First let me say that I am so happy to have found a website like this. I have been reading the forums for a while now and can not believe how helpful and supportive everyone here is. It's great to see that...
I will try to make this short...
I was heavy most of my life (at 14, I weighed 180 lbs.). Last year in March I decided I had enough and was going to change my life. I chose Atkins and lost close to 75 pounds in the first eight months - I went from a size 20 to a size 10, where I am currently.
However, at that eight month mark, I realized my body had become weak and very, um... saggy I suppose is a good word. So I decided to join the gym. I became avid and went almost daily (I worked within five minutes of there and would take a late lunch and go then). Let me add I'm a single mom and my time is VERY limited. In fact, getting there three times a week now that I don't work where I was is a chore.
After a couple months, I realized I was definitely getting firmer but not losing inches. After four months of working out I realized I was doing it incorrectly, at least for what I wanted to achieve. Heavy weights and lots of reps is a big no-no for toning and I do tend to gain muscle very easily . Also, I had begun eating carbs again... healthy ones because I know your body needs them if you're working out.
I stopped going to gym about a month ago (mainly because of time limitations and also because of the mass gain) and now am almost back to where I was before I started going. I am extremely frustrated right now.
I think I am eating right... lots of fruits and veggies, whole grain, skim milk... and thought I would lose weight from that alone, but I'm not.
Perhaps I don't really have a specific question and needed to vent a little, but if anyone has any advice... that would be great. Again, I can get to the gym three times a week but don't know where to start anymore. I don't want to look like a linebacker again!