Dealing with muscular legs.

Hundredpercentpear

Hello beautifuls I just have a few questions about my muscular legs. I've been running for about 6 weeks now increasing ten minutes every two weeks (Started at 30 mins now up to 50 mins). I was told that long distant running would help decrease the looks of my muscles and help with weight loss too. I've always been a pear shape, the "Chun- li" among my friends, and the "thunder thighs". I've pinched my calves to see if it's all fat, turns out it's the opposite and it's pure muscle nothing much to pinch there, but when I pinch my thighs the only part that seems to be really fatty is my inner thighs. So my questions are is it true that long distant running is an effective way to reduce the look of muscles and fat loss, is it just genetics and I should give up on the thin leg idea, and should I avoid leg day when it comes to weight lifting and just focus the upper body? Now to be very clear I UNDERSTAND that I cannot spot reduce, I UNDERSTAND it takes a long period of time before my trouble spots start to minimize. I apologize if I'm coming off rude, but I've been told these many times before and I understand it quite well, I mean heck I lost a lot of inches off my arm from this running. I just want to know if I'm starting on the right path for my very long journey to achieve the legs I find ideal.

meshashesha2012

it's genetic more than likely. embrace your chun li thighs . read this

http://elisabethakinwale.com/2013/11/17/them-thighs-though/

alexkirkp

Running won't give you large legs. Look at pictures of professional female runners. Doing one leg day a week is not likely to cause significant hypertrophy in your leg muscles. So, it is probably just genetics. I have extremely large muscular calves whether I work out or not.

ana3067

If you have muscular legs, you effing rock them. If you have some fat over them, you live your life as you normally do, same exercise routine, and eat at a slight deficit until your overall body fat lowers. And if the fat still doesn't go away then... well it's not a huge deal.


FWIW this is my ultimate dream lower body goal:


I also carry most of my fat in my inner thighs. But I want goddamn huge muscular legs. Well, reasonable huge. So you should not be trying to make your legs not muscular. If you don't wnat them to increase, then lift to maintain for now, perhaps switch to strength training if you do hypertrophy training.

Better to be muscular and have a bit of thigh fat than to be this

MeanderingMammal

I was told that long distant running would help decrease the looks of my muscles and help with weight loss too.

I suspect that you've been fed pure BroScience, the idea that CV work just eats muscles... One wonders if those saying that have ever thought about the process of getting the body moving.

Running will help you generate a calorie deficit, which leads to weight loss. Running will also help strengthen the legs, albeit requiring a mix of sessions to assure that development is balanced. The movement of longer distances develops the hamstrings and calves, shorter higher paced sessions help the quads, glutes and shins.

Losing the weight will lead to greater definition around the muscles as the proportion of bodyfat reduces.

I've pinched my calves to see if it's all fat, turns out it's the opposite and it's pure muscle nothing much to pinch there, but when I pinch my thighs the only part that seems to be really fatty is my inner thighs.

Try extending your toe, so using the calf muscle, and see how the visible muscle definition looks around your calf. If you can see the various ridges in the muscle boundaries then you'll have a better idea of what you're carrying in terms of subcutaneous fat. Similarly in the upper legs, put the muscle under tension and see whether you're able to make a judgement.

The key point that you're talking about is reducing your bodyfat percentage, which involves a combination of calorie deficit, CV work and resistance training. No one in isolation will give you an optimal outcome, although the relative emphasis varies depending on objectives.

If you're not already doing resistance training then start.

Personally my main objectives are around running performance, so I focus on running and use bodyweight resistance training to complement that. If you're only interested in aesthetics, rather than performance, then focus on resistance.

dazwan

Take up cycling, then you will already look the part Look at the thighs on Sir Chris Hoy! (not so huge now he's not competing though)

I've always had big thighs, I like to blame it on cycling a lot as a kid, but its most likely just genetics. I just wish you could get clothes made for people with larger thighs, loose fit trousers/jeans often look quite snug around the thighs and I can only dream of skinny jeans. I could wear a chun-li outfit, but I saw Jackie Chan in "City Hunter" and it wasn't a good look.

Anonycatgirl

Be proud that you have muscles, use the muscles, flaunt the muscles! Seriously, why would you want to lose muscle? It's there for a reason.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

If you have muscular legs, you effing rock them. If you have some fat over them, you live your life as you normally do, same exercise routine, and eat at a slight deficit until your overall body fat lowers. And if the fat still doesn't go away then... well it's not a huge deal.

This. Continue to run if you enjoy doing it and it helps you achieve a calorie deficit. DO NOT do it just because someone told you it will give you skinny legs. It probably won't, not with your genetics. Definitely do lower body weight lifting. It's good for your healthy, it prevents injury, it's awesome to be strong enough to lift heavy things, etc. Learn to accept and embrace your big thighs. Who cares if none of your friends have them. A LOT of women do, and a lot of men find them sexy or don't care about them, or are willing to accept them on a great person.

hookilau

Better to be muscular and have a bit of thigh fat than to be this

:laugh: :laugh:

mikeyrp

I've given up on working out to get my body into a particular shape - All my workouts are based around being fit and having fun.... That includes cycling, distance running and HILT training which is great for when you run obstacle races.

