Hikerchick, thank you very much for the link, it's quite helpful. I think that I'm doing too much cardio, and not focusing enough on strength training. Actually, I know that I'm doing too much cardio, because even after my workout, I often do cardio again later on because I really enjoy it-it calms me down if I'm stressed out, and if I'm bored it gives me something to do. The stomach of the 40 year old mom on that site looks great-I guess that's pretty much how I'd like mine to look. Thank you all-you're very helpful, I don't feel so discouraged now

Baffled, I think you're right about me probably not pushing as hard as I think I am. I'm going to get into heavier lifting for sure. I think the reason I feel that I should lose more weight is because I've been assuming that since I don't have any defined muscles, they must all be covered in lots of fat. I think I'm way too critical of myself, even if I get a complement-I always respond with something like, "thanks, but I still have to work on this and this etc."

Thank you all for your help, I don't feel so discouraged now. I do a lot of reading on this site, and I definitely plan on posting often. You've helped me a lot, so I hope to do the same for someone else

Good I am glad you liked it. And I did want to add that you do look great now. When I first posted I kind of assumed that it was obvious that you are looking good but then I remembered that no woman can be told that enough.

Good luck with your workouts! Go get yourself some muscle!!!

Ain't that the truth! Now if we could only get our men to understand this subtle point of female psychology...

LOL! Yeah right, like THAT'LL ever happen! They have to practically lose us before they even apreciate us in the first place, and that doesn't evenlast long.

That's so true. I've yet to hear someone say, "I've had too many compliments today, please save it for some other time."

Interesting you had mentioned doing ballet bc that's what you reminded me of when I saw the pic....a dancer's body. You look like you've done pilates or something - no fat, just long and lean, with maybe longer muscles rather than plump muscles (if there is any such thing!)

Can't believe you went from being 180 at 12 to looking like this. You've been the miserable curse of childhood obesity! Congrats!

I just had to say that I've upped my strength training since the other day, and I sure am feeling it...hopefully I'll be seeing the results soon enough. I guess I'll try to be patient, not that I have any choice