Help :(
anonymous1210
Posts: 22 Member
Hi ! So I am currently strugglinh with something. No matter how much weight I lose , my thighs still remain flabby and full of stretch marks and cellulite. I am 5'2 and 110 lbs ( size 6-8)
I eat 1400-1700 calories everyday and I ignore macros and purely focus on calories only and eat whatever I want to. On the weekends I go a bit over and eat 2000-2500 calories.
I also do 2 hours of mini stepper EVERYDAY! So why are my thighs like this? I know women who do not diet , do not exercise and have awesome looking thighs
I eat 1400-1700 calories everyday and I ignore macros and purely focus on calories only and eat whatever I want to. On the weekends I go a bit over and eat 2000-2500 calories.
I also do 2 hours of mini stepper EVERYDAY! So why are my thighs like this? I know women who do not diet , do not exercise and have awesome looking thighs
4
Replies
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First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.20 -
How are you tracking? Eye balls or weighed? Are you going out much? Eye balls are horrid estimates. Restaurant food can be way over stated calories. I see ranges, so that tells me a bit. Hope this helps.0
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anonymous1210 wrote: »Hi ! So I am currently strugglinh with something. No matter how much weight I lose , my thighs still remain flabby and full of stretch marks and cellulite. I am 5'2 and 110 lbs ( size 6-8)
I eat 1400-1700 calories everyday and I ignore macros and purely focus on calories only and eat whatever I want to. On the weekends I go a bit over and eat 2000-2500 calories.
I also do 2 hours of mini stepper EVERYDAY! So why are my thighs like this? I know women who do not diet , do not exercise and have awesome looking thighs
You are probably dealing with genetics more than anything else. And perception - we are always more judgmental of our own bodies than others. Having said that, what you mentioned are 3 separate issues, none of which probably have anything to do with your weight or your diet (or your stepper).- To firm up your thighs, start focusing on a strength training program. You are already at a relatively low weight, so rather than see if you can lose more weight and hope it comes off your thighs, building more muscle all over may help your shape much more. Plus 2 hours on a stepper sounds like torture
Check out the recomp thread here : https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1 - There are creams on the market that are meant to improve stretch marks, I have no idea whether they are the real deal or not. A fake tan can help distract from them in the short term.
- Cellulite is largely genetic, some women will have it even if they are underweight. Building muscle and a fake tanner can help even the look of cellulite out as well. Some people swear by massage, dry brushing, and some creams, but I think those are all hit or miss and are all temporary.
Understand, building muscle is a long term proposition - once you are lean, the changes you can make will take months, not weeks. Try not to be so critical of yourself, sometimes we can be our own worst critics and notice things no one else ever would! Comparison is the thief of joy.11 - To firm up your thighs, start focusing on a strength training program. You are already at a relatively low weight, so rather than see if you can lose more weight and hope it comes off your thighs, building more muscle all over may help your shape much more. Plus 2 hours on a stepper sounds like torture
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you are YOU. you are not THEM. stop comparing yourself!
you cant get rid of stretch marks. they fade over time, but no cream, lotion or potion will remove them.
if you want to build muscle you need to start a progressive lifting program.
im only an inch shorter than you and my maintenance is 1600. anything over and i will gain.3 -
Comparrison is the thief of joy12
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Genetics determine where our bodies store fat. Like you, my body stores fat in my legs. I am bony on top, large on the bottom. I am also pretty muscular, so I really don't care. My legs will never be skinny, but they are strong. My legs get me where I'm going - up and down mountains when hiking and to the finish line at races.6
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You don't know what people do when you're not around, no matter what they say, so it's unfair to you to compare yourself to anyone else.2
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Why in the world would you do a stepper 2 hours a day? If anything, you'd be better off find a good resistance based program (like StrongCurves), add in some cardio on the side, and give it time.11
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Amen to all of you who say “you are you” I applaud any woman that works on being better. My thoughts are:
A You need to pay attention to macros. It’s important to get the right ratios based on your body.
