Thigh haters Unite!

[CValentine]

Hi, my name is Cheryl... & I hate my thighs!

Right thigh - 24 inches
Left thigh - 23.75 inches

Want them down to 22 inches each. I'm doing swimming exercises & a friend sent me a link for a bun & thigh/lower body exercise.
http://video.about.com/exercise/thigh-toning.htm

I'm eating right, exercising & (trying) to keep a positive can-do attitude, what else can I do? Anybody else in the same boat?

Thanks, ~Cheryl

[cs_carver]

Sorry--not what you want to hear. But "hating" a part of your body that is completely responsible for mobility? Pretty stern stuff. Do the other things in your life that you hate come around to cooperation because you hate them so much? Like, "I'd better get skinny so she'll start liking me?"

Sorry. Too many people my age have started losing parts, forever, to allow that kind of hate into my mind. You can GET skinny thighs any time--they're called artificial legs. Enough subliminal messaging and who knows what your femurs will come up with?

You picked your grandmothers, and in that choice, set most of the basic ratios of your body in all its various sizes.

[deb34]

how about, i love my thighs, but i hate the fat on them?

that's what i hate, the fat....

[melloyello]

I sincerely dislike the flab and saggy skin on my inner thighs.
I also don't care for the way my legs jiggle when I walk.

Obviously, I am glad to have legs.
But yeah, Cheryl. I get what you're saying! Totally!

[CValentine]

Well... maybe I need to get around to the acceptance of my thighs. That or schedule the surgery for artificial limbs! Yeah, cause you know, people who are looking to identify with others 'seek out' negative response in a support forum & do nothing to help improve their situation. I have a personal view or opinion of some of my own body parts, (duh, it's my body), & look to forge a kinship with someone else, or others, with perhaps, a similar problem or view of themselves, to move forward towards a common goal ~ like supporting each other in exercise & a LC lifestyle & move away from negativity and show marked improvement through social interaction with others. These changes are unachievable by oneself, however, I choose to do it here.

The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. We are prone to sacrifice others when we are ready to sacrifice ourselves. ~Eric Hoffer

Thank you for wanting to support me in my efforts to improve myself by identifying with my problem cs_carver. And yes, deb34, I do hate the fat & am working on improving the self-image of my thighs. Thanks melloyello! LC WOL & exercise. I know you guys are doing the same, we're all here on the forum! Let move forward together!

Have a great day! ~Cheryl

[melloyello]

:agree: Yep. Well said.

[deb34]

i'm in the boat of hating the fat all over my body! I too find it hard to love it when i think it's so ugly myself...i totally get where you are coming from and agree that it's a personal opinion about myself not targeting anyone else....i can't help it, but i really do hate the fat, everywhere on my body.... i feel trapped by it and held back but i'm trying to fight back....I'm glad we're all here to let each other vent and understand...thanks

[CValentine]

Well, we're getting motivated now!
Thank you ladies for supporting each other to change our fat thighs! (I can't believe I said that!) Uhgh, thighs... Where to begin...

Deb, I see you're down 12#'s, only 7 more & you're in your 'teens'! We're here to help you get there! Are you starting a journal soon so we can get to know you & cheer you on? Where do you hail from? Are you married, have children? Any hobbies?

melloyello, you're doing awesome after having the baby. You have a beautiful baby girl! My baby girl is 14 monthes old. Finally getting myself back down into the realm of reason. Need to fine tune the lower body though. Will visit your journal, get to know you there!

cs_carver, how's your day going?

Let's make it a great day girls! ~Cheryl

[CValentine]

Let's GO!!

Changing those thighs... working for a positive body image. I will rock like I did in 1997! 147#, strength & stamina, 14in biceps, tri's like handlebars, shapely butt & legs ~ OMG were they mine? Had the WOE, the supplementation & the personal trainer, (Miss you Chris Rabenort)! (Friend, Former Marine sharpshooter/drug free body-builder and Christian). Found my Old gym log, pull-ups may take me awhile! Makin' the changes to the positive ladies & gents! Only Day 1... Let's see where this goes!


http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=6875680#post6875680

[zorra_1]

The thighs are absolutely the hardest place for me to shed flab!! :lol:

[CValentine]

I know what you mean. the workouts you have to are killers & then you when you walk you hurt for 3 days after. I am seeing a change, been doing dumbbell lunges. Oww! I'm on day 3 of adding weight training to my LC WOL. Something's gotta give!
If something else works for you...let us know here zorra_1!
Thanks, Cheryl

[CValentine]

Just an update...

