What kind of exercise should I do?

MiCkJy11_

Hi guys, this is my first time posting a question so I am really sorry if it sounds stupid or so! I have been contemplating if I should ask it here but I really need some help here as I am genuinely ignorant about this.

I have lost almost 10 kg from dieting and exercising. Having said that, there is no point viewing my profile as I do not record my exercises here and I am a BED (binge eating disorder) victim so my food records can get really messed up at times especially these 2 weeks due to all the festive celebrations! I keep my calories output records in my watch, some sort of tracker watch, which is why I still lose weight despite all these binges.

Anyhow, I have been exercising. Started off with skipping but it did not last for more than a few days as I couldn't find a place near my house that can accommodate the rope. So I decided to switch to jogging. From the initial ~3.2km in 30mins to the recent ~9+, 10km in 50- 70 minutes. On my first month of attempting to lose weight, I jogged 28 out of the 30 days, 30-45minutes each session. Nowadays, I will jog approximately 5 days a week and at least 1 hour (approximately 10km) each session. These few days, I have been exercising for 2 hours, 1 hour of jogging followed by 1 hour of Zumba.

Although my exercises have been heavily concentrated on my legs, my legs are still really fat. I am 168cm and 57kg but I have huge calves and very big thighs. As I increase my exercise, I have realized that the muscles on my thighs are getting more "visible" but the fats are still there. The weight loss came massively from my arms and chest which is making me look really improportionate right now! I wear a S-M size dress or top but I still have an XL bottom due to those large thighs! In fact, my bottoms won't even fit if they weren't stuck at the thighs. ><

What exercises can I do to have a more proportionate body? Why is it that my thighs and calves just wouldn't barge? Am I overdoing my leg exercises? Could it be that some of my binges contain certain food that is hindering my way? Also, as my stamina increases, I am jogging a further distance which means that I am using more time than I did in the past. I am still schooling and I have a lot of assignments to complete so this is really making me really stressed up as I cannot afford to end up spending 3 hours a day exercising in the near future.

Please help!
Troubled me

TavistockToad

keep losing weight and you will lose the fat... sounds like you carry more weight on your lower half, so it'll be the last to go.

however at 5ft6 and 125lbs i doubt you have massive thighs...

bvontur

I'm not an expert by any means, but I've been trolling here long enough to comfortably make this recommendation: consider strength training. Contrary to popular belief, you will not get bulky. If you continue to focus on cardiovascular training and dieting for weight loss, you will succeed in losing the fat, but I doubt you'll be satisfied with the way you look without strength training.

Reference these articles/discussions:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1096001-halp-heavy-lifting-made-me-supah-bulky?hl=halp+bulky&page=1
http://www.fitocracy.com/knowledge/why-women-should-lift/
http://www.fitocracy.com/knowledge/whats-the-best-training-regimen-for-women/

Consider joining this group
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

Or read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IE9RGC?btkr=1

I hope you achieve all your goals.

ukaryote

Article to read: Why does fat deposit on the hips and thighs of women and around the stomachs of men?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-does-fat-deposit-on-t/

Unfair, but just the way it is. When you lose more weight, you will lose more fat around the hips and thighs. You can add lean muscle, which increases much more slowly than losing fat.

- Do the exercises you like and you will probably stick with them.
- If you have not done much exercise, try some classes and see what appeals to you.
- The first few times you try any exercise it will be much, much more difficult because you are learning how to move, developing muscle memory for that series of moves.
- Meaning, try not to be discouraged the first few times you do some exercise.
- Start easy. If it feels too easy then good, you can step it up next time.
- Don't try to keep up with people that have been taking the class for months, no one will give you any extra cookies and you may get discouraged.

TheArchyBunker

You can NEVER EVER target an area for fat loss - your body will burn fat where your body feels it needs it first to last end of story. Everyone is a bit different.

Secondly - 30-60min cardio a workout - 4 days a week do endurance training. You'll shred fat and lean up.

MiCkJy11_

Woahhh thanks everyone!

The articles were useful and encouraging!

Yes I will probably try strength and endurance training. Got to tone up if I really want to look good!

Thank you! (: