Sick of Thick Thighs? Me too! (pear-shaped women)

agbaeb

Ok, so I'm beyond the looking ok in clothes point. I workout for me, to be a good steward of the body God has given me, and to please my wonderful husband by offering him a wife who cares about satisfying him.

I get the skinny jokes. I'm the "don't the turn sideways or you'll disappear skinny". I'm the "you must way 100 lbs" (I DON'T) BUT... if I wear shorts or if I'm in a bikini.... my thighs are massive!

I'm not talking "big to me". I'm not talking "I'm anorexic and just self-conscious". I'm saying they're noticably large. My husband recognizes it. My family recognizes it, and I'm kind of self-conscious about it. I've got a bony upper body and legs that are way too large for my body. I know people call that pear shaped and I know that's a part of life genetically.

My question is:
If I weight-lifting, am I going to build bulky muscles on my lower half? I got these huge legs 1) horseback riding 2) just benig a pear and I'm afraid of them gaining in size as I work out. I know cardio is supposed to help, but I run about 20 miles/week (just ran 12 miles on Saturday training for a 20k).

Any help would be wonderful. I know I can't "spot treat" but what have you found successful?

kidskart

I too am pear shaped. I've had large butt & thighs at 104lbs and even larger butt & thighs at 204lbs. It is the way I am shaped, I have worn a size 6 on top and still need a 12 for my hips and tighs! I get your frustration. Three children and 20+ years of marriage only made it worse. That said, my weight loss goal was also to glorify God with the body He gave me, that other would see His Spirit in me and NOT my FAT!

Your question, what has helped? I have only recently had great success with 'spot treating'. I walk longer distances as opposed to running. I do Pilates stretches to lengthen the muscles. I have been having regular (monthly) massages to stimulate and move toxins (cellulite) from that area. And I have added compression shorts to help blood flow in that area.

For the first time in my life my hips & thighs are begginning to look 'normal.' I'm not there yet, but they are not nearly as out of proportion as they have been. I have also used weight training to build muscle on my upper half to even out my overall appearance.

I do hope this helps, I'll be interested to see other's solutions!

Lozze

I do Pilates stretches to lengthen the muscles.

This is not possible. Your muscles are one length and this cannot be changed, no matter how much we wish it to be so.

I wish I could offer more help. Since I started weight lifting my calves have become awesome but my thighs don't appear to have changed at all. I still have a lot to lose, so I'm hoping it goes, but as a lifttime softball player I'm not hopeful. I'm trying to learn to love them.

Sasssy69

I have the exact same problem. I started lifting about 4 months ago, and I lift heavy (to become stronger and build more muscle). I'm losing weight, and my pants, around the waist, are huge. But they are actually tighter in my thigh area now.

I spoke with a trainer, and he said to lift light. Stop trying to build muscle mass and work on sculpting. He said to go ridiculously light, and then do no more than 4-5 sets with 10-15 reps per set. So I've been doing that.

I also do lunges as well as walking and biking.

I really don't think there is much we can do in regards to having a larger lower half. I'm a size 6 in my waist, and a 10 in my butt and thighs. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've been dealing with this issue my whole life. Even when I was tiny (size 2 tiny), I STILL had a big butt.

God made each of of differently and unique. I think as long as you are eating healthy and exercising, maybe you should give up the dream of the "perfect" body (because really, what is that?). I have chosen to love my shape. Yeah, I wish I could look like a Victoria's Secret model. But I don't, and I get tired of feeling guilty because I don't.

At least you know you are not alone in the "Sisterhood of the big booty." ;-)

rebecca_d35

I also have a skinny upper body and big legs. It bugs me. But: are your legs thick but firm? Because I don't think that looks bad at all. I can see that, even through I don't have any weight to lose from my head to my waist, there's still fat in my legs. If they were firm and muscular, I think I'd be at peace with them. Thick ankles and all.

Anyway, I run about 20 miles a week, too, and my legs look better than before. But FAR from great.