Right thigh: 24 1/4 inches
Left thigh: 23 3/4 inches

No change this week... ~Cheryl

[CValentine]

Weigh & measured today:

Rt thigh: 24.25
Lt thigh: 23.75

No change again! ~Cheryl

[Rachel1]

If you're exercising, you may be adding muscle to those thighs and shedding fat with no change seen on the measuring tape. Keep it up, though, and those thighs will look more shapely, whether or not they are thinner. They will look thinner and be stronger.

I'm short and somewhat stocky. I'll never have thin legs, but exercise has given them definition to the point where I actually kinda like them. I'm no longer embarrassed to wear shorts in public.

You may not be able to force your thighs (or any other part of you) to shed fat, but you can build muscle!

Rachel

[Muata]

OK, it may be weird for a guy to post in this thread, but, thanks to my mom, I had serious thunder thighs too. My largest recorded measurement of my thighs were 32 inches!!! Yep, my thighs were as large as some folks' waists, and I hated them. Cheryl, focus on your overall body fat percentage. What really sucks is that we can't tell, or force (I've tried), our bodies where to take the stored fat. Basically, the notion of spot reducing is a waste of time and effort. Genes play a part in where we store our fat. For instance, I can see that I'm going to have a six pack before I have defined thighs because right now I have more fat on my thighs than on my stomach. My brother, who has a different dad, is built just the opposite. He is over 300+, but his legs aren't that big; he carries it in his belly. When I was his size, I could start a fire from the the friction of my thighs rubbing together when I wore corduroy pants. . :lol: ! Since you are working out and eating LC, give yourself time and don't obsess over the size of your thighs. Do weekly measurements of your entire body, so that you can see that you are losing in other areas even if it's not in your thighs, right now. They'll come down and become more shapely as many folks have already said.

[DrH]

Where is the "correct" place to measure your thighs?

[Muata]

Where is the "correct" place to measure your thighs?

I don't know if this is the "correct" place, but when I first started my journey, I use to measure the mid-thigh. When I started to use the free body fat monitor at www.mybodycomp.com, it called for you to measure at the top of the thigh near your groin. However, what I think is most important is picking one place and keep using it to measure for progress. For me, seeing the number on the measuring tape decrease is much more important, physically and psychologically, than where you measure.

[CValentine]

Hello all!

I measure all my body parts & weigh-in every 5 days. DrH, I measure my thighs at the 'saddlebag' or widest point on my thighs, approx. 3 inches from my inseam. I do my best to measure at the same point every time.

Muata, I remember being in the military & coming home on leave when I was 19, my DM was like,"look at your legs, they look like tree trunks!" We measured them at 27in. I was very physically active & worked outdoors on large aircraft. I was solid, but looked physically off-balance, my 'curve' was at my thighs, not my hips. Measurements are currently 37/31/37. You have truly 'WOW'ed me with the changes you have made in your body, you are an awesome inspiration!!

My DM has never had over a 25" waist, she even only gained 7# with me & 9# with my sister when she was pregnant. Top weight of 132# ever at 5'7". Not a compaison model at all. She's 100% French, former Mannequin model in the early & mid 60's out of NYC. She did trunk shows, runway, & print. Still a sharp lady even at 60. 114# of class. Now, I'm not 'obsessed with the thin or waify look. I just remember what my body looks like at certain weight & exercise phases.

I really appeciate the input & positive body re-inforcement recognition I've gotten while starting this thread. I am working to make them more shapely & toned & I realize the limitations of 'spot-exercising'. I have this picture of what my legs looked like 13 yrs ago, I know the genetic structure for my legs is the same, just little changes with age. I'm doing what I can to get back to those beautiful gams, I believe diet & exercise is the key!

I'll keep posting my thigh measurements here, feel free to check out my PLAN, gym log, or to post any other helpful suggestions in my journal. I appreciate the input! Thanks all, ~Cheryl

[Muata]

You're more than welcome Cheryl, and your mom's genes are something else! She reminds me of this one woman at my job who gains close to nothing when she gets pregnant. Man, you should hear how the other ladies, who've had kids, just hate her. LOL! Cheryl, if you don't mind me asking, how is your father built? Did you get your "athletic" thighs from him or anyone else in your family that you can think of?

