[teodaschwartia]

I'm 34 and I'm tired of having an ass that drags to the backs of my knees!!! I work at home on my computer, so I sit on said ass a lot. But I also have an eight month old crawler, so I'm up and about with him a lot. He keeps me busy and keeps the weight down, but it's not doing anything for my ass or thighs. And although I'm only approx. 135 lb., it's all J-E-L-L-OOOOOO! And I am NOT exaggerating. *hangs head*

What would be the single most effective exercise I could do at home to firm up the monstrosity that is my lower body? Squats? Lunges? Recumbent bike? And of course I plan to work on all of my problem areas (i.e. my whole body), but the lower body is just getting embarrassing. An ass should NOT be square. No, no, no.

Should I invest in a pair of those exercise shoes? Do they really help?

I'm just tired of looking like a tired mom that has given up on looks and health--poochy belly, flabby thighs and square ass. I want tight! Firm! Round!

So......HELP!

[SkatrySkith]

Squats and lunges, yeah, with free weights, optimally. I also like to kid myself that taking the stairs will magically give me a good bum.

I don't trust magical toning shoes and don't know that I'd want to walk about with my feet sculpted into some odd shape. Just walk up more inclines!

[Gulauur]

Running! Its great for your thighs and burns the most calories. I'd also do lots of squats and the butt burner machine thingy at the gym

[Battwenue]

Biking. Do lots of hilly bits standing up on the pedals will work miracles on the old backside.

[Assauraarguck]

Squats are awesome/vicious. But you know what I found did WONDERS for my bum? Mel B's Totally Fit bum section. I am really lax on everything right now, but that girl knows how to tone your arse in 10 minutes.

(also the leg section is excellent for quads)

[Scukonaher]

I second the squats and lunges and will also tell you that leg lifts work too. Hold onto something sturdy like a doorframe or a heavy chair. Balance on one leg and kick the other leg back, straightened, and when you bring it in towards your ankle, don't let your foot touch your leg. Do about 25 of those, twice on each side. That'll help.

I've been to a trainer the past few months, and between that, squats, lunges, and leg press, I have a brand new ass.

[teodaschwartia]

Thanks muchly. I think I'll start with the squats, lunges and leg lifts. Those are things I can do here at home w/o any fancy equipment. It's actually more a matter of remembering. There are so many times during the day when I can do those things, but I simply don't think about it. I need to put up some post-its. And lay off the junk food/drinks.

The gym is out, as I can't afford it and am going through a separation/divorce, so I'm a full-time single parent with little (no) time to do anything else right now. However, I would LOVE to eventually find some childcare for a couple of hours a week and get involved in a belly dancing class.

Gog--Will that work with a recumbent bike as well? I was thinking of selling mine, as I haven't used it in a couple of years, but perhaps I should force myself back on it.