The Curse of the Thunder Thighs!!! Help!

DixieDarlin1987

Alright, I'm having a bit of trouble with the thighs. I've always had very large thighs, which has never bothered me because they were always lean and muscular. Now, after having my son, they are even bigger and not lean at all. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, my stomach is flat and is continuing to get more toned, my arms are lean and toned, but these thighs don't seem to be going anywhere! It's driving me crazy. I've been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred, elliptical 1-2 days a week (the days I don't do the Shred), I walk my dog everyday, and I've been watching what I eat very carefully. I don't know what the problem is. Even though I'm the same weight as before, I wear a size bigger pants (stupid, stupid thighs). My goal is simply to get lean thighs and a lean bum again. Anyone know what might help me out?
Thank you!!!!
Dixie

Jessica68

Maybe try some stairs or go to a stadium and run up and down the bleachers?

millermichellelea

This may sound weird, but...I have always had that problem until recently. I was doing the six week plan and it took away beef from my menu. It seems that it build really bulky muscle and I tend to bulk in the butt and thighs...a.k.a. thunder thighs.

Well, now I have been eating only white meat -chicken-halibut-flounder-tilapia-pork, etc. None of the chicken, fish or pork that is considered dark meat. This has helped to melt my thighs and butt for the first time ever!!! I already had the muscle, now it is just leaner and sleeker. :blushing: Hope this helps.

MissAnjy

I hate to break it to you ... but our bodies change during a pregnancy, and it will never go back to "the way it was". Something will always be different. I'm in the same position. I had twins 2 years ago. I currently weigh LESS than i did before I was pregnant, however, I look like i weigh more. It's the way my body is constructed now. I'm broader across the chest & my arms are slightly bigger. It sucks to say, but you can't spot reduce. However, I'd try doing lunges, squats etc for the thighs. It may help. But, we can't really control where we are going to lose the weight from

rml_16

Well, for one thing, our bodies change a LOT after pregnancy and as we age. So, the same weight and size everywhere else doesn't always translate to the same size in the one place we want.

You can't really spot lose fat, so all you can do is continue dieting and exercising and wait.

It sounds like you're pear-shaped, so the thighs will probably be the last to go.

megamom

bicycling helped me

a1schwei

now i haven't had kids yet, but i have had 'thunder thighs' my whole life and i thought that i was stuck with them...however when i started running regularly and tackling hills my thighs and butt have shrunk smaller than i'd ever imagined...i still have a muscular build and thicker thighs than most but running has been my saving grace as far as shrinking my bottom half

carl1738

Try some strength training. Deadlifts and hip raises are excellent for targeting the glutes and hamstrings. Stair climbers also work for this. You can't spot reduce, but you can build up muscle and solidify these areas. Plus, these muscles are some of the largest muscles in your body, so you burn more calories while doing them, which also helps zap the fat!

DixieDarlin1987

Thank you ladies, I know that things change after pregnancy but weight is something that CAN come off and leaner muscles is not an unrealistic goal. I didn't gain a terrible amount of weight during pregnancy, only 23 lbs and it distributed to all of my body...arms, face and THIGHS. It has melted off of everywhere else, but it's just hanging on to my lower half. It's definitely a trouble spot and I know you can't pick the spot where it comes off...that's why I'm continuing to diet and exercise in hopes that it will come off eventually, even if it's the last to come off. I was just trying to get some diet and exercise tips that I might not know about that could help me out. Maybe I'll try cutting my beef intake. Steak just happens to be a weakness of mine.
Thank you,

msbanana

As everyone else has said you can't spot reduce fat. However, if you work on building your major muscle groups (think core, glutes, legs) you will burn fat more efficiently. I know that a lot of people who are unhappy with the size of a body part (upper arms, thighs etc...) are less inclined to work them because they don't want them to get bigger. Do it ANYWAY. My thighs have always touched (usually just at the top) but they got HUGE when I gained weight. As I've been plugging along I've added a REDICULOUS lower body work out that includes:
Lunges (forward & backward & with a twist) Squats (just using body weigh on a BOSU ball) Grapevines BAND WORK and some weight lifting (Dead Lifts 1 & 2 legs, kettle bell swings etc...) For the first time in my life I have the potential for SUNSHINE THIGHS!! My thighs are relatively cut (getting better every day) and I attribute this to all this work and loads of cardio.

