Thin my thighs

MorganLange508
MorganLange508 Posts: 28 Member
edited November 29 in Fitness and Exercise
Since I've started my weightloss journey I've been trying to find ways to slim my muscular legs down so they are not as bulky! I used to be a sprinter in highschool (100,200, relays) and my legs got sooo bulky! They have slim down quite a bit then since I started changing my routines up, but I still think they are still too bulky for my liking.. I've been running/using an elipical 5-6 times a week for about 45-60 minutes at a time (I was a cross country runner also btw, I am used to running that much and that long so no I did not jump into running a lot at once)
So my question is, if I walked 2 or 3 times out of the 6 days I workout will this help me thin my thighs more? I think running all the time might make them bulky again. Thank you!
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Replies

  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    diet is the only thing that will make them smaller, and if you want the muscle size to go down, then you have to not exercise them as much. But you should be proud to have muscular legs, its something many of us bust out butts to get.
  • MorganLange508
    MorganLange508 Posts: 28 Member
    I am dieting and eating very healthy also, I just try to get some type of cardio everyday with my workout cause I love running and feel best after I finish workout out!
  • NaturalNancy
    NaturalNancy Posts: 1,093 Member
    Have u ever tried the stair stepper?
    I like how it makes me sweat and how it makes my legs look.
    I had to work myself up from 5 to ten to 20 minutes.
  • viktha
    viktha Posts: 36 Member
    edited February 2016
    Would love to know the answer I have the same issue, Most recently I lost an inch on my waist but gain a 1/4 on my thighs and calfs. I run about 15 miles a week (when not training for an event) and weight train 2-3 days a week.
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    Any type of yoga or pilates. Stretching makes the muscles appear longer. If I kick up my yoga to three times a week for a few weeks, I definitely notice a difference in my thighs.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    Any type of yoga or pilates. Stretching makes the muscles appear longer. If I kick up my yoga to three times a week for a few weeks, I definitely notice a difference in my thighs.

    How do your muscles appear longer? Do your legs get longer? Do you notice lumps/rolls under your skin because the muscles have become slack?
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    Any type of yoga or pilates. Stretching makes the muscles appear longer. If I kick up my yoga to three times a week for a few weeks, I definitely notice a difference in my thighs.

    How do your muscles appear longer? Do your legs get longer? Do you notice lumps/rolls under your skin because the muscles have become slack?

    I've never understood how yoga or pilates could change the origin/insertion points of muscles either. Your muscles are attached at both ends to fixed points, stretching them doesn't make them longer. I don't understand how you can make a muscle "look longer". I can understand losing the fat covering it so the body looks leaner, but that's done by calorie deficit.
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
    I don't know the physiology behind it and I don't care. All I know is that my thighs are leaner and appear smoother after I've kicked it up with my yoga.

    Why does everything need to be an argument? She was asking for ideas that have worked for others; not a thesis paper. Relax everyone.
  • girlonfire10
    girlonfire10 Posts: 41 Member
    @amgerbin I loved, loved, loved your reply... On my first post to myfitnesspal I mentioned I wanted to get toned, and I got a lecture on how muscles can't be toned. I'm just a novice to the world of exercise and all I am looking for is what has work for other too. Thanks for the common sense.



  • bbbcharlie
    bbbcharlie Posts: 13 Member
    I have a similar problem, i find that reduces calories is the inly thing that trims down my thighs. Alongside cardio.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    @amgerbin I loved, loved, loved your reply... On my first post to myfitnesspal I mentioned I wanted to get toned, and I got a lecture on how muscles can't be toned. I'm just a novice to the world of exercise and all I am looking for is what has work for other too. Thanks for the common sense.



    So, you want a bunch of people who don't know what they're talking about to give you unfounded advice rather than hear facts about how your body's physiology actually works so you can get educated and learn how to get the body you want sans pseudoscientific mumbo-jumbo?
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited February 2016
    peleroja wrote: »
    @amgerbin I loved, loved, loved your reply... On my first post to myfitnesspal I mentioned I wanted to get toned, and I got a lecture on how muscles can't be toned. I'm just a novice to the world of exercise and all I am looking for is what has work for other too. Thanks for the common sense.



