Need some Advice

[Snakepit]

Right I need to lose about 1 stone but my main problem is that I'm flabby which makes me appear fatter than what I am so my main mission is to tone up.

I can't stick to strict diets as I like food too much but I have cut down ALOT.

I normally have a bowl of porridge for my breakfast with a cup of tea, for my dinner I normally have a low fat meat sandwich in brown bread, maybe an apple when I get home from work and then I have a proper tea (which could be anything TBH but usually consists of meat, veg and potatoes. And then a low fat yogurt for afterwards.

Most days I will do an aerobic DVD too as well as lots of floor toning exercises.

Is this daily diet healthy enough for me to lose some weight?

Is it ok to cheat now and again too? for instance today I've had a Mcdonalds kids meal and tonight I'll be having a box of chocolate fingers but I have done extra toning exercises.

Am I doing ok despite the cheating?

Should also add my main aim is not to lose weight as such but to drop a dress size from a 14 to a 12.

Sounds like you should be sainted to me . Sounds very balanced with a good combination of diet and exercise. How successful have you been so far? Do you measure as well as weigh? (you, not your food). I have just started Weight Watchers and also love my food and need my treats (quit smoking 8 weeks ago so deffo need my treats!) From previous experience things to keep an eye on is portion sizes and exercise.

I'm sure someone will be a long soon with more info though. Good luck

You can tone up and not lose weight (as you don't particularly want to lose weight) just by exercise. it sounds like you're doing really a lot of good things.

Thanks walks away with smug smile

One thing I've noticed about the toning is that my stomach feels so strong now and it's getting that line down the middle which I've always wanted!

I would be measuring but I've lost my tape measure but I'm sure my waist is shrinking and I feel better...it could be pyscological however but its all good, increases the confidence levels which in turn makes me more willing to carry on.

Sounds like you are doing really well...there is a exercise buddie thread on here, which you might want to join, one person in particular is very knowledgable...well, she is a fitness instructor or some such thing, so, I suppose she should be, lol!
I think a good mixture of cardio and resitence training and reasonable good eating habits will easily get you where you want to be
Cardio is the obvious fat burner, but then resitence training, weight training builds muscle mass, and muscle sculpt the body and also burn off more energy, but you most liely know all that anyway.
Good luck anyways!

was at a seminar last weekend. They recommended 20 minutes interval training (rather than pummeling away at something for 45mins) and resistance training. Working out every 48 hours and not leaving it any longer. Apparantly there is good research evidence to show people had better weight and health outcomes. Good luck, sounds like you are doing great.