Will my legs ever be worthy of shorts?

nvrgvup12

I have been back to MFP for just over a month and have wondered lately if my legs will ever be worthy of wearing shorts again! Due to my weight yo-yoing, heredity and childbirth; my legs are covered with cellulite and varicose veins. Not to mention i'm short and fair-skinned. I know I am only a month (and -8 lbs) into this journey, so it's probably early to say. But I have a hard time seeing that I would ever be able to confidently wear a pair of shorts again--at least ones that don't come to my knees I was just curious if anyone out there has seen drastic changes in their legs...something to give me hope!

KANGOOJUMPS

YES!! YOU CAN DO THIS!

JessicaPasieka

I wonder the same about myself. My legs are definitely my biggest problem area and the area I am most worried about. I have never in my Entire life been able to feel confident in a pair of shorts. However, in September, I will be going to California with my boyfriend and I hope by then, I feel good and look good enough to wear shorts or a sundress. I think once I start working out and tightening and firming, I will be better off. But I feel just the same as you do.

laynunugawa

yes you will wear shorts again, as long as you continue your healthy lifestyle journey. It took me a long time but you have to take it one day at a time.

I actually bought a pair of shorts a couple sizes down and would hang them in my closet as a target goal and motivator. Do what works for you but you can get there. You have already lost 8lbs, that is so good.

infamousmk

I am quite overweight and also have cellulite and varicose veins... and um, I'm going to wear shorts this summer. Just because I need to lose weight doesn't mean I have to suffer.

mamabear272

I have never been bothered by shorts. I'm definitely not the most secure person in the world but my theory was always "if you don't like the way my legs look then don't look at them!" I dress for my comfort level and I'm so not running around in jeans or even capris when it's sweltering outside just so that you don't judge my legs! Wear those shorts girl!

mariehamid

I am having the same issue. For years I've struggled with the same problem. Lost the weight and everything else would get toned but not my cottage cheese thighs. It also runs in my side of the family with the varicose veins and I'm sporting some nasty looking ones now. They got extremly worse after I had my last child. I even tried those silly creams and spent so much money thinking that would help the appearance of the celluite but nothing has helped. I'm open to any suggestions also because at this point I'm dreading spring and summer...

Hellbent_Heidi

Yes, you will....and if the veins bother you enough...there's a lot of options these days for treatment (maybe that can be your self-reward when you reach your goal).

Good luck!!

MsMori46

Buy some goal shorts and when you get to your goal weight, wear them! No matter how you think they look. We are usually our own worst critics and no one is perfect. Wear the shorts because you are proud of yourself for all your hard work not because you have skinny, tan, flawless legs. You can do it and you will look great! Post a pic when you put them on!! I am cheering for you!

Evachiquita

I have always disliked my legs. But now I love them! Cycling like a crazy person has helped sculpt my legs but losing weight has made me more comfortable with my body. This past summer was the first time I really wore relatively short shorts confidently. I partly didn't wear shorts because of that weird bunching action when my legs would rub together, but now they don't do that! Can't wait for summer to get here again so I can show off my new, even better legs! Oh, and I still have cellulite and some varicose veins.

You are worth it and you can do it! You'll look hot in tight short skirts too! :bigsmile:

mspris2u

I've had cellulite since I was a teenager and been heavy for a good portion of my life. Grew up in Florida so always wore shorts and CAN'T WAIT til it warms up enough for me to rock shorts again!! I say wear them now and wear them proudly!

Contrarian

I wear what I want. You should, too.

ohmgetsfit

I am also wondering the same thing. I haven't worn shorts in many years!

rougecrayon

I used to never weat shorts because I thought my legs were fat...

Until my "Chicken legged" mom and I measured our legs, and mine were as small as hers. I may not have baby legs or vericose veins, but it is never as bad as you think it is and you deserve to wear shorts and not feel bad about yourself!

Look around this summer at all the vericosed-cellulose ridden legs uncovered and you never cared or thought they were ugly... why should they?

Trust me, you are beautiful!

cwolfman13

For what it's worth, I never thought I'd be able to go to the pool or the beach without a t-shirt ever again...even then, it wasn't the prettiest of sites to see. It has long been a huge discouragement of mine...years ago I had the body of an athlete and the former Marine that I am...that somehow turned into big man boobs and a huge gut and flabby arms. Never thought I'd be able to get it back and just resigned myself to such.

Now...can't wait to hit the pool...not where I want to be yet, but low and behold my hard work is paying off. I can see my muscles again under all that fat...even though I still have a nice little layer, I can see them. When it's all said and done, I'm estimating that it will take at least a year total from my start to reach my goal BF% and weight...from there, I'll be trying to put on some more muscle to attain my previous body...all in all, I imagine it will be a total of 2-3 year process...and then of course, maintaining that for the rest of my life.

tyrannosarousREX

I have never in my life been comfortable wearing shorts. I'm determined to feel okay with it this summer. my legs need some colour! my legs are smaller then a lot of people I know who wear shorts all the time. I think my issue is mostly in my head. You can definitely do this. I found doing a lot of squats and lunges really helped me get rid of cellulite. I'm sure you look fantastic.

Jubee31

just quit now, it seems that is the attitude you have.

Really? She was asking a question about shorts. You obviously didn't read and/or understand her post.

I *hope* one day I'll be comfortable in shorts too! All I can do is just work away and see what happens! Good luck to you!!