TeaBea

No - I have never found the "magic bullet" for thin thighs (I'm 50+). Even at my lowest weight 106 lbs (5'5") I still had big thighs. I exercise for my health .... and tell myself it has to be enough.

As far as getting bulky, that is not the "norm" for women .... but there are exceptions (Mary Lou Retton).

Some women swear by THIS exercise..... other women swear by THAT exercise ..... you would think if THAT really was the "magic bullet" .... every woman would have the same answer. Answers vary .....so NO magic bullet (IMO).

EDesq

Ok, so I'm beyond the looking ok in clothes point. I workout for me, to be a good steward of the body God has given me, and to please my wonderful husband by offering him a wife who cares about satisfying him.

I get the skinny jokes. I'm the "don't the turn sideways or you'll disappear skinny". I'm the "you must way 100 lbs" (I DON'T) BUT... if I wear shorts or if I'm in a bikini.... my thighs are massive!

I'm not talking "big to me". I'm not talking "I'm anorexic and just self-conscious". I'm saying they're noticably large. My husband recognizes it. My family recognizes it, and I'm kind of self-conscious about it. I've got a bony upper body and legs that are way too large for my body. I know people call that pear shaped and I know that's a part of life genetically.

My question is:
If I weight-lifting, am I going to build bulky muscles on my lower half? I got these huge legs 1) horseback riding 2) just benig a pear and I'm afraid of them gaining in size as I work out. I know cardio is supposed to help, but I run about 20 miles/week (just ran 12 miles on Saturday training for a 20k).

Any help would be wonderful. I know I can't "spot treat" but what have you found successful?

What some people do not "get" is that BODY TYPE is an Immutable Characteristic. What does that mean>>>It is YOU, it is "GOD given like your skin color, eye color, hair color (you can tan, bleach or dye, but it is STILL the same naturally.) You can lose weight but your Body Type will remain, learn to accept it and enjoy it, there's nothing wrong with it.

mscoco10

I would try 30 day shred. I did lose 2 inches of my thighs and about 3 inches off my butt and 3 inches off my waist. I going for round 2. Its intense but it does work.

ingalynn

try pilates leg work out...tones really nicely without bulking up

amcarad

IKR! Being built like this sucks. I used to weightlift before I had kids and my thighs just got out of shape and stayed huge.

p0pr0cksnc0ke

You have 33" hips and 19" thighs. I don't see anything unproportionate about that.

Kerri_is_so_very

Ok, so I'm beyond the looking ok in clothes point. I workout for me, to be a good steward of the body God has given me, and to please my wonderful husband by offering him a wife who cares about satisfying him.

I get the skinny jokes. I'm the "don't the turn sideways or you'll disappear skinny". I'm the "you must way 100 lbs" (I DON'T) BUT... if I wear shorts or if I'm in a bikini.... my thighs are massive!

I'm not talking "big to me". I'm not talking "I'm anorexic and just self-conscious". I'm saying they're noticably large. My husband recognizes it. My family recognizes it, and I'm kind of self-conscious about it. I've got a bony upper body and legs that are way too large for my body. I know people call that pear shaped and I know that's a part of life genetically.

My question is:
If I weight-lifting, am I going to build bulky muscles on my lower half? I got these huge legs 1) horseback riding 2) just benig a pear and I'm afraid of them gaining in size as I work out. I know cardio is supposed to help, but I run about 20 miles/week (just ran 12 miles on Saturday training for a 20k).

Any help would be wonderful. I know I can't "spot treat" but what have you found successful?

What some people do not "get" is that BODY TYPE is an Immutable Characteristic. What does that mean>>>It is YOU, it is "GOD given like your skin color, eye color, hair color (you can tan, bleach or dye, but it is STILL the same naturally.) You can lose weight but your Body Type will remain, learn to accept it and enjoy it, there's nothing wrong with it.

