chubby thighs...to resistence train or not?

boomtimebust

hey all.
i've been working out for the past 6 weeks. reduced my calories and recently downsized my carb intake even more.
i'm noticing my arms and shoulders are slightly more toned, but not losing ANYTHING from belly or thighs. i understand those are the hardest areas for women to blast, and i'm trying to be patient.

my routine: treadmill 60 mins a day 5-6 times a week with an incline
squats (40) and lunges (40 per leg) about 3-5 times a week (upper body strength training too)
cycling about 3-5 times a week for 30 mins on avg 14 mph

so it's not super intensive, but i'm wondering if this might be bulking me? am i being too lazy? expecting too much? is it an age thing (i'm almost 30)?

i've always had chubby legs, even as a little kid, they're just stocky. but i've been doing this routine on and off for the past 10 years, and always bike a lot in the summer. it used to help almost immediately. i'd see a difference. i won't even get into the stress my stomach fat is causing. that seems to be not going anywhere. i broke down crying in the middle of my work out today.

anyway several sites suggest to do long distance running with some HIIT to burn fat, and THEN start the strength training. what do you think? what have you done that was successful? i don't want to waste any time with ineffective training.

thanks for your help! good luck to everyone in their missions!

booyainyoface

weights. heavy ones. less cardio. you won't get bulky.

boomtimebust

really, less cardio?
thanks for your input, i appreciate it!
what kind of exercises do you suggest?

canelly

Ok I will use this pic to show you what I did to slim my legs a bit. I started to use the eleptical for 30 min a day and lil by little I when up in each level till I wasn't sore anymore. I also just picked up running. I been running since November and my legs fat just melt away! They look so nice and toned I love them! But now I want bigger more muscly legs lol.. So I need to start lifting.





Ok edit it to add another better pic.



I also do lots of squats and lunges by the way.

Lozze

Do you do weighted squats and lunges? How much weight? Why so many reps?

I also think too muh cardio as well. I love cardio but an hour and a half see s a tad too much.

MissPeppers

Ok edit it to add another better pic.



I also do lots of squats and lunges by the way.

Can I have legs like yours? Pretty please...?
I also have stocky legs with a lot of muscle underneath that fat layer. But I've seen the changes and I don't do much cardio, only strenght training and it works. Just have to manage the fat loss part first ;-)

Tann33

larnsperger

Running is an excellent way to tone the legs, so is an elliptical. Squats and lunges are hands down great ways to tone up that area, and you can add weights as you get stronger. You don't mention what you are eating? If you are doing that much cardio consistently I would think you'd begin to see some results, but not if the diet isn't high in good sources of lean protein and vegetables and some fruit. Hang in there trial and error is how we learn:)

canelly

Ok edit it to add another better pic.


I also do lots of squats and lunges by the way.

Can I have legs like yours? Pretty please...?
I also have stocky legs with a lot of muscle underneath that fat layer. But I've seen the changes and I don't do much cardio, only strenght training and it works. Just have to manage the fat loss part first ;-)

Them you!!! When I was little I always had big muscly legs but after I had my kids and gains a lot of weight they got really fat. But I'm glad they are getting better now.

kdiamond

Here's another vote for weights...my legs were always where I carried my fat. Now they are shapely and lean, ALL DUE TO HEAVY WEIGHT TRAINING!!!

Before: 105 pounds and did nothing but cardio...notice the cellulite!!



Now: 110 pound and smaller legs with very little unnoticeable cellulite

kdiamond

Ok I will use this pic to show you what I did to slim my legs a bit. I started to use the eleptical for 30 min a day and lil by little I when up in each level till I wasn't sore anymore. I also just picked up running. I been running since November and my legs fat just melt away! They look so nice and toned I love them! But now I want bigger more muscly legs lol.. So I need to start lifting.





Ok edit it to add another better pic.



I also do lots of squats and lunges by the way.

Great legs, perfect really! Love the muscles.

Pixi_Rex

so it's not super intensive, but i'm wondering if this might be bulking me? am i being too lazy? expecting too much? is it an age thing (i'm almost 30)?

Bulking.. I doubt it. Get into a strength training program you will notice a huge difference.

TavistockToad

weights. heavy ones. less cardio. you won't get bulky.

This! Squats & lunges holding something heavy!

vickilm1976

WOW! Loving this thread, you girls make me want to go out running and then lift some heavy weights! Thanks for my Saturday morning motivation! Beautiful!

rileysowner

hey all.
i've been working out for the past 6 weeks. reduced my calories and recently downsized my carb intake even more.
i'm noticing my arms and shoulders are slightly more toned, but not losing ANYTHING from belly or thighs. i understand those are the hardest areas for women to blast, and i'm trying to be patient.

my routine: treadmill 60 mins a day 5-6 times a week with an incline
squats (40) and lunges (40 per leg) about 3-5 times a week (upper body strength training too)
cycling about 3-5 times a week for 30 mins on avg 14 mph

so it's not super intensive, but i'm wondering if this might be bulking me? am i being too lazy? expecting too much? is it an age thing (i'm almost 30)?

i've always had chubby legs, even as a little kid, they're just stocky. but i've been doing this routine on and off for the past 10 years, and always bike a lot in the summer. it used to help almost immediately. i'd see a difference. i won't even get into the stress my stomach fat is causing. that seems to be not going anywhere. i broke down crying in the middle of my work out today.

anyway several sites suggest to do long distance running with some HIIT to burn fat, and THEN start the strength training. what do you think? what have you done that was successful? i don't want to waste any time with ineffective training.

thanks for your help! good luck to everyone in their missions!

