Okay Gals...
I have goal: To lose about 5-7 lbs. and to tone-up. Over the past few months, I have gained at least 15 lbs. I know that's not a lot of weight, but I gained it almost instantly. I know it's due to the stress of being a student, as well as other factors and pitfalls that have occured throughout the course of 2003. However, I really need to do this before things get out of hand. I am tall (5'10"), and being tall and unfit is so not cute! But, I DO NOT want to be skinny--I just want to be able to eat without looking like I'm a couple of months pregnant
I know you can't spot-reduce, but I would like to find a way to maximize weight loss in my problem areas (lose the pooch, lose a bit and tone my backside, and thighs) without losing too much weight in my okay areas (arms or ok as far as tone, legs are thin--I would like to get some muscle there, etc.)...In other words, I want to maitain my natural shape and not turn into a twig...
So, any tips for a sistah?
(ahem, Lovelyivy 
)
I can give you the following info that may help in giving me some advice (beyond the obvious areas that I know need to work on):
Diet:
I eat pretty healthy most of the time. However, b/c I'm currently living at home, I'm not eating as healthy as I would like (I'm at school ALL DAY, and I leave so early in the a.m. that I rarely eat breakfast or pack a lunch, which often leads to eating fast food. So, I need tips here. Normally when I'm living on my own (which will be soon), I eat breakfast, pack a lunch, and eat much healthier. That's also due to the fact that I'm not the one who always purchases the food. I don't eat red meat or pork (at all). This also poses a problem though b/c I'm not always good with supplementing my lack or iron from meat with iron from other foods (I'm currently taking supplements though, bit I know it's not the same). Also, I drink and eat lots of low or non fat foods, soy foods, etc. However, I know I should be eating more fruit, and less sugars (not necessarilly sweets, but sugar in say, juice that's not all-natural) and salty food (my weakness). I don't know how to (or should I say,I 've never tried to) count calories or follow daily percentages for carbs/proteins/fats. I also suspect should drink more water, (I drink a couple of bottles a day, 20 FL OZ. How much (in FL OZ) are you supposed to drink anyway?). I could also get more veggies, I guess. I snack throughout the day (when I have time to eat). Sometimes (not all the time but fairly often) I may just forfeight the meal (usually lunch) and eat later. I also have a tendency to have late-night snacks, as I'm often up late.
Exercise:
Umm...Okay, this is obvious: I need to exercise. The problem is I don't have the time (or I don't know how/where to make the time to fit it in my daily routine). I go to a large school, so I get a semi-decent amount every day (minus weekends) walking across campus). But other than that, I don't lay a foot in the gym (even though I have access to one at school). Should I try to use the gym? Or try videos (any reccomendations)? I also don't what types of exercises I should do, as I've never really used a real gym before. My exercise in the past (like, high school) has involved sports--basketball, volleyball, dance, etc. but nothing more formal. So, I need direction here.
Time Contraints:
I go to school, do extra-curriculars, and work, in addition to the occasional familial repsonsibilities...my schedule is very tight. I can only work out a few days a week. I can make small changes though, like taking the stairs instead of the elvator more often (or all the time if it's reasonable).