I know that you can't spot reduce, but I was wondering if anyone had success with toning the inner thigh area and the lower stomach area. I know I need both cardio and weight training but I am just looking for specific exercises- either for at home or at the gym- that I can do to tone up.

You can lose fat and you can build muscle. For your core, begin with planks. For your lower body, squats, deadlifts, and lunges are an excellent place to start.

Pilates works for me. It takes time, but it's totally worth it. I have been going to a Pilates studio for over two years. I have a really exceptional instructor who runs smaller classes and I get a lot of attention with regards to proper form. I wouldn't recommend a large class.

Planks and squats are excellent, but you really don't want to injure yourself. Take the time to learn how to do them properly.

Lower abs are the pits to be honest. Seems like by far the most difficult area to fix especially after kids. Jillian makes a DVD called Killer Abs and Thighs that I may check out someday..I'll bet it's effective.

Dang kids!

^Yep! I told my son to please be a cosmetic suregon when he grows up so he can fix my stomach no charge.

Lower abs are tough. It takes time and concentration. Sometimes I think I need to put Post-Its all over my workout space so I can remember to engage my lower abs. It's all about sucking it in down there. Keep in mind to scoop out the belly. My Pilates instructor keeps telling us to "make room for the grapes in the bowl" (I live in grape-growing country). Thank God she has no problems with repeating herself, because I always forget!

Major sucking in of the lower abs while doing Kegels...that'll help shape the backside too!

Thanks guys! Lower abs are tough and I haven't even had kids yet... yikes (now I'm scared :-P)

I did Jillian Michael's 30DS and saw results in the lower abs from that but it's just so hard to get the fat off from there. I will definitely do some more planks, side planks, and then squats for the upper thighs. My legs are really toned EXCEPT for that dang upper thigh area, it drives me nuts!

Kegels, hmm, I have yet to try that but I've always wanted to. Good idea!

Squats and Deadlifts!

You can't tone fat, you've got to tone the muscle underneath and then lose the fat on top. You may find that your goal weight needs to be lower in order for those areas to appear "toned."

seagirl- 165 is my original goal weight but once I reach that I will probably aim for 150. I have a pretty large frame and a lot of muscle so any lower is probably not where I want to go at this point. Hopefully another 20 pounds or so will kick most of the fat in the behind! :P We'll see- gotta get there first!

Jez- By toning I mean just that, losing fat and increasing muscle. Too bad you can't spot reduce because I have a lot of spots that need reducing!

Running + squats/deadlifts

I hear that those areas seem to be my doom, I can't wait for it to go down mainly my pancake tummy...

When I was in much, much better shape, it took a variety of exercises to tame the lower abs and upper thighs. Most effective was regular running (surprisingly uses the transverse abdominals and the area just below the belt quite a bit), standing crunches/captain's chair, plies, and lunges.
Those were the days... <sigh>.