I am a 43 year old mother of 3 teenage girls. I had a difficult hysterectomy about 5 months ago. The problems leading to that caused me to become very inactive and gain 40 pounds in a little over a year. (At least my Dr. tells me there is no other medical reason for the weight gain.) I am feeling much better now and have been SO excited to be back at the gym. Although I am no stranger to dieting, this computer version is new for me. I am hoping to possibly get some encouragement and make this whole damn diet thing a little more interesting. I don't want to let my family know I am trying for fear I will fail again. I have set both a short term goal of loosing 30 pounds by summer and a longer term goal of being able to run(vs- walk) a 5K by next year.

   Any other 40 + moms out there tired of trying to compete with 20 year old bodies??? How do you learn to make the best of what you have and accept that you are never going to look like one of the desperate housewives?