Become a subscriber and receive my “Mealtime Magic – Biblically Based Conversation Cards” FREE!
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Happy Home Fairy

Helping Moms Build Happy Homes

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Crafts
  • Freebies
    • FREE Printables
    • Giveaways
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Soups/Salads
    • Appetizers/Snacks
    • Treats
  • Celebrate
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Mother’s Day
    • End of School Year
    • Summer
    • Father’s Day
    • 4th of July
    • Back to School
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Birthdays
  • Faith
    • Comforting in Crisis
    • Fairy Thoughts
    • Motherhood
    • Marriage
    • Parenting
    • NICU Mommies

How I Got Ready For Swimsuit Season (SUPER SECRET TIP)

Like It? Share It!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Print

How one lady got ready for swimsuit season after having 2 kids. Hilarious and easy idea..jpg

I mentioned HERE that the hubs and I had an opportunity to visit the Bahamas on a staff retreat with his work.

To say I was excited about going is an understatement.

5 days without kids?!  5 days not being needed to wipe bottoms, tie shoes, and pack lunches?

Ummm, when do we leave?!

But to say I was apprehensive about wearing a bathing suit in front of people (PEOPLE I KNOW) is an understatement.

Words like horrified, disheartened, aghast and other synonyms I searched for under the word AFRAID were what I was feeling instead.

So I knew I had to try to figure out a realistic way to get my body into some kind of non-scary state for the beach.

And, for me, it all boiled down to one super simple tip.

Are you ready to get ready for your swimsuit – you hot mama, you?

Here’s what you need to do –

STOP EATING AFTER DINNER.

That’s it.

No 100 crunches or 400 planks or 50,000 Russian twists or 10 million squats or 9 trillion butt lifts (although these can be helpful if you’re into sweating).

No P90Xing or T25ing or Insanity-ing or listening to Jillian yell at you for 30 minutes 10 times a day (also helpful if you like torturing yourself).

Just stop eating after dinner.

I sat down one day and asked the Lord why I was so afraid of my own body and He quietly revealed to me that a lot of my body image issues were stemming from an area in my life that I had yet to fully surrender to Him.

This area called overeating at night.

As the Lord shed light on my sin, I realized just how much peace I was losing over this.

Because I could be solidly disciplined in my 3 meals a day plus one afternoon snack (usually THIS), but as soon as those adorable children had their last drink of water and potty run and the circle of emotional support stuffed animals were in place, my craving to munch kicked in.

I worked hard all day long chasing around 2 monkeys.

I deserved something delicious.

I deserved an opportunity to eat copious amounts of crunchy things.

Yes, I could sit down with a bag of trail mix or granola or ice cream and before I knew it, be staring at the bottom of the package.

Then I would go to bed bloated and wake up angry.

And still bloated.

Then the whole cycle would repeat.

I knew I was holding onto about 5 extra pounds because of this nonsense and it was wrecking the way I felt about myself.

Then Lent happened and I thought, “Hey, if Jesus can NOT EAT AT ALL for 40 days, I can fast from eating after dinner for 40 days.”

Let me just say, I have a whole new appreciation for people who experience withdrawal from an addiction.

There were many nights where the hubs had to hold me back from chewing a hole through his shirt – like I was some kind of a rabid animal or something.

My teeth have never been cleaner because I probably brushed them 10,000 times as a distraction technique.

Sometimes we would finish dinner at 8 pm and I would go to bed at 8:01 – just to avoid the temptation.

Somewhere along the way, though, all the little tricks above began to give way to a genuine desire to obey God.

I looked to my greatest example and inspiration – thinking about how HARD it must have been for Jesus to sacrifice as He did in the desert for those 40 days.

But He found His refuge and power in something far greater than the feeling of sinking your teeth into a square (or 4 or 5) of dark chocolate.

I memorized Psalm 34:8 and stood before my evil pantry saying,

“Taste and see that THE LORD is good!”

The LORD.

Not granola.

Because when you’re trying to kick a habit like finding comfort in food, you’ve got to find your strength and satisfaction in the One who is absolutely and totally enough.

The physical results of this challenge became secondary as I grew closer with Christ and let Him become my after dinner craving.

🙂

Do I do this perfectly every single night?

Nope.

The hubs and I still like to have late night ice cream parties every once in awhile where we clink our spoons together and celebrate the fact that we survived another day of parenthood.

The difference is now I am trying to be more conscious of how much ice cream I eat and my heart behind each bite.

Is this your story, too?

Try my little trick for a few weeks and let me know how you feel.

Then go get that bathing suit on, girl.

