I have seriously never felt more confident and powerful than I do right now!!  I know that there is a lot of preference by both men and women for the very lean, more "bikini"-esque figures, but I have got to say that not only is that physique virtually impossible for me to achieve, but that I do not desire it at all.  Yes, I want to have the best physique that I can have~muscular, lean, symmetrical, strong, beautiful, but it must be reasonable and within the realm of possibility for ME!  I am gaining weight at a pretty good clip right now, but my clothes are still fitting me well and I feel "solid".  I like this feeling.  I am looking forward to the point where I start cutting & let my muscles shine, but for now, I am perfectly happy seeing how much muscle a woman can build in a rather short amount of time ("unaided", of course).  I've always felt like a "big girl", so I'm just learning to work with what I have been blessed with.  Not fighting it, not being discouraged by it.

I've seen so many posts on forums, BodySpace pages, etc. about the "courage" that people have to post their bulking pics, but I just don't get it.  If you're reasonably smart about your diet, maintain a semblance of control with your calories, and take it slow, I think you should have nothing but pride in the gains you are making. 

I wish that every woman could feel, for one minute, the way I feel right now.  The excitement to get to the gym.  The anticipation of how eeking out just 2 more reps will enrich my physique and my confidence.  The joy of setting goals and reaching them.  The feeling of power in the squat rack.  The nausea after 100 walking lunges.  It's all part of the process; of this lifestyle I/we have chosen. 

Each of us has our own goals; each of use should continue to move forward towards those goals.  My goal is to be a strong, powerful, muscular woman, and bulking is a part of that process for me.  So my journey continues and THIS part of the journey effin' rocks! :D