Some help needed

[melloyello]

Hi, so this is story:

I was very fit through school, even with a poor diet. I am 5'3", female and I weighed 54kg (120lbs). I stayed this way for around 2 years after I left school, however, I also upped beer intake and poor diet continued and compounded with a lack of exercise. I ended up being 82kg (180lbs) in the space of about a year and a half. I've previously been through gym phases etc but never really stuck.

Now I'm committed to losing weight -- I have just started going to the gym 4-5 times a week (aiming for at least 5), reducing alcohol intake and watching what I eat. I'm down to 76kg (167lbs), but I seem to hit a wall when I get to 74kg.

Also, I don't really know what I "should" be doing.
Currently I'm working full time (a desk job, but involves a lot of walking and lifting), as well as a 20 minute walk twice a day.
At the gym I use a cross trainer for avout 28 minutes to cover a distance of 5km (3.1miles) to burn 400cal with a heart rate around 160-170 the whole time. I row 500m-1km depending on how I feel, and then I do 3x10 sets of about 3 different weights. Can't remember how heavy I set them, but it's enough to make me sore/lift heart rate.

Foodwise, I have cut down the drinking to 1-2 times a week, and I'm avoiding fast food, making meals smaller and eating healthy snacks more regularly. I still don't have a GREAT diet.

Also, fat is nearly ALL in stomach. arms and legs are musclular and have little fat. I've heard that you can't do anything to lose fat in CERTAIN places, true?
Anyone have any suggestions for me?

[Boss Man]

Hi Mello, good to speak to you.

I have read before that spot reduction is possible in a hormonal sense, but very difficult if not impossible from an exercise perspective.

I feel you could make some changes to the exercise.

In terms of the weights, what does the current routine look like?

Also in terms of the diet, what times do you eat at and what foods do you eat at those times?

Thanks.