Best way to slim down my legs

Bettina82
Bettina82 Posts: 30 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Can someone give me advice on toning my legs? I do cardio 3-4 times a week for at least an hour(usually spin or a machine), and body pump
1-2 times a week. I feel like I'm stuck and nothing is changing! Some days it's almost like my legs are getting bigger :#
I really want to wear shorts this summer and not feel self conscious!

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    What are your height and weight? Are you trying to lose weight and are you eating in a calorie deficit? What kind of look do you consider to be "toned"?
  • AmandaJuneFit
    AmandaJuneFit Posts: 134 Member
    Ive got bigger legs from playing hockey, my exercises for leg day consists of different types of squats, lunges, and step ups! These moves are also great for building that booty !
  • rileyes
    rileyes Posts: 1,406 Member
    Maybe you are building some lean muscle mass that is pushing the fat out. Try reducing your portion sizes or weigh your food to reduce/monitor calorie intake.
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    My bodyfat % has stayed good, but weight is higher, mostly in legs/butt, with heavier workouts. Belly seems to be where I keep fat and thighs are where I put on muscle easiest.
    Here I measure thighs at biggest point (I'm 5'9"):

    legs were 18" and weight lowest when I did Jazzercise only
    were at 19" and increased aerobic capacity when I switched to running (by which I mean jogging slowly)
    Now at 21" or so and stronger with running and yoga and a very little weightlifting.

    So for me, personally, straight aerobic dance workouts kept body lean but not much muscle mass. If for some ungodly reason I wanted to be skinnyfit again instead of lean n fit, I'd do aerobics and eat less food.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    If you're doing a lot of spin, body pump and machine then you're likely holding a lot of water in your muscle tissue. You're tearing your legs up and they need the extra fluid to recover. Also, depending on how long you've been doing it, you may have gained some muscle.
  • Bettina82
    Bettina82 Posts: 30 Member
    rileyes wrote: »
    Maybe you are building some lean muscle mass that is pushing the fat out. Try reducing your portion sizes or weigh your food to reduce/monitor calorie intake.

    I would love to be pushing the fat out! I weigh and measure all my food. My calories are 1520 before exercise. And I try to only eat back 1/3-half of the calories I've burned. I think I will start measuring to track my progress. Thanks!
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    I can totally relate to the shorts and feeling self conscious. I do a little bit of everything, weights, cycle, plyos, but I honestly see the best results when there is more running and sprint work in my schedule. And I'm not a runner by any means but I take classes and they involve running, not more than am mile for warm up. I hate every second of the running but that's what works for me.
  • Bettina82
    Bettina82 Posts: 30 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    What are your height and weight? Are you trying to lose weight and are you eating in a calorie deficit? What kind of look do you consider to be "toned"?

    I'm 5'7" and 155#.... I want to lose fat and build muscle. I can see progress in my upper body but not so much in my lower body. My daily calories are 1520 and I have been eating at that or under for a month.
  • Bettina82
    Bettina82 Posts: 30 Member
    robininfl wrote: »
    My bodyfat % has stayed good, but weight is higher, mostly in legs/butt, with heavier workouts. Belly seems to be where I keep fat and thighs are where I put on muscle easiest.
    Here I measure thighs at biggest point (I'm 5'9"):

    legs were 18" and weight lowest when I did Jazzercise only
    were at 19" and increased aerobic capacity when I switched to running (by which I mean jogging slowly)
    Now at 21" or so and stronger with running and yoga and a very little weightlifting.

    So for me, personally, straight aerobic dance workouts kept body lean but not much muscle mass. If for some ungodly reason I wanted to be skinnyfit again instead of lean n fit, I'd do aerobics and eat less food.

    I have never done measurements, but I think I need to start. That would help me keep track of what's really going on! Thanks
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    Some of us have naturally larger legs, either because they're muscular, because of body fat distribution, or both.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    lithezebra wrote: »
    Some of us have naturally larger legs, either because they're muscular, because of body fat distribution, or both.

    Both myself and my kids dad have strong sturdy legs, and both my kids inherited the same. None of us will ever have super slim legs, it's just not in our DNA.

  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    Christine_72 wrote: »
    lithezebra wrote: »
    Some of us have naturally larger legs, either because they're muscular, because of body fat distribution, or both.

    Both myself and my kids dad have strong sturdy legs, and both my kids inherited the same. None of us will ever have super slim legs, it's just not in our DNA.

    Amen. I've had to accept the same about myself. Even at my slimmest, I always had athletic thighs.
  • Btheodore138
    Btheodore138 Posts: 182 Member
    I have calves that body builders dream of achieving. They're almost as wide as my thighs. Nothing that can really be done about it...unless I grow another 3 inches taller. :P
  • mom23mangos
    mom23mangos Posts: 3,069 Member
    My MIL has the best set of legs on her that I've ever seen. Even still at 75. And she never even exercised. Some are just blessed.
  • quiarga
    quiarga Posts: 408 Member
    Squats!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I have large thighs. Very large. Once I lose enough weight for them to even START slimming out, I get so tiny up top. My face sinks in and you can see all my ribs, and yet my thighs are still fatty.

    Anyway, want to lose fat? Stay in a deficit. Want to save muscle so your legs look better? Strength train heavy.
  • momof4girls48
    momof4girls48 Posts: 41 Member
    Fitsugar and popsugar high impact 10 minute workouts on YOUTUBE have great workout for specific areas for free.
  • adamgoleafs87
    adamgoleafs87 Posts: 129 Member
    You could try things like Squats or cycling. Cycling will build up your calves.

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