Nothing is sexier than the smile of someone who loves being themselves.

sinker59

I've given up on working out to get my body into a particular shape - All my workouts are based around being fit and having fun.... That includes cycling, distance running and HILT training which is great for when you run obstacle races.

Nothing is sexier than the smile of someone who loves being themselves.

Excellent!!

bostonwolf

Hello beautifuls I just have a few questions about my muscular legs. I've been running for about 6 weeks now increasing ten minutes every two weeks (Started at 30 mins now up to 50 mins). I was told that long distant running would help decrease the looks of my muscles and help with weight loss too. I've always been a pear shape, the "Chun- li" among my friends, and the "thunder thighs". I've pinched my calves to see if it's all fat, turns out it's the opposite and it's pure muscle nothing much to pinch there, but when I pinch my thighs the only part that seems to be really fatty is my inner thighs. So my questions are is it true that long distant running is an effective way to reduce the look of muscles and fat loss, is it just genetics and I should give up on the thin leg idea, and should I avoid leg day when it comes to weight lifting and just focus the upper body? Now to be very clear I UNDERSTAND that I cannot spot reduce, I UNDERSTAND it takes a long period of time before my trouble spots start to minimize. I apologize if I'm coming off rude, but I've been told these many times before and I understand it quite well, I mean heck I lost a lot of inches off my arm from this running. I just want to know if I'm starting on the right path for my very long journey to achieve the legs I find ideal.

Embrace the way you look and maximize it. Not everyone is destined to have lean legs. I played a lot of sports growing up, especially soccer so my legs will always be larger than average and my calves are like bowling balls.

I would not avoid leg day as you likely are not going to gain lots of muscle mass from lifting weights. You're a woman and just don't have the testosterone to add muscle like a man would doing the same routine.

And I assure you, plenty of men will find your legs attractive. If they don't, find new men.

bostonwolf

Better to be muscular and have a bit of thigh fat than to be this

:laugh: :laugh:

Globogym flashback.

I sporadically take some measurements to get a better idea of my progress instead of relying on the scale. After a year of Crossfit most of my measurements were the same or smaller....except around my hips. Dat *kitten* gained an inch in the past year.

Squats, deadlifts, and olympic lifting are *kitten*-builders. Who knew?

JoRocka

I've given up on working out to get my body into a particular shape - All my workouts are based around being fit and having fun.... That includes cycling, distance running and HILT training which is great for when you run obstacle races.

Nothing is sexier than the smile of someone who loves being themselves.

this.

embrace your body and focus on *kitten* you can do- not if you can get a certain body type.

365andstillalive

It's very rare to be pear shaped and not have thick thighs, it really is something that you need to embrace.

I think you should do a little soul searching and ask yourself why it is that you want lean, small legs? Will it change your life? Will it prevent you from wearing styles/cuts of clothing you like? Do you think it somehow makes you less attractive?

Personally, I love my thick thighs; I played volley ball for years, they'll always be big because it's muscle and it makes no sense to somehow try to let my muscle atrophy to make them look smaller.

I've started running as well, and in the month I have been I've lost 1/4 inch off my thighs, but I've also lost 7lbs so... I don't expect running to have a real impact on my thighs other than helping me lower my body fat; even at my goal weight I doubt I'll have lost more than a full inch on them.

suremeansyes

How I usually deal with my muscular legs is by doing squats and deadlifts with them.

Hundredpercentpear

It's very rare to be pear shaped and not have thick thighs, it really is something that you need to embrace.

I think you should do a little soul searching and ask yourself why it is that you want lean, small legs? Will it change your life? Will it prevent you from wearing styles/cuts of clothing you like? Do you think it somehow makes you less attractive?

Personally, I love my thick thighs; I played volley ball for years, they'll always be big because it's muscle and it makes no sense to somehow try to let my muscle atrophy to make them look smaller.

I've started running as well, and in the month I have been I've lost 1/4 inch off my thighs, but I've also lost 7lbs so... I don't expect running to have a real impact on my thighs other than helping me lower my body fat; even at my goal weight I doubt I'll have lost more than a full inch on them.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who replied and given me advice and moral support . The reason why I want lean legs is because (please don't hurt me) that's what I find beautiful. I grew up living that thin long lean legs was a standard of beauty. Coming from an Asian household it's not that surprising. I've been rediculed by my aunts, cousin, most female relatives on how my legs looked. As a child it didn't bug me as much, but when middle school came around I noticed I wasn't "normal" than most of the girls my age, with their thin body, skinny legs and bony arms. It really hit me when I didn't look as good in certain clothing compared to my friends because my legs always stood out. I wish I could simply love muscular legs and be able to say "F ya I can totally rock a skirt" but it's not that simple for me. Maybe one day, but not today

likitisplit

Decreasing body fat is going to make your legs look smaller, even if it appears that you don't have any surface fat. It will also expose the muscles in your legs.

However, at a certain point, you need to start enjoying the body that you have.

ETA - Chun-li is freaking SEXY. It might help to research other women of your ethnicity who have similar body types to yours. How do they rock those curves?

