Do I need weights?

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I've gone from a size 12 to a size 8 over the past year. At the moment, I'm not eating particularly well but I'm running or walking for an hour a day, so I seem to be breaking even. I'm planning to work on the eating!

I'm not really getting "firm" yet - I look okay standing up and walking, but I get a bit of a stomach if I bend down, and I'm still amazingly weak - I always have been.

Shall I buy some dumbbells to build into crunches and things? Will that make a difference?

I personally think that weights are a really important part of going to the gym and gets better results than anything else

Yes. Weight training is crucial. It will make a huge difference in your physical condition.

I'd recommend one of those adjustable dumbell sets with plates that you can take on and off. As heavy a set as you can find and afford. You will outgrow the small weights quickly.

Resistance bands are also useful.

Combined with body weight exercises like pushups, you can accomplish a lot.

I do bodypump classes and look really toned now as a result. I'm a lot stronger than I ever have been in my life.

Crunches, on the other hand, are rubbish. Don't waste time on them...

If you're talking about buying something, then one set of Dumbbells won't crack it. Better to buy some trx bands which are much more versatile. But either way, yes strength training matters. Congrats on the weight loss.

Thanks all - I've ordered some adjustable weights in various sizes and resistance bands, and I'll get studying strength training tomorrow. I'm oddly excited!

I'll also have a look for bodypump classes near me, that looks fun.

Kettlebells! Go heavy for low reps (with great form, don't just try lifting them!).

Swings
Goblet Squats
Deadlifts....

....are your best friends.

As a rough idea, women start with 12kg kettlebells but I am already squatting 20kg and deadlifting 32kg. I quite quickly built strength and immediately saw tone like never before (women can't bulk, but we can gain a beautiful bit of increased muscle mass which in turn melts body fat).