    So, you want a bunch of people who don't know what they're talking about to give you unfounded advice rather than hear facts about how your body's physiology actually works so you can get educated and learn how to get the body you want sans pseudoscientific mumbo-jumbo?

    I guess that's what people get for trying to be helpful. Provide relevant information, maybe even a link or two, and it's considered a "lecture" rather than useful, helpful information.

    That's why so many of the truly helpful posters burn out on posting here.



    I was curious, so I ran a search to see what the "lecture" was. Here's what the stern "lecture" consisted of:
    Your muscles still can't be toned. Muscles have tone but you cannot "tone" them or change their tone.

    Looks like 100% correct information to me. Also seems much too brief to be considered a "lecture".
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I don't know the physiology behind it and I don't care. All I know is that my thighs are leaner and appear smoother after I've kicked it up with my yoga.

    Why does everything need to be an argument? She was asking for ideas that have worked for others; not a thesis paper. Relax everyone.

    I asked for clarification., not for an argument. Words have meanings. "Muscles appear longer" doesn't mean "my thighs are leaner and appear smoother." How is anybody supposed to understand that was what you mean?
  • StencilChild
    StencilChild Posts: 60 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I don't know the physiology behind it and I don't care. All I know is that my thighs are leaner and appear smoother after I've kicked it up with my yoga.

    Why does everything need to be an argument? She was asking for ideas that have worked for others; not a thesis paper. Relax everyone.

    I asked for clarification., not for an argument. Words have meanings. "Muscles appear longer" doesn't mean "my thighs are leaner and appear smoother." How is anybody supposed to understand that was what you mean?

    Welcome to the world of trying to understand women....
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    Since I've started my weightloss journey I've been trying to find ways to slim my muscular legs down so they are not as bulky! I used to be a sprinter in highschool (100,200, relays) and my legs got sooo bulky! They have slim down quite a bit then since I started changing my routines up, but I still think they are still too bulky for my liking.. I've been running/using an elipical 5-6 times a week for about 45-60 minutes at a time (I was a cross country runner also btw, I am used to running that much and that long so no I did not jump into running a lot at once)
    So my question is, if I walked 2 or 3 times out of the 6 days I workout will this help me thin my thighs more? I think running all the time might make them bulky again. Thank you!
    Any type of leg exercising, whether it's lifting, running, stair stepping, Zumba, etc. WILL NOT reduce muscle because keeping them active will not activate atrophy. Atrophy happens when a muscle ISN'T being used.
    Now you can also catabolize muscle, but that would normally mean basically starving your body as to eat off itself.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

  • girlonfire10
    girlonfire10 Posts: 41 Member
    @AnvilHead you seem like a very informative person in regards to health and fitness, and I am sure your knowledge is well received by your friends and family. However, it has been my experience as a teacher that help or assistance is received much better when it not seen as a personal attack. I am sorry if what I said in my post offended you. And while I appreciate you taking the time to look up my very first post ever to this site, what you forgot to mention was this was my "introductory post" and I was there to make friends. Plus I never said "stern" lecture. I hope this minor spat hasn't affected our relationship and you're not planning on taking back the ring, I've already picked out the dress ;-)

    @peleroja since you know nothing about me or what I do outside of this app, please do not make assumptions of what I know or don't know. Just like I will not make assumptions about you. We are all in life's journey together, and the best we can do is try to make it better for one another.
  • amgerbin
    amgerbin Posts: 49 Member
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    @AnvilHead you seem like a very informative person in regards to health and fitness, and I am sure your knowledge is well received by your friends and family. However, it has been my experience as a teacher that help or assistance is received much better when it not seen as a personal attack. I am sorry if what I said in my post offended you. And while I appreciate you taking the time to look up my very first post ever to this site, what you forgot to mention was this was my "introductory post" and I was there to make friends. Plus I never said "stern" lecture. I hope this minor spat hasn't affected our relationship and you're not planning on taking back the ring, I've already picked out the dress ;-)

    @peleroja since you know nothing about me or what I do outside of this app, please do not make assumptions of what I know or don't know. Just like I will not make assumptions about you. We are all in life's journey together, and the best we can do is try to make it better for one another.