B Try some HIIT cardio. Two hours is too long and you may be burning muscle and not fat.
C Take the time to go get your body comp done. Bodpods are a great easy accurate way.
D I would suggest getting blood work AND hormone levels tested. I used Titan Medical in Tampa FL and they have been awesome!
On another note get the book Burn the fat feed the muscle. It’s a great read! It’s helped me zero in on what I need to do! Good luck on your venture!!13 -
First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.
Yeah , I think so too because I feel that my legs are really weak because I feel them hurting even after 10 squats ! The problem is that I really cant keep a diet as I end up binging on junk and chocolate and I dont have access to a gym ! 0 -
psychod787 wrote: »How are you tracking? Eye balls or weighed? Are you going out much? Eye balls are horrid estimates. Restaurant food can be way over stated calories. I see ranges, so that tells me a bit. Hope this helps.
Weighed ! And I dont eat out that much .. maybe once a week and I try to track as accurately as possible.0 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »Hi ! So I am currently strugglinh with something. No matter how much weight I lose , my thighs still remain flabby and full of stretch marks and cellulite. I am 5'2 and 110 lbs ( size 6-8)
I eat 1400-1700 calories everyday and I ignore macros and purely focus on calories only and eat whatever I want to. On the weekends I go a bit over and eat 2000-2500 calories.
I also do 2 hours of mini stepper EVERYDAY! So why are my thighs like this? I know women who do not diet , do not exercise and have awesome looking thighs
You are probably dealing with genetics more than anything else. And perception - we are always more judgmental of our own bodies than others. Having said that, what you mentioned are 3 separate issues, none of which probably have anything to do with your weight or your diet (or your stepper).- To firm up your thighs, start focusing on a strength training program. You are already at a relatively low weight, so rather than see if you can lose more weight and hope it comes off your thighs, building more muscle all over may help your shape much more. Plus 2 hours on a stepper sounds like torture Check out the recomp thread here : https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
- There are creams on the market that are meant to improve stretch marks, I have no idea whether they are the real deal or not. A fake tan can help distract from them in the short term.
- Cellulite is largely genetic, some women will have it even if they are underweight. Building muscle and a fake tanner can help even the look of cellulite out as well. Some people swear by massage, dry brushing, and some creams, but I think those are all hit or miss and are all temporary.
Understand, building muscle is a long term proposition - once you are lean, the changes you can make will take months, not weeks. Try not to be so critical of yourself, sometimes we can be our own worst critics and notice things no one else ever would! Comparison is the thief of joy.
To be honest , i find it alright doing 2 hours as I have an office job and without them , I would only be able to eat 1300 calories and I love food
I might try out the creams0 - To firm up your thighs, start focusing on a strength training program. You are already at a relatively low weight, so rather than see if you can lose more weight and hope it comes off your thighs, building more muscle all over may help your shape much more. Plus 2 hours on a stepper sounds like torture
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callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »you are YOU. you are not THEM. stop comparing yourself!
you cant get rid of stretch marks. they fade over time, but no cream, lotion or potion will remove them.
if you want to build muscle you need to start a progressive lifting program.
im only an inch shorter than you and my maintenance is 1600. anything over and i will gain.
Yes thats why I use the stepper a lot because otherwise , I cant comprehend with eating just 1300 calories a day 0 -
Why in the world would you do a stepper 2 hours a day? If anything, you'd be better off find a good resistance based program (like StrongCurves), add in some cardio on the side, and give it time.
Because I have a sedentery lifestyle , and without the stepper I would only be allowed to eat 1300 calories which is quite a few for me
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Hi, you don't necessarily need a gym. While I am a big believer in weights, that's what I enjoy, there are other things you can do. There are some really good body weight programs out there. Things like you are your own gym. Also on YouTube fitness blender as some really no equipment or minimum equipment videos. There are others that people like too.
On diet, just make small changes. Look at your meals and see where you can improve your days. Little changes make a big difference. My diet is fair from perfect, but I feel better if I get some fruit and veggies in everyday. Sometimes an extra egg or a a cup of milk can make a difference to you day protein intake.
