3 month transformation

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!! You guys, this is a HUGE HUGE HUGE step out of my comfort zone. I have ALWAYS been extremely self-conscious of my belly. No matter how thin I've been, it's always got extra fluff and is just not my favorite feature. Be kind! ;)

These pictures are of my 3- month transformation since I started eating clean and doing my at-home workouts. I have been struggling this whole time with balancing trying to cut calories and maintain my milk supply for my nursing baby. It has been very challenging to find the balance and the weight has been coming off very sllooooooww! But, in actuality, "safe" weight loss is 1# per week, so I am pretty much on par!!! I know y'all feel me though...when you're trying so hard day in and day out, you expect to see a new pant size every week! ;)

Even though I'm terrified of sharing these pictures, I wanted to challenge myself and put myself out there for YOU. If me putting myself out there can motivate even ONE person that YOU CAN DO IT, then that's what I will do! I have felt an outpouring of support from you guys (THANK YOU!) and I feel like my journey is not just for me....it's for you too! If me putting myself out there motivates you in any way, shape, or form to create your own change....then I will stand on a dang pillar in the middle of Times Square to get you there! 

I will tell you this again. I know what it feels like to be unhappy in your own skin every day. I also know what it feels like to feel pretty happy with your body. I WANT THAT FEELING FOR YOU!! No good comes from feeling bad about yourself. Feeling discouraged every time you catch a glimpse in the mirror. Tugging at your shirt so it's not clinging to your belly. Making sure your bra is positioned just right to minimize back-fat rolls. STOP! Time to make the change!

Seriously you guys, people always say this, but if I can do it...YOU can do it! I mean it. I want this for you so bad!!!

I'm not at my goal yet, but I wanted to show my progress so far! 

Are you ready to create your own progress pictures????

Ok, I've even sitting here for 25 Minutes not pushing "publish"....aaaah, here goes nothing!!!

Meatless bacon bits?

Jigga what? Yeah, I went there. meatless bacon bits! Sort of seems sinful to label something to be glorious bacon when it totally isn't! I thought this was one of the most interesting recipes I've tried, though!

"Bacon bits" 

-3 cups unsweetened flakes coconut

•     2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
•     2 Tbsp Molasses
•     2 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
•     1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
•     1 Tbsp Cider Vinegar

Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, a silicon pad or spray with pan spray.
Step 2
Whisk together soy sauce, molasses, liquid smoke, olive oil and vinegar. Add Bob’s Red Mill Coconut Flakes and mix well. Let sit for 10 minutes so the coconut absorbs all the liquid.
Step 3
Spread coconut in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4
Bake at 325°F until deeply toasted, about 15 – 20 minutes. Stir often! (About every 3 – 5 minutes.)
Step 5
Let “bacon” bits cool completely then store in an airtight container. They can easily be re-crisped in a low oven for 5 minutes.
Great for salads, baked potatoes, mixed with popcorn or put into snack mixes!

That girl

Have you ever been "that girl?" 

You know, the one who is constantly sucking in her stomach when around people? Things can look okay, except, of course, when you have to sit down, and your stomach billows over the top of your pants like a busted can of biscuits.

You always want to get a booth at a restaurant, because it feels like you can hide your body better. Clearly, a chair is way too exposing! And at that restaurant, you're conscious of what you order. You really want a cheeseburger and fries, but you're sure that the waitress would be saying in her head, "oh honey--you should just get a side salad."

 But maybe you DO order a side salad. When you place that order, you're convinced the waitress is saying, "who is she kidding with a side salad?" You convince yourself that everyone in the restaurant is picking apart what you are or are not eating just because you're overweight. If you give in and order what you really want to, they're judging you. If you try to "be good" and order a healthy option, they're judging you, figuring that you've probably got a tube of Pringles and a Snickers bar in your purse. And definitely, even if you are super hungry, do NOT finish all of your food. That would be piggish. Always ask for a to-go box.

When you're in public, you're constantly adjusting and pulling at your shirt. You're pulling down at the back of your bra to try your best to minimize the back fat rolls that bulge out. Maybe you even try a 38B, even though you're a 36B...just to see if the band cuts in less.

So, have you been "that girl?" Does any of this sound familiar to you? I didn't get this from a collection of women's insecurities I pulled from somewhere. This is me. I'm "that girl." I've been her for as long as I can remember. Even a little over a year ago, when I was at my smallest, I still did some of these things. 

Many of these thoughts are gone but I still have to fight them from time to time.

Am I telling you this so you think I'm a huge flake? Absolutely not.  Am I telling this to get attention? Absolutely not. So, WHY am I telling you this?.... I'm sharing this because I want YOU to know that if you can relate to any of this, you don't have to. It can change! You CAN feel more confidence, give less care to what others are thinking of you and order whatever the hell you want at a restaurant (80/20 rule!)! Going from a girl that always thought people were looking at me thinking how fat I was, to a girl that feels pretty okay in her skin is so uplifting. I have good days and bad days, though. I'm still working to get back to where I want to be after my second baby, but I know what it feels like on the other end and I WANT YOU TO ALSO!! And also to know that I GET IT. I can relate. I feel ya!

Are you ready to make the change??

Contact me on my Facebook page, Fit 4 You or Kate Brown. I'm here for ya!! ❤️