Problem area...

KrisKabob

Does anyone know the best way to tone up the butt, thighs, and legs??? Specifically, the saddle bag area?

I have done countless lunges, squats, etc. and I have excepted the fact that I am a "pear" shape and will always have a larger lower half but I at least want to get to the point where I feel okay to wear shorts!

HELP!!!

KrisKabob

Does anyone know the best way to tone up the butt, thighs, and legs??? Specifically, the saddle bag area?

I have done countless lunges, squats, etc. and I have excepted the fact that I am a "pear" shape and will always have a larger lower half but I at least want to get to the point where I feel okay to wear shorts!

HELP!!!

FatDancer

Bellydance! It is so much fun...it is a total body toning, natural movement for women, combined with cardio!

MontanaGirl

Lunges and squats, etc are great for building muscle - but the layer of fat on top needs cardio. Walking, running, aerobics, cycling, etc. Cardio + strength training should help!! Good luck :glasses:
Oh yeah Fat Dancer - belly dancing can go on the list too!

mickie

TRY BRIDGES. LAY ON YOUR BACK, KNEES BENT. LIFT UP YOUR BUTT AS HIGH AS YOU CAN (KEEP SHOULDERS DOWN) AND SQUEEZE UP AND DOWN ABOUT AN INCH OR TWO,. YOU CAN DO 20, THEN DO ANOTHER 20, TWO COUNTS UP AND TWO COUNTS DOWN, ETC... YOU SHOULD REALLY FEEL YOUR REAR TOMORROW!!! I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD THAT LUNGES ARE BEST FOR LEGS OR YOU COULD WALK/RUN. GOOD LUCK!:happy:

sr2000

Lower body pilates is great for toning and trimming the thighs without adding any bulk. Check out sparkpeople.com and search for fitness videos, they have a few short videos that are great for thighs and glutes, many of which you can do on your own any time. Sidelying leg lifts have worked wonders for my saddle bags! That and lots of cardio, joggin, walking, jumprope and side steps nearly everyday.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/videos.asp
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness.asp
I hope one of these links will work for you.
I have done 6 min hips, glutes thighs, 6 min butt blasting, 10 min pilates thighs, and more... do 2-3 in a row 3-4 times per week and you'll see and feel the difference.

mamaof2girls

Keep up the lunges, squats, etc. because someone told me that underneath the fat layer is going to be a beautiful toned muscle!! Do you do cardio workouts? Cardio helps get rid of the layer of fat that covers your muscles. I didn't believe it until it happened to me and it was true!! I started doing a run/walking interval training on the treadmill and combined with the strength training made a huge difference!
~Erin

KrisKabob

Yeah, I try to get in the cardio - I am not much of a runner ( I wish I was) but I do like to walk a lot. I have a treadmill at my house.

I forgot about side steps - I will try to add those in.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Cassia

if you are looking for a whole routine then try Tae-Bo the reg advanced one. I have really toned that up by doing this

LightenUp_Caro

I know people have already said it, but let me reiterate: lunges and squats.
I've been in this class for a little over a month now and we do lunges and squats. LOTS of them.
My legs have never looked so good and my butt shrank (according to my mother).

RKJR925

I just read an article about legs and part of it was about the upper hamstring and Glutes. Doing reverse crunches (if you have the angle reverse crunch bench at home or in your local gym) with your knees bent and focus on using your legs to bring you perpendicular to the floor. It said this would help shape the upper hammy and glute. I tried in last night and my butt is sore so it must work

kerrilucko

The thing is only cardio can burn fat, and you can't target where it comes from. BUT word of advice (from a fellow pear-shaped MFPer), if you focus on lower body excercises, you will build muscle (bulk) to your lower half, making it look even larger and disproportionate.

kak1018

Walk at a good pace (over 3.5) on an incline! It totally reshaped my huge butt and hips!

greekgyrl02

You need to be doing ab and adduction exercises...monster walks...shuttles...the machines at the gym...ice skaters..etc...

edyta

If you're a pear (like me) you should strengthen your upper body to look more proportional and feel better!!
:flowerforyou:

icandoit

I am losing one saddlebag at a time:sad: It is weird.
My husbands said the key it to:
Eat right and exercise. Do full body work outs and it will come off.
Hopefully for you both at the same time.