And I agree, that it's not always good to compare ourselves to others. Yes admiring people is great, but remembers to be the best you , you can be. Even the most 'perfect' person has their struggles and might even be envious of you.0 -
have you thought of looking into recomp?0
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Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.8
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makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
i'm a long distance runner, i haven't gained 'lots' of leg muscle....?6 -
makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
have you seen the bodies of long distance runners??10 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »Why in the world would you do a stepper 2 hours a day? If anything, you'd be better off find a good resistance based program (like StrongCurves), add in some cardio on the side, and give it time.
Because I have a sedentery lifestyle , and without the stepper I would only be allowed to eat 1300 calories which is quite a few for me
Well doing the same thing every day is bad. It's not going to allow proper recovery or gains. Second, I suspect that your current plan isn't aligning to your actual goals. I suspect you would be better off, not only in terms of body composition but all meeting your end state, with a well design resistance program and than use cardio to improve heart health.
I will say this. I can count on one hand how many people I know or have worked with that were upset they started lifting. I can't count how many people I know who were mad they waiting. Lifting has such huge and profound impacts on your body, far beyond any amount of cardio.7 -
TavistockToad wrote: »makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
Hmm meant to say run. Or do long distance biking.1 -
TavistockToad wrote: »makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
Hmm meant to say run. Or do long distance biking.
Running generally works slow twitch muscle fibers and generally doesn't involve a progressive overload component, so muscle gains are going to be difficult. They are much better for muscle efficiency. If you want muscle gains, lifting > all.5 -
Muscleflex79 wrote: »makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
have you seen the bodies of long distance runners??
Yeah "long distance runners" have thin muscles.
Long distance cyclists also have thin muscles.
I am a long distance cyclist and i used to be 200+lbs now im 140lbs with nicely shaped legs.
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anonymous1210 wrote: »First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.
Yeah , I think so too because I feel that my legs are really weak because I feel them hurting even after 10 squats ! The problem is that I really cant keep a diet as I end up binging on junk and chocolate and I dont have access to a gym !
Stop trying to diet. That's what "eat at maintenance" means. 5'2" and 110 is a perfectly healthy weight. You're not going to get anywhere trying to lose more, especially when you keep binging. Eat enough food to fuel yourself on a daily basis and chances are your binges will go away.
As for not having access to a gym, that's no excuse for not getting resistance exercise. You can do bodyweight work at home or at a playground or be creative (e.g., lift heavy stuff from around the house.)3 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.
Yeah , I think so too because I feel that my legs are really weak because I feel them hurting even after 10 squats ! The problem is that I really cant keep a diet as I end up binging on junk and chocolate and I dont have access to a gym !
Stop trying to diet. That's what "eat at maintenance" means. 5'2" and 110 is a perfectly healthy weight. You're not going to get anywhere trying to lose more, especially when you keep binging. Eat enough food to fuel yourself on a daily basis and chances are your binges will go away.
As for not having access to a gym, that's no excuse for not getting resistance exercise. You can do bodyweight work at home or at a playground or be creative (e.g., lift heavy stuff from around the house.)
No , I currently do not binge but I dont do so because I eat whatever I want in small ammounts0 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »anonymous1210 wrote: »First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.
Yeah , I think so too because I feel that my legs are really weak because I feel them hurting even after 10 squats ! The problem is that I really cant keep a diet as I end up binging on junk and chocolate and I dont have access to a gym !
Stop trying to diet. That's what "eat at maintenance" means. 5'2" and 110 is a perfectly healthy weight. You're not going to get anywhere trying to lose more, especially when you keep binging. Eat enough food to fuel yourself on a daily basis and chances are your binges will go away.
As for not having access to a gym, that's no excuse for not getting resistance exercise. You can do bodyweight work at home or at a playground or be creative (e.g., lift heavy stuff from around the house.)