    If you knew the facts that people have been trying to explain to you, you wouldn't be calling it a "lecture" or asking how to tone your muscles (because you would know that "tone" is pretty meaningless in this context.)

    And I'm not much for the new-agey "journey" stuff, personally. I have learned so much from hanging out around here and reading replies from people who know their stuff, though, so instead of getting emotional about people's replies (people who, please remember, are here because they're trying to help you and answer your questions) it might be a better idea to take these viewpoints that don't necessarily align with your own and look critically at both your own beliefs about fitness and the new opposing ones. It'll get you a lot further than thinking people are mean and keeping your mind closed, is all I'm saying. There's a lot of junk science out there in the health and fitness world and you're only hurting yourself if you choose to believe it, you know?
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    AnvilHead wrote: »
    peleroja wrote: »
    @amgerbin I loved, loved, loved your reply... On my first post to myfitnesspal I mentioned I wanted to get toned, and I got a lecture on how muscles can't be toned. I'm just a novice to the world of exercise and all I am looking for is what has work for other too. Thanks for the common sense.



    So, you want a bunch of people who don't know what they're talking about to give you unfounded advice rather than hear facts about how your body's physiology actually works so you can get educated and learn how to get the body you want sans pseudoscientific mumbo-jumbo?

    I guess that's what people get for trying to be helpful. Provide relevant information, maybe even a link or two, and it's considered a "lecture" rather than useful, helpful information.

    That's why so many of the truly helpful posters burn out on posting here.




    I was curious, so I ran a search to see what the "lecture" was. Here's what the stern "lecture" consisted of:
    Your muscles still can't be toned. Muscles have tone but you cannot "tone" them or change their tone.

    Looks like 100% correct information to me. Also seems much too brief to be considered a "lecture".

    Yep. Like talking to a brick wall.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    This thread is hilarious. People getting angry because their ignorance is being pointed out and instead of learning from it they decide to continue to be ignorant
  • Jonesie1984
    Jonesie1984 Posts: 612 Member
    I have tree trunks myself. The only thing that seems to work for me is running- particularly for distance.
  • girlonfire10
    girlonfire10 Posts: 41 Member
    @peleroja I'm not sure why you have such a problem with what I wrote. It's like Post-rage or is APP-rage? (...not sure if the terms exist, but I'm using it here because I think it applies...where someone gets so angry about something so unimportant, with someone they don't even know. If the terms don't exist I'm coining them right now!) :-)

    1. I never asked anyone for advice on toning.
    2. I never said anyone was mean, I just believe when you are trying to share information you don't have to be a bull in a china store. There are people at all different levels on this APP. They will use the wrong terminology, and the world will not come to an end when it happens.
    3. Why are you accusing me of being closed minded when a few sentences before you tell everyone, "you're not into this new-agey journey stuff." Hummm, do I detect a bit of hypocrisy? So, if I'm reading your post right, I have to be open minded about your view point, but not you about mine. (Quick side note, no one in my life has ever has accused me of being new-agey about anything, but hey there is a first for everything.)
    4. We all have our free agency to accept or reject advice/comments when they are given, especially when they are unsolicited. Likewise, a person giving such advice/comments shouldn't be offended when that advice isn't taken. Parents often learn this lesson with kids when their advice is ignored and their kids suffer the consequences of their choices. While it would be easier to yell and get mad for not taking the advice, the better lesson is learning accountability for their choices.
    5. And you can say hurtful things about me all you'd like, I will still wish you success on your goals. I guess it's part of the new-age journey I've discovered. Thank you for helping me realize it.


    peleroja wrote: »

    And I'm not much for the new-agey "journey" stuff, personally. I have learned so much from hanging out around here and reading replies from people who know their stuff, though, so instead of getting emotional about people's replies (people who, please remember, are here because they're trying to help you and answer your questions) it might be a better idea to take these viewpoints that don't necessarily align with your own and look critically at both your own beliefs about fitness and the new opposing ones. It'll get you a lot further than thinking people are mean and keeping your mind closed, is all I'm saying. There's a lot of junk science out there in the health and fitness world and you're only hurting yourself if you choose to believe it, you know?

