Month 3 Progress & Tropical Flax Bars
Posted: April 12, 2011 at 8:40 amI faced a sad sight this morning.
One sad, lonely, small bar left. The last of the batch of Tropical Flax bars I made this past Friday. I shall miss you, dense bars of chewy, yummy goodness. Until I make more.
Speaking of which, I need to share this recipe with you all. It’s a good one!
Tropical Flax Bars
- 1/4 c honey
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 c rolled oats
- 1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 c ground flaxseeds
- 1/2 c dried mango slices, chopped
- 1/2 c dried pineapple, chopped
- 1/4 c whole wheat pastry flour
Preheat oven to 350. Line a 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Beat the eggs, honey, and salt until blended. In a food processor, combine the remaining ingredients.
Pulse until finely chopped and blended. Place mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the egg/honey mixture and stir to combine. Make sure the mixture is evenly moistened. Press into the baking dish in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, until the edges are browned. After cooling, remove bars in foil from pan and cut into 12 even pieces.
Now, it’s time to discuss this month’s progress check-in. As many of you know, I update my Body After Baby progress once a month so I can fully share this journey of getting back in shape and achieving my “happy place”. So far, slow and steady has certainly made this venture a successful one. On with the results!
[Month 2 photos on the left – Month 3 (recent) photos on the right]
FRONT:
SIDE:
For the real kicker – check out the changes since 1 week post-partum!
I don’t think I look too shabby. Three months post-baby or not. 😉
And here are the progress stat totals for my accountability and tracking purposes.
| This Month’s Totals | Overall Totals | |
| Weight | - 5.6 lbs | - 10.4 lbs |
| Stomach (Smallest) | - 1.25 in | - 3 in |
| Stomach (Belly Button) | - 1.5 in | - 3 in |
| Hips | - 0.75 in | - 3 in |
| Butt | - 0.5 in | - 2.5 in |
| Thighs | - 0.5 in | - 1.5 in |
Each month reminds me of many important things to keep in mind while striving to reach these goals. This month did no different. On my 3rd week of this month, I didn’t have much progress according to the scale. Despite my lower weight loss, I knew I was making appropriate choices to reach my goals in a healthy manner. I refused to immediately freak out, think my efforts lacked, and try going overboard with restricting calories or adding more workouts. Those things all sounded tempting to keep progress going, but I knew that one week did not show the whole story. I needed to wait it out and trust my body.
Well, wouldn’t you know, trusting my body after that week meant resting for a few unplanned days thanks to getting sick. I decided to keep on keeping on how I could. I ate balanced meals, took it easy, and focused on getting healthy. When I weighed in for week 4, I had lost the most I have ever lost in a single week in this process. My body proved to me then and there that it knows what it’s doing. All I have to do is care for it with proper nutrition, challenging workouts, adequate rest, and self-love. Consistently doing those things will bring me results. Sure, it may not come as quickly as it could with more restriction, but I know the results will come. And they will last. And I will be happy going through the whole process.
I hope you continue to join me for the rest of the year! 🙂
- What lessons have you learned while working towards a physical goal?
- What is your favorite dried fruit? Pineapple! Hence, the tropical bars.
ETA: Please let me know if you have any specific questions about my “Body After Baby Progress”. I would love to do a Q & A post if there’s enough interest. 🙂
Tags: body after baby, healthy habits, progress pictures, recipes, snacks
You look great Tina! I cannot even imagine what you’re going to look at in another 3 months! You should be proud! -I know you re 😉
My favorite dried fruit would have to be figs! I love dried figs!
The bars sound so good! I love dried fruit…especially mango- nom nom! And you are looking FABULOUS! Its good to know your belly button goes back to normal haha. I’ve been worried about mine 😉 You look strong, healthy and trim. I just love it!
Yep. The body does crazy things. I can hardly believe how stretched out and BIG I was just a few short months ago.
Tina you look fantastic!! Way to go, I love your posts on this. You are a truly inspiring person when it comes to health, balance, and trusting your body.
