I have a fabulous body, you just can't see it. There is a large layer of fat over it but it is disappearing.

I have strong arm muscles. I can feel them and I can even see a faint outline of them.
I have strong chest muscles which you can feel and see faint outline of but they have a layer of fat over them which I hope doesn't disappear
I have strong abs. I can feel them.
I have a bootylicious booty which has strong muscles and is looking better every day.
I have strong legs. I can feel the muscles and also see them taking shape.
I have dainty fingers but they look a little chunky right now.
I have dainty wrists and ankles which you can see.
I have collarbones which are emerging and becoming more prominent every day.
I have a neck which has definition and isn't just a perfectly smooth cylinder anymore.
I have rib bones, pelvic bones and hip bones which I can feel but can't see as of yet.

Overall, I have a pretty fabulous body that is emerging under this flab which I have carried for over 25 years of my 31 years on this earth.

I'm sure you do too

I agree with you -- we are going to be some hot looking woman when we reach our goals! I haven't lost much, but just the exercise five days a week has lifted my butt, tightened up my legs and slimmed out my middle! Even the five years of my 36 years I was thin, I wasn't this muscular!! I can't wait to peel the outer layer of fat off of all the hard work I've done and "expose" the muscles underneath!!

Great thread! Postive self talk is wonderful! I've been becoming more conscious of how powerful my thoughts really are - both the positive ones and the negative as well. So now instead of thinking "I hate my fat legs", I'm starting to really appreciate their worth and function. They work! And they are strong! And the definition in my calfs looks great with these new strappy sandals I bought! And I can keep up with my 2 & 3 year old daughters!!

Making peace with my body and learning to love it is harder than I thought it would be. (I'm pretty sure this is universal...whether you are a size 2 or a size 22.) I'm working to wrap my mind around this thought recently: that my body is very desirable! The way it is right now. Today! I love the thought of being able to see myself as my husband says he sees me. It amazes me sometimes that someone loves and cherishes something that is as "imperfect" as my body is... but loving it and finding it desirable just the same. OK, I wasn't really planning to type that...anyways, I guess I'll really rock his world as I get more fit and healthy!

And yes, it's so cool to be able to lay on my back and see hip bones. Pretty soon I'll see them standing up too!

Neile,

Great topic-thanks! I've been exercising consistently (mostly!) since 2003, and I keep wondering if there is a great shape under here somewhere!

Sherry

Good for you Nelie!!!!! It's hard to imagine that you're gonna be even more beautiful then your current avatar, but the way you are describing yourself - woohoo!!! You are gonna be unstoppable!!! Totally and completely - SMOKIN".

I just don't know what it is about those bones, but I couldn't agree with you more. I simply adore them. I really don't think (not 100% sure of course) that people who have always been slim appreciate them and love them the way I do. Because I am really, really loving them.

Oooo.. I LOVE this thread Nelie!!!!
I too am just fabulous.. my body and my mind! I am VERY into positive self talk.. A few months back I started a quick morning ritual that has turned out to be an amazing way to connect with my body.. I do a visualization and put lotion over my entire body while I am using my mind this way.. I get up earlier than my husband and lock myself in the bathroom.. wash my face.. brush teeth.. etc.. then I have a small collection of wonderful creams and I pick one that I feel like for the day.. I sit and start my mental work and then at the same time (I think this is key) apply the lotion.. I start with my feet.. I LOVE rubbing my feet.. I totally believe every nerve in my feet are somehow a part of my entire body.. when I first started this.. I would almost cry when I did my feet (I felt much emotion). I really have noticed small changes in my body this way.. I just love this personal time.. and the visualization is so ingrained in my now.. it helps very much when I feel tempted or start to feel depressed or anxious. also have got in the habit of putting on a good sunscreen (I walk about 10am every morning) and putting on makeup before I even leave the bathroom in the morning. This is SO different from the old me.. I would never wear makeup.. never care about taking care of me (much less my body)..

I think this is a wonderful way to start the day..

Oh and I just realized the subject title (the Fab under the Flab) is very much like the name of my blog (40 and Fab not Flab!)...
brillant minds Nelie...

When I first started being able to feel some bones, I got scared--I didn't know what that was! My DH finds it amusing that I'm always asking him to look at my arm muscles.

Sheila,

Me too! DH isskinny so I can see all his bones. I've been comparing what I feel with what is on him. The one thing that scared me the other day was the tendon that is below the breast bone. I made him check to see if he had it too and he does.