  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    @peleroja I'm not sure why you have such a problem with what I wrote. It's like Post-rage or is APP-rage? (...not sure if the terms exist, but I'm using it here because I think it applies...where someone gets so angry about something so unimportant, with someone they don't even know. If the terms don't exist I'm coining them right now!) :-)

    1. I never asked anyone for advice on toning.
    2. I never said anyone was mean, I just believe when you are trying to share information you don't have to be a bull in a china store. There are people at all different levels on this APP. They will use the wrong terminology, and the world will not come to an end when it happens.
    3. Why are you accusing me of being closed minded when a few sentences before you tell everyone, "you're not into this new-agey journey stuff." Hummm, do I detect a bit of hypocrisy? So, if I'm reading your post right, I have to be open minded about your view point, but not you about mine. (Quick side note, no one in my life has ever has accused me of being new-agey about anything, but hey there is a first for everything.)
    4. We all have our free agency to accept or reject advice/comments when they are given, especially when they are unsolicited. Likewise, a person giving such advice/comments shouldn't be offended when that advice isn't taken. Parents often learn this lesson with kids when their advice is ignored and their kids suffer the consequences of their choices. While it would be easier to yell and get mad for not taking the advice, the better lesson is learning accountability for their choices.
    5. And you can say hurtful things about me all you'd like, I will still wish you success on your goals. I guess it's part of the new-age journey I've discovered. Thank you for helping me realize it.


    peleroja wrote: »

    And I'm not much for the new-agey "journey" stuff, personally. I have learned so much from hanging out around here and reading replies from people who know their stuff, though, so instead of getting emotional about people's replies (people who, please remember, are here because they're trying to help you and answer your questions) it might be a better idea to take these viewpoints that don't necessarily align with your own and look critically at both your own beliefs about fitness and the new opposing ones. It'll get you a lot further than thinking people are mean and keeping your mind closed, is all I'm saying. There's a lot of junk science out there in the health and fitness world and you're only hurting yourself if you choose to believe it, you know?

    I'm not angry in the slightest, just trying to point out that people are trying to help and claiming that they are lecturing or attacking you is patently false. I'm really not sure where you would detect "rage" in my response, which was perfectly reasonable and contained nothing but a reminder that getting defensive about the perceived tone in others' replies (when, I will reiterate, people are simply trying to answer questions asked in a legitimately helpful way) isn't going to be particularly helpful if you're trying to learn something.

    I see no viewpoint in your post other than disinterest in taking the advice offered when questions are posted, so I'm not sure where your third point was going. My not being into referring to weight loss/fitness/life as a "journey" doesn't have anything to do with you, so I'm a little unclear on why you think I'm insulting or attacking you with any of this or why you find it hurtful.

    Finally, posting here and then not wanting to take the advice offered is kind of pointless, in my opinion - why would a person ask a question if they don't want to hear the answer? It's just so odd to me that so many people will post and then ignore anything that doesn't validate the opinions they already have...why bother, you know?

    I can see I'm not going to get anywhere with this thread, but seriously, assuming everyone has malicious intentions isn't a great way to go through life and it's especially not a good way to navigate the Internet.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    amgerbin wrote: »
    Any type of yoga or pilates. Stretching makes the muscles appear longer. If I kick up my yoga to three times a week for a few weeks, I definitely notice a difference in my thighs.

    Stretching in no way changes the shape or form of muscle. You cannot elongate a muscle, it and its attachment points are set congenitally.

