How can I lose this stubborn thigh fat?
xosunny520
Posts: 23 Member
I know that as a female it will be more difficult for me to lose my inner thigh fat, but the way it gathers by my knees is so unflattering!
Does anyone know the cause of fat collection in this area or what I can do, aside from proper nutrition of course, to improve the looks of this area? Photos are below.
I am currently losing weight and making good progress but it seems I’ve had these fat pockets my whole life which is why I must know where they come from!
https://imgur.com/a/BTpF1
Does anyone know the cause of fat collection in this area or what I can do, aside from proper nutrition of course, to improve the looks of this area? Photos are below.
I am currently losing weight and making good progress but it seems I’ve had these fat pockets my whole life which is why I must know where they come from!
https://imgur.com/a/BTpF1
5
Replies
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You can not target where you lose fat. That is all down to genetics and gender.11
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Thanks! I know this. I am looking to understand the reasons behind fat collecting in this area & why it is so stubborn.2
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Your body tends to hold onto fat closer to your core than your extremities. So as you lose weight, you face, hands, feet usually start to lose fat first, and then arms, legs, and then your core. Theres some variance from person to person, though. Some people hold onto the fat in their stomach (my problem there), others their butt, etc., and it seems your case its thigh.
But really the only way to lose that stubborn fat is to keep working on your weight loss progress. I can understand your frustration. Ive gotten so close, and yet I look in the mirror and still have a gut. So Ive still got more weight to shed.
Though honestly, from looking at your pictures, you look perfectly fine.4 -
Continue with your calorie deficit and incorporate some strength training if you aren't already doing some, it won't spot reduce but will help with your body composition.3
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xosunny520 wrote: »Thanks! I know this. I am looking to understand the reasons behind fat collecting in this area & why it is so stubborn.
Genetics. Some people have chubby cheeks (fat deposits), some have saddlebag thighs, you have fat around your knees. Sadly, liposuction is probably the best option for removal as this will be the last place you'll lose weight.1 -
Lol, the poster above told you.....................genetics. People store fat in certain areas based on the genetics bestowed upon them by their parents. That's why it's not uncommon for females to emulate their mothers shape later in life. Same for males in many cases too.xosunny520 wrote: »Thanks! I know this. I am looking to understand the reasons behind fat collecting in this area & why it is so stubborn.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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Squats! I've seen great progress in my thighs by performing a VARIETY of squats and abductor exercises. I also take an all natural CLA (approved by my doctor) that aids in fat loss and lean muscle building. Combine that with cardio such as running, incline walking or a bike and you're golden. Just make sure that you're doing your cardio post weight-training for optimum results.
I've worked with my trainer for the last 6-12 months and have seen great results!17 -
CLA isn't magic and has very little to do with fat loss and hardly anything for muscle mass. If you're losing fat, it's due to calorie deficit on a consistent basis. You CANNOT target any part of the body with exercise to lose fat. That's not how it works.CatchMom13 wrote: »Squats! I've seen great progress in my thighs by performing a VARIETY of squats and abductor exercises. I also take an all natural CLA (approved by my doctor) that aids in fat loss and lean muscle building. Combine that with cardio such as running, incline walking or a bike and you're golden. Just make sure that you're doing your cardio post weight-training for optimum results.
I've worked with my trainer for the last 6-12 months and have seen great results!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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xosunny520 wrote: »Thanks! I know this. I am looking to understand the reasons behind fat collecting in this area & why it is so stubborn.
Genetics. Some people have chubby cheeks (fat deposits), some have saddlebag thighs, you have fat around your knees. Sadly, liposuction is probably the best option for removal as this will be the last place you'll lose weight.
This. If it bothers you enough, it may come down to lipo. We have the same legs. They still look like that when I'm super lean. I would need to drop down to the 10-11% BF range to get rid of it. I'm assuming you don't store your fat evenly and you have a relatively lean torso. Genetics.1 -
CatchMom13 wrote: »Squats! I've seen great progress in my thighs by performing a VARIETY of squats and abductor exercises. I also take an all natural CLA (approved by my doctor) that aids in fat loss and lean muscle building. Combine that with cardio such as running, incline walking or a bike and you're golden. Just make sure that you're doing your cardio post weight-training for optimum results.