[melloyello]

Cheryl, what specific exercises are you doing for your thighs?

[CValentine]

Morning 'Thigh-changers!',

Wish I could change the thread name now...

Muata, my father is 75% German, 25% Scot/Welsh/Irish/Engl.
The Germanic traits are prevalent in both my sister & I. My Dad & his siblings have the Germanic features, but are all slight of build, he is 6' 1" - 165#. The German genetics for muscularity fall back to my GreatGF on Dad's side, Bavarian-German. My DM father, was a strong French-man. He was nicknamed 'The Bull'. I don't remember his legs, he always wore heavy work pants, but his upper body & midsection were thick & muscular. He was 6'7", no one knew his weight, but he wasn't fat. His hands measured 12 1/2" from wrist to tip of middle finger. Huge hands. (Sorry, off subject). Some genetic inter-combination.

Mello, I'm doing stiff-legged dumbbell deadlifts, dumbbell lunges & weighted leglifts(moderate weight). Don't have a weight bench yet.

If anyone else knows of other exercises that can incorporate with my 'poor-man's' workout LMK! Thanks to all!, ~Cheryl

[Muata]

He was 6'7", no one knew his weight, but he wasn't fat. His hands measured 12 1/2" from wrist to tip of middle finger. Huge hands.

WOW!!! :dazzle:

[zorra_1]

she even only gained 7# with me
:lol: OMG...I gain that much going off plan for one day!!

[CValentine]

Weigh & measure today:

Wt: Same 153.5#
Rt thigh: 23.75
Lt thigh: 23.0

I can't believe it!!! Woo-Hoo!!!

Last week:

Rt thigh: 24.25
Lt thigh: 23.75

WOW!!! It's coming off!! I'm so up!!
The exercise & clean eating is working!! ~Cheryl

[Muata]

You go girl!!! :clap:

[diemde]

Have you tried squats? That really works the quads.

Here's a link that may help give you some ideas for thighs: http://exrx.net/Lists/ExList/ThighWt.html

Leg press is the other one I like, but I'm still trying to figure out how to do that one outside of going to a gym.

[CValentine]

Weigh & measure day...07/25/07
153.5#
Rt. thigh: 23.75in
Lt. thigh: 23in
- Still the same, baby-baby, still the same...

[Muata]

Don't sweat it Cheryl. How are the measurements on the other parts of your body looking? I'm going to start posting my thunder thigh measurements here too. So, we can be thigh workout buddies. LOL! Right now I believe that our thighs are the same size ironically enough . . . damn our genes! :)

[rachelratz]

There is a great Yoga exercise. They're called rolling sun salutes. From a standing position, squat down into a forward sumersalt. On you back lift both legs (together) three time. Jump back up to standing poisiton. You should do them quickly 3 times. If you do that a few times a week, you dould not have to exercise again!

[CValentine]

I do some Sun Salutations exercises to stretch out before working out...

All right!! Thigh-buddies... Muata & me!!
The measurements on the rest of my body are the same except....my chest, losing some more of what I don't have. The genetics are small-breasted too on my DM side, B- or less...

Other measurements:
Neck:13.5
Biceps:11.25
Chest:36.5
Waist:30.875
Hip:37.5
Calves:14.375

How tall are you that your thighs are my size? You can share your stats now too! I can hardly wait to see more improvements, I've felt more changes in my legs when I started doing the stiff-legged deadlifts! I can feel the firming of my underlying leg muscles again...it's strange, that kind of rippling muscle over muscle feeling! What's your workouts look like? Hope to share more improvements with you soon...
~Cheryl Ann

[Muata]

All right!! Thigh-buddies... Muata & me!!
The measurements on the rest of my body are the same except....my chest, losing some more of what I don't have. The genetics are small-breasted too on my DM side, B- or less...


Man, you are really built like my Mom Cheryl!


How tall are you that your thighs are my size? You can share your stats now too! I can hardly wait to see more improvements, I've felt more changes in my legs when I started doing the stiff-legged deadlifts! I can feel the firming of my underlying leg muscles again...it's strange, that kind of rippling muscle over muscle feeling! What's your workouts look like? Hope to share more improvements with you soon...


