It just keeps getting better.

Well,

My little birdie is leaving the nest.

Today is Jamie’s final day.

I couldn’t be more proud of my first volunteer.

Awesome job, Jamie.

You have inspired many people.

Make sure you check in and let us know how you are doing!!!

Here are Jamie’s final thoughts:

So it’s been just over 3 months since I was sitting on my couch, probably eating a bowl of ice cream, reading one of your blogs that prompted me to do something about my weight. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired all the time–so I went all in and sent you some pretty scary pictures.

I hit it hard at first, sending those pictures really held me accountable and made me go after it which allowed me to see some pretty awesome, quick results. In return, those results motivated me to push past that 2 week diet roller-coaster I have ridden many a times and keep going, not to mention I was feeling great which turns out to be a huge perk in working out and eating right–who knew?!

Then others started to notice that I was shredding some poundage, which felt pretty freaking awesome too, when people made comments I made it a point to share why and what I was doing, so again I had accountability-now it was people I knew who I didn’t want to let down.

About this time I began to noticed my attitude towards stressful situations and life in general got a bit better. My husband can literally tell the days I have not been able to squeeze in a work out and often tells me to go for a jog when I get too crabby, turns out I always feel better afterwards. Does it solve all of my problems? No, but it does clear my head a bit and burns off a lot of momma rage. 

Fast forward to now and I am down 17lbs that I know I would still be carrying around if it weren’t for you and your hilarious, yet motivating stories. Because of you, I can wake up and get dressed, and it’s not be a stressful situation that would often set my day off. Because of you I can go shopping for regular sized clothes and actually enjoy it! Because of you I have found a way to deal with the everyday stress of working, raising a family, being a wife and running a household that is not harmful to me, but better yet–good for me! Because of you, in the last 2 months I have not had one person ask me when I am expecting my 5th baby. Because of you Susie, my husband seems to be so impressed with me that I sometimes worry that here soon I might have to worry about baby number 5….jk–we have our hands full for right now, but better that then empty, right?

Thank you Susie for kicking me into gear and helping me make this life change. I still have a ways to go, I’d say I’m about half way to where I would like to be someday, but know I would have never found the strength and motivation I needed to get me on my way if it weren’t for you and your blog. Keep up the good work- your rock!

Week 1

Week 12

Week 1

Week 12

We do have a new participant.

I’ll get to her in a minute.

I just want to tell you about yesterday first.

Yesterday I met a couple blog readers who are also Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous members.

We all live in the same town but had never actually met in person.

To celebrate the final day of Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous, we ran a 5K together.

Yes.

We celebrated by exercising.

Running.

Sweating.

Not eating.

Or drinking.

And it was really fun.

Don’t get me wrong,

I still enjoy a few drinks.

Yesterday I even celebrated Number 3’s last baseball game with him by getting ice cream.

For the first time in years, I ate ice cream and I really enjoyed it.

There was no guilt involved.

Because I know I earned every bite.

And the fact that it was a treat,

rather than something I was shoving into my face alone,

after everyone had gone to bed,

in the dark,

and in shame,

made it really,

really,

enjoyable.

Anyway, here I am with Maureen.

She didn’t look like that a few months ago.

She’s been documenting her journey on her blog, momfeld.

You can read about that here.

So yesterday,

kind of by accident,

because of my weight loss journey,

and the blog,

and Fit, Fierce and Fabulous,

I started a running club.

Well,

a running and walking club.

There was one walker too.

I think I’m going to call it the

Not Your Average Running (and Walking) Club.

Who’da thunk?

7 months ago I looked like this:

and this:

And now I look like this:

and this:

I have a successful fitness e-course.

(Not too late to register — click here!)

And now I have a running (and walking) club!

Awesome.

We’ll be at Brookfield High School next Sunday at 9 a.m. for anyone who wants to join us! It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are! Everyone is welcome!!!

Now,

Our new participant.

Introducing….

Meghan.

Actually, I’ll let her introduce herself.

I came across Susie’s blog through a “top mommy blogs” site I frequented since having my first son in December of 2011. I think I found Susie’s blog early on in her writing and would visit often because of her writing and the fact that she wrote daily. When you’re up a few times through the night with an infant, it’s nice to be able to count on new material to read. Now baby number 2 is 14 weeks old, and I still “check-in” every other day or so. 

When Susie started her weight loss journey I was about 5 months pregnant and was already looking forward to losing the baby weight. I would think, “man, I wish I could push myself like that” and “good job, Susie” and sometimes “this chick is crazy” (only after she was running laps in the snow because the Y was closed)  

Susie asked a couple weeks ago who had Jamie sized balls and would be her next protege, and I knew I wanted in.

So here I am.

I’m 32 and basically I want to go back to my 26 year old body. Totally possible, right?  Realistically I want to lose between 15-20lbs. I will be upfront that this will not be easy for me. I don’t LOVE working out and I LOVE food. Yeah. So I am taking baby steps.. trying to curb my sweet tooth, and fried food tooth, potato tooth, and so on. 

Like Susie, I also belong to the Y and do enjoy my two child free hours to work out. (Except for when my 19mo old completely loses it when I drop him off, nothing like a side of mommy guilt with the rest of that bad diet!)

I’m a teacher by degree but started a family/child photography business four years ago and when I’m not with my boys, hubby or girlfriends, I’m on a shoot, editing or trying to drum up business.

I’m looking forward to the next 12 weeks and hoping my 12 week photo is a hell of a lot better than my starter photo. Letting it all out (and for the world to see) is not easy! I think a little accountability will go a long way. I do NOT want Susie to have to write a post about how I couldn’t hang.

Thanks for reading about my journey!

Day 1

 

Now I think we’d all agree that Meghan legs are pretty darn thin already.

And 14 weeks post baby is looking pretty good.

But if anyone knows how hard it is to get that midsection back into a place where you feel comfortable and confident after having kids,

it’s me.

So good for you Meghan. You are on your way, and we are behind you 100%.

Show Meghan some love!

PLEASE TAKE ONE SECOND TO VOTE FOR ME!!!

All you need to do is click on the banner above to register a vote for me! 

You can vote one time every 24 hours from every computer and cell phone! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I really appreciate your support!

Check out and “like” the not-your-average-mom.com facebook page!

Follow me on Twitter @mom_not_average