Hefty thighs: is running the answer?

lisalsd1

I didn't read all of the replies, but here's what has worked for me:

Running made my thighs "smaller." That was "fat loss." Lifting has made my thighs firmer (and has vastly improved the appearance of the cellulite). Improving my diet has helped to make them smaller and firmer in my opinion. I have been eating at a very small deficit; but I changed my macros in MFP to 35fat/35carb/30protein. I think the biggest difference is from the increase in protein personally.

Before I started lifting (when I was JUST running), I was wearing an 8 in pants...after 40 weeks of lifting, I am down to a 4. I've technically only lost 3lbs according to the scale (who cares about the scale anymore though).

I am still larger on the bottom than on the top; that's just my shape. The running and diet improvements made my fat shrink all over. The lifting has helped improve the texture of my skin and appearance overall too.

scolloby

Are you sure you're actually carrying fat on your thighs and it's not just the shape you are? I have always had heavier thighs, even when I was a child when I was positively skinny and very, very active. It's just how I am. Take a look at sporting events like the olympics - the difference in the physiques (between say, marathon runners and sprinters) is very marked - but neither is carrying excess weight.

BamaBreezeNSaltAire

I will have to say yes.... as that is what worked for me.

Its true you can not target fat loss, so what worked for me may not work for you. HOwever, I know my body and my slimmer thighs (almost 2" gone) came from running. Squats and stair master will bulk my legs.

Calorie deficit is needed and again your body is different than mine. But I can honestly say running is what slimmed my legs more than anything else I've done!

You can't bulk if you aren't eating at a surplus.

But you are right- calorie deficit is needed.

Scratch the word bulk - change to "will make my legs bigger!"

Ever since I started lifting weights in High School... this has been the case.......legs got bigger when I started doing more leg concentrated workouts (squats, deadlifts, lunges, stair master). Running slimmed them and keeps them slim so I can do more leg/ glute work!!

Every body is different. Like I said what worked for me may very well not work for others.

This is exactly what happens to me. Running works for me as well but it hurts like hell on my knees.

JoRocka

But you could also assume
1) That she gained muscle on her thighs while eating at a surplus doing squats, lunges, etc.
2) She then decided to lose weight and found that continuing to do those exercises at a deficit allowed her to maintain that muscle mass during her cut.
3) But when she started running she was able to still do those leg exercises while also losing the "unloved" muscle from her thighs.

you don't bulk on accident- eating at a surplus for the length of time to put on appreciable mass is difficult for people TRYING to do it- much less someone who isn't.

Not everyone works out for the same reasons - there are lots of people who do gym work specifically for sport and will put in the work necessary to get that competitive advantage. That doesnt mean they were accidently building muscle - it was functional.
However, that also doesnt mean that person still wants to be built like the athlete they once were, once theyve stopped competing.

why you are doing something doesn't change the fact you need to eat to support your goals.

I'm really not sure why this is such a complicated concept. it doesn't matter if it was functional or completely aesthetic- or just for sheer sh*ts and giggles.

it doesn't happen accidentally- it takes WORK- HARD DEDICATED MONTHS OF WORK.

not accidentally getting on the stair master and getting an inch bigger. That's just not the way this works.

rogerOb1

But you could also assume
1) That she gained muscle on her thighs while eating at a surplus doing squats, lunges, etc.
2) She then decided to lose weight and found that continuing to do those exercises at a deficit allowed her to maintain that muscle mass during her cut.
3) But when she started running she was able to still do those leg exercises while also losing the "unloved" muscle from her thighs.

you don't bulk on accident- eating at a surplus for the length of time to put on appreciable mass is difficult for people TRYING to do it- much less someone who isn't.

Not everyone works out for the same reasons - there are lots of people who do gym work specifically for sport and will put in the work necessary to get that competitive advantage. That doesnt mean they were accidently building muscle - it was functional.
However, that also doesnt mean that person still wants to be built like the athlete they once were, once theyve stopped competing.

why you are doing something doesn't change the fact you need to eat to support your goals.

I'm really not sure why this is such a complicated concept. it doesn't matter if it was functional or completely aesthetic- or just for sheer sh*ts and giggles.

it doesn't happen accidentally- it takes WORK- HARD DEDICATED MONTHS OF WORK.

not accidentally getting on the stair master and getting an inch bigger. That's just not the way this works.

No, it isnt complicated at all - quite clearly in point (1), above, I alluded to an eating surplus and muscle building exercises.

Im clearly not saying that the muscle growth happened without appropriate effort, diet and exercise, so why act like I did? Do you think athletes dont put in months or years of hard dedication to their sports?

Sorry, but not everyone who lifts heavy and often has a bodybuilder's objectives. People who lift because it will enhance their sporting goals can and do put on muscle in the process.

JoRocka

Sorry, but not everyone who lifts heavy and often has a bodybuilder's objectives. People who lift because it will enhance their sporting goals can and do put on muscle in the process.

no one said they did.

But you can't put on muscle with out a surplus. That's been my ONLY point the entire time- how we danced around atheletes and training and whatever is beyond me- none of that has ANYTHING to do with what my point is.

rogerOb1

Sorry, but not everyone who lifts heavy and often has a bodybuilder's objectives. People who lift because it will enhance their sporting goals can and do put on muscle in the process.

no one said they did.

But you can't put on muscle with out a surplus. That's been my ONLY point the entire time- how we danced around atheletes and training and whatever is beyond me- none of that has ANYTHING to do with what my point is.

quite clearly in point (1), above, I alluded to an eating surplus and muscle building exercises.

And Im sure youre aware of noob gains, so know there are exceptions to the general rule.