It is almost impossible for a woman to put on muscle while in a calorie deficit. A small amount maybe, but most of the change will be in increased strength and endurance.

I also say more resistance, less long boring cardio. Do HIIT instead.

boomtimebust

WOW, you look amazing! congratulations! thanks for your reply also

boomtimebust

no, no weights on the lunges/squats.
are 40 reps a lot?
i do 100-200 crunches a day 5 times a week and i'm not seeing any changes.
such a novice here!

sofielein

OMG those are sexiest legs ever!

I seriously would not want to lose an inch from there. Thighs need dimension and flesh to sexy. Skinny thighs are for kids.

I want exactly legs like yours... I need to check what you did there.

Hezzietiger1

yes.. always resistance train.

Xhell_on_heelsX

Oh my lord, If I could get legs like these on here, I'de be a happy girl. Love reading all the replies and getting ideas of what I can do next =]

runningwoodpecker

OMG those are sexiest legs ever!

I seriously would not want to lose an inch from there. Thighs need dimension and flesh to sexy. Skinny thighs are for kids.

I want exactly legs like yours... I need to check what you did there.

Please do not bash other people's body types.

Tempe729

no, no weights on the lunges/squats.
are 40 reps a lot?
i do 100-200 crunches a day 5 times a week and i'm not seeing any changes.
such a novice here!

It's going to depend on your diet to. You can exercise all you want, but as they say "Abs are made in the kitchen". If you're eating too many "yuck" foods & not enough greens that may be why you're not seeing any difference in your tummy area (no matter how many crunches you do!)

As to the legs I'm in the same dilemma but I've noticed more change since doing HIIT & strength training then I ever did running.

Xhell_on_heelsX

no, no weights on the lunges/squats.
are 40 reps a lot?
i do 100-200 crunches a day 5 times a week and i'm not seeing any changes.
such a novice here!

What kind of crunches are you doing? Right now I'm doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and she mentions that you need to do regular crunches but also do "reverse crunches", bicycle crunches and those regular cross crunch things..not sure what they are called (the ones with your feet on the floor, not up in the air like bicycle crunches). I just started the program so I havn't really seen results yet..but I'm thinking if Jillian Michaels says to do different kinds then I better do it lol

boomtimebust

sooooo many replies, thanks you guys!

my diet is full of vegetables, but probably too much fruit. i'm always over carb intake because of it.

what are good resistance exercises for legs? by adding weight, do you mean a machine or holding weights?

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for future readers, the input tally is:

-leg weights
-less cardio

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6 people agree


-HIIT

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1 person agrees


-elliptical 30 min/day
-running
-weighted squats/lunges

Juliejustsaying

I'm loving this thread also....I always carry weight in my thighs as well. I've been doing circuit training since May and love the results but still have heavy thighs...still have about 20lbs to lose...what kind of lunges are y'all doing? I'm up to 70lbs on the squat bar.

nessagrace22

Bump

cicisiam

How did you get such a great waist and abs? Legs look great too. Great job!

denezy

I have big thighs... or at least I used to until I started doing spin classes regularly.... and lifting heavy. My legs have been burning for a year, but for the first time in my life I have been getting compliments on my legs (what?!). I kill it in spin class and it has taken a while, but I am almost pleased.

Lift heavy. Way heavier than you think. Then double that.

DeanBurrows

The one thing that hasn't really been covered is that it's pretty much impossible to isolate fat loss, doing a 1000 crunches a day won't get rid of that belly fat, it will assist in fat loss but not specifically remove fat from that area.

Doing more Cardio (Running/leg based) or Heavy resistance just means you will gain better muscle strength in your leg area, but training that area hard in terms of resistance is good anyway because it being such a large muscle group your overall fat burn would be greater doing legs than if you were not.

My 2 cents;

Less Cardio more Resistance

DavPul

just stopping by so this thread appears in my feed. Some great advice here and you ladies that posted pictures of your results look stunning.

I give this thread 5 stars. Would read again.

MoreBean13

I'm pretty proud of what has happened to my legs as a result of weightlifting. I don't dare post pictures after canelly's though!:laugh: !!

I have no opinion on the 'less cardio' issue because I'm also a runner- my opinion is that you should prioritize the weightlifting and fit the cardio around it however you like.

Squats, deadlifts, lunges, and hill sprints are the ticket to hot legs and a badass booty.
I have been a runner my entire life, and never had the legs/azz I wanted until I started seriously weight lifting.