You look amazing, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Thank you ladies for your encouraging comments. I've now turned my attention from running to swimming. Decided to give my knees a much NEEDED break. Swam 60 laps yesterday. Entire body is completely sore today. Aaaaahhh...I LOVE IT!

Thanks again.

Wow Joyful - You are my Idol -- a Fit Foodie Goddess! Foodie finds Fitness. Fat to Fit. Frumpy to Fantabulous! Menopausal Mama's most Marvelous Makeover!

I'm 10 years older than you and post-menopausal... (old, slow and a foodie too.) I've been following your much appreciated advice and bumped up the cardio. I've also kicked it up a few notches with Zumba and Yoga in addition to my 30-40 min run/walk and weight training. The weight stall is over - finally. I'm counting down to posting bikini pics next July!

If you have a Rush near you give it a try. Their weight machines are so varied you'll find the perfect fit for your level and physical build.

Your ABS look at those ABS! Inspired! TOTALLY!

Wow, Joyful! What an accomplishment!
I started BMD about 3 wks ago. Any words of wisdom? How much exercise did you add in every week? I'm going to be lifting some weights as I go along, I have terrible knees so it's one of the things I can do. Thanks for being inspiring!

OH WOW! GREAT JOB! Now, keep up the great work!

Hey!! You look amazing.. I think I've told you this before on some other thread lol.. Anyways. I can't believe you are 149.2 lbs! and 5'9"!! You look SO slim and fit! I am 5'9" and 152 right now and I look very fat (especially on my stomach). It's crazy how muscle weigh so much more than fat lol. Anyways, I have a question, I have a very large stomach and what exactly can I do to lose it? And I don't really want my chest to decrease because I'm afraid my stomach will stick out farther than my breasts lol.

Aaaahhh...glad I came back here ladies...you are sooooo encouraging!

Gwennnnnnnnn!!!! - I love the "Menopausal Mama's Marvelous Makeover"! haha! Yuppers...that'll be me in about 4-5 yrs maybe? I'm so crazy...all I can think about is not having a period anymore...YEAHHHHH!!!

Thanks for all your wonderful compliments.

seizetheday - I started exercise by walking my dog in the neighborhood for about 15-20 mins. This was seriously all I could manage at the time. Then I started running for 30 sec, walking for 2 mins and repeat for 20 mins. Each week/bi-weekly (depending on how my knees and joints felt), I'd increase my running time by 10 secs., until I closed the gap between running and walking to all running. I did my own version of C25K, but I'd recommend that program for a beginner looking for structure. I still feel you should always listen to your own body over any program. If you hurt...stop, walk, take a break, restart.

pointless2011 - Abs? Well, honestly, I haven't done any direct ab work. I do work my abs "indirectly" though. When I ran, I always focused my mind on tightening my abs and making slight twisting motion. Also, when I do my pullups, I also feel it in my abs. I practice good posture and inadvertently and automatically "suck it up". These things may help a bit. I think the fastes way to "nice abs" is finding the correct diet. Finding a BALANCE between sufficient calorie intake vs. activity level. As a carnivore, I naturally eat high protein. Turns out muscle likes protein, so if nothing else, make you eat plenty of protein from lean cuts of meat, poultry, legumes, etc.

Lastly...core exercises that involve "bodyweight"...these are all great exercises that you enhance your overall symmetry and muscle mass. Hope this helps and thanks again ladies!

Wow, you look great. Very inspiring

joyfulloser thanks! I will deff try that out

WELL DONE GIRL!

YOU look amazing )

you look AMAZING!!! Now that is an impressive after look!

oh my gawd. wow..... congratulations!

Im just now getting back to this post from MONTHS ago and I apologize. I forgot to check back and see if you responded,lol (ooops). No Im not 39.... does it say that I am somewhere? lol Im 27. Thanks for the sweet compliments and the advice!