Best exercises for endomorphic body types?

[shrinkingLeon]

In February 2009, I tipped the scales at 350 pounds. Something came over me and I decided to do what I could to loose the weight. Over a year later, plus or minus a few setbacks, I have managed to loose about 85 pounds.

Now I'm in the 260's, on the verge of getting lower than that. I have what is known as an endomorphic body type - Soft body, Round shaped, Underdeveloped muscles, overdeveloped digestive system, gains muscle easily, trouble losing weight, etc. Most of fat is around mid-section and legs. Since I do strength training on legs, I have noticed quads are getting more defined, but Hamstrings and glutes need work (I work on those as well though). I also incorporate High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on an elliptical machine as well. I am trying to increase cardio time from 35-45 minutes up to 55-60 minutes, particularly on "cardio only" days. I do weight lifting at least 3x/week, alternating between lower and upper body. I don't want to build too much muscle, but I don't want to lose any muscle either. On days that I'm lifting, how many minutes of cardio should I do? I usually go for about 30-40 minutes on those days.

I want advice about types of exercise that are good for fat loss. I want to loose about 60-75 more pounds, and I know that the things I did to loose the first 90 were done when I was weighing much more, so I know caloric intake will have to be even lower. I've always envied and wanted a more lean/ectomorphic look, but I know with body type and frame that's more than likely not going to happen, so if I can look lean with a muscular frame, that would be all the better. main concern right now is fat loss. I'm building muscle, but I don't want the huge muscle look.

I am weaning myself from the machines, and I have incorporated more free weights in routine. I do plan on hiring a trainer to help me on some things, because it's just a matter of making sure form is correct.

As for diet, I follow a low-GI diet - eating mainly green vegetables (such as asparagus, broccoli, spinach, etc.), lean meats and legumes. I do have cheat days from time to time, but for the most part, I stick to low-gi. I think as an endomorph, that is really the only thing that helps me keep weight down.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[shrinkingLeon]

8:30 AM Breakfast - Egg Whites/Legumes (either lentils or black beans)/Spinach
10:30 or 11 AM - See 8 AM
1:00 PM Lunch - Turkey or Chicken Breast/Mixed Vegetables (usually broccoli and green beans or coleslaw mix with basalmic vinegar & lemon juice & cilantro)/Beans
4:00 PM Pre-workout Dinner - Smaller version of 1:00 PM lunch
7 or 8:00 PM Either a post workout dinner, typically a salad, or a post workout snack of Tuna with Hummus and Celery or pickles

Snacks - Either almonds or salted peas

[Bonnie]

Heh, love the broccoli picture