Hi everyone - I'm not a great athlete, I just started working out a few months ago, and just started Zoning about 1 month ago. I am already at a good body fat index (about 21%) . On a different forum topic, one of the moderators said not to expect much more fat loss as I am already pretty much there, unless I do some vigorous exercise. Well, I would like to get rid of some saddlebags and extra fat on my legs and hiney. I already do mostly Tae Bo about 3-4 times a week, about 40 minutes a session. Sometimes, I do Pilates on the days I don't feel like kicking and punching. Will this be sufficient or should I be doing something else? I would appreciate any advice from the experts out there!

you might look into The Firm - they use a fanny lifter and weights - maybe by building some additional muscle you might see additional results. That is the exercise program I currently use. They have a website - www.firmdirect.com or you can order them from www.collagevideo.com I hope this helps.

You can also find products from the Firm on www.qvc.com. :D

Thank you both for the advice - I did see the infomercial for the Firm with the Fanny lifter right after slking posted their reply and ordered it right away! I can't wait to get it - it looks so awesome!

Let me know how it goes! I have always been interested in The Firm's program, but have opted for Pilates for now.

Pammy-- I know exactly the spots you're trying to reduce...most women hate that area. Have you ever tried Callanetics? It's a program designed to tighten up those areas that women want to work on (without adding bulk). They work fast too.

Hi Pammy and all, I've been going to the gym off and on for about a year and a half now (mostly ON, thank God)! I was given great advice but a fellow gym-goer (female) that to get the best results on the saddlebag and butt area, I should try the treadmill at a high level of incline, not necessary high speed, and the recumbent bike (pedals forward of the seat, not below) on the "hill" level. Both have been working wonders. With the bike, you actually feel it pulling your glutes while you're riding. I feel like the fatty part of my legs is disappearing from the knees upward. It's quite fascinating to watch your body change shape when you really apply yourself. Also, a great exercise (but with a bad stigma attached sometimes) is bellydancing. Believe it or not, this has been a great body sculpting tool. The pre-dance exercises and stretches they put you through are wonderful and very enjoyable at the same time! :wink:

You say you're "pretty much there" on the fat%. If you need to lose extra fat on legs and saddlebags then you still have some fat loss to go. It's all about burning fat through cardio- you can't spot reduce. I am 5'7 and 134lbs. I used to weigh 148 and size 10, am now a loose size 6. I run on the treadmill 3x/week and take spinning classes 2-3/week, and weight train 2x/week. I have been keeping with this rouitne consistenly for 6 months now and the results have definetly paid off. I think spinning classes have helped me lose my saddlebags and also firmed up my back end. Climbing those "pretend" hills in class do a number on your glutes! Good luck!

I was just reading through these posts, and I saw the mention of The Firm program. I have been doing The Firm workouts now (off and on) for about 10 years. They are fabulous for packing in a lot of great exercise into one workout (both aerobic and weight training). When I stay dedicated to doing them, I see great results in "firming" up my tushie. I also love the tone I have in my arms! I highly recommend it - the equipment is not very expensive (especially since they now have it where you can order the "fanny lifter" and everything together now), and it takes up a lot less room than my husband's Bowflex! And, if you purchase a few different tapes, you won't get bored and you can mix them up to create muscle confusion. Also, there are tapes that are more aerobic based, and others that are body sculpting, so you can accomplish exactly what you want to, or get a few of each and do it all. Anyway, I just wanted to sing my praises of this program! Christy

The Firm Upper Body Sculpt and Lower Body Sculpt 1 are going to be on sale in the next AVON catalog VHS is only $14.99 and DVD only $19.99 (those include both videos). If you don't have a rep, contact me and I can get them for you. Glenna

Hi pammy, The best answer is diet....tighten the noose on your diet and the same exercises will work wonders. Fat loss takes time, remember that. I got the extra crap out of my own diet and drink twice as much water. I work out less and do only what I find fun....light cardio and the activities I enjoy. swimming, sailing, waterskiing, ect. I was a burned out gym rat that was only seeing knee and joint pain for a while. If you don't put it in, you won't have to take it off!!!!!!! Great job with your progress so far!!!!!!