Big Thighs

deannarey13
deannarey13 Posts: 452
edited September 24 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been working at weight loss for 9 months now. I have lost 20 pounds and I feel great - overall. I feel healthy and strong. However, when I put my clothes on (now 2 full sizes smaller, YEAH!) and look in the mirror I still feel discouraged. My waist fits comfortably in a size 4 pants, but my thighs not so much. They have always been large but I thought as I would lose weight, it would come off porportionately. My stomach is nearly flat and now becoming muscular, but my thighs still are quite large and fatty.

What can I do!? I do Cardio Kickboxing twice per week and Step Aerobics once per week. I also do some elliptical workouts two or three times per week. Then once per week, I do stregnth training for my legs. HELP!?

Replies

  • unckat09
    unckat09 Posts: 97
    I have big thighs, too. Unfortunately, you can't spot reduce fat. However, Jillian Michaels randomly gave some really good advice for thigh work. I used to do strength training on my legs, as well, but that is actually counter productive as it makes your leg muscles larger. Body weight training (i.e., pilates) is actually much better for toning that area. I had never thought of it like that before, but it really makes sense. Weighted machines that work the inner and outer thighs are a no go for us "thigh-y" women.

    Also, I started doing spin class, and I have seriously seen a difference in my legs. Much like pilates, spin will help tone your thighs without making them bulky (at least in my experience). I hope this helps. Good luck!
  • Charrisse
    Charrisse Posts: 163
    Spin for sure!
    I noticed a BIG difference after about 12 weeks of spin class (its only 2x a week - which is a bummer!)
  • dracobaby82
    dracobaby82 Posts: 380 Member
    I agree a Spin class ,or even using the spin bike will tone your thighs, and they won't become 'bulky' good luck
  • agarner87
    agarner87 Posts: 3
    I was just about to type what unckat09 said, workouts for the thighs aren't exactly always helpful. They just end up building the muscle keeping them the same size or bigger. the best thing to do it keep them tone (I am a big thigh girl too!)
  • kmtetour
    kmtetour Posts: 300 Member
    I have big thighs, too. As does my mom, and my poor little 6 year old niece. They're probably the #1 reason I thought I was fat in high school when I wasn't. For me, it's just my body type and I have to accept it.
  • jreese5226
    jreese5226 Posts: 328 Member
    Thanks for the pointers, unckat09 and agarner87! I have the same problem and it is always discouraging to try on pants and not be able to get them up my thighs only to try on a larger size and then they are way too big around the waist.
  • aalexander0607
    aalexander0607 Posts: 34 Member
    I was about to go searching through the threads for this exact question! My thighs don't seem that big to me but I have really big calves. Actually, you can barely see my knees!! And I am just under 130 lbs. Like you said, the stomach is getting flat and jeans are fitting so nice in the waist but the legs are not budging!

    I run a couple times per week, but I know I should do it more. I started running because I once heard that running works the entire body and the weight will drop more proportionally from this exercise. Has anyone heard this or had any luck slimming their legs this way?
  • bparr
    bparr Posts: 246 Member
    Bump. Big thighs in the house. I want to see what others post as well.
  • unckat09
    unckat09 Posts: 97
    I run a couple times per week, but I know I should do it more. I started running because I once heard that running works the entire body and the weight will drop more proportionally from this exercise. Has anyone heard this or had any luck slimming their legs this way?

    Back when I was your age (OH SO LONG AGO!!) I would run about 3 times a week and incoporate hills. Once or twice a week I would add squats to the end of my work out. No fun at all, but it produced results! This routine would do wonders for my legs.
  • aalexander0607
    aalexander0607 Posts: 34 Member
    I run a couple times per week, but I know I should do it more. I started running because I once heard that running works the entire body and the weight will drop more proportionally from this exercise. Has anyone heard this or had any luck slimming their legs this way?

    Back when I was your age (OH SO LONG AGO!!) I would run about 3 times a week and incoporate hills. Once or twice a week I would add squats to the end of my work out. No fun at all, but it produced results! This routine would do wonders for my legs.

    Thanks for the advice! I bailed on my Jillian Michaels DVD because she had me in squat hell, but they are one of those exercises where you can feel immediately that you are being worked!! I'll try to work them back in to my routine and cross my fingers that my knees will come out of hiding!!
  • baby81girl2003
    baby81girl2003 Posts: 79 Member
    Bump. Big thighs in the house. I want to see what others post as well.


