Toning Questions! Please Help!?

Ok so hears the deal, I'm 18, 5'8, big boned and very broad everywhere shoulders, hips etc. Iv been on this "Lifestyle Change" for about 3 and a half months now because i hate the way i look like most teen girls, and I have been eating very healthy and drinking pretty much just water and milk in the morning. I have lost 26 pounds but how the hell to I get toned!? I have been doing situps crunches butt exercises and everything else but im not seeing a difference specially in my waist area and butt and thighs area :( my love handles are a disaster and they gush out and omg im just getting so discouraged. And then I have been reading stuff about loose skin? And how the only way to get rid of it is surgery? Is that what I have? Or is it fat? Let me put one thing out there I have never been obese or anything and I'm obviously young, if I countinue to loose weight will it just tighten up on it own? I do have stretch marks on my oblique areas but those have been there ever since I can remember. Also 2 more questions with weight lifting 1) If i start to lift weights consistently and gain muscle will it get rid of the fat? 2) If i start to do leg press's from the machine in the gym will it tone my thighs and butt? I just want to be confident when I go off to college, any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you.