To lose or to tone?
x_Vicky_x_86
Posts: 37 Member
I'm a bit tied between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercises to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital (for fertility purposes) to keep my bmi around 20 (was then 19.1) and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
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Replies
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"toning" is just losing weight while doing strength training. You can try re-composition. that is eat at maintenance level while getting adequate protein and taking part in a progressive strength training program. This is a slow process but is a way to lose fat and gain some muscle at the same time, keeping your weight relatively the same. There are threads on MFP regarding this process or you can Google.1
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vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit ties between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercise to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital to keep my bmi around 20 and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
This worries me that there is an ED in your past. True? I am hesitant to give advice if that is the case.
I agree that strength training may deal with the issues you are explaining.3 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit ties between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercise to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital to keep my bmi around 20 and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
This worries me that there is an ED in your past. True? I am hesitant to give advice if that is the case.
I agree that strength training may deal with the issues you are explaining.
I've never been diagnosed with an ED no, I'm just quite cautious about putting on weight, still give into treats on a regular basis and enjoy food a great deal, just feel I want to be in better shape, can't figure the whole having too much fat in some areas but not being classed as overweight/being a regular dress size etc. A lot of people tell me I don't look like I need to worry but the wobbles bother me & not feeling in proportion, also want to be healthier in prep for starting a family, the hospital said this as they said any lower isn't good for the reproductive system.1 -
You can't "tone" fat. To lose it, you eat a moderate calorie deficit consistently. You can "tone up" muscle underneath fat with resistance training.
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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vicky_hayes wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit ties between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercise to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital to keep my bmi around 20 and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
This worries me that there is an ED in your past. True? I am hesitant to give advice if that is the case.
I agree that strength training may deal with the issues you are explaining.
I've never been diagnosed with an ED no, I'm just quite cautious about putting on weight, still give into treats on a regular basis and enjoy food a great deal, just feel I want to be in better shape, can't figure the whole having too much fat in some areas but not being classed as overweight/being a regular dress size etc. A lot of people tell me I don't look like I need to worry but the wobbles bother me & not feeling in proportion, also want to be healthier in prep for starting a family, the hospital said this as they said any lower isn't good for the reproductive system.
Good to know. Weight lifting, heavy (for you), would be my suggestion!1 -
MFP suggests I eat 1200 calories a day which most days I can stick to, just not always a strict as I should be with myself. I try to workout for 30-40 minutes 5 days a week on my stationary bike along with using a heart rate monitor to try to track whether I'm working hard enough! Also recently bought a mini trampoline, figured cardio will help lose fat, the bike perhaps tone bottom half at the same time gradually? Also do walking for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week.0
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vicky_hayes wrote: »MFP suggests I eat 1200 calories a day which most days I can stick to, just not always a strict as I should be with myself. I try to workout for 30-40 minutes 5 days a week on my stationary bike along with using a heart rate monitor to try to track whether I'm working hard enough! Also recently bought a mini trampoline, figured cardio will help lose fat, the bike perhaps tone bottom half at the same time gradually? Also do walking for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week.
Based on what you said yours goals are, you don't need cardio. You can do it as it allows you to eat more, as well as other helath benefits. But your goal requires strength training to maintain the muscle you already have, and a small deficit to continue to lose fat. set your goal to lose 0.5 lbs/week and find a good program. Take a look at you are your own gym, starting strength, strong curves, or new rules of lifting.2 -
vicky_hayes wrote: »MFP suggests I eat 1200 calories a day which most days I can stick to, just not always a strict as I should be with myself. I try to workout for 30-40 minutes 5 days a week on my stationary bike along with using a heart rate monitor to try to track whether I'm working hard enough! Also recently bought a mini trampoline, figured cardio will help lose fat, the bike perhaps tone bottom half at the same time gradually? Also do walking for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week.
Based on what you said yours goals are, you don't need cardio. You can do it as it allows you to eat more, as well as other helath benefits. But your goal requires strength training to maintain the muscle you already have, and a small deficit to continue to lose fat. set your goal to lose 0.5 lbs/week and find a good program. Take a look at you are your own gym, starting strength, strong curves, or new rules of lifting.