Yes, embrace it!!!! A-line A-line A-line. Dresses, skirts etc. not much you can do wearing shorts, but for the nights out or anything else you can "dress' for. A-line is the most flattering for pears I get frustrated too, but I was a fat pear and now want to be a skinny pear....but I'm always going to be a pear

meshashesha2012

i also have thick thighs and although my midsection is slimming down nicely, my thighs are slower to respond.

just keep in mind if you're pear shaped, genetics wants you to always be a pear shape so you will always be a pear shape. that means that you'll notice your weight loss is much slower on those areas. not saying you cant slim them down, but it'll take some time

anyway, what's been working for me is just generally eating below my TDEE and consistent exercise. i lift heavy weights and am the type who gains muscle and strength easily but i'm not getting "bulky" because i'm not overeating. bulk has more to do with the amount of fat over your muscles than the actual size of the muscle itself

amcarad

I have a problem with exercising because I have a bad back. I also have problems with both of my arms and if I push them I can't even lift my 2 year old. There are more things I can't do than I can. I'm 205 at 5'1 right now. I'm trying to eat healthier but I only have so much money to spend on food for me and 3 kids. (The older 2 won't eat most of the healthy stuff I fix)

agbaeb

I guess I can't complain too much. God does make our bodies special and unique and we're not all VS models (I'm not sure they are either... ever seen those videos about photo shop??) lol

I guess I'm having the hardest time b/c I've had the thighs I wanted at one point....
When I was at GW the first time; I was exercising less, but I had the thighs I want...
Today I'm healthier for sure (overall) but I am having a hard time getting rid of these last 6-10 lbs that are ... lol...stuck in my thighs!

meshashesha2012

just stick with it. at least you know where those last 10 pounds are :laugh:

TeaBea

just stick with it. at least you know where those last 10 pounds are :laugh:

The point of this thread (I believe) is that for some of us .... this is where the 10 pounds will FOREVER be. Some people don't get it. It's like telling a really busty woman "with diet & exercise she can achieve an average figure."

As stated before, I have weighed 106lbs (I'm 5'5") and had fat legs. The logic of your statment .... If I weigh 96 pounds, I would then have thin thighs? I get where anorexia comes from.

meshashesha2012

just stick with it. at least you know where those last 10 pounds are :laugh:

The point of this thread (I believe) is that for some of us .... this is where the 10 pounds will FOREVER be. Some people don't get it. It's like telling a really busty woman "with diet & exercise she can achieve an average figure."

As stated before, I have weighed 106lbs (I'm 5'5") and had fat legs. The logic of your statment .... If I weigh 96 pounds, I would then have thin thighs? I get where anorexia comes from.

wow you fail and you completely misunderstood me, obviously didnt read what i wrote previously about once a pear shape always a pear shape.

i didnt say you're thighs would be thin, just that they would be slimmer. i'd never use the work "thin" because thin is relative so what i consider thin might not be considered thin by someone else. you will almost always have the same shape, but that shape will be slimmer.

besides that you seem to not understand that weight has very little to do with your body composition. if you have "fat" thighs and are underweight then you obviously need to work on developing some muscle. plus if the issue looking imbalanced then exercise can also help with that (ie weight training to develop shoulder and more of a v shape to your back)

and gee i had no idea i had that much power to make people develop anorexia :noway:

1Kristine1

I like my pear shape. Gives me a round bum and strong legs.
It will be nicer once I am not overweight and more healthy.

TyFit08

While I do complain about my thick thighs at times, I am proud to be a pear shaped woman. My husband loves my ample booty and hips. But the more weight I gain, the more out of control it gets to me. I have a magic weight/size and when I'm there my body is as close to proportional as ever. That is around 6 or 4. At that size, I can go to a store and buy a size 6 suit for work and both pieces fit, now I'm about an 8 at the top and 12 or 14 at the bottom.

