Not sure where to post this question? Cardio/Cutting/weights?

Hey,just wanted some tips.....i think i know what to do with my training and i think i know what to do with my diet...however am a little confused.
I shall just give you a little background about myself.......i have always trainined hard,had a reasonbly low body fat percentage,seem to gain muscle quiet easily,but also gain body fat easily .
I hade my second baby nearly 6months ago and i have to say am finding it alot harder and slower to get my old body back than last time,mainly due to being tired or lack of time to train .I have in the past done alot of running.And have been using running to lose the baby weight.I am now about 3lbs away from my pre preg weight but am no where near as toned.
I have a treadmill at home,dumbells,bench and body bar.Sounds good to have all this at home but sometimes i find it hard to get motivated at home...im much more inclined to train if im in a gym and paying for it as i hate to waste money.So i have now joined a gym.
My question is as i want to lose weight and body fat,appear smaller all over i feel i look "chunky" now.I want to look sculpted but without having to spend hours and hours in the gym.
I understand to show muscle (definition) i would need to do weight trainnig and sort my diet out.Should i concentrate on cardio first?? IE to lose the weight then start weights or the other way round?? in previous training attempts i have usually done cardio a.m follwed by split weights prog in evening?? but have felt i have ended up looking bigger!!!although tighter??? Im only small at 5ft2 so cant afford to look bigger.
Sorry for rambling on.......

Congrats on the baby and 6 months down the line I'm sure feeling tired is still pretty normal, not had a baby so can't agree in that aspect but you're body has been through a huge change.

You're likely to have lost some of your muscle mass and still have a little additional body fat on you which is why you look softer. It's normal.

Start with weights and cardio together. Start with full body circuit for the first 4 weeks or so until you get used to lifting again and if you prefer to do your cardio in a morning then that's good otherwise do it after the weights. If you just did cardio you'd just end up looking skinny fat!!

Hey Kitty,

Thankyou for your reply,i have been doing body pump classes so am already used to lifting,i am quite naturally strong and pretty much back to lifting the same weights as what i was lifting pre preg.I just dont look and feel as firm as i did before??? Totally different to after i had my first baby,after i had her i was five years younger though(25) but i was skinner at 6months after i had her,looked more toned and defined,where as this time i feel i dont look the same and the weight just isnt moving as quick!!!! I did find a prog on the net that i was thinking of following...i will post it in a mo once i find it.
Thanks

Obviously this pro recomends that i do at least 40-60mins cardio 4-5 times a week?? Weeks 1-4 During weeks 1-4, you will be lifting in the 8-12 rep range. What this means is that you want to complete at least 8 reps but no more than 12 reps for each set. If you cannot complete 8 reps, then the weight is too heavy and you should decrease the load. If you can complete more than 12 reps, then the weight is too light and you should increase the load.

Weeks 5-8 During weeks 5-8, you will be lifting in the 6-8 rep range. What this means is that you want to complete at least 6 reps but no more than 8 reps for each set. If you cannot complete 6 reps, then the weight is too heavy and you should decrease the load. If you can complete more than 8 reps, then the weight is too light and you should increase the load.

Weeks 9-12 During weeks 9-12, you will be lifting in the 4-6 rep range. What this means is that you want to complete at least 4 reps but no more than 6 reps for each set. If you cannot complete 4 reps, then the weight is too heavy and you should decrease the load. If you can complete more than 6 reps, then the weight is too light and you should increase the load.

This phase of the 12-week program is going to be very challenging and produce accelerated results.

That looks ok to me and yes 4-5 hours cardio a week seems right.

Wicked thanks Kitty,i really apreciate your input...really admire you,so any advice you give me i take on board very seriously.......ok so im going to start this monday....just need to tweek the diet i think...thanks again xxxx

That's sweet , thanks and happy to help.

I found it harder after the second baby, but that could have been down to less time also!  Getting the diet right will help with energy to train, especially after broken nights sleep.