Body Composition

Women can tend to hold fat in their legs. TBH, it's the beauty standard right now.... so I don't know how hard I'd try to lose it. That being said, you might have to get to quite a low weight before the fat on your lower body goes away.

I7300 wrote: »

I'm wondering how low of a weight I need to be!
I'd be more accepting of it if they were more toned, and that's a mission in itself!

Nobody can tell you that, as it will be different for everybody. Body fat percentage isn't so much about scale weight. You'd have to know how many pounds of fat you're carrying. The reality is you would just have to keep looking in the mirror and keep losing until you reach the point where your legs start losing fat. But I will reiterate I don't think it's a good idea.

Don't be intimidated by weights. They're the best training tool when used properly.

As far as big legs and smaller body, that's your genetics so you need to work around it. Some people have naturally more muscular legs and those people need to not try to reduce through weights as that will just exaserbate the issue. If fat is the leg issue then diet and a sensible exercise program is best with a combo of strength and conditioning sessions.

Sometimes legs that are bigger have a combo of decent muscle mass covered by a layer of fat. When overall fat is reduced the legs will look more "toned". Genetics will determine where the fat comes off first and you may get lucky if that's legs for you.

Oh, honey. If I can build muscle, anyone can build muscle.

I work out both with a trainer a couple times a week, and in the gym. I don’t do super heavy weights and still get good results. My trainer changes it up constantly. I tend to fall into a rut of same old-same old, if left to my own devices, so training is terrific for me.

Even something as simple and consistent as a Les Mills type cardio/weights class (we call it Muscle Madness at my gym) gets results. I’m amazed the results the ladies who come consistently get. You get to choose your own weight in these classes. I like to try to go heavier as often as I can, or I’ll add dumbells or a barbell to hip bridges, that kind of thing.

But consistency is key. If you’re only doing it once a week, you’re not going to get the same results as someone who is doing it four or five times a week.

I also feel like yoga and Pilates also helped me quite a bit, with the focus on stretching, “long lean muscle”, and non-gym but challenging moves there, too. There’s a lot of lower body in both disciplines.

Be consistent and be patient. I’m almost four years into maintenance and things are still changing, and I’m old as dirt.

PS- if your trainer doesn’t suit you, find another trainer. My first three sucked, then I got an amazing and inspiring one (retired after a couple years with her), then a male trainer who treated me like grandma when I specifically asked to be challenged. A session or two with him and I gave up on PT.

A few months later, a new trainer at the gym approached me and asked if she could train me. I told her we’d give it a shot and we clicked. I’ve been very fortunate to find her, as good trainers are rare as hens teeth. Others at the gym saw what she did with me and now she has a waiting list.

Before signing up with one, ask for a trial period. Watch what they do with others at the gym. Are they a good “mental” fit for you? Do they get results? Do they go too easy/too hard on people? Are they a screamer, derogatory, or encouraging? Do they seem knowledgeable?

My worst experience ever was at a Workout Anytime. Hubs and I both trained with him. He said he was a retired marine drill sergeant. He screamed, he made fun of, he humiliated us both in front of other gym members, he had both us obese folks doing things that were dangerous and unsafe. We had no idea. We thought training was supposed to be misery. No pain, no gain?

A good trainer is not even on that plane, no, not even on the same planet. Good training is a totally different experience. Training is an investment. I’d have no qualms now about telling a trainer, “sorry, this isn’t working”.