[Playmatekozmo]

I've been exercising for about a little over a month, which I know is not a very long time, I go to the gym 3-5 times a week, versus before being 100% sedentary. I do about 20min on the eliptical using interval training techniques. I've already seen a HUGE improvement in my cardio endurance which I'm thrilled with. I used to peak out at about 5mph. Now I'm doing 7 on my medium intervals and 10 on my intensity intervals. I get my heartrate right around 150. I prefer the eliptical to the treadmil because I used to have shin problems. After cardio, I'm doing a weight training circuit each day as well for another 40-45min. I never do the same number of reps for a given machine two days in a row and try to alternate muscle groups but I cover most of them at least once or twice per workout. I've been told by some to lower my reps and up my weight but told by others that will only build bulk under my fat. I've been keeping my heart rate around 120 during weight training. I don't pay much attention the scale as a progress marker anymore, I'm looking for visual satisfaction. I'm currently 5'5 and 140lbs 34-27-36 which isn't horrible but I've wanted to work on some problem areas. I have drastically changed my diet and lifestyle. After starting a food diary I realized I was eating around 2500 cal a day, mostly processed carbs (junk food) and next to no protein. I now eat a very limited amount (about 25g/day) of only natural carbs (usually from fruit) and only before/after workouts. I'm taking in low amounts of non-saturated fats. I've added at least 2 servings of lean meat per day for protein and eat all the green veggies (broccoli, asparagus, spinach) I want. No candy. No soda. The occasional vodka & seltzer on the weekend. I've stopped eating before bed. I've started eating breakfast. I've upped my H2O intake and also started taking B vitamin supplements with my multi & calcium. I'm frustrated because I haven't seen anything that can be benchmarked as a result yet beyond sleeping and waking better. No inches lost. No visible toning. Still very visible fat in my lower abs and especially glute area though I've tailored my weight training to focus extra on these areas. And while I don't consider it as important, I've watched and noticed my weight hasn't changed either. Am I not doing enough cardio to burn fat? Am I dieting incorrectly? Or am I just expecting results too early? There's so much info out there its been overwhelming but I thought I was on the right track?

[Fr_Chuck]

Are you doing any specific exercise to work the specific areas you want to lose weight or tighten up.

If for example you want to work on your upper arms, what exercise are you doing for that area ?

If you want to tighten the waist up,what exercise are you doing for that area.

[Playmatekozmo]

I've been doing the cardio to burn fat in general but I've been doing lots of squats, glute bridges (also known as pelvic thrusts), and using the leg press (100-120lbs) and adductor machines (40-60lbs) in the gym for my glutes. For my abs I've been doing planks, sideways planks, standing side bends with 20-30lb dumbbells, and using the rotary torso machine (40-65lbs) and ab board for hyperextension exercises. I also use another ab machine I don't know the name of that basically simulates a crunch in the sitting position with weight resistance you have to push forward (50-70lbs). I am also doing exercises on other muscle groups (arms/calves/back) to improve my overall strength but not with nearly as much focus as my 'problem areas'.