melissatwa's Journal, 31 Aug 20

Sweet_Marie, this is a huge, uncomfortable, very vulnerable leap for me. I've never been seen in a crop top, my swimsuit is one peice with either a skirt or shorts, and I only just started wearing sleeveless shirts! 😁 I always thought I was too fat! Being fit has changed my life!  

Amazing!!! 

Wow! My jaw just bounced off the floor. You look amazing!!! You're an Olympian! 🏅 

That’s fantastic! A year is huge congratulations!!!🥳🥳🥳 

Thank you, jheeden and Chritmas2019! Awww, Lonnie, you kind dear!!! 💙 I'm just trying to not give in to "time."😁  

My word woman! When I saw this, I started thinking I have made no progress at all. I’ve so much work to do. September, here I come. 😬Thanks for the push. Not sure I’ll reach your status ever, but I’m never gonna give up trying! 

Awesome work Melissa...keep on keepin on!! 

Thank you, OmaRanger2! When I reached "goal," I really felt like I needed a year to prove to myself I could be successful. Now I think... 5 years!? 😁 Dear, dear, wifey! Thank you! We are all in this together trudging along! You are doing wonderfully! We are in this for the long journey! Steven, thank you for all of your support the last... Well, more than a year and a half now. You are a terrific example of somone incredibly dedicated to maintaining your health and fitness. I admire you so much!  

Wow! You look great! Amazing accomplishment to be able to continue to maintain one year after reaching goal. 

Fabulous progress and musculature 

Awesome. Love the definition of all those muscles. You look so fit and strong. 

You look like a million bucks!  

No, stomp.  

Beautiful Melissa! It's jaw dropping and I am envious of those biceps! Good to remind us all that you have had 5 children I think? You look perfect! 

You look incredible! The progress you’ve made is outstanding!! I’m so happy for you. 😊 What do you eat for protein sources?  

I could always tell you were fit from your other pics but this truly reveals a fitness model body! The shoulders back and biceps are looking amazing! You should be very proud of your hard work! 💪🏼👏🏼 

Amazing! You are definitely what my goals are!! 😍 

Thanks so much, Fritzy, HCB, kattay, melissapko, and Ireland! I do have five kiddos, Ireland, but I only gave birth to four of them. However, I think I gained almost as much weight during the wild stress of "paper pregnancy" for adoption! 😁 I really am so grateful that lifting and working on diet and some running has helped my body get back to the weight before I started having kids about a quarter of a century ago! Under my waistband is lots of evidence of the stretching. I'm about 70 pounds down from my heaviest pregnancy. 😁  

Thank you, amperage! For protein I have greek yogurt and mostly lean meats. I don't have suppliments. Diablo, that is seriously the most amazing message I could possibly hear! Good heavens! Arnold thinks I'm fit!!! Thank you so much for all of your help and lending your experience and education here to help us all. I am so incredibly grateful for you and your beautiful wife for the good help and example!  

....When you turn yourself into a work of art.