tbd Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 I am 32 yrs. old. I'm 5'3" and 114 pounds. I am not looking to lose weight. I'm satisfied with my appearance (except in a swimsuit or some shorts). I don't like the looks of my hips, butt, and thighs in a swimsuit. In fact, I'm about ready to just wear shorts over my swimsuit bottom when I go to the pool or beach. I would love to consult with a personal trainer but I can't do that or go to a gym for a few reasons (cost, time, location). I don't mind doing toning exercises. I've tried to start doing those.....mostly floor exercises. I know I need to do cardio but I'm not sure exactly what and how much is necessary. I DON'T like cardio. I don't want to sound lazy but I just don't enjoy cardio stuff. I'd much rather do toning exercises. I tried last summer walking on a tread mill but I really don't like it which makes it hard to stick to. I bought a stepper at a yard sale (the kind with the handle bars to balance yourself). I can feel it working my thighs and getting my heartrate up so I thought that would be good (I was hoping that maybe I wouldn't have to spend as much time on it since it seemed more intense than the treadmill). But I honestly can't do it but just a very few minutes. Certainly not for long. My leg muscles fatigue and I'm out of breath within a very short time. I'd rather do toning exercises but how much cardio is necessary to see results. The results I want is not necessarily to lose weight....just to get rid of the cellulite and flabby look of my butt, hips, and thighs. Any input? Link to post Share on other sites
peaches1234 Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 Hi, I'm working on the same "problem areas" as you. While no two bodies will react the same, I am finding biking working well. We're a little snowed in here at the moment, so I have been using an indoor bike, but the real thing works better or just as well. The thing about biking is, it helps to get your heart rate up too, and will target those areas you want to work on, it's cheap, and can be a lot of fun if you go with someone else or use it as a means to get to somewhere fun. In terms of the fun factor and how long you will have to be working out, it beats lifting leg weights on a floor mat. If you do not want to lose too much weight (you will lose some if you are working out unless you change your diet a bit to compensate; I'm trying to avoid this too, I'm 5'4" and 118 pounds), try concentrating on biking uphill or on a tough gear to work your muscles harder as opposed to biking long distances. Walking up hill or up steps/using the stepper will also target those areas, but your butt will not get any smaller if you are doing stepping because you will be building muscle. It will be more toned, not smaller. Walking up hill will avoid bulking up too much "butt muscle". I am not by any means an expert, these are things I've read in fitness magazines. If someone out there objects, please pass on advice because I'd like to make sure I am doing the right things too! And just my two cents about Lubriderm skin firming lotion...it's stinky so I tossed it and have no idea if it works. Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites
reasontosigh Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 Perhaps just a slight change of perspective in regard to the cardio is needed. When you think about it, we all do it every day. It's called walking. Some of us do walk a lot more than others, that's the only difference. (In my case, I don't drive, so I do quite a bit of walking anyway. But even in spots where there is a transit route, public transportation can be unreliable for any one of a number of reasons. Coupled with the fact that I'm not the most patient person I know, I find I've "beaten the bus" quite a few times!) I have read somewhere that walking can be beneficial even if it's only done several times a week at a moderate pace at least. Maybe start with a half hour walk each time at first. Get the okay from your doctor, just to make sure there are no complications to start with. Pick a couple of nice routes for yourself. Trails, parks, urban areas near points of interest (in my area, the streets around the Art Museum make for a great walk!)....you get the idea. Perhaps wearing a walkman while on your walks will also help keep things interesting. Or how about dancing? Find a club or other spot that plays the kind of music you enjoy best. Sometimes when I'm in a dancing mood (even though the space in my apartment is extremely limited) I'll put on one or two favorite CDs and just start shaking my ol' booty around the house! As you can probably tell, my exercise routine, if you can call it that, is basically just walking and dancing. I am finding I'm not quite as limber as I used to be so I really should start adding some stretches to the program. My basic point here, I guess, is that cardio need not be as overly disciplined (even downright punitive! lol) as some people make it sound. Put your creativity to work and you'll find the right ideas that will work best for you. Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
reasontosigh Posted February 21, 2004 Share Posted February 21, 2004 ...And just my two cents about Lubriderm skin firming lotion...it's stinky so I tossed it and have no idea if it works. I don't know about skin firming lotions in general since I've never tried any. I have used the regular Lubriderm lotion before, and that's pretty stinky stuff. Ugh. Consider trying another brand and see if that works. Link to post Share on other sites
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