Thunder thighs...will they ever go away? Need advice from fitness gurus!

[is thin possible?]

Ok folks! I am not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth, because the results I have obtained from the WOE have been phenomenal! I am so pleased that my body has responded in the fashion that it has! I am truly blessed to have recovered the body I have after some many years of abuse!

However, can anyone tell me what kind of exercise will help me reduce the fat on the outside and inside of my thighs? I am truly a pear shape, as well I have had several babies, which dosen't help! My lower legs... to about... uh, three inches above my knees look wonderful...but from there on up...well, er, uh...not so hot! I routinely do abductor and adductor work on the weight machines at the gym, and I can see some definition, but when I sit down the fat just spreads out everywhere. Is there anything else I can do? Or is this just an issue of continuing to do aerobic exercise to burn the fat away?

Please, any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

Blessings!

[as0l0]

i believe long distance running is the solution. it's not only the fat that needs to be reduced but also the muscle.

[Brook]

There's no such thing as spot reducing, unfortunately. In order to get rid of the fat on your thighs, you're going to have to eat them thin and keep up on the aerobics. Of course any strength training you do will be beneficial as well and help with definition (not to mention building muscle burns more calories ).

[ttdriver]

Again, Brook is right on the money!! A minimum of 30 minutes a day of cardiovascular exercise will burn fat all over your body. The weight training will tone and shape and strengthen you.

Betty

[as0l0]

in this case strength training (on the legs) will make the problem worse because your leg muscles will get bigger. this will make your legs bigger.

[ttdriver]

Not true. Your legs will not get bigger from weight work. They will be toned and sculptured .. (i.e. shapely). Women do not have the potential to add bulk like men do unless they take steroids or other similar drugs like professional body builders do. If you're just doing the typical fitness center weight/resistence work, you should only notice your legs getting better!! Add in the cardio and burn the fat!

Betty

[Brook]

Right on the money, Betty! (Backatcha. LOL!)

[Heather150]

I can only tell you what helped me. I am bigger on top than bottom (I'm a dorito haha)
but walking has totally reshaped my legs, not to mention the rest of me!! My thighs used to rub together, I used to get rashes, they were puffy and just plain fat. Walking 3 miles a day for almost a year now has turned them into nice toned up legs I'm proud to show off. This is the first time since birth (and diapers) that my thighs don't rub together when I walk. I can cross my legs for the first time in 32 years. Cardio, in any form can't hurt. I walk (I can't run due to bad knees since childhood gymnastics) so you don't have to run if you can't hack it right now. Burn those calories and fat and you will see a difference. By doing nothing, you get nothing.

[fawn]

as well, pilates will elongate the muscles. You don't have enough testosterone to build raging muscles. In most women, depending upon the shape of their bodies hang on to fat in those areas until the bitter end. As TT and B said, cardio cardio cardio woe woe woe time time time. I see that your goal weight is 170? How tall are you? You may re-evaluate that once you look in the mirror. For me, my stomach was the last to go and it held on tight until the last 10 lbs. I watched everything I put in my mouth added dark green veggies and worked my @$$ off. It's the only thing that works.......working at it and again, those fat pockets may just be your last to go.

[Pie4me]

I can sympathize as I also have a curvy pear shaped
figure. I am 5'9 and have hit my goal weight of 143 but
to me my upper thighs are still "thick" and I hate the look
of them when I sit down.

I too am walk/running 3 miles a day and it has helped
shape them some...but I do wish they were leaner.
I don't think loosing any more weight (for my height)
will help my legs any--but I will continue to exercise
and try to get them toned a little more.
I think genetics has something to do with it.
Some of us just won't have pencil thin legs.
I am happy with the rest of my body at 48 so I
guess the thigh issue isn't too bad.

I think it is more important to eat healthy and
stay fit by exercizing every day. Limit your
stress if you can- and get a good night's sleep.
Be thankful for the blessings you do have and
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Pie4me
5'9
48 yoa
sw 163
cw 143
Goal 145