Women - thin/skinny to fit/toned?

I know my friend Tammy did it, but she's not on MFP.

Hope you can get some good responses!

I definitely don't fall into this category, but I saw a woman on reddit recently who was attempting to get more fit and she looks amazing. I thought you might be interested in seeing her post over there

http://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/19kzd4/21f_8_month_powerlifting_progress/

My beachbody coach, Kiana has basically done this. She did lose some weight but not much, just fat. She is fit and toned now and was "skinny fat" before. Check out her FB page to see pics. https://www.facebook.com/InsaneFitKiana?fref=ts

I'm in the same boat as you, with trying to convert my "skinny fat" body to a toned, muscular, strong body.

I have cut back on my cardio (I do crazy amounts of it, for no reason other than I just really like running, but I know I'll never get that chiseled, muscular physique if that's all I'm doing) and am now just trying to adjust my diet to include more protein (spoonfuls of peanut butter, anyone?t), and I just got a weight set and a bench, and have started lifting and I feel like I already look more muscular than I ever have before (maybe it's in my head, but still, I FEEL stronger even if I don't look like it). I swear I can see abdominal muscles now, after only a week. And even though my husband doesn't seem to notice a difference, I swear my butt is way perkier than it's ever been.

I'm 5'3 and started at 98 lbs.

My clothing size is the same, but I've lost half an inch off my waist, am toning up, and weigh 106. I actually look thinner than I did at my lighter weight, and I definitely look more athletic.

When you're already thin, I think it's important to not get freaked out by weight gain or worry about the number on the scale. Take your body measurements every now and then. Measure your body fat.

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that the first place I've started seeing a difference is my waist, as I always thought my "body type" just meant I didn't have a defined waist, when really, it was there all along, hiding, and that maybe my "body type" isn't even the one I thought I had. It seems like I'm actually much more "pear" than anything. Go figure.

I alwasy quoter articles from my favourite fitness website

This may help you, it will definitely put into perspective how much muscle you can put on.

http://www.builtlean.com/2011/03/30/how-much-muscle-can-you-gain-naturally/

http://www.builtlean.com/2011/10/13/how-fast-can-you-build-muscle-5-factors-that-affect-muscle-growth/

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I've been on the thin side my life pretty much. Last year, I had a foot injury and started eating what others around me were eating. I gained 15 pounds last year and every pound shows in a 5'3" small boned frame. I have worked about 11 of it off, and the last five, I'm trying to make sure I'm doing isolations with hand weights. I'm doing toning DVDs, floor work, and calisthenics. In the past, I'd just run it off, or bicycle it off, eventually. My calves and thighs looked great, but the rest of me needed work! Already, my upper abs and arms are looking better than they have in a long time, I've gained 1/4" in my arms and calves, and have lost in my stomach and thighs. My arms are looking more defined. I hope this trend continues! I eat back calories that I work out, and on days when I work out hard, I eat whey protein bars and add protein powder to my coffee to make sure I have the calories I need to build muscle. Good luck!

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Looking to become fit and toned myself!

I'm in a little different boat because I would like to slim down too, but ultimately I don't care what I weigh as long as I look fit.

Adding protein will definitely help, which it sounds like you are doing. If you work out regularly, I would start strength training 3 days/week and do cardio only 1-2 days/week. This will help you build up some muscle and tone up.

Good luck!