I'm very stocky in my lower body. That is how I am built. I have big thighs and calfs. But while on Atkins they have reduced quite a bit and become quite firm. My DH says I have legs of steel. This is probably not just due to Atkins. I have taken up running and I do a lot of yoga, squats. Those three things have definitely helped too.
We have a squat challenge starting now in June. Sign up and joint the bum and thigh steel club