Hi guys! Ok, nerves are kicking in a little I went down and weighed in for the meet tomorrow. There is only one other woman so far competing. She's a lot younger, a lot lower body weight, and she's opening up with a little more than I am, but I figure, hey, I am 40 BABY!! Ok, only one request! Think STRONG thoughts for me tomorrow. The lifting starts at noon (EST) and women, teens and masters lift in the first flight. So that means show time right at the giddy up! That's fine with me, lets get it over with! Sitting around stewing and worrying all day will just give me an ulcer. Thanks for all your support guys, this is what I do this for. This is what I live for, I know I am nervous, but I really love competing and tomorrow I will be in my element. Soon as I can I will let you know how I do. LIVE STRONG! Val

Hi Cheri -Resistance training and bodybuilding should help to fill out some of that space where fat use to be with muscle but it probably won't get rid of loose skin completely. In order to be muscle bound you would need to eat a lot of food, have good genetics, etc. It is very hard to do. Some good info from Krista "In general, women are not able to build monstrous muscle mass in the same manner as men, due to a number of physiological factors. It's a rare woman that can become a competitive bodybuilder, and to get that big she has to combine genetics, extensive long-term training, strict diet, and supplementation (legal or otherwise). " Check out the rest of this article here: http://www.stumptuous.com/gymlies.html With all that said, now is the best time for you to start a good training program that includes both cardio and resistance training. So many benefits beyond even helping filling out that extra space you have from droping the fat. I plan to continue to lift as a post op and have been a gym rat for the last three years although I am much less consistent the last few months due to joint problems. We have a great group of people on these boards and most are post op. I'm sure they well all have some good advice for you as well. Best of luck and glad you are joining us here!! Congrats on your weight loss!!

Thanks for the information. I think it is really cool that you can share this with your daughter! My oldest runs long distance and cross country. When she started cross country last year I took her on a hill run.... then we did stadium steps.....She almost died. I ran with her and I was at 220. She was whooped (me too but I wouldn't tell her that!) She said her work outs were harder than mine. So I took her on an old work out of mine....really only partial. I would have died by the end of the full work out! Do you have any of the equipment? Do you have a pud? I used an old cannon ball for the shot put when I was practicing(high school). I used to try to throw the guys discus but it was too big for my hand. Are you finding more aches and pains (that is after you throw)? Thanks for sharing and I hope you place first in your meet! Tammy

Your wife told me to hollar louder. I really do have a big mouth! But I can't hollar any louder (grin). Any info you have would be great! Have a great day! Tammy

Thanks Mike, I wish you guys could all be there! Just think of me noon (ohio time) I think thats 3pm your time right? Or is it 9am? I get all backwards on the time zone thingy... ANYWHOO good job on the workout dude!! You are really crankin' them out!!!