Hiii!! I'm new and this is my forst post. Thanks in advance for all the advice and encouragement!!

I want to lose 50 pounds at the least, but 60 pounds would be perfect. I few days ago I signed a year contract at Anytime Fitness and for the past two nights I have worked out for an hour. I do one mile on the elliptical machine which burns about 110 calories, then I go to each section and work on my stomach, thighs, and arms. Anyways, I have NEVER had a gym membership before and I really enjoy it! I haven't started dieting yet, I just cut cokes out. I also quit eating dinner late; I eat dinner before I work out. And... I started eating what my mom cooks at home instead of going out to eat with my friends.

I have been down the weight watchers road (works but didn't tone me obviously) and the Adipex diet pill road (which I lost 20 pounds the first month but it destroyed my body)

I signed the contract and am committed because I am 20 and am in no rush to settle down... I just want to look and be my best. I don't want to be on a salad diet or anything like that because from my personal experience... If I focus I end up breaking down and overeating. Food has been too much of a part of my life... to an unhealthy weight obsession... to where now I am at the highest weight I have ever been.

I will be working out for one hour five days a week. Any suggestions? And also, my stomach has never been flat... even when I was at my goal weight but didn't work out... If I keep this up, will I have a flat stomach?

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God, help me be aware of and respect the details of my life.

Congrats on getting a gym membership!

It sounds like you are making a good start! Remember that you cannot spot lose fat, you can only build muscles in targeted areas. The only way to lose the belly fat is to lose fat all over. The way to lose fat all over is to do cardio which is what you are doing on the elliptical machine. After you become adapted to the machine read the articles on this site about intensity training. Also, consider mixing your cardio up to fight boredom and for cross-training (treadmill or exercise bike?).

Take care!