Elliptical Machines

I have an elliptical as well. I found that I can only do about 10 minutes on low without feeling like my legs are going to give out on me...(bad knees) so I do 2 days of elliptical and 4 days of Zumba on my Wii. I think the Zumba is making more of a difference than the elliptical is!

You can't spot reduce... as your body fat% gets lower, your legs will slim down, but you will be losing fat all over the body.

I would incorporate interval training into your elliptical runs. Go for 15-20 minutes. Up the resistance and run as fast you can for 1 minute, then lower the resistance back to level 1 or 2 and go at a slower pace, to catch your breath. Repeat in 3 minute cycles until the 15-20 minutes is up.

Studies show that interval training revs up your metabolism better and burns more fat than steady state cardio (which can actually RAISE cortisol - that nasty little stress hormone that makes your body want to hang onto its fat stores).

Here's an interesting read:

http://members.rachelcosgrove.com/public/505print.cfm

Hope it helps!

I'm not sure about the toning part, but I know the higher the resistance, the more calories you burn. the next time you workout. Do level 1 for a certain amount of time and then bump up the resistance for the same amount of time and you will see a difference.

Try mixing it up, either with a program (like random hill) or do it manually (do a lower setting for a few minutes then bump it up and put it back down alternating the resistance). Set goals and say okay for so many minutes of my workout I am going to move up the resistance and then once you are comfortable with that increase the time.

try to vary your routine . . . .start with a warm up on the easy level and then push it for a minute or two at the higher level, when you can't take it anymore then go back to the easy level, and soon your will be able to do higher and higher levels.

As far as body fat . . .diet is 80% and exercise is only 20% . . . I wish it was the other way around, but it isn't. Your body will gradually become more and more fit, but usually the place we want to lose our fat is the last place it comes off of!

Hi there!

I do the elliptical pretty much the same amount that you do but i found this helped ne jump start the thigh thinning process
(ps I'm pear shaped too)

1. Add in strength training of the legs, increasing lean muscle mass will help rev the metabolism and burn calories
- start doing the lunges, squats, inner/outer thigh exercises and glute exercises
- start with 1 or 2 sets with a 5- 7lb weight and do 15 reps. I too did not want to add extra bulk so keep it high reps w/lighter
weights

2. tweak the elliptical routine to shrink those fat cells!
- 3 days wk : 30- 45 minutes with intensity intervals
- 1min @ hard or really hard level and 1 min easy or moderate
- 2 days: 60 (or more) min sessions

You know yourself best, so tweak up to your level or tone it down if u need to

Hope this helps, feel free to add me!!