    LOL, love this
  • deannarey13
    deannarey13 Posts: 452
    Thanks for the pointers ladies!
  • NikaBeth03
    NikaBeth03 Posts: 7
    Ladies you are so smart! Spinning, Pilates, and Yoga are all great for toning that area. However, if your fabulous flat belly fits comfortably into a size 4 and your thighs don't, you may just be one of those hourglass figures that I covet. There are times that I have to remind myself: designers jeans are not my best friends, but my tailor is. :)
  • mrb_9110
    mrb_9110 Posts: 189 Member
    Can I join this club? I've always had bigger thighs in proportion to the rest of my body and years of volleyball didn't help the matter. As I've lost weight, I really haven't noticed much reduction in my thighs and I love working out on the stationary bike. I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I'll always have strong, muscular, BIG thighs, which is better than flabby, cottage-cheese, BIG thighs. :laugh:

    We all have that one spot that will never be as small as we want. If you're happy with the rest of your body, embrace your shape and enjoy keeping it healthy. :happy:
  • tjwanek
    tjwanek Posts: 10 Member
    On the other hand.....

    squat.jpg

    Motivation for us weak guys. :-)
  • fishermanwife
    fishermanwife Posts: 48
    are the bikes in spin class the same as a stationary bike?
  • amysambora
    amysambora Posts: 219
    My thighs are the bane of my existence! Jeans fitting perfectly in the waist but too tight in the thighs? The story of my life :/

    I have noticed a BIG difference since using the stationary bike. After using it intensely for about two weeks I was devastated as I felt like my thighs were getting bigger! My jeans were definitely tighter. I was so disheartened, but a few knowledgable MFP folks assured me that my thigh muscles were not bulking up, they were simply retaining important fluid to try and heal after such strenuous use. I took about three days off to rest, and voila - fluid went away and thighs slimmer than ever! Even my cellulite is disappearing! I've devised a new workout plan now that involves using the stationary bike Mon, Wed & Fri and resting on weekends to give the muscles time to heal.

    Hope I've helped some of you. There IS hope out there!!! :flowerforyou:
  • Karlbarbell
    Karlbarbell Posts: 31
    Have you seen Barbell Apparel Jeans?! They make jeans for those with muscular legs/butts and they're extremely functional so you never have to worry about ripping your jeans in the crotch ever again. www.BarbellApparel.com!!!!!
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    BAHHHHHH :angry:
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    Eat at a deficit and do plenty of squats and deadlifts. Lots of heavy weight. It will NOT make you bulky.
  • Barbellarella_
    Barbellarella_ Posts: 454 Member
    Have you seen Barbell Apparel Jeans?! They make jeans for those with muscular legs/butts and they're extremely functional so you never have to worry about ripping your jeans in the crotch ever again. www.BarbellApparel.com!!!!!

    Would you quit bumping these Zombie threads with your sales scams.. It's against forum rules ya know.



    Oh and IN for the bulky squatting thighs.
  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    On the other hand.....

    squat.jpg

    Motivation for us weak guys. :-)
    Dang. I'm straight, but I still want to bite her quads.
  • TX_Thundercat
    TX_Thundercat Posts: 2,437 Member
    Here hoping for pics. Don't mind me
  • fbranch7
    fbranch7 Posts: 82 Member
    Bump! I have big thighs...and I cannot lie! I will look into the exercises listed. Thanks.
  • SeptemberLondon
    SeptemberLondon Posts: 151 Member
    My thighs are the bane of my existence! Jeans fitting perfectly in the waist but too tight in the thighs? The story of my life :/

    I have noticed a BIG difference since using the stationary bike. After using it intensely for about two weeks I was devastated as I felt like my thighs were getting bigger! My jeans were definitely tighter. I was so disheartened, but a few knowledgable MFP folks assured me that my thigh muscles were not bulking up, they were simply retaining important fluid to try and heal after such strenuous use. I took about three days off to rest, and voila - fluid went away and thighs slimmer than ever! Even my cellulite is disappearing! I've devised a new workout plan now that involves using the stationary bike Mon, Wed & Fri and resting on weekends to give the muscles time to heal.

