running/jogging & making fatty legs lean

While my legs haven't ever been "tree trunk" like, there was definitely a lack of lean muscle before I started running in May. I did the couch to 5k and I remember at the start of the program running and feeling down the side of my legs - how there wasn't really any muscle there - it just jiggled. After about two months of at least 3 days a week on the program, I noticed muscle tone. My calves could flex some shape and there was less jiggle and more muscle flex underneath the jiggle in my thighs.

Now I've been a C25k grad for a couple months and have run five 5k events, one half marathon (my 2nd one is Sunday) and I run every other day. While my legs aren't as lean as I want them yet (inner thighs are a pain in the butt to lose) I've noticed some great things...

1. my thighs don't touch - as much. There's still lots to lose there and my thighs will probably always have at least some contact - I'm a woman not a stick figure. My hips are smaller and my outer thighs have no jiggle.
2. my calves are a powerhouse and really show off in heels.
3. the biggest change I've had in running is the development of a butt. I had no shape there before and running has created at least a small muscular something back there - which I LOVE!

Running does NOT guarantee svelt legs, but by doing it consistently you do build up the muscles in your legs. Those muscles burn more energy and you keep it up long enough your shape will change. My scale hasn't moved since March - but my clothes are smaller sizes and my running pace is much better. The confidence I have as a runner (although I'm nowhere near fast) is so much more rewarding than being skinny. My best advice is not to care about getting shapely legs, just care about getting in shape. :flowerforyou:

I run 30 miles a week and most of my visible weight is still in my legs

The best results will come from a combination of running, strength training, balanced diet and patience .

I've always had chunky tree trunk legs. Like from ankle all the way up thru my hips I'm a wide legged heavy girl. (pear shaped) When I lose weight I lose from my legs last.... I have a treadmill that I walk on at night after dinner for an hour or so at 3-4mph so that I don't sit and snack all night. I always thought that slow and steady wins the race so I walked and not jogged/ran. Tho as much walking as I do on it and with different inclines my legs ESPECIALLY my thighs and side knee fat and saddle bags just will not lean out and that is my biggest concern. So my question is for other women like me....have you had success losing fat & cellulite and getting nice lean legs from running?....Also how long did it take for you to see a difference? I started using a Couch to 5k app today to try and become a better runner and lean out my awful fatty legs and maybe give me a little bit of a bubble booty too if possible. LOL

When I first started losing weight all I did was walking (~6miles/day) and noticed in the first month that I was losing weight from my legs much more than elsewhere on my body to the point they were a size smaller when I was always 1 size. Walking and running has been my exercises of choice in my journey and as I've been losing weight, everywhere has seemed to even out in terms of fat loss but I definitely have better shape to my legs and clear definition compared to elsewhere.

If you are losing weight then it will come but it can come faster if you are especially working out a certain area.

I run at least 25 miles a week and really haven't seen much difference in my thighs but my calves have tightened up. Lunges are the best for mr for thigh workout. You don't need anything but a couple so 5lb weights to start.

darn it- ok I was thinking running would be good for my weight loss and leaning out. guess I'll do lunges and weights.

weight loss & leaning out = good diet + some lifting + some cardio. No reason running can't be the cardio part.

While my legs haven't ever been "tree trunk" like, there was definitely a lack of lean muscle before I started running in May. I did the couch to 5k and I remember at the start of the program running and feeling down the side of my legs - how there wasn't really any muscle there - it just jiggled. After about two months of at least 3 days a week on the program, I noticed muscle tone. My calves could flex some shape and there was less jiggle and more muscle flex underneath the jiggle in my thighs.

Now I've been a C25k grad for a couple months and have run five 5k events, one half marathon (my 2nd one is Sunday) and I run every other day. While my legs aren't as lean as I want them yet (inner thighs are a pain in the butt to lose) I've noticed some great things...

1. my thighs don't touch - as much. There's still lots to lose there and my thighs will probably always have at least some contact - I'm a woman not a stick figure. My hips are smaller and my outer thighs have no jiggle.
2. my calves are a powerhouse and really show off in heels.
3. the biggest change I've had in running is the development of a butt. I had no shape there before and running has created at least a small muscular something back there - which I LOVE!

Running does NOT guarantee svelt legs, but by doing it consistently you do build up the muscles in your legs. Those muscles burn more energy and you keep it up long enough your shape will change. My scale hasn't moved since March - but my clothes are smaller sizes and my running pace is much better. The confidence I have as a runner (although I'm nowhere near fast) is so much more rewarding than being skinny. My best advice is not to care about getting shapely legs, just care about getting in shape. :flowerforyou:

Just wanted to ask how fast do u run and is the run straight or u walk in between. I run or say jog straight 18 mins and dats my longest, I want to run faster but don't know how to push myself. That said my little runs and jogs have yielded great results for my thigh and
Legs, they look trimmed but when I sit down the become big, lol.