Ok, I think I will continue the cardio for the health benefits & because like you say, it allows me to eat more so I can be a little less strict some days if I want to, but I will perhaps now start to include some basic strength training & work my way up, thank you for the advice, I take it all in as I really have no clue whether I'm doing the right thing or not, just want to find that balance of keeping a healthy weight but having good shape too. Think I'm currently set to lose 1lb per week as always used to think I needed to be down to 7.5 stone, but have been below 8 before & had comments about not looking very healthy/ladylike so I think it is more building more muscle tone and working with what I've got than becoming a twig!0 -
quiksylver296 wrote: »vicky_hayes wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit ties between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercise to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital to keep my bmi around 20 and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
This worries me that there is an ED in your past. True? I am hesitant to give advice if that is the case.
I agree that strength training may deal with the issues you are explaining.
I've never been diagnosed with an ED no, I'm just quite cautious about putting on weight, still give into treats on a regular basis and enjoy food a great deal, just feel I want to be in better shape, can't figure the whole having too much fat in some areas but not being classed as overweight/being a regular dress size etc. A lot of people tell me I don't look like I need to worry but the wobbles bother me & not feeling in proportion, also want to be healthier in prep for starting a family, the hospital said this as they said any lower isn't good for the reproductive system.
Good to know. Weight lifting, heavy (for you), would be my suggestion!
Agreed, especially since you were told not to lose any more weight/fat (assuming that's still the case).3 -
I will say from past experience, you do need to keep your body fat up if you are trying to get pregnant. If you are a pear shape, unfortunately you are going to have to learn to live with some wobble until after you have kids and aren't concerned about BF%. Weight training/cycling will help build up the muscles in your legs and make them look less wobbly as others have recommended.3
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Also....to help you out some....7.5 stone is 105lbs. I'm 5'2" and 98lbs (7 stone) and still have huge thighs (my waist is 24" and my thighs are 20"). So I don't think you'd be happy without going way too low to get pregnant.1
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Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice9 -
It's nice to get the reassurance to help put my mind at rest a bit with it as some days are a real battle with myself, I do worry about what I look like but am trying to learn to accept that this probably is just my shape, and like you say will have to be for now as I am hoping to become pregnant so do need to keep some of my fat, just it is that I am pear shaped so it is all mainly on my lower half. My waist is 27" and thighs 21", not ideal, but I will take all advice in and keep working at developing a better shape and slightly less wobble if anything, won't go mad though, just maintain as would hate it to shoot up too much. Thank you all
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mom23mangos wrote: »Also....to help you out some....7.5 stone is 105lbs. I'm 5'2" and 98lbs (7 stone) and still have huge thighs (my waist is 24" and my thighs are 20"). So I don't think you'd be happy without going way too low to get pregnant.
I am concerned you would think 20" is huge thighs1 -
Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.0 -
mom23mangos wrote: »Also....to help you out some....7.5 stone is 105lbs. I'm 5'2" and 98lbs (7 stone) and still have huge thighs (my waist is 24" and my thighs are 20"). So I don't think you'd be happy without going way too low to get pregnant.
I am concerned you would think 20" is huge thighs
Mine are 21", i used to horse ride 3 times a week and that was the only time I've ever gotten them into any shape and actually been happy with them! Unable to ride so much now, so got the bike as some kind of alternative. But yeah I do compare myself a lot to people walking down the street but they probably aren't half as bad as I think they look at times, hubby is always telling me they are just fine!1 -
vicky_hayes wrote: »Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.
I would almost bet your squat form is wrong...that's 90% of the reason people complain of bad knees
It would be worthwhile getting a trainer to form check / work on form with you
Also 21" thighs is slim
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vicky_hayes wrote: »MFP suggests I eat 1200 calories a day which most days I can stick to, just not always a strict as I should be with myself. I try to workout for 30-40 minutes 5 days a week on my stationary bike along with using a heart rate monitor to try to track whether I'm working hard enough! Also recently bought a mini trampoline, figured cardio will help lose fat, the bike perhaps tone bottom half at the same time gradually? Also do walking for 30 minutes 3-4 days a week.
1200 isn't your maintenance. If the hospital told you not to lose any more weight, you need to listen to them and eat appropriately for your goal.3 -
vicky_hayes wrote: »Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.