I’ll meet you by the water’s edge and we can celebrate our rockin’ beach bodies (well, as rockin’ as they get after bearing a couple of kids and dealing with things like um, gravity) by eating a properly portioned piece of chocolate before dinner.

– Julie

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

**Do you struggle with weight and eating issues?  HERE and HERE are the books that were incredibly helpful for me.**

Fairy Tips
Bahamas, Fairy Tips, Healthy, Healthy Living, Weight Loss
16 Comments

About Happy Home Fairy

Julie Brasington is a Preschool Director, wife of a South Florida Worship Pastor and mom of 3 boys. She writes at Happy Home Fairy where you can find easy craft ideas, FREE printables, simple recipes, holiday fun, thoughts on raising kids, and encouragement for moms.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Like It? Share It!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Print

You May Also Like These Posts

Back to School Amazon Favorites3 Things You Should Purge in JanuaryMy Everyday Makeup Routine – Only 5 Minutes!5 Ways to Help You Wake Up In the Morning (Without Coffee!)

Did you enjoy this post? Never miss another!
Encouragement and fun ideas delivered to your inbox.

Prev Post Easy End of Year Teacher Gift – FREE Printable!
Next Post The Weirdest Lovey Ever

Reader Interactions

16 Comments

  1. aa012812

    May 25, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    Thank you!!! I feel like you wrote this for me. Going to stop eatin after dinner and also check out the books you suggested! ☺️☺️
    -Ashley Nelson

    to aa012812" aria-label='reply to this comment to aa012812'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 1:09 pm

      Ashley, you’re so amazing. I love your open and teachable spirit! You go, girl!

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  2. Juanita in OH.

    May 25, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Oh, Julie, this is so profound to me. Because I spend most of my life in a Jazzy chair or a bed my weight has gone from overweight to “gross obesity”. I am going to do this. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this absolute blessing for today.

    to Juanita in OH." aria-label='reply to this comment to Juanita in OH.'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 1:09 pm

      Juanita, I’m so proud of you, girl. I will pray for you and for God to bless you with strength and complete and total dependence on Him with your situation! I love your desire to honor Him with this!!! He is glorified by that!!! xoxo

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  3. Lucina

    May 26, 2014 at 1:08 am

    I thought i was going to read the comments and see a lot of people writing how great you look in your bathing suit! But since I didnt find that, I’ll be the first to say it. You look great!

    to Lucina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lucina'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 1:08 pm

      Lucina, THANK YOU. You just filled up my heart so much!!! xoxo

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  4. Elisha

    May 26, 2014 at 1:47 am

    Thank you! I needed this!

    to Elisha" aria-label='reply to this comment to Elisha'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Elisha! You’re awesome, girl!

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  5. Nikki

    May 26, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    Man I needed this today as it’s Memorial Day weekend and I wouldn’t even get in the pool for fear of “the suit.” And to top it off I’m on week three of T25. Lol. Definitely looking into your book suggestions and going to give this one to God. I do with everything else, why not food temptation? Silly me. Thank you!!

    to Nikki" aria-label='reply to this comment to Nikki'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      Nikki – love your heart. Blessings to you, sweet mama!!!

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  6. Jamee

    May 28, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    You look great!!! Thanks for this post!

    to Jamee" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jamee'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      May 31, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks, Jamee. Your comment made my day!

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  7. Erin

    June 2, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I’ve never commented before, but this spoke to me so much. I lost almost all of my baby weight last summer after my first baby, but gained a few pounds back due to some mild PPD and anxiety over her being such a bad sleeper for so long. I would snack at night after she went to bed and fell into this habit of overeating and feeling bloated all the time. I was so happy with my body before getting pregnant, and I’m up just enough to feel bad about myself. I decided to take on your challenge for the month of June, make it a habit, learn to rely on God, and hopefully take off 5 pounds! I hope that I can soon get in a bathing suit and have the confidence you show in that picture!

    to Erin" aria-label='reply to this comment to Erin'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      June 2, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Precious Erin! Your comment is so inspiring! I love hearing your obedience and teachable spirit through your humble words. I KNOW He will bless you in this! Hang in there, sister!!! We will go to the beach together in July, ok? 🙂

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment
  8. melissa

    June 20, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I read this for the first time when you first posted it…tonight while scrolling threw pinterest I saw this blog post…kinda snickered because I loved it the first time I read it…so lets read it again…laughed just as much!! Your sooooo adorable!! 🙂 I accepted your challenge…and I have really done good with it!! (I’m not going to lie I did attend Larys Ice creams fundraiser this week for “Turtle Power for James Edwards” BUT I kept it small and shared with my 1 year old…lol) I’ve lost about 3 lbs so far…your a GENIUS!!! ( my goal was 5lbs by 4th of july…it could happen!!!)

