toning

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missbaker89
missbaker89 Posts: 245
in Health and Weight Loss
what is the best exercise to tone the stomach and inner thighs? any help and tips would be great thanks!

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  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
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    You can't spot reduce. You have to reduce your overall body fat %.
  • missbaker89
    missbaker89 Posts: 245
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    You can't spot reduce. You have to reduce your overall body fat %.

    how do you do that?
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
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    Calorie deficit.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
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    work out?? strength training is great for toning - and you can't spot reduce, just not possible.
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
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    The only way to tone is to lose the fat
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    There really is no such thing as "toning". You can strengthen and preserve you muscles by strength training and eating enough protein. You can also remove the fat over the muscles by maintaining a constant calorie deficit, therefore revealing them and making you look more "toned".

    So I'd advise you to continue dieting, make sure you are eating at least 1 gram fo protein per pound of body weight, and if you aren't doing so, start a heavy weight lifting program including squats and deadlifts. I'd recommend New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women (a book) or Strong Lifts 5x5 (a website w/ a free .pdf download).
  • missbaker89
    missbaker89 Posts: 245
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    thanks everyone for your advice and tips :)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
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    Although you can spot reduce ... here are a few ideas
    Specific for inner thigh: Scissor Kicks, Inner Thigh Squeeze (stability ball), Squat Lifts, Skating


    Fitness Magazine is free & shows videos & pictures of different exercises

    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/thighs/exercises/top-thigh-exercises/
    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/exercises/
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
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    I always read you cant spot reduce, but what if you are at your goal weight and eating maintain calories and what to tone your tummy and thighs? That wouldnt be spot reducing that would be toning right?

    I recommend Jillian DVD's No more trouble zones is a good one for working the problem areas.
  • missbaker89
    missbaker89 Posts: 245
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    Although you can spot reduce ... here are a few ideas
    Specific for inner thigh: Scissor Kicks, Inner Thigh Squeeze (stability ball), Squat Lifts, Skating


    Fitness Magazine is free & shows videos & pictures of different exercises

    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/thighs/exercises/top-thigh-exercises/
    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/exercises/

    thanks :)
  • thedreamhazer
    thedreamhazer Posts: 1,156 Member
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    Although you can spot reduce ... here are a few ideas
    Specific for inner thigh: Scissor Kicks, Inner Thigh Squeeze (stability ball), Squat Lifts, Skating


    Fitness Magazine is free & shows videos & pictures of different exercises

    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/thighs/exercises/top-thigh-exercises/
    http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/exercises/

    This may target those muscles, but there is no way to target the fat in a certain area of the body. Therefore, you cannot "tone" a specific spot.

    As for targeting a specific muscle, you are much better off creating a workout that uses your whole body. By doing exercises that involve multiple large muscle groups, such as deadlifts and squats, you will still strengthen areas such as the muscle in your inner thigh but you workout will be much more efficient and will help you maintain your lean mass. As far as exercise goes, this is the best method for creating a "toned" physique. By maintaining as much lean body mass as possible through full body strength training, your body will consume more calories at rest than if you didn't and will be able to achieve the "toned" physique you desire at a higher body weight.
  • missbaker89
    missbaker89 Posts: 245
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    I always read you cant spot reduce, but what if you are at your goal weight and eating maintain calories and what to tone your tummy and thighs? That wouldnt be spot reducing that would be toning right?

    I recommend Jillian DVD's No more trouble zones is a good one for working the problem areas.

    i totally agree with you :ohwell:
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    I always read you cant spot reduce, but what if you are at your goal weight and eating maintain calories and what to tone your tummy and thighs? That wouldnt be spot reducing that would be toning right?

    I recommend Jillian DVD's No more trouble zones is a good one for working the problem areas.

    I guess that would be "spot toning", which I guess is possible, but why? Seems like a waste of time. Why strengthen ONLY your abs and inner thighs when you can do the big lifts and strengthen your entire body including your abs and inner thighs?
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
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    That's why I like JM's DVD's she works everything.
    I have thought about lifting, but I'm not ready for that yet.
  • ti2v78
    ti2v78 Posts: 26 Member
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    I am assuming by toning that you mean you want to look more fit and firm in those areas. For one single exercise, I would reccomend squatting (with weight). If you want a series of exercise outside of a Pilates or similar class, then my go-to is still in the weight lifting realm (you are looking to build the muscle under the area, making it look more firm while having the advantage of increased strength and endurance):
    Lunges, squats, deadlifts

    As well, some gymnastics type movements:
    Toes-to-bar (or scaled variation), leg lifts from a dip position and similar movements

    I prefer these to most floor based exercises as they will incorporate more of your back and oblique muscles, giving you a more balanced look while promoting a very healthy body all around.

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