I dont know where to begin!

I am an 18 year old girl... I go to school and work and my hours are always so hectic, I feel like I never have time to work out or eat right.

I have never been over weight, but lately things have been so stressful that I'll either eat a lot of junk food or take in a huge fatty meal if I have an hour to spare, because I feel so exhausted and feel like I need the energy!

There is a gym right across the street, quite literally... and I have made the decision to start working out and eat better simply because I want a longer, more healthy lifestyle... and losing a little weight would make me feel better about myself.

I honestly have no idea what to do, though...
I dont want muscles or bulk.

I am currently 135, maybe 140 pounds... 5'2. Most of my weight is in my hips and butt area, and my legs.

I want to tone and lose the weight, not bulk it up...

how do I accomplish this? I dont want to try special diets....this is a life style change...

I just want to know what work outs help you lose weight and stay fit, as opposed to build up muscle.

Please help, and thankyou!
REPLY

Feel free to go to my website and click the "beginners" and "fat loss" labels:
strongandfit.net
By the way--don't be afraid of "bulking up"--that is not very likely to happen.  Women usually don't get very big muscles because they don't have the same hormonal makeup as men.

Run run run. Start out by walking fast on the treadmill and add an interval of running every five minutes (run for two). Build up until you can run 30 minutes strait. For a person with your body type, weight, and height (I am also 5'2) running will thin you out and give you just the right amount of tone as well as build up your endurance. Use music so you don't get board. Studies have shown the fastest way to thin out and feel good is running. The longer and slower runs burn the most fat. Your brain will also release this wonderful chemical that makes your feel good! (ever heard of runners high?) I was in your position in college and running changed my life. In fact, I am now an aerobics instructor and I run road races and marathons. I am 5'2 and weigh around 108. Give this a shot!

funkyrat.com

Try either bootcamp or kickboxing classes at your gym, you will burn calories like crazy, tone without bulking and the teacher will keep you from slacking off. I would also recommend keeping a food journal.
Personal Trainer Los Angeles/Studio City

Slow exercise is good, but it doesn't burn fat like exercise that gets your heart rate up. Interval training works best. Short intense exercise with recovery periods followed by more short intense exercise. This burns fat much quicker than long slow exercise.

Gerry

Free Video  FatLossEnduranceFellowship.com

This is best the workout for you. All it asks for is 3 days a week for 45 minutes, it realizes most people have busy schedules and do not have time to workout everyday. I was in the same position and i tried this out and I'm in the best shape of my life.

Matt

Hi Rainpoet!

Try this:

1. Learn to read labels when choosing your food. Know the caloric content
2. Snack Smart. You mentioned thay you love junk food. Have smart snacking
3. Eat those food with more grains.
4. Eat enough
5. Water..water..water
6. Keep on moving. The simplest way to do this is to walk everyday.
7. Have a food diary

For more info about this, you may read:

http://weightloss.about.com/od/getstart ... y-Ways.htm

Also, don't forget to drink green tea. It is also good for your health. In Japan, women drink this. As you can observe, they are so slim.

And for the exercises for hips, thighs and but, this video can help you:

spike.com/video/exercises-for-your/2858183