Help! Chunky Thighs!

Alex_on_the_Rocks
Alex_on_the_Rocks Posts: 37
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm dropping weight and inches and am THRILLED with the progress I've made... but my thighs are chunky! I could go down another pants size if it wasn't for my chunky thighs! (I started the 1st of the year in a snug 26... now my 20's are too big in the waist! Woo-Hoo!)
Any advice? I work full time at a fairly stationary job and have 2 young kids. My time out of work is spent doing housework and helping my first grader with her homework, so I need something that can be done quickly and at home.

Replies

  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    you can't spot reduce fat since how you put it on is determined by genetics. just keep doing what you're doing to lose overall fat and your thighs will slim down.

    congrats on your weight loss so far!
  • EnchantedEvening
    EnchantedEvening Posts: 671 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I have a pear shape, so most of my fat is in my butt, hips, and thighs.

    Unfortunately, you can't spot reduce, but you can do some squats and lunges to firm up that area. That will help shape them and keep you from jiggling as you lose weight.

    If you do squats and lunges, start off slowly until your knees have a chance to build up some strength. Don't go too deep or add weights just yet. You can find lots of modifications online.
  • Hannah645
    Hannah645 Posts: 75 Member
    I'm built the same way.

    I'm very busty and I could definitely wear a smaller sized shirt if it wasn't for my chest. Also, my thighs have always been a larger size than my hips, waist, or butt. My advice is to invest in some cute belts because you won't be able to make your thighs go away.

    Good luck!
  • ConnieM20
    ConnieM20 Posts: 493 Member
    I know you cant spot reduce, BUT I have noticed since I started jogging my thighs have really slimmed down. It might be I have more muscles in my thighs and that burns fat...but all I know is im loving my slimmer thighs. hope this helps! :)
  • Cbarrese86
    Cbarrese86 Posts: 37
    I have been doing Pilates for my thighs and butt, and it has taken inches off very quickly. I know people say you can't spot reduce, but as far as my personal experience, that has only been proven with diet alone. If you do crunches, it reduces fat and tones muscle in your tummy right? That's spot reducing! YouTube has some great pilates exercises for hips, thighs, and butt. Check them out and see if it works for you. Good luck!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    If you do crunches, it reduces fat and tones muscle in your tummy right?
    no, not right. direct exercise has no effect on the fat overlaying the muscles.

    for instance i do a *kitten* ton of squats and deadlifts (lower body) but i've lost the majority of inches from my belly. i also dont do any direct ab work.. the reason i'm losing that way has nothing to do with the exercises i am doing, but how my body puts on fat.

    the general rule is the first place you notice weight gain is the last place you'll lose/ the the lowest percentage of loss because that is genetically where your body wants to store fat.

    as an another example, i also do a lot of bench pressing and push ups and i have lost none of the fat covering my chest muscles.

    if someone is a pear shape then they arent going to lose like a apple shape simply because of the exercises they are doing. genetics just doesnt work like that.
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    I am hourglass shaped and have always had pretty big thighs, even when I was slimmer in high school and college. I would sit next to a gal who theoretically wore the same size pants as me and my thighs would be huge in comparison. My waist seems to get smaller before my hips and thighs. I always struggle with that waistband gap - like I could stick my entire arm in the extra waistband space, but the fabric is so stretched and tight on my hips/thighs.

    I'm a big believer in both tailoring and belts. Also, make sure you try different brands. Some brands are a much better shape than others.

    While we can't spot reduce, we can take control over the shape of the hip/thigh region. It sounds counter-intuitive, but focus on making your butt bigger and rounder and your calves more muscular. Then, your proportions will feel better. Also, by working your thighs (especially quad and hamstrings) your thighs will have a better overall shape. I still have fatty bits all over, but the jiggle has gone down due to firm muscles underneath and I feel my shape is getting more balanced.

    To fit in with your lifestyle, Perhaps you could match body weight strength exercises to your cleaning tasks. For example, you could associate an exercise with each cleaning task so it just becomes part of your routine.

    - Squats every time you are at the laundry machine.
    - Bird dogs every time you clean a toilet
    - Lunges as you vacuum
    - Side lunges as you pick up toys
    - Calve raises while doing the dishes

    Here's a bunch of ideas:
    http://www.acefitness.org/exerciselibrary/exercises.aspx?bodypart=4&equipment=10

    A a consolation prize, know that you likely have a terrific waist-to-hips ratio and scientifically-speaking, men probably find you super attractive. :)
  • EnchantedEvening
    EnchantedEvening Posts: 671 Member
    I have been doing Pilates for my thighs and butt, and it has taken inches off very quickly. I know people say you can't spot reduce, but as far as my personal experience, that has only been proven with diet alone. If you do crunches, it reduces fat and tones muscle in your tummy right? That's spot reducing! YouTube has some great pilates exercises for hips, thighs, and butt. Check them out and see if it works for you. Good luck!
    I get what you're saying, but... You can spot-shape, but not spot-reduce. When you shape the muscles underneath the fat, you aren't as blobby and jiggly, but it still doesn't reduce the fat in that area. A pear shape will always be a pear, an apple an apple, and so on. My thighs are more shapely since most of my exercise involves walking and stair-climbing, but they're still the heaviest area of my body.
  • Cbarrese86
    Cbarrese86 Posts: 37
    I did say in my own personal experience. Just trying to throw some ideas out there, and help her.

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