I would almost bet your squat form is wrong...that's 90% of the reason people complain of bad knees
It would be worthwhile getting a trainer to form check / work on form with you
Also 21" thighs is slim
20-21" may measure on the slim side but if they're primarily fat it doesn't come off that way. Especially on a short body. I'm 5'4" with 20.5" thighs and despite losing 40lbs and a year of lifting they're still far from looking slim.
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vicky_hayes wrote: »Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.
I would almost bet your squat form is wrong...that's 90% of the reason people complain of bad knees
It would be worthwhile getting a trainer to form check / work on form with you
Also 21" thighs is slim
20-21" may measure on the slim side but if they're primarily fat it doesn't come off that way. Especially on a short body. I'm 5'4" with 20.5" thighs and despite losing 40lbs and a year of lifting they're still far from looking slim.
Did you miss that she has been medically advised not to lose weight but in fact to get her BMI up to 20?0 -
You can't spot reduce. As others have said strength training will help. But it doesn't sound like you need to lose weight so I'm not sure why you are at 1200 cal a day. If your health care provider has told you not to lose weight I would listen.1
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mom23mangos wrote: »Also....to help you out some....7.5 stone is 105lbs. I'm 5'2" and 98lbs (7 stone) and still have huge thighs (my waist is 24" and my thighs are 20"). So I don't think you'd be happy without going way too low to get pregnant.
I am concerned you would think 20" is huge thighs
Ok, huge may have been an overstatement, but disproportionate to the rest of my body. If you look at clothing sizes, they make pants that fit my waist size with 18in thighs.
I've come to accept I will always have disproportionate thighs. They are heavily muscled and the place I store fat the most. And I'm not willing to lose more weight overall in order to get my thigh size down. So my big thighs and myself buy jeans a couple sizes too big and wear a belt.2 -
vicky_hayes wrote: »Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.
I would almost bet your squat form is wrong...that's 90% of the reason people complain of bad knees
It would be worthwhile getting a trainer to form check / work on form with you
Also 21" thighs is slim
20-21" may measure on the slim side but if they're primarily fat it doesn't come off that way. Especially on a short body. I'm 5'4" with 20.5" thighs and despite losing 40lbs and a year of lifting they're still far from looking slim.
Did you miss that she has been medically advised not to lose weight but in fact to get her BMI up to 20?
Nope. I can read just fine. But you're speaking like everyone with a certain measurement ought to feel that it's fine, when on certain size women it doesn't feel that way. But thanks for reading into what I said. Don't believe I told anyone to drop any fat.
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vicky_hayes wrote: »Wobbly thighs?
Squat it till you're hot (as in sweating and panting from progressively heavy squats)
Add deadlifts
Lunges
Glute bridges
Bench press
Push-ups, pull ups
Get Strong curves (book)
Walk lots / run if you like to
Eat at maintenance
Eat adequate protein
Do not eat at a defecit against medical advice
Do not drop weight against medical advice
I cycle and walk but find my knee joints struggle with doing squats regularly, I used to squat and use a treadmill before but it caused problems, my knees now make awful noises when I climb stairs! So aim to do what I can with exercise a bit easier on the joints.
I do need to review what I do eat more as even though I try to be healthy I do need to up my protein a lot.
I would almost bet your squat form is wrong...that's 90% of the reason people complain of bad knees
It would be worthwhile getting a trainer to form check / work on form with you
Also 21" thighs is slim
20-21" may measure on the slim side but if they're primarily fat it doesn't come off that way. Especially on a short body. I'm 5'4" with 20.5" thighs and despite losing 40lbs and a year of lifting they're still far from looking slim.
Did you miss that she has been medically advised not to lose weight but in fact to get her BMI up to 20?