You look awesome! Great job 🙂
I have a question, since I’ll be facing post baby body in the late summer! I notice when women leave the hospital, they still look pregnant. How long does it take for that pregnant ‘bump’ to deflate?
Is that the weirdest question ever?
Not weird at all! After all, there are so many things people don’t tell you when pregnant or with a new baby. You know I consider no topic taboo. 😉 I’ll answer in the Q & A post!
Great job! Love these posts 🙂
You look FANTASTIC!!!! I understand the desire to get back into pre-baby shape asap, oh do I ever! Although I’m enjoying nursing boobs, these things at least make the rest of the body appear smaller, haha. Love the flax seeds in the bars, since those are supposed to help w/ milk production too, score!
Thanks! And I had to laugh about the bigger boobs thing. So true!
Um….WOW! You look phenomenal!
Here’s what I want to know: how do you know when you’ve reached your “happy weight” and can go into maintenance mode? I’m dropping a few vanity pounds (not post-baby or anything haha too young for that) and am not sure when I should stop. My only barometer for my “happy weight” was in high school when I was definitely too thin and sans muscle so I’d like to find a healthy way to know…
I did a post on my happy weight a bit ago (linked above) where I touched on the topic, but I will also definitely answer this in some more detail when I do the Q & A post. Great question!
You look wonderful! I’m 7 months post-baby. I didn’t get back to exercising until about a month ago, due to chronic strep. Feels so great to finally lose some inches!
Here are my questions. First, what do you do to flatten your tummy? That’s definitely the part I’m having the most trouble with.
Second, do you ever feel like you’re doing well but the scale doesn’t reflect it? I’ve only lost a few pounds, but I feel like I’m much more toned.
Tina, you look great (like you said, baby or no baby)!!! And way to not let the scale get you down. That’s not easy!
Nice progress! You’ve clearly been working hard. 🙂
You look fantastic and have the best attitude about getting back your pre-pregnancy body in a healthy way! Way to go! You are an inspiration!! 🙂
[…] because Megan has a strong, healthy, beautiful body. This week I also read fantastic posts by Tina and Melissa who shared their honest feelings regarding their changing bodies. Therefore, I wanted […]
great job….those flax bars look really good!
Congrats girlie!! You look amazing!
Congrats, you look awesome! While working towards a physical goal I have learned that you can’t be perfect or even near perfect. Listen to you body and don’t push yourself too hard.
Your arms are getting some serious definition! Great job 🙂
Awesome progress Tina! You are looking amazing, and I think it is so important to trust your body (anytime!).
Girl, you look AMAZING. Cannot even tell you’ve had two babies! I had to learn to trust my body too & also that my eating habits – both good & bad – add up and make the biggest impact.
Yes! Food is KEY! That’s why I didn’t fret the rest. I knew what I ate mattered more. For progress, but most important for health and how I feel.
You’re doing such a good job, Tina! Never having had children, I never had to get back in shape. But I’ve battled my weight all my life and I know how good it feels when you are at the healthy weight you want to be. Keep up the good work, Kid!
CONGRATS!! Great progress and that change from the week with little change to the week where you trusted your body and your approach is huge. And such a healthy way of going about it. you look fantastic!
You are beautiful in all of those pictures and your progress is absolutely fantastic!! You can be so proud! Hope your kids know they have a hot mama! 😉
Wow! Your progress is amazing. You should be really proud of yourself.
I cant believe you JUST had a baby a few months ago. You look incredible, and your attitude is so inspiring. 🙂
you are SO inspiring!!!!!!!!!!!
You look great! I loved hearing about you listening to your body – that is such good advice! Our bodies usually do know what is good for us, we just have to learn how to listen!
WOW! Great progress!! I’ve been trying to get back to my happy place since an overindulgent Christmas 🙁
One thing I’ve learned is trying to find the right balance for me and my body. Slowly and surely!
It’s important to find healthy changes you can make consistently. It does take more time, but if you can keep with it for the long haul the changes will happen. I know you can do it!
Thanks Tina! That means a lot! Your motivation is contagious!