BriUndead

No matter what, don't give up. You can do it if you truly want too. Also maybe you need to try and just be confident about your legs. I'm going to wear shorts this summer even though I'll still be overweight. Just don't worry about what others think. I understand this can be hard because we all have insecurities. Mine is my stretch marks on my stomach and around my waist. I'd love to wear a bikini this summer after I've lost more weight but am afraid people will look at me like I'm deformed. But then I remind myself that things such as stretch marks are normal and do not make you ugly. So try to stay positive.

erg2013

I can relate as I carry all my weight in my thighs. In addition to diet and lifting, I have seen small improvements in the *look* of my legs by doing the following:

1) Dry brushing (thickens skin, makes cellulite less noticeable; improves lymph flow)
2) Daily inversion. Simple: legs up the wall for 20 minutes a day. Moves lymph as well. Peaceful way to start or end the day
3) Body Bronzer

hope that helps!

mayflowermn

Yes, you can get "short worthy legs"! I didn't have to worry about varicose veins, but I had plenty of cellulite in those chunky thighs of mine (curse those Czech/German genes of mine! lol). I have definitely noticed an improvement and while it has taken a while, the cellulite has been reduced....even was surprised that the cellulite in the ol' tush had improved! Granted it's not worthy of anyone even remotely wanting to trade their soul for it, but at least it's not looking like some old sofa cushion that the dog tore some of the stuffing out of! lol

For what it's worth, I attribute it to spending the last 10 months lifting weights and really pushing myself to lift as heavy as possible. I simply love the challenge of seeing what amount of weight I am able to push. Leg day is not my favorite by any stretch but I am starting to see some real definition and some gains in strength which helps motivate me to push through the workout. I just added deadlifts and clean & jerks so looking forward to see how that changes things.

So yes, there is hope!

kazzsjourney

Mine I will never be able to slip into shorts....this is due to excess skin. But the way I look at it is...make the most of your attributes...whilst my legs suck LOL im quite small uptop and seem to build muscle in my shoulders and biceps etc quite easily. So while I do still exercise my legs....I focus on upper body. When I dress if i can wear strappy or sleeveless clothes to show them off I do! I also have a hour glass figure so try to show my waist off. None of us have perfect bodies...just make the best of your assets

ddky

check with a surgeon about varicose vein treatments. I had the worst ones of mine done, and it made a huge difference. Insurance paid most of it. The treatment itself wasn't too bad.. squeezing into the support hose you have to wear for a few weeks was not easy. But I am trhrilled with the results.

betsij

ugh! I feel the same way! Just keep on keeping on, You WILL get there!!

__RANDY__

just quit now, it seems that is the attitude you have.

Really? She was asking a question about shorts. You obviously didn't read and/or understand her post.

I *hope* one day I'll be comfortable in shorts too! All I can do is just work away and see what happens! Good luck to you!!

What I picked up from her post is: "Is weight loss even worth it if I can't wear shorts?"

trophywife24

This is the first summer that I will be wearing shorts in..... (crickets)....... geeze, since I was a child. I think I stopped wearing them when I was around 12 and my mom told me that I had fat legs (womp womp).

I do have heavier legs than the rest of me, I'm pear shaped! Really all that did it for me has been loosing the weight and doing pilates! I walk a lot, too. I still have *some* cellulite (and I'm only 120-ish pounds right now) t damn it, I'm wearing shorts. Don't like it, don't look!

bnjones23

Yes!! You WILL get there!! It'll take time, patience, and consistency. The 2 things things that helped my legs in shape are running and Brazil Butt Lift. BBL works your entire leg and butt as well as your core!

aussiestargazer

Randy - that was a really insensitive comment - when folks are first starting out - there are many motivations and questions - finding others we can relate to and ask honest questions - such as this one is what the forums are all about. To accuse people of just wanting to quit because you don't get it is really off.

nvrgvup12 - I finally have the confidence to wear shorts - and i still weigh well over 200 lbs - have varicose veins and lymphadema in both legs - my calves started off the size of some some people's waist - from 78 cm to 66 cm - the confidence you gain along the way enables you to do things like wear clothes you never thought you would again - I am not sure I would wear them out in public yet - but since I went on a cruise - I wore a skirt and togs for hte first time in over 25 years in public - so yes it can be done - I am not sure that even as I lose more weight that my legs will ever be what some folks call "shorts worthy" but I am getting comfortable in my own - you will too - just take it day by day!

april_mesk

I have all the same things you do but believe it can be done! I know how much you work out - you are headed down the right path. It does take time. Anything worth doing is hard work! You and I will both get there. Keep up your workouts and keep logging the way you have been. You won't regret doing what your doing a year from now or less/more. Be strong..and...like your name suggests...Never Give Up!!!

grrrlface

I always wondered the same but after dropping some of the extra weight I realised that if I keep pushing then I can have shorts/skirt worthy legs by summer!

Just gotta keep going! You'll see a difference sooner than you think!

RobinvdM

Worthy of shorts? If youre really asking that question then you probably won't ever be happy with what your poor lovely legs look like. Just stick to watching what you eat, get lots of exercise and when this summer comes around toss on your short shorts and let the admirers flock :laugh:

My attitude: My shorts are LUCKY I am wearing them, not the other way around. I don't care if my legs are dimpled with fat tissue, I get freaking warm Im not wearing long pants, or capris and anyone who gawks at me is just going to give me a big head cause obviously staring is caring:drinker:

MagicalLeopleurodon

Bermuda shorts flatter everyone.

i am almost transparent-im soooo pale. jergens bronzing body lotion is your friend. not orangey, very subtle, makes your skin oh so smooth.

just keep at it!