November 1, 2013

Friday Flashback {+Giveaway}

Three years ago I was nearly 3 months post-partum with Kendall.  I had done nothing to change my diet and/or exercise after she was born and I was just kind of complacent with the way I looked. I remember just thinking, "well this is the new me, this is my mom body" and doing nothing differently. Sure I wasn't happy when I looked in the mirror but I also wasn't motivated {at that point} to do anything to change that image either.  This is me 3 months after she was born in November 2010.
I was still wearing maternity jeans in these pictures and at the time that didn't even bother me. I still had "just had a baby" brain and thought that was acceptable for a 3 month post-partum woman. It wasn't until March 2011 that "it" finally hit me and I decided to do something about it.  Seven months post-partum before I finally took action to get myself back to a healthy place.  

Now, I am 3 months post-partum with James {their birthdays are just two days apart} and I am happy to report that I am way more motivated than I was three years ago.  I started getting healthy almost immediately after his birth and I'm so happy I made that decision early on this time.  I'm already 10lbs lighter than I was when I started using MFP seven months after Kendall was born.  So that, in itself, makes me happy.  This is me 3 months after James was born, November 2013.

I've definitely got a long way to go but holy cow what a difference.  I mean sure I'm still bootylicious and no matter what I'm not one of those girls who loses weight in her boobs first, I wish.  I'd say there's a good 15-20 lb difference between these two sets of pictures and at least one pant size {maybe two, I can't remember because I was still wearing maternity jeans at this point with Kendall}.

I know when I feel discouraged it helps to look at these pictures and the progress I've made since the day James was born.  I wish I were one of those girls who fit into her pre-pregnancy jeans just weeks after having a baby but I'm not and that's OK.  My body has done a miraculous thing {twice} and that's nothing to be ashamed of.  I will work hard and I will reach my goal again.  I will show my children what hard work and dedication and choosing a healthy lifestyle will get you.  I will set the example.

***

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Have you heard of THRIVE by Le-vel?  It's a new premium lifestyle line of performance products designed to help weight management, joint support, pain management, lean muscle support, and more!  There are two lines, one specifically designed for men and one for women.  They offer an 8 week experience designed to help you reach your peak physical AND mental levels.

I had the opportunity to try out the Premium Lifestyle Capsules and the Premium Lifestyle Mix and I was pleasantly surprised.  Most of those mixes all taste the same, like chalk.  This one was different, it was more like cake batter!  There are some really delicious recipes you can try to change it up and make it taste as good as a banana split. The capsules blew me away, I took one in the morning and one at lunch time and it was amazing how much less hungry I was, it really helped to curb my appetite.

Mandy wants to offer one of my readers the chance to try out two weeks worth of the capsules and shakes for free!  Simply enter using the Rafflecopter widget and a winner will be chosen next week!  You could be on your way to being the best you you can be!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


9 comments:

  1. Those girls who fit in their pre-preg jeans soon after? yea. They're not normal ;) I mean it's awesome for them, but they're not the majority. Me and you sister, we know what it's like. Every day, good choices will get you there--but it can (feel) like a slow process. You look great.

    ReplyDelete
  2. you look fab, keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You look amazeballs girl!!! Seriously!! Stay motivated...it's all worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with every other comment on here! You look amazing! Love hearing stories like this :) Love that you're working so hard for yourself and your kids...it's just awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 3 months pp with crue and still wearing some of my maternity jeans too. no pre-preg pants fit and i am plateau'ing like crazy. no weight change since week 4, FOUR! and were in week 13! im going to go pop in jillian now... wa wa.
    you go girl! you look fantastic. and with TWO kids. you are doing so so so well with being determined and getting it all done. super mom fo realz.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my gosh, you look absolutely fantastic :) I use pictures to motivate too :) Thanks for setting the example of what to do post-pardem :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gah - I needed to see this. I'm 7 weeks pp with Alex and I still have 20lbs to lose. I just got the green light from the doc yesterday to start exercising and that is exactly what I need to do. I don't fit in my regular pants yet and I don't want to go back to work in maternity clothes.

    Good for you. You look amazing and you're inspiring me to put down the Halloween candy and get moving!

    ReplyDelete
  8. YOU ROCK MY SOCKS GIRLSFRIEND! I think you are doing AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shannon! You seriously look AWESOME!

    ReplyDelete