Exercise fanatics please help!!!!

I just joined a gym last week after being out of the loop for about 2 years now!!! I am not terribly worried, I just need to lose some excess weight and be disciplined. I am, however, totally obsessed with my arms!! My (upper) arms are on the big side (even when I was skinny) and I have tried many different exercises and weight lifting methods in the past. It seems like nothing works!!! I am particularly concerned cause I will be wearing a strapless dress Can anybody recommend any methods that I can try? I want to tone, NOT become muscular!!! Any suggestions are appreciated!!

Well, if you had heavy upper arms even when you were thin, you either:
a) needed to lose % bodyfat
OR
b) naturally have heavy arms

Some people, no matter what they do, seem to carry stubborn fat in certain places. Or, like I said, even though you were thin, your bodyfat % may have been high.

So, do a decent amount of cardio, around 30 minutes a day for at least 4 days a week, PLUS do some arm sculpting exercises, like triceps kickbacks, dips off a bench using your bodyweight, and french press.

Since you said you want to sculpt, use light weights and high reps. So that means do about 12 - 16 reps, at which point your arms should be totally fatigued. If they're not, pick up heavier weights. Do at least 3 sets of each exercise, or more if you have the time.
For dips, just do as many as you can, and 3 sets.

Good luck!

Thanks Annie for the suggestions!!! I am going to try all of them!!! Big upper arms do seem to run in my family so I think a lot of my problem is genetic. I love hearing different ideas though, you have been a great help!!!

You should also train your entire upper body. Keep your posture straight by training your back and chest. And stretch your chest muscles after training them. This will give you better posture, which I believe helps you have a leaner look.

Just remember, consistancy is key! don't give up, or say, 'I wll start tomorrow.' Start now, and keep it up. You WILL loose the fat eventually, and you will be so happy you went to the gym!