    Hope I've helped some of you. There IS hope out there!!! :flowerforyou:


    Very good info, re: muscles retaining fluid. I tend not to take rest days as I should - Thanks!

    My thighs are nearly the same circumference as my waist! I've accepted that some things can't be (completely) changed.

    I agree with the others who have touted spin classes. I'm back at it now, because my legs were in the best shape (still big) ever when I was spinning regularly.
  • XLMACX
    XLMACX Posts: 346 Member
    Right now I'm confused?!!??? I have just started a weight program I do 3 x a week inc

    Barbell squats
    Leg existential machine
    Leg curling machine
    Squatting with kettlebells
    Dumbells lunge

    I heard from a personal trainer spinning makes thighs bigger??? :indifferent:

    Someone please help I have tiny waist and have lost 4" off it since January but it's my thighs I'm bothered about I'm desperate to get them slimmer they get me down so much :cry:
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Right now I'm confused?!!??? I have just started a weight program I do 3 x a week inc

    Barbell squats
    Leg existential machine
    Leg curling machine
    Squatting with kettlebells
    Dumbells lunge

    I heard from a personal trainer spinning makes thighs bigger??? :indifferent:

    Someone please help I have tiny waist and have lost 4" off it since January but it's my thighs I'm bothered about I'm desperate to get them slimmer they get me down so much :cry:

    1. No spinning won't make your thighs bigger. Cardio does not grow muscles especially in a calorie deficit.

    2. I spent many years hating my big thighs? Know what really helped? When I stopped hating them. They aren't much smaller than they used to be but the are part of the bigger picture that is me. No one but me focuses in on just the thighs. Step back from the mirror, look at your whole body and take it in as one big piece. Who cares if your thighs are big? Pear shape is a normal, common, healthy body shape. Accept them. Ignore them. Stop focusing. Move on.

    3. Build/ retain muscle in your upper body, and under the fat in your thighs for a overall better physique.

    4. Thigh fat will eventually come off but for many of us it's the last place.
  • XLMACX
    XLMACX Posts: 346 Member
    Right now I'm confused?!!??? I have just started a weight program I do 3 x a week inc

    Barbell squats
    Leg existential machine
    Leg curling machine
    Squatting with kettlebells
    Dumbells lunge

    I heard from a personal trainer spinning makes thighs bigger??? :indifferent:

    Someone please help I have tiny waist and have lost 4" off it since January but it's my thighs I'm bothered about I'm desperate to get them slimmer they get me down so much :cry:

    1. No spinning won't make your thighs bigger. Cardio does not grow muscles especially in a calorie deficit.

    2. I spent many years hating my big thighs? Know what really helped? When I stopped hating them. They aren't much smaller than they used to be but the are part of the bigger picture that is me. No one but me focuses in on just the thighs. Step back from the mirror, look at your whole body and take it in as one big piece. Who cares if your thighs are big? Pear shape is a normal, common, healthy body shape. Accept them. Ignore them. Stop focusing. Move on.

    3. Build/ retain muscle in your upper body, and under the fat in your thighs for a overall better physique.

    4. Thigh fat will eventually come off but for many of us it's the last place.

    Thank you
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    For me fat loss is not happening to much in my thighs and chest. From what I know I have to just keep losing FAT and they will soon be smaller and gone.
  • Nikkisfitblog
    Nikkisfitblog Posts: 149 Member
    I used to do strength training on my legs, as well, but that is actually counter productive as it makes your leg muscles larger. Body weight training (i.e., pilates) is actually much better for toning that area. I had never thought of it like that before, but it really makes sense.

    Also, I started doing spin class, and I have seriously seen a difference in my legs. Much like pilates, spin will help tone your thighs without making them bulky (at least in my experience). I hope this helps. Good luck!

    No offense. but this wrong. There is no such thing as "tone"... simply muscle minus body fat. Strength training will build muscle, but if you do not put your self in a caloric deficit you will not lose fat to see the muscle and will also push the fat layer out more as the muscle underneath grows. Body weight training probably give the illusion of "toning" because you will not be growing as much muscle and you will be doing more cardiovascular type training thus putting you in a caloric deficit (im assuming...i know nothing about your macro intake)... strength training is the better long term solution, the more muscle you have, the more calories you need to consume and the more metabolic expensive your body will be. The muscle will do the work for you if your patient.
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