Hi there - my goals are like yours and I'm already starting to see results.

For the butt - walking lunges! Start out without adding any weight, and lunge about 15 steps or the length of any room - I do 5 sets of these, and you can add weight by holding dumbbells while you "walk". It is challenging to say the least - I started the first couple of months with no extra weight, and really had to work on balance. I now can do my last set with 15 lbs in each hand - and do you ever feel it!

For abs, I do a superset 3 times. I start with crunches, then go immediately into side crunches, then leg lifts. Rest for 1 minute, then repeat. I started with 12 - 15 crunches, 6 - 8 side crunches each side, and 12 - 15 leg lifts. I can now do my first set at 30, 15 and 30 then the last 2 sets at 20, 10 and 20. It's amazing how quickly your body adapts.

I've lost a total of about 60 pounds so far so I am starting to see the muscles I'm building under all the fat. It definitely works, in conjunction with overall weight loss.

Good luck to you!