) and free babysitting. I knew I had to convince my hubby. And I did and we got a gym membership and when he is available he is my free guest and helps be my trainer.
Thank you so much. I have lots of friends who post stuff on facebook about working out etc, but until I read your post I wasn’t thoroughly ready to commit head on. And then I was. So thank you. I now just need to work on not eating cookies for breakfast. 😉 and other horrible eating habits that I have!
Where do you live? What gym? That sounds like a great deal w/the free guest!
I am SO proud of you! You look fantastic, Sarah, and I love that you are not telling people to try gimmick diets and products to achieve the results. Everyone I know seems to be on a fad diet and I think just good balanced nutrition with exercise is really the best form of fighting the weight.
You look beautiful! xoxo
Sara…you look amazing!!! Great job! It’s so fun to be a fit, active, confident momma. Way to go!
Thank you so much for sharing. I so needed to read this. I feel like I am the person you described in the beginning. I have lost hope in myself and feel like I’m failing at life and health. I thank you for having the courage to change and telling us about it and giving me hope. My goal is to finish it, and maybe someday I can share my story.
I am down 85 lbs from my high. Running helped me lose, lifting changed my shape and helps me run faster.
I used a trainer last summer and am so happy with the muscles I have built. I still run more than lift, but I know how to lift, how to fuel, how to listen to my body. You have inspired me to lift heavier and see what changes I can make. Congratulations!
I am so so proud of you, Sarah! How brave of you to share all these photos and to be totally honest about your struggle and your success.
It is a lot of work to stay fit as we get older- no matter what size you are, but you make it look so fun. 🙂
I was so excited to see that you posted your story. I had my 4th and final baby in January, and I have been looking forward to getting in shape. I started my pregnancy the heaviest of all of them thanks to bad habits and some fertility meds. I have really buckled down this last month and logged my good. I am slowly getting back to the gym, working around a nursing baby.
Your posts have come at a great time… I had decided to start adding strength training to my workouts. I am feeling even more focused now. I know to focus on different muscles and give days to reciver… And I saw in previous comments that you do that. But do you have the body broke up into 5 or 6 groups, or just 2 or 3 and repeat them. Would you mind just giving a list if each group you work? Thanks
Ahhhhh! I love you for this — thank you! I would also love some examples of a day of eating, what a Tuesday of weights looks like, etc. You just LOOK healthy. And I love that I can trust you because I know you still love FOOD! I swear most of my fit friends do not. They seem to love protein powder and celery. 🙂
I love reading inspirational stories. Thanks for sharing. I shed 25 pounds 2 years ago and have kept it off with near daily cardio, but I’ve wanted to be stronger, I want more toning, and know I need more resistance training. I didn’t do it “the old fashioned way” and I don’t think there is just one right way to do it. What’s important is a lifestyle change. I didn’t work out much before, nor did I think too much about what I put in my mouth. Way to inspire!
Sara! This is awesome! I was so happy to read that you did it the right way and not some appetite suppressant or a crazy cleanse that are such a fad lately. It is so refreshing to see living proof that the things we preach REALLY DO WORK! You have obviously inspired so many people. Great job! You look amazing! Maybe I’ll see you back in boot camp some day. 🙂
Jani are you still doing bootcamps? I would love to do that again!
Sara – You look great! Thanks for the advice. I am trying to lose 10 pounds and I was instantly inspired by your post. I registered with MyFitnessPal right away. I really want to use their food diary system. I eat very few packaged foods, so it’s hard for me enter into the calories for a recipe. For example, if I am making a soup for dinner, do I need to add each ingredient individually (chicken, pasta, beans, tomatoes, etc…) and then divide that by the portion I actually ate? What’s the best way to do that? Thanks for your help.
You need to click on “Create New Recipe”. I always label it as “serves 1”, which will give you the calories for the entire pot of soup. After you’re done cooking it, and you can measure exactly how much it makes, you can divide an amount per serving.