Not too shabby my butt, you look fanfreakingtastic!!!!!
Awesome, Awesome work! It’s so nice to see that hard work can pay off post baby. Not that I’m having a baby anytime soon, but it’s fun to see that you’re seeing some great progress with all that hard work. Keep it up! Love the jumping photo.
Tina, you’re amazing. Nuff said. Keep it up. You’re a beautiful inspiration through you’re blog, but even more importantly to your children 🙂
You look amazing! Seriously, better than me and I didn’t have a baby 3 months ago (or ever!). Great job!
Don’t even mention me looking better than you. We all have our places we feel unsure about physically…but none of that matters. What matters is feeling healthy and owning that. You are very strong and deserve to feel fabulous. I think you look it too!
ahhhhhhhhh you look awesome!!!!!! you’re a flipping rock star girl! =)
and thank you so so much for this newly bookmarked recipe! I cannot wait to eat these!!!!! =)
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
Hope you like them! They are really delicious.
And thanks for the kudos. 🙂
Ummm you beyond deserve the praise! you are my mommy inspiration! =) and I’m certain i’m going to love the bars!
ooh! come enter my giveaway! its a big basket of goodies from so delicious and some other fun stuff!
Tina – you look so, so, so good and glowing and happy! Congratulations on your progress, ESPECIALLY the mental part of it – continuing to stay true to yourself and trust your body can be so hard when you want results. Way to be awesome!!!
Your stomach is so flat! Especially for having two kids. You rock!!!
You look great! Your progress is such an inspiration for women–keep it up! 🙂
Thank you for the reminder to be happy IN THE PROCESS and proud throughout instead of focusing on the “finished product”. You look great!
I really believe enjoying the whole process and loving yourself throughout makes a big difference in being able to stick with healthy habits and get results. 🙂
Great reminder that each week contributes to the total picture of how your body and your health changes. You look fantastic!
And those bars…I’m totally making those bars this weekend. Yum!
You look SO AMAZING!! I especially LOVE the last photo, and the bit about no over-restricting because you are doing what is right for YOU. AMAZING Tina- you are such an inspiration!! 🙂
I absolutely love this! I admire you so much for having the patience and foresight to stick with what works best for you and your body.
Makes me regret those 3 cookies I ate for sinner last night… 😉
Well don’t forget I had an ice cream cookie sandwich for dinner last week. It can still work if its not all the time. 😉
You are amazing and totally inspiring!!! Great job 🙂
Congratulations! You look fantastic, so glad all the hard work is paying off!
I am amazed by the progress you have made – especially after baby #2. . . I had 3 c-sections and breastfed. Are you breastfeeding? I had a hard time controlling my cravings while breastfeeding but still lost weight by making healthy choices. . . This is truly motivating – even to me who is done having babies. . . I like the photo idea. I never thought to take photos and compare like this along the way. Keep up the good work!
Yep. Breastfeeding. And you are so right – cravings and hunger like crazy! Hard to manage sometimes. LOL
You look so great. Congrats on your progress!
Girl, you are so inspiring! I have a little weight I’d like to lose and I can’t seem to get motivated anymore- my recent attempts to lose weight have resulted in weight GAIN, so it’s nice to see someone that’s so successful!
You’ve always looked beautiful! 🙂 Great job Tina and congratulations!
You are just awesome! You’re cute at BOTH sizes but i’m honestly SO impressed at how fast this weight is coming off of you – you work so hard and totally deserve it you fit mom of two!!
Tina!!! You look great 🙂 So proud of you and the hard work you’re doing!
you look great! what an inspiration!!
I am so inspired by you.
You look amazing! And I LOVE how you have been taking care of yourself without going to extremes – you are eating real food to fuel your days and satisfy your taste buds and you are getting your exercise but not killing yourself at the gym — very inspiring. My favorite dried fruit is dried cheeries. 🙂
I learned the hard way before that it doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Hope to show that to others too. 🙂 Thanks!
Tina, love the progress — you are doing so well. I can’t wait to have a baby — then I can bug you for advice 🙂