Hello! In 2001, I joined a gym, finally, and started working out, doing cardio for 30-40 minutes usually at least 3 times a week, and strength training on the weight machines twice a week. I never lost more than 4 1/2 inches total, but I did build some muscle. You can't really "see" the muscle, because obviously I haven't lost much weight, but I can feel the muscle, so I know it's there.

I've always heard that exercise is supposed to decrease your appetite, but for me that is NOT true! I'm usually starving by the time I get home from the gym, which I think is negating my weight loss efforts.

I'm also hearing recently that you can't build muscle tone and lose weight at the same time. Is this true??

I don't want to lose the muscle I have, but I also want to lose about 30 lbs. so you can actually SEE it!! I'm female, medium build, 5'6" tall and weigh 159 lbs. This weight has not changed, even though I quit smoking in January. Yay! I think having some muscle has helped with that because God knows I haven't changed much about how I eat. :)

I would like to get down to between 125 and 130 lbs. Hell, I might even be happy with 130-135 as long as I "look" like I weigh around 125 lbs. I haven't weighed anywhere near close to that in 10 years, all because of an anti-depressant I was on for 6 months back in 1992. I blew up from 125 to 140 in less than 4 months on that crap. In fact, my appetite has not been the same since.

Anyhoo, how do I go about doing this weight loss thing without sacrificing my muscle in the process??? And how do I cut back my food intake without feeling starved????