Lately it seems like every fitness magazine is highlighting outstanding women who have lost a huge amount of weight and gotten their lives back. But what about those of us who aren't overweight? It almost seems like these fitness "experts" are saying that the average woman should be happy with their shape...even if their not.

I've never been overweight in my life. Although 20 years isn't exactly much time to have had a chance to put my metabolism to the test. Right now it's still running on high, and the calories I eat just sort of slide right off. Not that I think that that will be the case in a few years, but for now it's a blessing.

But does being at a normal weight naturally mean that I don't need to work out?  I thought it did.

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with mono. I had to take a semester off of college and did little other than...sleep. And eat. And thats about it. Nevertheless, my metabolism kept my body in check and I managed to gain...-1 lbs. So i thought I was golden, not only did I not have to work out, but sitting on my ass actually made me lose weight!

I realized that there was a problem when I returned to school.  One of my classes was on the 3rd floor of a very old building. Although there was an elevator, it was old and slow and fit maybe 5 students in it. I very rarely arrived early enough to wait for it, so I generally trudged up those stairs. And while I watched my other slim peers run up the stairs, plop into their seats, and start texting on their blackberrys, it took me about 10 minutes to catch my breath. From walking up only 3 flights of stairs.

 Since then I started an exercise plan, focusing mainly on different cardio 5 days a week, since if i did the same workout I would quit after only a few days due to boredom, but also developed a strength routine. For the first time in my life, I have biceps. I mean, I've played sports since I could walk, but never before have I ever lifted enough stuff to develop biceps.

 Now, I think that I've made a huge change in my life. Those three flights of stairs that were my downfall last semester don't even phase me now that I can run a 5k.

 But would Fitness, or Shape, or Self, or Women's Health ever do a write-up on me, an average woman who only lost 3 lbs. in the course of a 6 month workout plan?

...I highly doubt it. My loss just wasnt sensational enough. For them.