I'm not slappy either, but can only share my experience....I've used eliptical machines for years, and now that I bought one, I'm on it almost every day.
My legs are not bulky, but it's really surprising how toned they are. I wish the rest of my body looked like my legs. I believe in going for a long time, at a slower pace. That way, you don't get burned out, like a sprinter. Over time your legs will just naturally become more toned. If your knees start to bother you before the supporting muscle builds up around them, get yourself some knee braces.
Throughout my 20's and a little into my 30's, I LOVED lifting weights. Now, it's more than I can't get back into it, I just really don't want that anymore. However, of course I know at my age I have to watch my muscle mass of my upper body.
Just last saturday, my neighbor across the street was having a garage sale, and I bought a pilates ball, pump and video for $3.00....such a deal.
I haven't even bothered to look at the video, but I'll tell ya what's happened.....(come closer)
When I took it home, I could tell in wasn't inflated all the way, but I wanted to check it out...Wow....because it was under inflated some, I was laying on my back on it and was doing slow rocking back and forth, each time going back just a little farther...slooowwww streaches.....it felt like heavan. I got where I could get my fingertips over my head to touch the floor behind me, you know, in that great arch
During that session, my hips popped, aaahhhhhh....my back cracked, aaahhhh, aaaahhhhh and my abs were gently lengthened. rocking in a cicular way side to side got those abs on the edges, and a little lats.
The next day, I inflated the ball just a little more...it made the whole thing a tad more challanging, I think I'll leave it at this level for a little bit before inflating again.
Bella, I swear just in the what? 3 times I've used it, I notice a difference, and the whole thing just felt so good.
It's really more that just for a streach, it involves working muscle to keep your balance...good for light pushups too.
I don't need the video to tell me what felt good.