    99% of what stretching does is diminish the pain signals that say not to push the muscle that far.
  • girlonfire10
    girlonfire10 Posts: 41 Member
    edited February 2016


    [/quote]

    I'm not angry in the slightest, just trying to point out that people are trying to help and claiming that they are lecturing or attacking you is patently false. I'm really not sure where you would detect "rage" in my response, which was perfectly reasonable and contained nothing but a reminder that getting defensive about the perceived tone in others' replies (when, I will reiterate, people are simply trying to answer questions asked in a legitimately helpful way) isn't going to be particularly helpful if you're trying to learn something.



    Finally, posting here and then not wanting to take the advice offered is kind of pointless, in my opinion - why would a person ask a question if they don't want to hear the answer? It's just so odd to me that so many people will post and then ignore anything that doesn't validate the opinions they already have...why bother, you know?

    I can see I'm not going to get anywhere with this thread, but seriously, assuming everyone has malicious intentions isn't a great way to go through life and it's especially not a good way to navigate the Internet.
    [/quote]



    Goodness...I sure don't like being misquoted...

    1. Never said anything about being attacked or anyone having malicious intentions... Please don't put words in my mouth.
    2. I have one question to ask you... Have you ever asked anyone for advice, pondered that advice, realized that advice would not work for you, and not taken it? Would then expect the person who gave you that advice to get upset with you for not taking said advice, even if they thought they knew best? Okay that is two questions...
  • Isca_1
    Isca_1 Posts: 124 Member


    jemhh wrote: »
    amgerbin wrote: »
    I don't know the physiology behind it and I don't care. All I know is that my thighs are leaner and appear smoother after I've kicked it up with my yoga.

    Why does everything need to be an argument? She was asking for ideas that have worked for others; not a thesis paper. Relax everyone.

    I asked for clarification., not for an argument. Words have meanings. "Muscles appear longer" doesn't mean "my thighs are leaner and appear smoother." How is anybody supposed to understand that was what you mean?

    Welcome to the world of trying to understand women....


    We have a winner! Made me laugh, thank you.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    @amgerbin I loved, loved, loved your reply... On my first post to myfitnesspal I mentioned I wanted to get toned, and I got a lecture on how muscles can't be toned. I'm just a novice to the world of exercise and all I am looking for is what has work for other too. Thanks for the common sense.



    So... admittedly you were (are) a novice, someone offers to educated you, including teaching you the actual anatomy of what happens to a muscle, and you're mad about it? Someone can't give you the results you want if you don't actually understand what you're trying to accomplish.
  • eeejer
    eeejer Posts: 339 Member
    You can lose fat on your thighs (body) by caloric deficit. You can lose muscle by not using them. That said, I have never known anyone who wanted to lose muscle. Lose fat and you will look leaner.
  • girlonfire10
    girlonfire10 Posts: 41 Member
    Actually, I play an exercise novice on this APP, and use the wrong terminology to annoy fitness addicts on purpose. ;-)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member

    Since I've started my weightloss journey I've been trying to find ways to slim my muscular legs down so they are not as bulky! I used to be a sprinter in highschool (100,200, relays) and my legs got sooo bulky! They have slim down quite a bit then since I started changing my routines up, but I still think they are still too bulky for my liking.. I've been running/using an elipical 5-6 times a week for about 45-60 minutes at a time (I was a cross country runner also btw, I am used to running that much and that long so no I did not jump into running a lot at once)
    So my question is, if I walked 2 or 3 times out of the 6 days I workout will this help me thin my thighs more? I think running all the time might make them bulky again. Thank you!

    Are you currently losing weight? If yes, I am not sure how your legs are getting "bulky" as you can't build that much mass in a calorie deficit. And honestly, woman do not produce enough testosterone, naturally, to get bulky.

    Keep eating in a calorie deficit, follow a lifting regimen, add in some cardio, and the fat will come off from where it wants to come off from, and not where you want it to.

    You can't spot reduce....
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