I'm 5'11''. I do stiff-legged deadlifts with my kettlebells too, and I love that exercises. It really works your hammies. I also do KB swings to work 'em too. For my quads, I do suitcase squats and ATG squats with my KBs and a weighted vest. I had to improvise since some bastard stole one of my KBs from the apartment gym. And to think that I moved to this city because they broke into my house 3 times in my last location. So, I guess there's crime everywhere! :mad:

OK, here are my measurements:

Abdomen 31.50in (gained .5 since 7/4 - not worried muscle growth)
Hips 38.00in
Thigh 23.50in (lost .25 inch--woohooo!)
Knee 14.50in (gained .5)
Calf 15.50in
Neck 14.50in (gained .5)
Ankle 9.75in
Shoulders 46.00in (gained .5)
Arm 13.00in
Chest 39.75in (gained .25)
Forearm 11.00in
Waist 30.00in
Wrist 7.25in (gained .25)

[CValentine]

Man, you are really built like my Mom Cheryl!

Does your mother have French genetics too? Is she tall, similar weight?

And to think that I moved to this city because they broke into my house 3 times in my last location. So, I guess there's crime everywhere! :mad:

It's everywhere anymore. Last week some vandals tried to take the brushguard off my Old 78 Ford. I had spot welded the guard to the bumper, (Ha-Ha!), I didn't catch them, but they didn't get my guard!! The weasels started wrenching at my bumper mounts.... tightened them back up & heated up the bolts & bent them behind the nut. Crazy what theives will do not to have to pay for something.

Your measurements look good now...looking at your pic, your thighs don't look out of place. You are 2 inches taller than me... your stat's look perfect for your body size! Muscle definition off the charts - rockin'! I've had Drug-free bodybuilder friends through the years that would've loved to have your definition! I've been looking at the kettle balls, but am not sure how to modify my form because of the way you grip them - not sure of that either. Wrist positioning can define what muscle group is worked...any help there?
Maybe some lower intensity exercises(weighted) for obliques?

I tryed to get to the body fat link you left. Kept pushing me into some error screen after I tried to sign up...

Thanks for your input & help! Let's keep each other motivated! ~Cheryl Ann

[Muata]

Thanks for your comments Cheryl. No, my mom has Black and Indian genes that gives her a short, bottom heavy frame, with big thighs and small boobs. You're pretty tall and I can see your grandfather's influence. I still can't get over the fact that his hands were larger than my feet! As far as Kettlebells are concerned, there are TONS of videos on youtube and I recommend that you check out nofearfitness.com. Yes, with them technique is very important, but I know you can do it and hope that you fall in love with them like I have. Right now, I don't really liike my thighs because I can't see the definition I want. Like you were saying, I can feel the muscles and a hint outline of how they're going to look, but damn these thighs and my genes! LOL! Hang in there partner; we're going to be showing off our lovely sculpted thighs soon enough . . . .

Oh, and the owners of that site don't maintain it properly and I don't know why. I haven't found another site that has you measure so many areas for your body fat percentage. I would get error messages to and would just try again. One time I emailed them and they fixed it for me. Go figure . . .

[CValentine]

Thanks for the info & links Muata!
Is your DM Indian heritage American, Eurasian, or Arctic?
I was trying to refer to some Anthropology books to see if they reference body shapes...most have the general anthro. dietary examples. Some interesting info if people take the time...!

Thanks again! ~Cheryl Ann

[Muata]

No problem Cheryl. I should have said Native American, I don't know why I used Indian :doah: Judging by the women I've met from various West African countries, I would say that she probably got her thighs and big behind from them and her stature and smooth skin, she has no wrinkles at 69, from my great-grandpa's native American (Cherokee) roots. I'd be really interested in hearing what you find.

Thanks thigh buddy,
Muata

PS
It's time for me to change my routine for the next 4 weeks. I'm going from doing a full-body routine 6 days a week (HFT-high frequency training), to more of a split (upper body MWF/lower body TuThFri) routine 6 days a week. Also, I'm going to include doing 30 min walks with my 20 lb vest on in the evenings, and have added doing ab vacuums (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ms-fit5.htm) to my ab workout. I'm determined that the fat on my thighs and stomach have to go since these are the only two places left!

