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Moderate because high-end aerobics have a tendency to break down muscle mass, that's why marathon runners look the way they do.

You raise an interesting point. My exercise program revolves around "fitness walking." I walk at a brisk 4mph pace and try to get at least an hour (if not two) in each day. I'm a busy guy so I get up at 5AM (7 days a week) so that I can guarantee myself an hour a day. If I have time to walk an hour at lunch or after work, it's a bonus. On weekends, I try to do at least one long hike (10+ miles or more). I've grown to really like my walks and I look forward to them to the point that I feel like an animal trapped in a cage on rainy days.

During my walks, I often encounter joggers and runners and they never seem like they are having a good time. Some of the serious runners in my neighborhood look emaciated and they usually are clearly grimacing in pain. No wonder so many people are turned off to exercise if they think it involves jogging or running!

Since my walking program began (and I've walked over 3,000 miles in the past 13 months), I have yet to get an injury. Walking is probably the safest, most injury free exercise one can do. And as one who jogged before (many years ago), you can still get that "runner's high" by just doing some brisk walking - without all the injuries and pain that go with running.

without all the injuries and pain that go with running.

No pain, no gain. My standard old school response. Running does push one to the limits while strengthening the body. At 53 years old,I continue to run. Injured only by blisters from lousy shoes.

I fitness walk too, but only for 45 minutes every other day. And on opposite days I train w/light weights and many reps. They say women won't bulk up, but that's false. Even at my age it'll happen, and that is really ugly. And I don't like that look for men either, a little soft tissue surrounding well toned muscle is much more attractive IMO.

By the way, congratulations on your success and accomplishment. I worked in a gym part-time, many years ago, and the most rewarding thing for me was helping people like their bodies, and sharing their sense of accomplishment.

Women are especially hard on themselves, and I was always shocked to learn how they saw themselves. There really was a whole lot of distorted self-images out there, and it always took me by surprise because it was many times at serious odds with the way they really looked. How could they not believe the mirror?

They couldn't because the mirror in their mind was really the only mirror they used, particularly if they had struggled with their weight from a very early age. It really was sad in that way, and wonderful when transformation took hold.