i am in my early 40's and just started a workout program...i always thought i really didnt need to exercise because i was always active..when i worked outside the home  my job was very physical...so no worries right..well not true..this past year i havent gained any weight but the changes in my body are becoming more noticable..ya know the tone in your body becoming fatty...the jiggle under the arms...the little fat pouch forming around your once flat tummy...well i had decided that now would be a good time to tone up before it gets to out of control...my husband thinks im crazy but i know if i dont take care of it now next year will look even worse...lol

I totally agree with you Freshand40. Keeping your body healthy is very important for both physical enjoyment as well as mental confidence. I am happy to hear that your husband thinks your an angel no matter what!

But in the end, its what you think about yourself that you have to live with inside your head.

I'd suggest to feed off this emotion your feeling, and jump right into an exercise routine that meets your needs. It sounds like you are more of a natural exercise type person, which means things like yoga, hiking, or team sports like soccer or baseball. For more ideas see: http://www.exerciseandmind.com/funactivities.php . I would also like to recommend that you check out using a swiss or exercise ball ( http://www.exerciseandmind.com/images/exerciseball.jpg ) for they are very versatile and can be used for working your core, which is the most important.

For ridding yourself of those flabby arms, I would highly recommend some pilates rubber bands (seen here: http://elasticbandexercises.com/images/pilates-bodyband-challenge-elastic-band-exercises.jpg , or here: http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/01/87/13/51/0001871351697_500X500.jpg ) which you can pick up at wallmart or any exercise store for around $15, and they give you an amazing workout in very quick time.

I would suggest that since you've been not doing exercise routines your whole life, in the strict sense, that you start off slow and make sure that you enjoy the activity (which can involve awesome music and tricking yourself into thinking so!).

Last but not least, don't forget how important what you eat has to do with your body image, read more here: http://www.exerciseandmind.com/eatingright.php

Good luck, and don't be told you cannot have the body of your 23 year old self! Just remember that it takes hard work and commitment