No , I currently do not binge but I dont do so because I eat whatever I want in small ammounts
Weren't you just quoted as having said you binge on junk and chocolate? Eating "whatever you want"... ok, let me ask this, in all seriousness, how's that working out for you? Clearly not well, otherwise you wouldn't be seeking advice.
You can eat mostly whatever you want, but you need to also pay attention to what you are eating, how much, and make sure to be doing a progressive overload resistance training. It doesn't have to be a full time commitment.. just start out with one or two days a week- just be sure to give it 110%.2 -
1. Unless you are a child, cellulite is a thing. Most people have it. For women you see in pictures that are over 30 and have zero cellulite, 95% of the time - it's called Photoshop.
2. Quit comparing yourself to other people. Even identical twins are not truly identical (different finger prints for one). Everyone carries weight differently. I carry my weight on my butt and thighs, but have a tiny waist and upper body. One of my best friends is the exact opposite, she's always had great legs but carries weight in her abdomen and upper body.
3. Stretch marks. Those things are pretty much permanent. There are some products that can minimize thier appearance, but no workout or diet plan will get rid of them. I got rid of most of my abdomenal stretch marks by having surgery to remove my excess skin, but what's left is going to be there forever.
4. Humans tend to be more critical of ourselves than others. We can easily see every one of our own "flaws", yet not so much with other people. Ask a good friend to be absolutely brutally honest about your body: you'll find that they don't see your "flaws" as much as you do.
5. Rest days. You need them, everyone needs them. They are part of any and every workout program. Don't do the same thing everyday, take at least one day off a week. Also, switch up your workouts. Incorporate both cardio and strength training.4 -
makkimakki2018 wrote: »Run or bike long distance. You will gain lots of leg muscle and shred fat from thise areas quick.
I run, my leg muscles are from strength training, not running. Squats, lunges, calf raises and deadlifts (plus other stuff) build my leg muscles up, not running.5 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »First off, stop looking at other women and thinking about how your thighs don't look like theirs. You aren't them, they aren't you, chances are there's something you have that they want. It's just how it works, get over it.
Second, you likely have a low amount of muscle. I'm guessing that based on the fact that you look only at calories and eat whatever you want. Most women, on their own, don't eat sufficient protein to maintain muscle while losing weight. Add that to your lack of resistance training and you have a recipe for low muscle mass. The good thing is that you can turn that around. Start lifting weights on a good program, eat at maintenance, and your legs will firm up.
Yeah , I think so too because I feel that my legs are really weak because I feel them hurting even after 10 squats ! The problem is that I really cant keep a diet as I end up binging on junk and chocolate and I dont have access to a gym !
So don't 'diet'. Change your eating habits slowly and think about it as a long term endeavour. Even if you binge, log it so you get an idea of what triggers your bingeing. You don't have to restrict anything, but try to eat the less nutritious stuff less often. You can work out at home. No barbells? Use litre bottles filled with water or tins of beans. You can do squats on a mat or cushioned surface like a rug. Pin two scarves together for a makeshift skipping rope. Go walking if you can. There's ways to exercise at home without expensive equipment.1 -
anonymous1210 wrote: »Hi ! So I am currently strugglinh with something. No matter how much weight I lose , my thighs still remain flabby and full of stretch marks and cellulite. I am 5'2 and 110 lbs ( size 6-8)
I eat 1400-1700 calories everyday and I ignore macros and purely focus on calories only and eat whatever I want to. On the weekends I go a bit over and eat 2000-2500 calories.
I also do 2 hours of mini stepper EVERYDAY! So why are my thighs like this? I know women who do not diet , do not exercise and have awesome looking thighs
JMO, but you should really be trying to gain weight, in the form of muscle. I'm 5'1.5" and currently a size 8. I have never in my adult life weighed 110#. Even when I was a size 3, I weighed 125# (I lifted and walked everywhere back then). Try resistance exercises, like squats or lunges. Planks are good for building muscle through your entire body. Do some interval training to help build the muscle (you can use your stepper for this). You may not get rid of it, but I know you can make it look better.0
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