Even though I have thick thighs they are pretty muscular, I think the important thing is to avoid exercises that will bulk. Running is great for leaning. Also embrace what you have, most men find butt and thighs very attractive

SPNLuver83

Jillian Michael's Killer Buns and Thighs! I have a large lower half as well and this has made a noticeable difference!!

hannahchipmunk

I totally know what you mean; even at my lowest weight I still had substantial thighs! I think different things work for different people, but running has helped slim and tone my thighs a bit.

kim_mc

I hear ya! I wear xs-s tops and still have HUGE thighs. Even with weights, cardio, squats, lunges, you name it, the weight stays on and they are not fit at all!!!! JIGGLE JIGGLE! If I gain weight it goes right to the lower half of my body.

Don't really know what to do except try to come to terms with the fact that this is how I'm built and continue to work as hard as I can. I will always be self conscious about it because I don't think I look proportioned. Wish I could figure out a way to make things different but as of yet, no such luck!

auroranflash

Texas Thighs. I haz them.

I don't want them to go away, I want them to be toned and sexy. Stairstepper (intervals) and running (intervals) and squats have helped. I have thigh muscles like rocks. When I get bored, I start punching them for fun.

getfitdiva

I embrace my thighs and my husband loves them. I did lose some inches w/ a combo of running intervals/incline jog or walk, and step mill.

I will just work on toning them so if they big at least they can look toned/sporty. Weekly I work on squats w/ weights such as weighted squats, leg presses, stiff-legged dead lifts, and leg curls.

MommaKit79

I spoke with a trainer, and he said to lift light. Stop trying to build muscle mass and work on sculpting. He said to go ridiculously light, and then do no more than 4-5 sets with 10-15 reps per set. So I've been doing that.

I also do lunges as well as walking and biking.

^^YES...lift lighter to work that part of the leg. Unfortunately, it is part of the BODY TYPE that will cause issues with losing here but, lifting lighter for awhile and increasing VERY slowly helps tone and build muscle underneath any extra "insulation" we may have. Yes, you will always be pear shaped but, there are some things you can do to help with HOW muscle you will be different.

I am Hour glass and the hips are a problem for me as well!

blynn2708

I am exactly like you! I am tiny all over, bony upper body, even little butt, but the thighs...my god!!! I hate them, It's not "all in my head" I really have huge thighs! lol I was doomed from both sides of my family!! I am starting "Killer Buns and Thighs" tonight. I started running a couple of months ago and I have lost an inch on each leg...I'll take that! :bigsmile:

_SpeshK_

Weight training/strength training will NOT bulk you up!
Lifting heavy weights will actually make you lose fat cells and add muscle mass at the same time.
Please do a forum search on this topic...so many women have asked this same question and it's just not in our genetics to
"bulk up" so to speak. TONS of photos of women with drastic, amazing results from ONLY doing lifting.

I guarantee if you start doing heavy lifting (like a MAN'S lifting regime) you will see the results you are wanting. No one can guarantee that your legs/thighs will get any smaller - that is your body type - but I can guarantee that your thighs will no longer be "thunderous" or "dimply" but you will replace it with lean defined muscle. You have to stick to a serious training program though.

dad106

5'9, 150 pound, size 4 pear over here.. and I advocate lifting heavy(or what heavy is to you).

I do squats, lunges, step up's.. all with either 20 pound dumbells in each hand or 30-50 pound barbell on my back.. and all I've done is become smaller. If you lose the fat, then the big look goes away since muscle is denser than fat.. but if you have fat on top of the muscle, then it will look bigger.

ms_walker

I'm built the same way. I find running to be the best cardio to lean out my legs - combined with sqauts and lunges for definition. Also, I'm told doing upper body weights to 'bulk out' top half so you appear more proportional will also help. That said I hate doing upper body work and have learned to love my thighs, they ain't going anywhere.

DeeVanderbles

Perhaps try BeachBody's Brazil Butt Lift? There was a post recently with before and after pics. If you search for it you should find it.