Slim Down Healthy/Quick Ideas and Recomendations?

[Sweetcheri]

Ladies,

Seeing that you all have had much success. I am in need of some SERIOUS advice. I am not "overweight" but not comfortable with my size. I have gained a little weight. I have an event coming up soon and I would reallly like to lose at least 5 pounds and get toned at the same time. What are your recomendations to do so pretty quickly and effectively? The big event is about a month away. I am not good with CRAZY restrictions and would like to make sure to keep it off. I exercise regularly and have already taken it up a notch doing the following:

Cardio- At least 3-4 x a week. At least two 45 minute sessions and two 30 minute sessions. Doing a variety of things: Spining, running intervals and eleptical machines.

Weight training- full body circuit- with weigts. including lunges, squats, bicep curls etc. 2x a week for 45-60 minutes.

Any recomendations? Also, I usually notice that when I start getting serious about weight training my legs tend to seem like they get bigger. This is a big problem area and I would like to slim them DOWN. Is this my mind playing tricks on me? will they shrink once I start losing more fat?

My diet consists of little sugar, whole wheat cereals/bread/grains, lean meats and fruits. I also do occasionally have protein shakes. I try not to eat large portions and prefer small meals. I also try to stay away from cakes, cookies, etc. I do drink diet soda's and crystal light, and water (to a lesser extent).

Any suggestions? I have cut down on snacking too. PLEASE PLEASE HELP!

Thanks

[aminata]

Sweetcheri,

I have the same problem, when I was going to the gym my thighs were getting bigger instead of shrinking. I don't know the solution. I would imagine that a mixture of cardio and yoga or pilates might help tone the thighs.

I think you exercise plan sounds great. Good luck to you and I hope others can offer insight.

[tryn2growmyhair]

A piece of advice that a trainer gave me that helped was to not do anything involving weights with my legs. She explained the running and doing the elliptical machine were already building up the muscles in my legs and toning was the most I should do. I notice what you are talking about because some of the women who work on the leg machines at my gym have legs that look like bodybuilders. There is nothing wrong with that, but that is not the look that I am going for.

[aminata]

Tryntogrowmyhair,

that's interesting. When I use to go to the gym regularly I was using the weight machines for the legs...I thought they would help tone (I used a v. low resistance) but that might have contributed to the bulk.

I will definately do more cardio--but no weights.

thanks for the advice.