This was the photo that made me realize how I had gotten fat and unfit. I had try on dresses for a wedding and nothing fit! It was awful to think I weighed at 160 lbs, all flab! I started dieting the very next day!

Here I am, several months after my mom's sudden death, finally getting my act together. I ate a lot of comfort food and didn't go to the gym. It shows! I'm back lifting 2-3 times a week and working on losing 2 lbs a week. Hope to survive the holidays without too much overeating! :)

This was the photo that made me realize how I had gotten fat and unfit. I had try on dresses for a wedding and nothing fit! It was awful to think I weighed at 160 lbs, all flab! I started dieting the very next day!

How did I get so fat & unfit? Here I am, trying on dresses for my daughter's wedding and I'm squeezing into size 14. I weigh in at about 160 lbs.

When I saw how "middle-aged" my arms looked, I thought I was going to cry! Fat, flabby and starting to get that old lady flap hanging under my upper arm. Really horrible to realize it was my arms!

Really did not like seeing how my upper back spilled out of the top of the dress in this photo. Where did all my muscles go? I know they are hiding there somewhere!

This is the dress I finally did get for my oldest daughter's wedding. I had lost 15 lbs by the middle of April but had just started lifting again. Looking better but still have a long ways to go!

I lost 20 lbs and felt good enough to get back to lifting weights again. This photo is after I had been lifting 2 days a week for 2 months. Also had been doing cardio on my off days. Wanted to start slow and easy so I wouldn't fail!

Finally got brave enough to put on a bikini after not wearing one for about 20 years. After 3 children, bikinis can be scary! I still have a long way to go but it is so much better than fat me 8 months ago.

(right arm) I have gained a 1/2" on my arm measurements in 2 weeks. Relaxed is 11.5" and flexed is 12.5".

(left arm) Gained 1/2 inch on my arm measurements in the last 2 weeks. Flexing in at 12.5" and I'm working on a better peak.

I am so excited about wearing size 6 jeans! Hard to believe I was size 14 just 9 months ago! It is fun to watch my body change for the better with diet and bodybuilding.

I've been ill for about 3 weeks so I haven't been able to build a lot more muscle but at least I've held to what I had & didn't gain weight. This new bikini is size small (I was wearing XL 10 months ago)! And yes, I know my skin is a little loose on my trunk. I'm hoping it will tighten up in the months to come. And if not, hell, I'm happy. Gee, I'm 53, just lost over 30 lbs, been pregnant 5 times & am in full menopause. I can't bitch over a little skin not being super tight! :)

I've lost enough weight to buy a smaller bikini as my previous one was falling off!

Used my phone for the photo so quality is not the best. Wanted a "before" photo of when I joined my new gym.

Yes, I wear glasses so I can see what I'm doing at the gym. Plus no makeup, no cute clothes, no hair styling going on... just sweaty me!

Mmmm... will have to get a volunteer to take my photo at the gym next time! Can't do a decent pose holding the phone.

I'm not happy about having to wait so long to get back in the gym after surgery but I'm still way ahead of where I was a year ago!

This is how I look after having to sit in a recliner for several weeks, waiting for my foot to heal from surgery. I've gained 8 lbs (not muscle either) but will be working that fat off.

back relaxed mandatory start photo. Oh, man... I need to lose weight! :(

Front double biceps pose for start pic of online bb contest. Need to lose 10 lbs!

front relaxed mandatory pose

right side relaxed mandatory start photo

rear double biceps start photo

left side relaxed mandatory start photo

Mandatory photo for start of OBF Spring Slamming Spectacular. Needed to have a newspaper to show the date. I will be 54 in just a couple of weeks so wish this middled-aged gal good luck (I'll need it!)

After 2 weeks, my arms measured 13 inches flexed. Makes it easier to carry more shopping bags in the house! :)

2 weeks into OBF spring contest. Need to work on more meat on my back but for an "old broad" I'm doing ok! :)

My arms now measure 13 inches flexed.

Me 2 weeks into the OBF Spring 09 contest. I just came home from the gym; no glamour shot here! Getting a little leaner but have more fat to lose.

Here I am, several months after my mom's sudden death, finally getting my act together. I ate a lot of comfort food and didn't go to the gym. It shows! I'm back lifting 2-3 times a week and working on losing 2 lbs a week. Hope to survive the holidays without too much overeating! :)

Thought I would need a pic of my back in the progress section, even though I'm soooo unhappy about my loss of muscle over the past several months. This motivates me to hit the heavy iron!