    to melissa" aria-label='reply to this comment to melissa'>reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      June 21, 2014 at 2:01 am

      Melissa – I LOVE YOU! And I loved this comment! You GO GIRL! Write to me when you lose those last 2 pounds. I am so proud of you!

      to Happy Home Fairy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Happy Home Fairy'>reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Loving God Loving Others and Having Fun

Hey there! My name is Julie, the Happy Home Fairy. I am married to a Worship Pastor, we have 3 boys, and I am a Preschool Director. I love sharing easy, fun ideas to help moms build a happy home! Here you will find simple crafts, FREE Printables, yummy recipes, stories about my journey to trust Jesus with my family, and encouragement for your mama's heart. You can read more about me HERE!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

My eBook!
AVAILABLE NOW!

book-sidebarThe Kindness Antennae is my brand new eBook packed full of uplifting stories, fun ideas, printables, and truths to help you (and your kids!) live a life that makes a difference – one act of kindness at a time.

BUY NOW

Subscribe Now and Get a FREE Gift!

Preschool Crafts and Ideas

Preschool Classroom Reveal

Creation Book – FREE Printable!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear Handprint Project

Preschool Morning Meeting Ideas

More Preschool Ideas

Popular Categories

  • Printables
  • Winter
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Recipes
  • Preschool
  • Encouragement

