Help with new routine/flabby thighs and butt

Hello!

I'm new to the forums so forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong place! I'm seeking much needed advice for diet/food intake suggestions as well as the best exercises to help me with the problem I seem to be running into with my normal routine.

A little background on me: I'm a 30 year old female, 5'5, 112lbs. I've always been pretty slim; however, as I've gotten older I've definitely noticed a change in my body and how it retains fat and holds onto muscle. After a year of taking birth control I noticed the muscle mass in my butt, thighs, and hips seemed to disappear entirely and be replaced by dimply, jiggly fat. I look almost too thin in clothing but would not be comfortable in a swimsuit in my current state of flabbiness. I'm talking cellulite, excess rolls on the upper thighs under the bum, and plenty of jiggle! I got off the pill about a year later and have been off for a while but have not seen any changes, even with a loyal workout routine. It seems the usual workouts that did the trick in my early to mid twenties just aren't cutting it anymore. My usual daily food intake consists of all clean meats, mostly organic bison steaks, chicken breasts, and fish. I eat quinoa and grains, veggies, and make green smoothies every morning with a bit of kefir and flax, wheatgrass, kale, and all the other yucky tasting stuff you all love. I do eat quite a bit of fruit which I'm wondering if it's causing too much sugar in my diet further causing lower body fat storage. I run for about 45 minutes 5 or 6 days a week and do yoga 4 days a week. I have started over several months incorporating squats and lunges (about 100 reps each) into my routine to try to build back some of that muscle I used to have and target the trouble areas; however, I am seeing very little results. My legs still feel strong as always and I know the muscle is hiding in there under the fat somewhere but seems too shy to show itself! I'm concerned I am not doing something right or that my body needs a completely new workout/diet regime. I am technically an hourglass shape due to my broad shoulders; however, my upper body (arms, chest, tummy, and face) are significantly "skinnier" and tend to look awful and gaunt if I work too hard on getting my lower half to look healthier. I'm kind of at a loss as to how I can get back into the swimsuits and get my body fat back in check while not looking sickly in my face and upper body.

Any suggestions or personal success stories from any of you who might have the same issues would be awesome! I feel like I'm exhausting myself with this regime for very little result.

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    The fix for being "skinny fat" is to do full-body strength training, using heavy weight. Follow an established program, don't do your own thing. Good programs include NROL, Stronglifts, and Starting Strength. Pick one and proceed.
  • catherinet89
    catherinet89 Posts: 60 Member
    Theres a beachbody workout called brazilian butt lift which is specifically for all those regions maybe check that out. Ive not personally done it but ive heard alot of good about it.
  • hello, I am in the same shape-pear. I hate it! I am quite thin but my butt and inner thighs are big. They were smaller 2 years ago, but I was 47kg and looked very ill. my arms were tiny and my ribs were very visible. I did Jillian Micheals 2 months ago, not every day but I lost 6cm from my butt and 5 from my thighs. It was like miracle!! It was significant difference. Try it perhaps it will help (I did many types of exercises like 2 hours on elliptical every day and squats, dead lifts- it did not work...)
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    Lots of reps dont help, lift heavy.
  • heidimmto
    heidimmto Posts: 52 Member
    Same here. Plenty of jiggle to my wiggle, especially in my thighs. I've lost less than 30 pounds but my thighs are noticing the difference.

    TMI alert: My upper legs are starting to look like this (without the cute puppy appeal). I guess it still is an advance to having them chaffing against each other all day long. I finally gathered the courage to start a weight class at the rec center in college. Hopefully it'll help improve things.

    78d141b4-7c63-4add-8b40-f75fccd93f07_zps2e18e54c.jpg
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    in addition to the other lifting programs listed above, strong curves is another option