Nope. I can read just fine. But you're speaking like everyone with a certain measurement ought to feel that it's fine, when on certain size women it doesn't feel that way. But thanks for reading into what I said. Don't believe I told anyone to drop any fat.
no you didn't that's true, however your comment read to me as being about your self perception and in my opinion it had the potential to reinforce OP's personal body issues which go against objective medical advicevicky_hayes wrote: »have been advised at the hospital (for fertility purposes) to keep my bmi around 20 (was then 19.1) and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas
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I appreciate everyone's replies, and that is how I feel I guess that despite whether the measurements seem small or not, on my body with quite short legs I don't feel they look slim/in proportion, and there is the struggle of wanting to wear skinny jeans but them being too tight on my thighs but fine for my waist, hard to get clothes to fit, I'd love to be one of these people who can wear jeggings with a short top rather than always opting for longer tops or dresses to try to cover my thighs, I do have days I feel brave enough to wear shorts but wouldn't go out in town/too busy place in them as I don't want to flaunt the wobbly bits, though I've noticed many who do who's are more wobbly/bumpy than mine! So perhaps I do worry too much but I would still like a little better shape or to at least get them feeling less fatty, I'd rather they were this size but muscly at least.
I think I've gained a couple of pounds since my hospital visit in May, so I'm hoping my bmi is now where it should be, so it's just maintaining, it's hard to judge when then hospital scales weighed me lighter than my home scales do.
I will look into the squatting, may research some videos online and if I start them up again will make sure I am doing them correctly.
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vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit tied between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercises to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital (for fertility purposes) to keep my bmi around 20 (was then 19.1) and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
Depends what's more important at the moment, your thighs or your fertility?9 -
vicky_hayes wrote: »I appreciate everyone's replies, and that is how I feel I guess that despite whether the measurements seem small or not, on my body with quite short legs I don't feel they look slim/in proportion, and there is the struggle of wanting to wear skinny jeans but them being too tight on my thighs but fine for my waist, hard to get clothes to fit, I'd love to be one of these people who can wear jeggings with a short top rather than always opting for longer tops or dresses to try to cover my thighs, I do have days I feel brave enough to wear shorts but wouldn't go out in town/too busy place in them as I don't want to flaunt the wobbly bits, though I've noticed many who do who's are more wobbly/bumpy than mine! So perhaps I do worry too much but I would still like a little better shape or to at least get them feeling less fatty, I'd rather they were this size but muscly at least.
I think I've gained a couple of pounds since my hospital visit in May, so I'm hoping my bmi is now where it should be, so it's just maintaining, it's hard to judge when then hospital scales weighed me lighter than my home scales do.
I will look into the squatting, may research some videos online and if I start them up again will make sure I am doing them correctly.
We all get it that's the nature of being human
But
1) you can't fight genetics, we aren't all built the same
2) clothes sizing are whack (I have clothes from a UK size 4 to 14 in my wardrobe ..I'm an 8/10 on average)
3) different styles suit different people, just cos you want to wear a specific style or brand doesn't mean it will suit you
4) you are your own worst critic
5) the models in those photos don't look like that either
Also start with box squats ..bodyweight
https://bretcontreras.com/all-about-box-squats/6 -
TavistockToad wrote: »vicky_hayes wrote: »I'm a bit tied between whether I need to lose weight or to just do the right exercises to tone the fatty problem areas. I'm 5ft 2" and about 8.2 stone at the moment, have been advised at the hospital (for fertility purposes) to keep my bmi around 20 (was then 19.1) and not to get much leaner but I can't help feeling like my thighs are huge and way too wobbly, amongst other areas, so I don't know what to do, should I eat enough calories to maintain my weight or will I need to lose weight all over with cardio to shift the wobble of my thighs? Currently using the exercise bike most days to try to tackle them, tia
Depends what's more important at the moment, your thighs or your fertility?
Well very much my fertility, but sure there is a way to keep healthy in that way with the right amount of fat but with muscle tone too.
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[quote="
I ]
We all get it that's the nature of being human
But
1) you can't fight genetics, we aren't all built the same
2) clothes sizing are whack (I have clothes from a UK size 4 to 14 in my wardrobe ..I'm an 8/10 on average)
3) different styles suit different people, just cos you want to wear a specific style or brand doesn't mean it will suit you
4) you are your own worst critic
5) the models in those photos don't look like that either
Also start with box squats ..bodyweight
https://bretcontreras.com/all-about-box-squats/[/quote]
You are right, I know, thank whilst still trying to be a little healthier I also need to work harder on stressing less about it and accepting this me. Thank you.1 -
You are at a light weight already, genetics factor in the size of our thighs etc - strength training will really help improve them, also in my case running/walking helped big time. I'm same height and my thighs are 19" which I'm happy with.
You don't want to mess with the possibility of diminishing your fertility.0
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