I just wanted to add that sometimes when adding a whole recipe seems really daunting, I just make sure to at least add the stuff that really “counts” (i.e, if you’re making a soup loaded with veggies, just add any oil used to saute, the broth, and any meat or cheese you’ve used, and don’t bother adding all of the veggies). This helps to keep the calorie count, at least, up to date. I like to track the nutritional side of things too, so I try to add everything if possible…but sometimes it’s just not in the cards.
Did you see that myfitnesspal now has a recipe importer where you just copy and paste the link for your recipe and it will tell you the nutritional information? Life changing!
I have 4 kids, one of which has autism. I used food for so long as a reward for myself for just making it though the day. Last year I worked really hard and lost 50 pounds (although that got me down to a size 10, not a 2/4 like you). But I’ve let 15 pounds creep back on and I can’t get it off! I take 3 resistance training classes a week at my gym (but I don’t think I lift as heavy as you do) and then run 2 days a week. I’m so frustrated! Can you talk about your exercise routines? Do you use mostly weight machines or free weights? What does a general week look like? Also, I really struggle about 4 p.m. every day when my kids get home from school. I just want to eat to get through the stress of homework, activities, dinner preparations, and general craziness. How do you resist temptation during those tricky times of day? Lastly, do you still shoot for 1500 calories? When you said you started with 1500 calories a day and then looked at what you ate, what changes did you make to what you ate? Thank you so much for your posts, your honesty, and GREAT JOB!!!
In the beginning how often did you workout with your trainer? What about now?
Than you so much for these posts – they were just the kick in the pant I needed to get strong and healthy. I want to finish it too!
Sarah, I will add my voice and let you know what an inspiration you are! Thank you so much for sharing all of the pictures and details about your fitness journey. I have made better eating choices and exercised each day this week because of you 🙂 I love the idea that we aim to be strong, not just skinny. After three kids, I weigh now what I did when I was first married 8 years ago, but I don’t have the same muscle tone and shape. I love doing all the outdoor things like you with my husband and kids– backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, etc.– but I have found those things to be so much more fun when I am more in shape. I also appreciated your thoughts about getting in shape before having another baby (yay for growing families!). I feel like I can be a better mom from pregnancy on when I am fit and strong and healthy! Thanks for all of the delicious, healthy recipes, too. You rock Sarah!
seriously loved this! you are amazing! thank you for sharing!!
Did you do any special exercise for abdominal mussel separation (not sure the technical term). I’ve had two kids and I get frustrated when I work out hard but can’t keep the stomach mussels from bulging out. I heard that was from mussel separation after having kids.
Google “Tupler Technique,” that’s really the only thing I’m familiar with (besides corrective surgery :/)
I want to know more about this. I have the book and DVD about this Tupler thing. I wonder if it really works. I “kinda” do what it suggests. I think it helps a little. I’m sure it would be better if I actually did everything that it suggests.
So amazing! I love that you still cook and eat real food, and dessert! Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
This post seriously made me cry, but in a good way. Thank you for having the courage to post this, I needed the inspiration. You are amazing. Thank you.
I’m fighting perimenopausal weight gain and am considering hiring a personal trainer after reading your inspirational post. I don’t know the first thing about working out with weights or what to look for in a trainer. How many days a week did you initially work with your trainer? What can I expect to pay per session for a qualified trainer?
I would definitely ask around and see if you know anyone that can give a personal recommendation. The fees vary so much depending on the area you live, how many sessions you buy, etc. It can range anywhere from 35-85+ depending on different factors.
Thank you, thank you,thank you for making yourself vulnerable and sharing your story. Right now I am your “before” and just started using My Fitness Pal this week. This was the inspiration I needed to keep going. Praying I will “Finish It” this time. Your journey is truly inspiring and amazing!
You are such an inspiration and idol to me!! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all!! I myself am making BIG transformations, not to get skinner but to get fit and healthy!
I seriously feel like I scored a great giveaway from you! Thank you SO very much for the honest inspiration you are imparting to all of us. You are a great example to many. Thank You!!!!