Footer

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON
Facebook

SEE WHAT I’M PINNING ON
Pinterest

PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES ON
INSTAGRAM

  • I saw this fun idea by my friend @melindaagriswold - can you guess who’s who? Comment below! Person 1 Love Language - Quality Time Pizza Forever Most Embarrassing Moment - Accidentally left a pair of their underwear on a cubby in 3rd grade and members of the opposite sex made fun. Adamantly denied ownership and abandoned that pair of underpants. Starbucks Order - Pike Place with cream, no sugar Person 2 Love Language - Words of Affirmation French Fries are life Most Embarrassing Moment - Once had a video published on YouTube and fly was down the whole time. Had
    by happyhomefairy 2 weeks ago
    I saw this fun idea by my friend  @melindaagriswold  - can you guess who’s who? Comment below! Person 1 Love Language - Quality Time Pizza Forever Most Embarrassing Moment - Accidentally left a pair of their underwear on a cubby in 3rd grade and members of the opposite sex made fun. Adamantly denied ownership and abandoned that pair of underpants. Starbucks Order - Pike Place with cream, no sugar Person 2 Love Language - Words of Affirmation French Fries are life Most Embarrassing Moment - Once had a video published on YouTube and fly was down the whole time. Had
  • I find myself spending more time looking at the world and the problems instead of looking at these 4 heroes right here. This is what needs our attention. This is where change begins. Spend time praying for them instead of scrolling vanity. Spend time memorizing God’s Truths instead of dwelling on flawed opinion. Spend time laughing and playing and breathing deep the smell of their necks. Spend time teaching and training and living in the ✨light✨. This is the future. God has great things coming.
    by happyhomefairy 2 weeks ago
    I find myself spending more time looking at the world and the problems instead of looking at these 4 heroes right here. This is what needs our attention. This is where change begins. Spend time praying for them instead of scrolling vanity. Spend time memorizing God’s Truths instead of dwelling on flawed opinion. Spend time laughing and playing and breathing deep the smell of their necks. Spend time teaching and training and living in the ✨light✨. This is the future. God has great things coming.
  • Life Updates >> Ryan - This weekend I broke the garbage disposal for the 14th time in our 17 years of marriage and he has not yet given up on me and my lack of understanding of what NOT to put down there. Love always hopes! Noah - Playing on the school basketball team and totally killing it this year! I have no idea what is happening on the court most of the time, but I know enough when the ball swishes through the hoop! Jethro - Creative, funny Jethro. He loves to make people laugh. And he loves to
    by happyhomefairy 3 weeks ago
    Life Updates >> Ryan - This weekend I broke the garbage disposal for the 14th time in our 17 years of marriage and he has not yet given up on me and my lack of understanding of what NOT to put down there. Love always hopes! Noah - Playing on the school basketball team and totally killing it this year! I have no idea what is happening on the court most of the time, but I know enough when the ball swishes through the hoop! Jethro - Creative, funny Jethro. He loves to make people laugh. And he loves to
  • Baby Zion is now officially acting like a toddler! We have mastered the words “No” “Mine” and how to go boneless when you don’t want mom to pick you up. Gearing up for this season of parenting with some truths >> ✨It is kindness that leads us to repentance.✨ It is love that covers over a multitude of sins.✨ It’s funny how doing this the third time isn’t as angering as it was with the first 2! Either I am more tired and not caring as much OR God is helping me to share His beautiful grace more as I
    by happyhomefairy 4 weeks ago
    Baby Zion is now officially acting like a toddler! We have mastered the words “No” “Mine” and how to go boneless when you don’t want mom to pick you up. Gearing up for this season of parenting with some truths >> ✨It is kindness that leads us to repentance.✨ It is love that covers over a multitude of sins.✨ It’s funny how doing this the third time isn’t as angering as it was with the first 2! Either I am more tired and not caring as much OR God is helping me to share His beautiful grace more as I
  • I got to wear a crown and a tutu ✨ and eat sweet potato fries for lunch AND dinner. ‍♀️ So far, 38 is pretty great.
    by happyhomefairy 1 month ago
    I got to wear a crown and a tutu ✨ and eat sweet potato fries for lunch AND dinner. ‍♀️ So far, 38 is pretty great.
  • I went to church today. It was so good and so needed. I haven’t been in weeks. It’s funny how I let myself get comfortable with that. I tell myself it’s easier to just watch church at home online. Which is not true because basically every time I do that the children start a wrestling match in the living room while I am trying to listen to the sermon. Or the baby poops during the opening song. Or someone is inevitably injured. But I tell myself how nice it was to not wake up early. How lovely to stay in
    by happyhomefairy 1 month ago
    I went to church today. It was so good and so needed. I haven’t been in weeks. It’s funny how I let myself get comfortable with that. I tell myself it’s easier to just watch church at home online. Which is not true because basically every time I do that the children start a wrestling match in the living room while I am trying to listen to the sermon. Or the baby poops during the opening song. Or someone is inevitably injured. But I tell myself how nice it was to not wake up early. How lovely to stay in
  • We got fancy last night for our neighbor’s wedding. ‍♂️The wedding was about an hour drive away, so we had lots of time for car conversations without kids. This usually means that I vomit all the stuff I have been trying to process on my own and Ryan swoops in with a few ultra wise one-liners that talk me off the ledge. Things I learned on the drive... 1. Stop watching the news. Our souls were not made for so much information. 2. Never stop dreaming. Even if your circumstances are hard and you feel all your creativity and hopes
    by happyhomefairy 1 month ago
    We got fancy last night for our neighbor’s wedding. ‍♂️The wedding was about an hour drive away, so we had lots of time for car conversations without kids. This usually means that I vomit all the stuff I have been trying to process on my own and Ryan swoops in with a few ultra wise one-liners that talk me off the ledge. Things I learned on the drive... 1. Stop watching the news. Our souls were not made for so much information. 2. Never stop dreaming. Even if your circumstances are hard and you feel all your creativity and hopes
  • When I had covid, this precious mama of mine called me every day. She dropped groceries on our doorstep (and even decorated them with Christmas lights ). She had food delivered to our house. She wore silly Christmas glasses and FaceTimed me to make me smile. She watched every single one of My ABC Truth Tree videos and liked them. She texted me every day to make sure I was taking medicine and drinking enough water. She prayed for me and reminded me that it would all be okay when I called her in tears on Christmas Eve worried that
    by happyhomefairy 2 months ago
    When I had covid, this precious mama of mine called me every day. She dropped groceries on our doorstep (and even decorated them with Christmas lights ). She had food delivered to our house. She wore silly Christmas glasses and FaceTimed me to make me smile. She watched every single one of My ABC Truth Tree videos and liked them. She texted me every day to make sure I was taking medicine and drinking enough water. She prayed for me and reminded me that it would all be okay when I called her in tears on Christmas Eve worried that
  • It’s hard to believe that 17 years ago I slept through my alarm, set my veil on fire, had 9 precious flower girls walk down the aisle before me, and we made a covenant before God that we would love and serve each other forever. We don’t do it perfectly, but, by God’s grace, we keep showing up. And he never fails to make me laugh. Happy Anniversary to the best man I know! . Photo Credit >> @heatherholtphoto ✨
    by happyhomefairy 2 months ago
    It’s hard to believe that 17 years ago I slept through my alarm, set my veil on fire, had 9 precious flower girls walk down the aisle before me, and we made a covenant before God that we would love and serve each other forever. We don’t do it perfectly, but, by God’s grace, we keep showing up. And he never fails to make me laugh. Happy Anniversary to the best man I know! . Photo Credit >>  @heatherholtphoto  ✨
Instagram

Copyright Happy Home Fairy © 2021  •  All Rights Reserved  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs

Privacy & Cookies: This site may use cookies to customize your experience. Learn more by reading our Privacy Policy.