Thank you guys SOOOOO much for the advice, and please excuse my tardy reply. My 8 year old had an emergency appendectomy Saturday! Needless to say I haven't been to the gym in four days, have been eating crappy hospital food, and am disgusted by the pictures I took on Friday at my cousin's wedding. I thought I looked damn good in my maxi dress, my fat arms begged to differ!
It is really hard to believe change is coming. I would love to cut out more alcohol, which I have, trust me! It's just so a part of my culture, not to mention my job. Believe me, I have cut waaaaaaaay back! And before anyone assumes, I don't have a drinking problem.
I think there might be something by way of a thyroid issue. My cousin has one, she is very overweight at 4'11", and her weight gain was sudden. Three other times in my life I have seriously tried to lose weight through excersize and nothing happened after weeks/months, and I grew discouraged. The only other time I lost weight as an adult was when I had a virus, and couldn't eat or keep anything down for a month. I seriously believe there may be a problem. I am scheduling an appointent as soon as I can with my family doctor, who is amazing and supportive.
If there is such an issue, what can be done? Medication, injections, etc? Anyone know?
And one last question, more of a silly weightlifting one: I have great muscle definition underneath my big fat arms. Why won't the fat around it start melting away? Instead of making them leaner, they look bigger! I do high reps of light weights, like 30 pounds, 2x15. Is there an arm secret?
On a positive note: while trying on a cute short dress with high HIGH heels, I noticed my legs looked FANTASTIC from all of the running and walking! I only have tiny cankles now! LOL