Help me shrink my hips and thighs, please!

CoryIda
CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, I just took in the waist of the jeans I am wearing 2 weeks ago (about 7 or 8 inches) and they are too big around the waist again! This is fabulous... except the rest of my body is not shrinking nearly as quickly as my waist!
In 2 1/2 months, I've lost 9 inches off my waist, but only 5 from my hips and ZERO from my chest. I've lost some from my thighs (3" each) and upper arms (almost 2" each) but for some reason my tummy is just disappearing and my pants can't keep up - and I really can't go down another size until my hips shrink a bit more, too. Sigh...
Any good exercises that will target my hips and thighs without targeting my waist? I can't do a lot of squats/lunges because of my left knee (other than in Zumba or Aquafit, which doesn't seem to bother it), but are there other things?
Should I do more strength training things (hip adductor/abductor, etc.) at the gym?
Help! I have an exaggerated hourglass going on here and no pants fit properly!

Replies

  • JMun
    JMun Posts: 409
    I have lots of junk in my trunk.

    As soon as I started C25K that junk started to diminish pretty quickly.

    Running is hard on your knee's but if you're able to brace the knee and give yourself proper recovery time running is totally the way to go.
  • RedneckWmn
    RedneckWmn Posts: 3,202 Member
    I have a similar problem...the top half wants to shrink quickly but the bottom half doesn't...and my hips are too big for my waist so it's hard for me to find jeans that fit as well...curious for any responses to target slimming this area down!
  • gentlebreeze2
    gentlebreeze2 Posts: 450 Member
    I have knee issues too, so I mostly do stationary bike. My biggest loss in inches has been the saddlebag area. I'd like to lose more around the tummy and hips, but with my knee problems I have to be careful.
  • saraeyster
    saraeyster Posts: 14 Member
    Lot's of walking. I used to have a job where I would wlak about 10-13 miles a day. When I started the job I was a size 18, With in a years time I was down to a size 8/10. Walking is great so get outside or if you have a treadmill get on there and burn it up:)
  • nikkicarter13
    nikkicarter13 Posts: 231 Member
    I have the same problem..unfortunately you can't pick the spots you lose weight from. You need to keep up your cardio and eventually the weight will come off your legs. Its really a lot about the cardio and losing fat from those areas, the strength you are talking about will build the muscle underneath. Can you use the elliptical with your knee? Or even the bike is a good workout too.
  • htimpaired
    htimpaired Posts: 1,404 Member
    I started doing spinning/cycling classes at my gym and noted a loss of inches around my thighs. I have a big bootie/thighs and a smaller waist, I have ALWAYS had a hard time finding comfortable pants other than wide leg pants. I HATE that the trend is skinny jeans! I am hoping that strength training and continuing with the spinning classes will help make a difference.
  • Panda86
    Panda86 Posts: 873
    You can't spot-reduce fat. Cardio will burn fat from your legs along with the rest of your body. BUT you can tone your legs, and that might help. If you have Netflix, I really recommend the Crunch: Fat Burning Pilates. I have been doing it every day for a week, maybe two, and my legs, thighs, butt and hips definitely look tons better! Good luck!! :flowerforyou:
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    unfortunately you cannot spot reduce, just have to keep doing what you are doing and eventually you will lose the weight in your "problem" areas.
  • nicolepope11
    nicolepope11 Posts: 56
    Go to your doctor, get a good knee brace designed to help with whatever issues you are having and start welking/running. I could have never started running without it. I unfortunately have the opposite problem from you. I have lost a lot in my butt and thighs and not as much as I want around the middle. I run about 3miles 3x a week. You can do interval training which tends to burn the most calories.
  • khk2010
    khk2010 Posts: 451 Member
    I have noticed that I lose inches in a seemingly random pattern over time. I lost a lot from my waist at first. Then I'd lose from my hips or bust or back or some other random place like my neck. I'm not sure why but I think in the end it will even out. Be patient and hang in there. Other than exercise that targets specific areas we can't choose where the weight comes off.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    I can't do the elliptical, but I can do the bike - I actually did that 3 days last week. I guess I will keep that up. I also go on walks almost every day, do Zumba once a week, water aerobics twice a week (usually), and the treadmill once or twice a week. I typically do cardo 6 days/week and have recently started adding in strength training - I am going to shoot for 2 or 3 times a week for that.
  • RedneckWmn
    RedneckWmn Posts: 3,202 Member
    Okay...so after reading all your posts I'm convinced that I need to do cardio in addition to my Insanity workouts...might be time to unfreeze my gym memebership and get on the cardio equiptment..
  • Maggie160
    Maggie160 Posts: 3
    Try using a hip abductor and hip adductor machine at the gym if they have one works inner thigh and the other outer thigh/hip.
  • eleanoreb
    eleanoreb Posts: 621 Member
    I read an article somewhere explaining why it's easier to lose weight on the waist and that thighs and butt/hips are harder..

    Its biological..if i find the article again i will post it.
  • eleanoreb
    eleanoreb Posts: 621 Member
    also lucky to lose none in the bust!!
  • Dafrog
    Dafrog Posts: 353
    i am just the oppisite lower half and not so much in the gut. i was going to suggest ellipical except i read where u said u couldnt do it. i myself walk treadmill at full incline or ellipical for my cardio. the bike might be a good suggestion for you, it doesnt burn as many calories tho, you might also look into swimming or walk with ankle weights in the pool with leg lifts, try to focus on lower body workouts. hope you find something that works for you.
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    Ok, I just took in the waist of the jeans I am wearing 2 weeks ago (about 7 or 8 inches) and they are too big around the waist again! This is fabulous... except the rest of my body is not shrinking nearly as quickly as my waist!
    In 2 1/2 months, I've lost 9 inches off my waist, but only 5 from my hips and ZERO from my chest. I've lost some from my thighs (3" each) and upper arms (almost 2" each) but for some reason my tummy is just disappearing and my pants can't keep up - and I really can't go down another size until my hips shrink a bit more, too. Sigh...
    Any good exercises that will target my hips and thighs without targeting my waist? I can't do a lot of squats/lunges because of my left knee (other than in Zumba or Aquafit, which doesn't seem to bother it), but are there other things?
    Should I do more strength training things (hip adductor/abductor, etc.) at the gym?
    Help! I have an exaggerated hourglass going on here and no pants fit properly!

    Squats and Lunges can be modified with a bad knee. When I had a trainer I managed them but since then I am like you I do not do them because they do seem harder on the knees. they swear the strengthen other parts of the legs. If you go to a gym have you tried using the machines for your squats. Hip adducter machines may help also.

    Also side to side repeated is suppose to help the hips. I do the upside down squats on the machine at the gym and my hips have started to go down and my hips were their smallest when I worked with trainer, so I know the squats, lunges work for sure.

    I am a pear shape also and one thing to remember is you will have that hour glass figure and as my sister told me you are going to have to have everything taken in at the waist. I have the same issue. I lose weight in my waist 1st and upper body. There is a 4 size difference from blouses and pants/skirts.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    also lucky to lose none in the bust!!

    Except I have a HUGE bust! I will be happy when it shrinks a little bit. My current measurements are: Chest - 50", Waist - 36", Hips - 48"
  • JMun
    JMun Posts: 409

    Except I have a HUGE bust! I will be happy when it shrinks a little bit. My current measurements are: Chest - 50", Waist - 36", Hips - 48"

    ditto. For me the tits have been the last to go. I've barely noticed a change in my cup size (DD). Not that the hubby is complaining :huh:
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