Hi all! I am at something of a plateau right now. I re-committed to getting my butt to the gym at the beginning of June and have gone nearly every day since. At the gym I do 35 minutes on the elliptical. I have been adjusting to that pretty well. I started off going about 2.3 -2.4 miles in the 35 mins at the beginning of the month, and now go 2.8-2.9 miles in the same time. I used to feel like it was torture and now I *gasp* almost "enjoy" it.
Anyway, I also do two machines while I am there. I do Lat Pulls (started out doing 3 sets at 40 pounds) and now do 3 sets at 45 pounds. And I do the hip abduction machine. I do 3 sets at 90 pounds of inner and outer thighs.
OK...here comes the question. I can see truly noticeable changes already! My legs are toning and getting defined. My arms, shoulders, upper back and collarbone area are thinning rapidly. But I have only lost 4 pounds in the month. From all of the reading I do here I know that tends to happen when you restart a gym routine. But it does frustrate me to not see the scale move. The biggest question I have is what would you add next? Is there a machine or two that would be a logical addition to what I am doing? I will add to that my endless frustration is with my midsection.
I have a massive "spare tire" that doesn't shrink. All of my weight lies there, plus I am suspecting that excess skin is part of the problem. So if you saw a pic of me from the chest up you would think I was much smaller than I am. The belly bulge goes all the way around to my back and leaves me looking deformed. I can't wear dresses or anything straight (like a tshirt) because of the huge blob that just sits there. I understand that ab machines will only build muscle under the fat...that they won't get rid of it. So what do I do???
Sorry that this is so long and rambling, but I would appreciate ANY and all advice!!
Liz