I hope this is the right part of the forum to post this in! I put it here mostly because I'm interested in weight training more than anything.

So, for the last 9 months I've been going to the gym regularly, but I think I've finally hit a plateau. My problem areas are obvious: Upper thighs and abdomen. Everything else has fallen into place quite nicely. I've lost several inches from ALL parts of my body, but the two mentioned above don't want to go anywhere - and I'm SOOOOOOO CLOOOOSSSSSSEEE!!!

Here is how the workout is currently:

3-4 days a week in the gym, alternating days with the following program:

DAY 1:
-12 minutes on the ski machine (basically, a program that goes up and then down again, in the shape of a mountain)
-Various upper-body weights, both machines and free-weights
-18 minutes on the elliptical trainer (a program that is like a circuit of really intense activity for the first 2 minutes, then 45 seconds of low-intensity and 15 seconds of high-intensity for the rest of the program).

DAY 2:
A circuit consisting of the following:
-Treadmill: 1 minute walking (fast pace), 5 minutes running, 1 minute walking
-Various abdominal exercises with the exercise/pilates ball
I repeat the circuit four times.

Initially it worked really well for me and I noticed a big difference, but now I am not noticing any difference at all. I have tried throwing in extra pilates classes and have started to practice yoga again recently, but I'm really not noticing a difference.

My diet is appropriate for an active person, with most of my calories/carbs in the morning (since I go to the gym in the morning) and most of my proteins at night/in the afternoon. I'm 5'8", 90kg and consume about 2500 cals a day.

Any suggestions on what I could do to tweak my workout? The truth is that running is fairly uncomfortable for me, mostly because I find that my muscles tire easily in both my arms and legs. I am much more comfortable biking or using the elliptical trainer or even rowing (although I'd like to avoid having linebacker shoulders). Weights are no problem, and, in fact, I really enjoy them.

Any help you could give me to blast off these final fat pockets on the belly and upper thighs would be GREATLY appreciated, guys! Thanks.

to be honest you just have to up the cardio, shock your system into changing. I know this prob doesnt sound very helpfull but it is the truth. Also you should change your workout programme, not only does yout body get used to it and thus respond less but it also seems a bit speradic with cardio weights and HIIT all mixed up. Have a look on this site or go to Maximuscle.co.uk for a workout routine that is gaurenteed to get results. There are also loads of little diet things like not eating fruit at night and making sure you keep portion sizes small and regular etc. anyway good luck

Well I disagree with boom shaka laka.

You need to hit the weights harder. You're not doing any lower body strength training. Cardio exercises dont count either.

Some squats and lunges will work wonders.

Yup, I'm with Tony...squats and lunges.

Yep more weights and change your training around so you get some new stimulus.

I agree with you that more weights are required, though when it comes to shifting weight are you saying you diagree with extra cardio

Absolutely. Im all about good time management.