So I guess what I'm getting at is...
Keep at it, change things up and you just may be pleased with the result.
:flowerforyou:

mandypooh2103

Glad to know I am not the only one with this problem.....but i hope this info helps you out and me as well good luck!

byebye200

bicycling helped me
[/quote

I concur......(and i hate the bike!! but i have HUGE thighs and ive decided to add it to my regime)]

GooBeGone

it depends on ur body type as to where u lose the weight first

i read once that you lose weight: first on last off

basically wherever u 1st gained the weight, that'll b the place u'll lose it last.

but again i think that it depends on ur body type as well. u said that you had muscular lean thighs. r u pear shaped? that means u would carry most of ur weight in ur lower body. meanin that altho u ARE losin weight there, most of ur weight settle there & that's y it seems 2 b takin the longest 2 get rid of the fat

DixieDarlin1987

I am definitely pear shaped. My lower half has always been bigger, it was just muscular before, now it's jiggly. I figured the lower body would be the last to get toned and lean again, but it seems that I've hit a plateau that just won't quit. I just need to switch things up a bit and keep plugging along

fitnesspirateninja

My thighs are in great shape right now. My sister recently commented on them - I hadn't even noticed because I tend to focus on the bad stuff, the stuff that isn't in great shape (my arms...blech!).

Here's what I've been doing:
-Walking a LOT, up and down big hills
-Squats, and a lot of them, I think the squats with calf raises are really helpful (that's when you go down into a squat and then raise yourself on your toes)
-Lunges- side, regular, and reverse

Look, even if thighs are your trouble spot, you'll still be able to tone them. I get frustrated with my arms, but I know they'll get smaller with time.

khogue07

ive had this problem as well..what really helps is cross country running......running hills even walking up hills can help.....plus bein outside will make the workout more enjoyable...biking out side rather than inside will be more enjoyable too...

GooBeGone

oh 4got 2 mention!!

since u're pear shaped u may wanna refrain from muscle building exercises on ur lower body.

y u ask? b/c u tend 2 build muslce easier in ur lower body b/c u're pear shaped. so u do wanna do more cardio. i don't recommend step climbing or anythin of that nature. but definately up-ing ur cardio. :flowerforyou:

rml_16

Thank you ladies, I know that things change after pregnancy but weight is something that CAN come off and leaner muscles is not an unrealistic goal. I didn't gain a terrible amount of weight during pregnancy, only 23 lbs and it distributed to all of my body...arms, face and THIGHS. It has melted off of everywhere else, but it's just hanging on to my lower half. It's definitely a trouble spot and I know you can't pick the spot where it comes off...that's why I'm continuing to diet and exercise in hopes that it will come off eventually, even if it's the last to come off. I was just trying to get some diet and exercise tips that I might not know about that could help me out. Maybe I'll try cutting my beef intake. Steak just happens to be a weakness of mine.
Thank you,

You misunderstand us about post-pregnancy bodies. It isn't about how much you gained or where you gained it. Your body is an entirely different entity now than it was before the baby. And you only have so much control.

Like I said, if you tend to gain a lot in your lower body, it will be the last place you lose it, no matter what you do. I have fantastic abs. I can do ab exercises all day long and not get fatigued. They're strong and solid and abs most women dream of. Problem is the belly fat sitting on top of them. No amount of crunches is going to get rid of it. That's all about cardio and cutting calories. Same with your thighs. Your muscles are probably very lean. You need to lose the fat.

jen0619

I am definitely pear shaped. My lower half has always been bigger, it was just muscular before, now it's jiggly. I figured the lower body would be the last to get toned and lean again, but it seems that I've hit a plateau that just won't quit. I just need to switch things up a bit and keep plugging along

I am indefinitely pear shaped as well I have a tiny upper half. I have come to realize since I have always been an athlete my thighs will never go away. Although after I have been running and exercising I noticed that they are more shaply and it seems to make me feel better, although they are still there

Midcoast_Mermaid

BUMP

tracylee1980

Thanks for asking this question! I am in the same boat!