Big Thighs

[mari27]

Hi Cathe,
I have been working out for 2 years.I have lost 85 pds. I'm about 10 pounds from my goal weight.My problem is my lower body seems to still carry alot of fat.I'm wondering how can I slim down my thighs.Also I was told that weight training and step aerobics would bulk my thighs more is this true because I love your videos.

 

[honeybunch]

Walking in your shoes

I can speak from my own experience! Obviously, I'm not Cathe, but I have the same problem. I weight train my "bottom half" once a week, and I mean a real intense, long workout (Cathe's PS Legs and Abs tape is excellent!) . I also do one step tape, and one Taebo tape (which has leg floor work). The step tapes I favor are the Cathe tapes with a Butt Blaster feature, like Mega Step Blast. I also walk twice a week. The key for me has been CROSSTRAINING!!!! That shock your muscles effect has really worked for me.

Good luck! Just pay attention to the advice on this web....it's been a Godsend for me.

Don't try to re-invent the wheel.

 

[mari27]

Thanks honeybunch 1 more thing

Would you recommend I do aerobics every day and for how long/Also how many times a week should I weight train.I have been working out for about 2 years now every day for about 2 hours a day but my thighs are still not toned or in shape.I like the way my upper body looks but I am a liitle self-conscious about my bottom.I am desperate to change my lower-half.I appreciatte your advise.
Thank you

 

[honeybunch]

Not really a recommendation

I can only speak from my own experience, so you have to go what works for you, and certainly pay attention to what Cathe tells you. I've found that I need at least 4 days of various aerobic workouts, and I go at least 45 minutes per session. I do weights 3 days per week - one killer leg workout and two upper body workouts.

But with stubborn legs, I have found that the most critical element of my exercise program is the weight training! I only walked for years and this did nothing to tone up my legs.

Like I said, this is what works FOR ME! We are all different. It sounds like Cathe's new tapes are going to be goodies, and I'm especially looking forward to the Circuit Max tape.

Good luck!!!! I can dig your problem, chick! It's tough to drag out the shorts come summertime. You think the whole world is looking at your legs.!

 

[Jane P]

reducing lower body

I have the same problem, but the key for me has been doing lower body weight work at least three times a week. I use Cathe's tapes, MIS and PS Legs as well as Firm tapes. I do not use heavy weights (about 16 lbs. max.)but I work my legs often. I found that once a week was simply not enough for me. I keep the leg workout short. Often I only do about 15 minutes of squats and lunges after my aerobic workout.

 

[lorrayne]

Reducing big thighs

Here's what I did to reduce my "thunder thighs:"

Most of my workouts for the week (6 days, 1 hour per workout session) was to target the lower body. I did an exclusive FIRM rotation where I would alternate heavy and light days. However, I would always ensure that I did leg press (excellent!), squats, and lunges. I really love Tortoise, Hare, Strength, and Cardio. These 4 tapes helped me reshape my upper and lower body. I went as heavy as I could safely handle while doing the lower body exercises. Don't be afraid to go heavy. Most women won't bulk up. Anyway, this routine transformed my flabby, heavy thighs to nicely toned and muscular thighs.

However, you also have to watch what you eat. Exercise is only half of the equation.

I hope this helps.

Lorrayne

 

[mari27]

Hi Lorrayne

Hi,
Just out of curiosity how long did you do this rotation before you started seeing results.
Also would Cathe's tapes work just as well.I have the FIRM strength & cardio but I feel I get more of a workout from Cathe's tapes but I'm willing to try anything
Thank You,
Marisol

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Marisol!

Congratulations on losing 85 pounds. How inspiring.

Unfortunately there is no magic answer to help you slim your thighs. We all have our own unique shapes that we were born with and each of our shapes will repond differently to exercises. The key to helping to reduce your thighs is finding the right combination of exercises that seem to stimulate the best results. But before you get into some of this experimenting, there are some things that you should know that generally benefit everyone. I'll fill you in on those and then after that you can fine tune this information to work within your particular genetics.

First, to receive the health benefits of exercise you should do atleast three weekly cardiovascular workouts at 20 minutes per session. You should also strength train all the major muscles in your body at least one time per week to keep your bones strong. Second, you should eat a healthy and balanced diet. Your calorie intake needs to support your energy output. Since I don't get specific with diets, if your interested your best bet would be to contact a registered dietician to find out what your best food choices and portions would be for your body specifically. Third, spot reducing, meaning attempting to work only a specific area which troubles us in order to lose weight in that area, does not work. Fourth, over exercising with the hopes that "more is better" only sets us up for injury, which in turn set us way back in our progress. Fifth, variety in your exercise program keeps your muscles responding positively. If you don't have enough exercise variety your progress will slow down dramatically.

Understanding the above will help take some of the guess work out of designing your successful exercise program. But now the hard part is finding out what combinations work best for you.

As for step and weight training making your legs bulky, this is absolutely not the case for everyone. I would offer advice in that if you feel that your legs are getting bulkier from step aerobics(after giving it a fair try), then only do it once or twice per week. Also, if you feel that weight training is making your legs fuller(after giving it a fair try), then stick to lighter(but not too light)weights. Ok, I hope this helps you. Again, congrats on your weight loss success!

PS, Have you considered sending us your success story. If your interested, the details are on our home page.