I've worked with my trainer for the last 6-12 months and have seen great results!
It's common for people to believe that exercises that focus on specific muscle groups will also lead to fat loss in the area of those muscles, however, this is not the case. You may see some small changes in the area due to the muscles retaining water, or even a tiiiiiiiiny bit of muscle growth. But the body burns fat stores for energy from all over the body (which makes sense when you think about all the parts of the body that energy is "powering"), and where it burns first is due to genetics, gender, and ethnicity. There is absolutely no way whatsoever to direct fat loss.5 -
Where you store fat is genetics, typically for women this is the thigh area due to biology. So you can't change how you lose fat. You can eat in a small deficit, get adequate protein, do resistance training and be patient. However there is a chance you don't have the muscle base to support lean thighs, then you will have to build muscle either by eating at maintenance or surplus. Even then, it may improve but not completely get as lean as you want them.0
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CLA isn't magic and has very little to do with fat loss and hardly anything for muscle mass. If you're losing fat, it's due to calorie deficit on a consistent basis. You CANNOT target any part of the body with exercise to lose fat. That's not how it works.CatchMom13 wrote: »Squats! I've seen great progress in my thighs by performing a VARIETY of squats and abductor exercises. I also take an all natural CLA (approved by my doctor) that aids in fat loss and lean muscle building. Combine that with cardio such as running, incline walking or a bike and you're golden. Just make sure that you're doing your cardio post weight-training for optimum results.
I've worked with my trainer for the last 6-12 months and have seen great results!
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I'm not saying it's magic, but combined with my diet and exercise routine, it's been helpful. I can see a difference from not using.
I just know that what I've been doing with my Certified Trainer has been working, that's all.
I have had overall fat loss. I wasn't necessarily trying to say that you can "target" fat loss, but you can "target" toning. I'm not an expert by any means but I do follow what my trainer instructs and it's been working. I do a variety of squats and I've seen fat loss and toning occurring in areas that I've previously struggled with.
As for genetics, I don't know what to tell you... all the women in my family (mom's side) have great legs, long and more on the slender side. I do not. Never have. Mine have always been more athletic and thicker (not a bad thing) so when I put on weight, that's where I gained the most. I always thought that maybe I got my genes from my Dad's side but after recently finding his very large biological family... nope, they've all got great legs too, short, but still slender legs.
**** I am the milkman's baby apparently!****12 -
Why certain areas I don't know. What I do know is the last area you lose fat is also the first area to get it back.0
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If you do leg lifts and slow squats it WILL target those stubborn areas. Just be sure your exercising at least 40 minutes everyday. The Jillian Michael's app works very well with meal plans and exercise videos.20
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We can't spot reduce but losing weight will help as will strength/resistance training. Genetics will factor in.0
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The same way you lose fat everywhere else: discipline, patience and consistency.2
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My inner thighs are the last place to go too.0
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20vphillips02 wrote: »If you do leg lifts and slow squats it WILL target those stubborn areas. Just be sure your exercising at least 40 minutes everyday. The Jillian Michael's app works very well with meal plans and exercise videos.
It is literally physically impossible for leg lifts and slow squats to "target those stubborn areas." Anyone who says it is possible is trying to sell you false hope. And probably exercise videos.7 -
20vphillips02 wrote: »If you do leg lifts and slow squats it WILL target those stubborn areas. Just be sure your exercising at least 40 minutes everyday. The Jillian Michael's app works very well with meal plans and exercise videos.
