Time for another post in my “Body After Baby” series. I recently discussed my thoughts on whether or not to share progress photos as I carry out my post-baby fitness journey. I wanted to let you all know that,after some consideration, I have decided that I will plan to post progress photos here on the blog at regular intervals. I really hope to show the reality of the process and that restrictive plans are not the only way to get to a healthy physical place. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful feedback and honest insights.

Now that I have established progress pictures will appear on the blog, I feel it is time to declare what progress I specifically hope to make. The simple answer: I hope to arrive at my body’s “happy place”. The difficult answer: I don’t know where that is.

Sure, I know where I found my happy place post-Makenzie. I truly felt fabulous there.

Like I mentioned in my Q+A post on all things weight related, I believe that was my happy place because I physically felt amazing and didn’t have to obsess over food or workouts to get there or maintain. My body happily found that set point with consistent healthy choices.

However, I don’t know if after two children my body will go the same route. Instead of stressing myself and focusing on the past, I plan to venture into this upcoming “body after baby” time with simply a goal to care for myself and once again allow my body to take me to its happy place. It could be the same or it may be different. No matter what, I will focus on appreciating my body.

I admit that ideally I will achieve something similar as I did after Makenzie. I will do all I can within reason to make it there. I will NOT, however, resort back to over-exercising, food rules, or other unhealthy habits to get there.

My goal, therefore, is to spend 2011 working to regain momentum with my passion for healthy living and fitness. I believe that a year (more or less) with focus on treating my body well will naturally bring me to the best place for my body. I will have to see exactly where that path takes me. No matter what, though, I am determined. I am determined to grasp onto my love of exercise and accomplish new things or reach old achievements anew. I am determined to fuel my body the way I know suits it best and learn more in the process. I am determined to make myself a priority…and see the changes I know that care of self will bring. I am determined. And I WILL reach my goal…even if I’m not quite sure what it will look like in the mirror. The mirror isn't what matters anyways. It's the feeling I'm shooting for.

Question of the Day – How do you determine the best place for you physically?

Baby B is coming. Relatively soon. Within the next month (more or less). That sounds soon to me. I’ve mentioned before that I have quite a few topics I want to discuss relating to how I plan to pursue getting back in shape post-pregnancy and other issues surrounding that. I would like to lay it all out there before I even begin the process. I like to have a game plan to share and which to help hold myself accountable. Plus, its fun for me to talk about fitness related topics since I can’t physically do them at the moment. Hence the start of the Body After Baby series I will share over the next month. 😀

Before I delve into those topics I want to discuss something else first. After my recent post on achieving my “best-shape” and sharing this set…

…of progress pictures from post-Makenzie, I began thinking more about the whole progress picture phenomenon.

The blog world is a very public place. I don’t mind so much the thought of having pictures like the above out there. The main thing I feel uncomfortable with is if sharing such pictures sends any sort of negative or inappropriate message. In the past 6 months there has been talk about blogger responsibility and posting such “progress pictures” falls into that role.

I don’t want my pictures to serve as a way to compare – either me comparing myself to others or others comparing to me. I don’t want my own personal “before” shots to be viewed as me unhappy with myself or that I view anyone with a similar physique as less than beautiful. I don’t want the focus to appear that I’m trying to look a certain way, over feel a certain health, strength, and vitality.

But…

I also know I refuse to use a scale in my post-baby fitness journey. I will need some sort of measure and pictures like the above greatly motivate me. I want to have the opportunity to show the changes that can happen in a body, without deprivation and overstressing the process. I also want to put myself out there every step of the way – as a means to lift up my body and its beauty in all appearances. The progress pictures would also serve as a reminder to myself to love and appreciate it for all it does, no matter how it looks in a photo. Because it is beautiful no matter what.

So, that’s where I’m at. Inappropriate or motivating? Thoughts?