Smaller thighs (help)

LauraGreat
LauraGreat Posts: 24 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What exercises help you lose inches off of your thighs? I've been doing cardio (yoga and elliptical), and my measurements showed no change in my thighs. Frustrated. Any help?

Replies

  • delaney056
    delaney056 Posts: 475
    You can't spot reduce, but there are exercises you can do to help tone your thighs. Try incorporating some strength training. Body weight exercises work just fine. Try squats, sumo squats, and lunges.
  • LauraGreat
    LauraGreat Posts: 24 Member
    Thanks. Not necessarily trying to spot reduce, just looking for some tips on specific exercises that help with that area. I'm fairly new to exercising.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Appropriate calorie deficit (with the amount of weight you have to lose, one pound a week would be ideal until you get within about 10-15 pounds of your goal, then switch to a half pound a week), adequate protein, regular exercise including resistance training, and most importantly... time and patience.

    I didn't really notice much change in the first 10-12 pounds, then everything started shifting. :smile:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    How long have you been working out? Unfortunately for many women, myself included, the thighs are one of the last places to lose from. Something about hormonal calorie storage in preparation for famine during pregnancy. After 3 months of hard training- running and lifting- my measurements on my thighs have just started to budge. Your best bet is a combo of weights and cardio, with the weights concentrated on as many big muscle groups as you can- doesn't necessarily have to be in your legs, but your legs and glutes have great big muscles, so they're great ones to help out. The best advice though, is to stick with it and be patient. Eventually as you reduce your body fat %, they will get smaller. It just may take longer than you'd like.
  • myateam4
    myateam4 Posts: 63 Member
    I have the same exact problem. I am losing in my upper body, but thighs haven't budged and my calves actually got a 1/2" bigger WTF!!!
  • StoutGirl09
    StoutGirl09 Posts: 73 Member
    When I did Jillian's 30 day shred I lost about an 1 1/2 off both my thighs.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Run!!!
  • j_wilson2012
    j_wilson2012 Posts: 293
    CYCLING. Cycling, cycling, cycling. And not on a stationary. Get a road bike. It is about 80-90% work on your legs. Explore some trails. It takes a little bit of money to get started, but once you get the bike and equipment, it is really fun and accomplishing. Can burn about 500-700 calories an hour on a road bike. Not as much as fast as running, but my thighs are getting smaller by the day.
    Plus it is more fun than running. In my opinion.
  • filomenae
    filomenae Posts: 110 Member
    Keep in mind that as you're building muscle underneath your fat tissue, you may not be losing the fat tissue quite yet, which could cause an increase in size at first. If you stick to exercising and making the switch to a healthier lifestyle, over time your body will start to shed off the body fat and your legs will get smaller.

    Doing tons of cardio won't necessarily blast the fat from your legs, but incorporating strength training and building bigger muscles to burn more calories in general definitely will!

    Also, for cardio, I suggest running/jogging/walking. : )
  • yxlr8
    yxlr8 Posts: 67 Member
    I have the same problem but I am limitted with excersize as I have knee injury that is being operated on in the next 8 weeks. I have only been able to swim and walk but still my thighs are not budging and between having a baby 4 months ago and loosing weight im gunna have no boobs left soon (other than saggy sacks). So if anyone has ideas on excersizes for me to help both areas that do not include going to the gym as I cant afford a membership or babysitter, that would be great...
  • j_wilson2012
    j_wilson2012 Posts: 293
    I have the same problem but I am limitted with excersize as I have knee injury that is being operated on in the next 8 weeks. I have only been able to swim and walk but still my thighs are not budging and between having a baby 4 months ago and loosing weight im gunna have no boobs left soon (other than saggy sacks). So if anyone has ideas on excersizes for me to help both areas that do not include going to the gym as I cant afford a membership or babysitter, that would be great...

    Sorry to see the boobs go! :sad:
    Yeah, swimming is about your best bet, I'd say. No impact with swimming, and it can be better than running for cardio. I wish I had a pool, I would be in it every day!
  • bacamacho
    bacamacho Posts: 306 Member
    Stay at your cals and a lot of cardio.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    squat_cause_somewhere_out_there_girl_doing_your_max.jpg
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    Appropriate calorie deficit (with the amount of weight you have to lose, one pound a week would be ideal until you get within about 10-15 pounds of your goal, then switch to a half pound a week), adequate protein, regular exercise including resistance training, and most importantly... time and patience.

    I didn't really notice much change in the first 10-12 pounds, then everything started shifting. :smile:
    ^This. If you're measuring yourself regularly expect to see ups and downs. Month to month you should see yourself eventually shrinking.

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR945ahOjoJ3Lo4DIrrSMYSf-IwcxX3epsGZpvX6NJvn6CAc-v5
  • shorty35565
    shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
    Cardio in general will remove fat from ur body, u just don't get to pick where from unfortunately. Runnin would b good for toning. I ran a mile once, it was my first & only run so far & my entire leg was sore for like 4 days LOL weighed squats, sumo squats, lunges, they have exercises for ur quads but Idk the names. Some programs of interest would b Brazil butt lift or chalean extreme. I'm doin both. CE deluxe had a whole 40 min work out specifically for the lower body.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    squat_cause_somewhere_out_there_girl_doing_your_max.jpg

    Dear mother of god!
  • jetscreaminagain
    jetscreaminagain Posts: 1,130 Member
    Thanks. Not necessarily trying to spot reduce, just looking for some tips on specific exercises that help with that area. I'm fairly new to exercising.

    Ok. Not "spot reducing" but "area reducing"? Not clear on the difference.

    Unfortunately, the bad news is right. You cannot target fat loss to a specific area or spot. You have to have a calorie deficit and lose fat where your body wants to lose fat until you get the fat loss you want.

    Many people are suggesting specific weight lifting moves. Totally do them, but don't think that building those muscles will burn the fat there in any appreciable way. But it will redistribute your shape. Nice high, tight *kitten*, that sort of thing. So, when you get the fat loss you're hoping for, you'll have hot legs remaining. Plus the muscle mass does burn more calories at rest than fat does, helping you with that deficit.
  • LauraGreat
    LauraGreat Posts: 24 Member
    Thanks everyone. :)

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