[CValentine]

I love 'vacuums'! Frank Zane, my all time favorite Mr. Olympia, used them, I read a Muscle & Fitness artile back in the mid 90's where he explained how he did them. I think it's weird how it works, but do it anyways!

Dropped in weight!!

Weight:152#
Lt thigh: 23
Rt thigh: 23.5

Woo-hoo!! Dead-lifts are working it baby!! I was reading where sissy squats can give you the lean leg look w/o bulking up for turnip thighs. Gonna shop for some light kettleballs tomorrow! Have a great week! ~Cheryl Ann

[Muata]

Excellent Cheryl!!! Keep it up partner, and I use to do sissy squats too when I first started training with free weights because I was too weak to even do body weight squats. :o So, I used my exercise ball against a wall, but it didn't take long. Also, since you're losing weight, don't worry about you bulking up. The only way you'll bulk up is if you give your body more calories than it needs. Since it's obvious you're not, cause you're losing, you'll be fine. You'll just make your legs stronger. Hey, on another note, I sent off my information to, hopefully, be included in an upcoming issue of Men's Health's "Belly Off Club" section! Keep your fingers crossed . . .

Have a great week too.

[CValentine]

All fingers are crossed 'X-XvXvX-X' ! That would be so awesome! A celebrity in our midst! Wishing for the best Muata!

Let me know the date of issue when it happens! I'm in just for a bit today, digging around in salvage yards for a long bed flareside for my truck. Getting a workout climbing & crawling through those junk vehicles! I will catch you tomorrow!

Gonna clean-up after 5 & go get my kettle-balls & a tricep bar. Might peruse for a new pair of sneakers, I have a high arch...narrow forefoot. Hard to find a good fit. Afer that, I've got a fresh 18oz porterhouse, 1.5" cut, waiting for supper tonight, hope you're eating good tonight too!

Have a beautiful day! ~Cheryl Ann

[CValentine]

No changes (thighs)this weigh day...
Down a 1/2 pound..
How are you doing Muata?
~Cheryl Ann

[Muata]

Hey Cheryl. I'm doing fine, and trust me when I say every pound, or half pound, counts! ;)

I went to the store yesterday to pick up a pair of jean shorts and was blown away that I can actually wear a size 34 pants! Now, they fit a little more snug than I usually wear them, so a 36 was just fine and baggy enough for me since I'm not going for the George Michael look. I went hiking Saturday for the first time with my 20lb weighted vest, and my shins and calves are still sore. It was really fun, and I look forward to hitting that trail again this weekend. This week will be the second one of my new routine, so I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Talk to you soon and thanks for all the kind words about my MH submission.

Muata

[CValentine]

Nice Site Muata...
Tastefully done, eye appealing!!
I really cleaned up the diet this past week & am down another 1/2# this morning! The weighted vest is something a friend of mine(male) is using too. He's improved quite a bit in his lower leg dept & his lower back too. I'm working my every other day weight routine(thank you for the kettle ball info!) with swimming almost everyday, on top of the walking...
You've got to move it to lose it!
Thank you for your support of me in our endeavor to have thinner thighs. We will get there! ~Cheryl Ann

[Vgal]

I won't mince words and cs carver and whomever can find it offensive or not - but I HATE my legs. I have the ugliest legs ever! It's hereditary. The women in my family who took my Nana's legs got them. Not only are they grotesquely fat, loaded with cellulite but thanks to my mom they also have enough broken capillaries to make a Thomas Guide blush! They are unshapely even at their thinnest, which is never thin enough. If I could change 1 part (or 2 actually) I would gladly accept legs transplants.

Now that I've vented, I can focus on a positive change - I will faithfully go to the gym and work extra hard on my legs - spinning and weights w/double leg work, even though it seems to make no difference at all.....

[rachelratz]

Yes they are hereditary, but that does not mean you can't do anything about them. Muscular thighs look a darn sight better then flabby.

[CValentine]

Vgal...
Feeling right there with you...
My thigh are looking better than they did when I started this thread, but I stll am not pleased with them.
I hold the key... exercise helps!
Congrats on your fabulous weight loss progress!
~Cheryl Ann

[Vgal]

I worked out twice this week and I know although I've gained back some weight and my thighs seemingly never shrink, I will make progress - albeit slower in this area than others!

Has anyone ever tried The Cellulite Cure? I remember reading that and it claims their diet will help reduce cellulite.....