Acg67

Hello beautifuls I just have a few questions about my muscular legs. I've been running for about 6 weeks now increasing ten minutes every two weeks (Started at 30 mins now up to 50 mins). I was told that long distant running would help decrease the looks of my muscles and help with weight loss too. I've always been a pear shape, the "Chun- li" among my friends, and the "thunder thighs". I've pinched my calves to see if it's all fat, turns out it's the opposite and it's pure muscle nothing much to pinch there, but when I pinch my thighs the only part that seems to be really fatty is my inner thighs. So my questions are is it true that long distant running is an effective way to reduce the look of muscles and fat loss, is it just genetics and I should give up on the thin leg idea, and should I avoid leg day when it comes to weight lifting and just focus the upper body? Now to be very clear I UNDERSTAND that I cannot spot reduce, I UNDERSTAND it takes a long period of time before my trouble spots start to minimize. I apologize if I'm coming off rude, but I've been told these many times before and I understand it quite well, I mean heck I lost a lot of inches off my arm from this running. I just want to know if I'm starting on the right path for my very long journey to achieve the legs I find ideal.

Hmmmm

BusyRaeNOTBusty

It's very rare to be pear shaped and not have thick thighs, it really is something that you need to embrace.

I think you should do a little soul searching and ask yourself why it is that you want lean, small legs? Will it change your life? Will it prevent you from wearing styles/cuts of clothing you like? Do you think it somehow makes you less attractive?

Personally, I love my thick thighs; I played volley ball for years, they'll always be big because it's muscle and it makes no sense to somehow try to let my muscle atrophy to make them look smaller.

I've started running as well, and in the month I have been I've lost 1/4 inch off my thighs, but I've also lost 7lbs so... I don't expect running to have a real impact on my thighs other than helping me lower my body fat; even at my goal weight I doubt I'll have lost more than a full inch on them.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who replied and given me advice and moral support . The reason why I want lean legs is because (please don't hurt me) that's what I find beautiful. I grew up living that thin long lean legs was a standard of beauty. Coming from an Asian household it's not that surprising. I've been rediculed by my aunts, cousin, most female relatives on how my legs looked. As a child it didn't bug me as much, but when middle school came around I noticed I wasn't "normal" than most of the girls my age, with their thin body, skinny legs and bony arms. It really hit me when I didn't look as good in certain clothing compared to my friends because my legs always stood out. I wish I could simply love muscular legs and be able to say "F ya I can totally rock a skirt" but it's not that simple for me. Maybe one day, but not today

So change what you find beautiful. Of course it's not simple and it does take time. But it's a hell of a lot easier than trying to change your genetics. And healthier than trying to lose muscle.

willrun4bagels

How I usually deal with my muscular legs is by doing squats and deadlifts with them.

:drinker:

dbmata

ETA - Chun-li is freaking SEXY. It might help to research other women of your ethnicity who have similar body types to yours. How do they rock those curves?

I was going to come here and say exactly that.

Chun-Li = hot as all hell. Even when Ming Na played Chun-Li.

contingencyplan

Everyone has a natural body shape. No matter what kind of exercise you do, as long as you are in a calorie deficit, the only thing that you will accomplish is to reveal that natural shape. If you want to go for a more symmetrical or balanced look, your only option is to add muscle mass to the upper body (specifically targeting the lats, chest, and shoulders) to bring them up to speed with your lower body. This, really, is your only option. Otherwise all you'll end up doing is further accenting your natural body shape. Learn to love yourself.

Also, a quick google search showing how many male fans are obsessed with Chun Li and the way she looks will show you that it's not a bad thing. Google search the words "real life Chun li" and you will see what i mean.

The only problem here is the fact that you say you've been ridiculed by your family for your body shape. You certainly don't need their approval to look the way you were born.

sculli123

pics of legs?

vmclach

Huh? Lol

I run 10 miles a day.. Check out my "beefy" legs. I don't see what the problem is? I'd rather have big legs. My legs muscles make me happy :-)

DeadliftAddict

Why would you want to get rid of muscular legs? Start squating heavy if you don't already and enjoy the wheels.

burtnyks

I don't see your stats, but it could be a bodyfat issue that make you think you have "big" legs. I too thought my legs were big and bulky until I lost about 20 lbs. Much smaller than I thought. Now I'm trying to build them up to have a nice shape. You may in fact have muscular legs, but if they are holding excess fat they will appear bigger. If you lose a little fat you may find you like their shape more.

martinel2099

Good problem to have, bigger muscles burn more calories when you work them. Hello heavier squats+++

essjay76

Emrace them.

I have naturally muscular calves and thighs (you should see my father's, his are massive!). When I was overweight they still had the same shape. However, they're more defined now and I have lost fat on my thighs, so the muscles are more pronounced.

I say, rock out those squats - you probably kick *kitten*!

Love what your Mama gave ya!!

essjay76

p.s. I also ran a lot when I was at my lowest weight (I had a bout of anorexia), and my legs were still muscular looking. I was less than 90 pounds at the time (I'm 4'10"). So you can't change genetics.

BombshellPhoenix

Rock THEM Chun Li's. I also would like pics of them, OP