They may help strengthen the muscles, but will do absolutely nothing to get rid of the fat covering them. As has already been said many times, spot reduction of fat is not possible.7 -
A couple of years ago I got down to my target weight of 121 (5’2”), only to still have some mid-section fat. But my face was verging on gaunt and I didn’t want to lose anymore. Now I’ve raised my maintenance weight 5# and given up on getting the belly I had when I was in college. I did once have flat abs, but I was also running 60 miles a week. I’m now 63 and there’s only so much you can do what with genetics, free time, and your body’s ability to handle working out.
I’d recommend you get to your target weight if not already there, then see overall if you want to lose a few more pounds, just so you can see what your legs and rest of your body look and feel like.3 -
xosunny520 wrote: »I know that as a female it will be more difficult for me to lose my inner thigh fat, but the way it gathers by my knees is so unflattering!
Does anyone know the cause of fat collection in this area or what I can do, aside from proper nutrition of course, to improve the looks of this area? Photos are below.
I am currently losing weight and making good progress but it seems I’ve had these fat pockets my whole life which is why I must know where they come from!
https://imgur.com/a/BTpF1
Cardio type excercises. Run/jog/walk, swim, cycling, elliptical, water aerobics/aqua zumba, aerobics/zumba, rowing, hiking, etc.7 -
I have the same body shape - skinny on top, store weight in my hips, legs and thighs, and my sister is the exact same, we both get it from our paternal grandmother. My mom and her mom have a totally different shape. I found this an interesting read:
https://bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-is-stubborn-fat-stubborn.html/
You can see all my ribs but I still have fat thighs, and the only time I was okay with them was at a BMI of 18.5 and even then they just looked 'average', not tiny but any means. I am finding that heavy lifting is helping to at least make them firmer and more toned-looking, so it's not just jiggly flesh. It kind of sucks. But on another hand, I remind myself that at least it's easy for me to achieve a flat stomach even after having kids. I definitely prefer it over an apple shape.2 -
Your legs look like mine.
My legs look like my mum's
Her legs look like her mum's
I understand that her legs looked like her mum's.
Genetics. Even when super thin, some people get chubby cheeks, some get fat ankles, some get double chins; we get chunky thighs. I know it sucks, but you're probably going to have to accept that you're never going to be able to get rid of that fat unless you are seriously underweight.
I used to really hate my thighs/knees area, it's still not one of my favourite areas of my body, but I've learnt to accept them, and live with the fact that I'll always be more hourglass/pear shape. On the bright side, fatter thighs are becoming slightly more "fashionable" and there are so many more accepting styles for those who have naturally bigger thighs (and I can finally buy jeans that fit around the thighs and the waist!).2 -
yeah - my legs are my least favourite bit of me. Losing fat does help a bit, but god only knows how much I would have to lose to actually have gazelle legs!0
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Lol I know I sound like a broken record here - but you can't spot reduce. That being said - SQUATS. Start working on building muscle!!0
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Squats won't target the fat but should make your legs more shapely by increasing the muscles of your quads. Romanian deadlifts are another great exercise for shapely legs which target mainly your hamstrings.
It looks to me as if some of the "fat" on your inner thighs is actually loose skin, in which case getting more muscular will also help by filling up the skin and pulling it tighter.
Best of luck to you - I have slim thighs but a pooch belly which was still there even when I was seriously underweight. That's just the hands we were dealt!0 -
xosunny520 wrote: »I know that as a female it will be more difficult for me to lose my inner thigh fat, but the way it gathers by my knees is so unflattering!
Does anyone know the cause of fat collection in this area or what I can do, aside from proper nutrition of course, to improve the looks of this area? Photos are below.
I am currently losing weight and making good progress but it seems I’ve had these fat pockets my whole life which is why I must know where they come from!
https://imgur.com/a/BTpF1
Lol, your pictures were NOT what I was expecting, which was something indicating lipedema.
How many more pounds do you have to lose until you reach your goal weight?1 -
Genetics. You cannot choose where you'll lose fat first or last, except through liposuction. Now, if you incorporate strength training for specific areas, you won't lose size (fat) from the area, but the increase in muscle will make that are look better.0
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