Need to get toned! Pilates? Any other anti-jiggle advice?

 Hi everyone!

Just have to give a little background to lead in to my question so I'm sorry- It's been about a year and two months since my Lap Band surgery and I am really happy with the results so far. Unfortunately I blew out my knee last summer (August '10) and after 8 months of physical therapy, I finally got my knee fixed and now have a brand new medial patella femoral ligament. Its been about 2 and a half months since the knee surgery and I've just started to get back into exercising and moving around normally. Because I wasn't able to do much aerobic exercise with my legs I feel like I've lost the weight through mostly healthy eating and some light work outs but now I'm dealing with some excess "baggage" (aka jiggly bits) that I need to oust so I'm trying to put together a brand new serious plan to tone and tighten everything everywhere.

I've been doing some pilates work in therapy (since the injury) and have started thinking about adding it to my regular exercise routine because it feels great and I enjoy it. I really haven't been able to use the treadmill or elliptical for a while but I think I should be able to soon and was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how to integrate Pilates into a work out routine... for example: maybe take pilates class two to three times a week then do a regular gym/ aerobic workout another two to three times a week? 
Does anyone have any words of wisdom to share on their pilates experience or has anyone been using another successful method to get more toned?
I know there are major benefits to doing pilates on a regular basis but I'd love to hear more info from people who I can relate to. 

I'm pretty strong so I'd like to avoid gaining bulky muscle. I really just need to get rid of as much tummy/ thigh/ muffin-top/ bat wing as I can through a healthy workout/ weight-loss regime. I know surgery can help in the long run for excess stuff that won't go away through exercise but I want to try as hard as I can to improve it as much as possible in a natural way before I seriously consider that option.

Thank you so much for your help!
-Kate

Pilates and walking are the 2 exercises that helped me lose my weight.  I love Pilates because it does address the hard to fix places like love handles, aka muffin top.  Building a strong core won't necessarily tone loose skin but havinig tone muscles under the excess skin will make the results better when I eventually have plastics.  Anything you can do now to avoid having to tighten the abdominal wall, (the most painful part of a tummy tuck I'm told), the better.  I do a modified version of Pilates using a video at home becuase I have some lower back issues, but the pilates has definately helped strengthen my back as well. 

Recently, I bought an exercise ball from Giam that came with 2 videos.  It's really fun and quite a work out, (more than I thought it would be).  Variety is becoming key for me and I like the new bouncey ball work out.  They have a section for upper and lower body as well as abs, etc. It takes some coordination and I'm getting better but it's awesome for lower back and balance which I need!  Check it out!

Best~
Lisa O.

I second Lisa O on the ball. I have one of those and LOVE it!  I actually get on it for a quick 5 minute destresser right after work because it is so fun -- it makes me feel like a little kid in gym class just horsing around.  I also incorporate it in my regular exercise routine for core work.

You might also try Zumba, Yoga, water aerobics (or Aqua Zumba if you can find it in your area).  One of the nurses who works for my surgeon says the patients who do water therapy or water aerobics seem to have the best toning results.

I personally do Yoga 2x a week, Pilates 1x a week, Body Pump (which is a weight lifting class, and women usually don't bulk up because we don't have the amt of testosterone that bulking requires) 3x week ( all the instructors are female and do not look like Arnold.. LOL), RPM 3x week, Zumba 2x week.. and am going to start a Kickboxing class, I think. 

I would do water exercises if they were available here.  Sadly they're not.

Lisa we have the Aqua zumba here where I live , but sadly Im to embarrassed to go because the way I look in a bathing suit :o(

I know I shouldnt worry about things like that, but its always been one of my downfalls with my weight .

Girl.. I understand, truly I do.  But you've lost so much and done so well.. put on your mental armor and go.  You can wear shorts & a T-shirt over the suit in the pool I bet.

You know Lisa you are right!! I wore shorts when we went Disney three yes ago. I love the water and I love to swim I will call about it tomorrow thank you

Lol gosh sorry for the typos dang touchscreen lol