And this is why you are such an inspiration for me Mel! THANK YOU.

Horsey: You and I are close to the same age. I have been struggling with the concept of getting closer to 40 the last three years. Honestly, this year it does not hang over my head nearly as much. It's going to come anyway, if I'm lucky. Having the opportunity to meet so many women within this forum and the exercise forum who have passed that benchmark and are living remarkable lives in a very fit body has redefined my expectations of how I want to live this upcoming decade. Oh, it's going to be good! Really good!

Me too, this upcoming decade is going to be GOOD. I'm not going to look like "that" and you know what that is! I've been on a roll for a month now, getting back in shape after slacking this past year. I don't even know if it's so much what I look like - it's how I FEEL. The energy is coming back, I'm more positive, I feel stronger... although it's nice to have my clothes "starting" to fit better again. I'm self employed and I have a three year old boy - at 39 - I have to have energy to keep up with it all. Especially my little boy.

But lately it's true I've been reading Oxygen and other fit magazines thinking hmmm... look at the women who are inspiring in their late 30s, 40s and even 50s in those magazines. They do look better then some 23 year olds that I see around here - actually most of them. Since I used to be a top althlete I suppse it's more fascinating for me to try to get back what I had and then some. Is it possible? The last month I'm just happy to be back in the routine. I'll have to admit though this site is more inspiring then the magazines - it's "LIVE" all of these stories, real people who've done so much. Amazing to me actually.

I've got one of those too. At this very moment he is racing his hot wheels all over the kitchen floor through a mountain of playdoh.

Good luck with your journey toward fitness. With consistency I'm sure you will have great success. Keep us all posted on how you are doing!

An old copy of Oxygen launched me on the bodybuilding path. I had reached my goal weight which was about 15 pounds higher than I currently maintain, but was doing a lot of cardio and circuit training. It was about then that I realized that goal weight didn't equate to goal body. I had the magazine lying on the floor in m workout room. My mother was visiting and laughed at me (I think I was 46 at the time). "You don't seriously think you're going to look like THAT?"

Uh yeah, mom, at this point, I pretty much do!

Mel

You Rock Mel! I'm glad you didn't listen to your mom on that one! And your right, about goal body being different. My dad asked me what my goal weight was last week. His eyes kind of glazed over when I began talking about body fat percentages... I know what I want. I'm just so glad there real life examples of the discipline it takes to accomplish this goal.

Well Lydia, since you issued the challenge, I had to go and try to hoist a 25 lb dumbbell on my last workout. Umm....no. I'm sticking with my 15's, maybe a 20 on a GOOD day! You are strong babe-o!!

Oh Geez Fran, did you really?

Trust me, I have my weaknesses too. Let's just not talk 'bout quads. 'kay.

I dialed up 25lbs to test the new toy Keep in mind that I lifted it without doing anything prior that would have previously taxed the bicep. Usually biceps are one of the last things I do after I finished the compound exercises for upper body.

During my workouts at the gym I really don't expect to lift 25 on a regular basis soon. Although, I have noticed an increase in bicep endurance since working with the personal trainer. Switching those exercises really does make a difference.

Saw a very nice picture of Jode Macina (I know that's NOT how you spell her name), the country singer? Anyways I remember when she first got famous, she was flabby and what is she now? 40 something? She has HUGE shoulders, she was bragging that she lifts 25 lbs on upper body exercises and runs. She's very buff. And others too, Madonna has large shoulders, saw her in a picture with raglan sleeves - a trick for too large of shoulders. Maybe my big boned shoulders aren't the end of the world.

But I have been thinking about this more. I was "hot" in the 80s, think about it? Big shoulders were IN. Remember the rediculous shoulder pads for goodness sake? When I was "hot" in my 20 somethings and late teens I never thought about having big shoulders... that was "the thing" wasn't it? It's not possible for my shoulder bones to have grown that much since?

Anyways today I looked in the mirror, it's been a month - of good exercise and consistent training. I didn't cut back on shoulders or arms. And I've slimmed down about 4 pounds. But I think the stronger my shoulders, back the better my posture... so maybe it's more posture then anything. And feeling bad about myself, slumping. I've been bouncing again, feeling better about myself. Maybe it was a slump and depression and "that thing" I don't want to become.

You don't really mean "the kid" was riding HOT WHEELS over play dough? My boy is into "projects" lately... can you imagine the project's I've seen around my "cute little house?" Play dough and "xxx" just add the word. Thanks for your inspirations. I'm NOT going down THAT road again. I'm going back to HOT, even if it is 1980s shoulders - Madonna has them, so does Demi Moore and the country singer... Jodie... Let's all get THEM.