I’m a registered dietitian and have cooked many of your recipes for years. I work full time, am a mom, and cook 7 nights a week, so I relate to the hectic schedules that you and your readers share. I exercise with cardio and weights 6 days a week, like you, and manage my weight, fitness, and energy level well that way.
It’s so refreshing as a professional to hear someone share their story of success earned the old fashioned way with sensible food choices and plenty of activity! I get frustrated listening to clients and patients describe this diet, that supplement or drug, this or that surgery or other procedure when the plain, simple truth is right there in front of them. I often explain it this way when asked, “When you go shopping for shoes, do you buy every pair you like? Do you buy them even if they’re $500 a pair? No, because you’d be left with no money for your mortgage, food, or bills.” Food and lifestyle has to be the same way. Occasional splurges or indulgences are perfectly fine, but the bulk of our decision making about foods and activity have to be in the interest of health if we want to maintain a healthy body, just the way the bulk of our purchases have to be made in the interest of practicality if we want to maintain a healthy budget.
And my only thought on the endless numbers of fad diets and pills, elixirs, and supplements that promise weight loss, “If that stuff worked, it would work!” Everyone would use it, have the promised results, and obesity would cease to exist.
Anyway, congratulations on fighting the good fight, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. May your body reward you with decades of good health and well-being! You’ve earned it. 🙂 And in sharing, you’ve inspired others in ways you may never know.
LOVE the shoe analogy!!
Great point. The thing I struggle with the most is knowing how I should “budget” the daily meals. I think I mean beyond just the basics of use whole grains, more veggie….I think I am doing pretty good with all that, but I still struggle with how to get a meal (mainly lunch and breakfast) put together that use these right and fit into the right caloric range. Any tips anyone?
Thanks so much for sharing all of this! It’s coming at a time when I really need it. I have 2 boys (ages 4 and 2) and I have totally fallen off the exercise wagon. I used to be one of those people who worked out 5 times per week. Now I’m lucky if I get in once per week. I make excuses like I’m too tired or I don’t have time (I work full time) or I’ll do it tomorrow. Thanks to this post, I just downloaded My Fitness Pal and I’m started NOW. I’m not hugely overweight, but I’m definitely at one of the heaviest I’ve ever been. And it’s something that stresses me out everyday. You look fantastic, but the best thing about it is that you FEEL fantastic. I need that again!! So…thank you-thank you 🙂
I read this. I loved it. And I started crying. This is my story. Well, not yet, but seeing pictures, looking in the mirror and not feeling like it’s that bad but the pictures tell the truth. I read your blog regularly and have made dozens of your recipes. I’ve never been disappointed. You ladies are more than just food bloggers. You’re someone’s inspiration. You’re real women struggling with the same things that the rest of us are. And you are brave (and kind) to share it. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing! That takes guts! Ironically, shortly after having my first baby, I got in the best shape of my life. I had never been so thin and fit in my adult life. And I did it while my husband was in law school, and we were maxed out on stress. Like you, I had to make exercise happen in the insanely early hours of the morning, but that was my only window, and it became my outlet. I actually grew to look forward to it. I started trying new things like Spinning and machines I would have never touched at the gym before. What I loved most was the confidence and contentment I felt with how dedicated I was at doing something hard. The summer my husband was studying for the Bar Exam, I wanted to challenge myself, too, and do something with all the time he was gone studying, so I trained for my first half marathon. My little toddler was my running buddy, and we trained together with my running stroller! Fast forward almost seven years, and I have hit a slump. Over the past year, I’ve watched the scale creep up. Not drastically, but enough that my clothes aren’t fitting well, and I can see and feel the difference. I’ve been losing a little and gaining a little, but not getting on top of things. Your story has been one of the pieces that has motivated me to actually make the big changes I need to get back to where I’ve been. Thank you! Sorry for the monstrous comment. 🙂 One of my favorite quotes from President Monson is, “Once excellence has been viewed, one will never be content with mediocrity.” Thanks for helping me want to get see excellence again!
I LOVE that quote too. Very applicable here!