Lean legs for the summer
- Thread starter heracio
- Start date
RapidBreath
Cathlete
two things come to mind.
1. Run/walk intervals preferably with an incline or hills.
2. Its the eats. It is usually the diet/what you eat that determines whether or not you are slimming.
I hope that helps.
1. Run/walk intervals preferably with an incline or hills.
2. Its the eats. It is usually the diet/what you eat that determines whether or not you are slimming.
I hope that helps.
Boingo1
Cathlete
I would love to know the answer to this as well.
My lower body has always been my "issue". My upper body is toned, cut, muscular, but I can't seem to get rid of those "saddle bags" on my butt and upper thighs. *sigh*
If I work out and eat clean, it seems only my upper body will thin out....
My lower body has always been my "issue". My upper body is toned, cut, muscular, but I can't seem to get rid of those "saddle bags" on my butt and upper thighs. *sigh*
If I work out and eat clean, it seems only my upper body will thin out....
Boingo1:
I feel the same way you do. I workout a lot and eat a balanced low calorie diet but whatever I do my thighs only get bigger. I tried to do heavy weight lower body exercises and that made them bigger and I tried doing light weight more reps exercises and they make them bigger. What a mystery?
I feel the same way you do. I workout a lot and eat a balanced low calorie diet but whatever I do my thighs only get bigger. I tried to do heavy weight lower body exercises and that made them bigger and I tried doing light weight more reps exercises and they make them bigger. What a mystery?
horseshowmom
Cathlete
I'm toying with doing The Lower Body Solution by Laura Dayton. You work your legs 4-6 times a week. The philosophy is that dancer's legs are lean and they work their lower body everyday. Their are lot of FIRM and CATHE workouts in her rotation!
maddiesmum
Cathlete
What keeps my legs lean is powerwalking, either very fast or high inclines in interval format, each for 6 miles 3 times per week, and running intervals, gradually increasing speed, no inclines. Also, I just don't over-eat. If I eat crappy foods, then that's it, those calories count. Calories in must equal calories out, no two ways about it. As you get older, your metabolism slows and you need less food. There are no two ways around that fact either.
Clare
Clare
marnapril
Cathlete
it may just be your genetics. i'm a runner and weightlifter (heavy weights) and my legs/thigs are big and musclar. i only weigh 125 lbs and i'm thin except for my big muscular legs. it's just the way i am. look at cathe's crew on her videos.. everyone is fit and in amazing shape but they all look different. compare brenda and jai for example.
i agree that diet is really important but there's just so much you can do. heracio, you are already eating balanced and low calorie, maybe your body is happy the way it is?
i agree that diet is really important but there's just so much you can do. heracio, you are already eating balanced and low calorie, maybe your body is happy the way it is?
backer65
Cathlete
I agree with the previous post. I suspect you are harder on yourself (as I am too) about your lower body, but there are others out there who will look at you and say, "she is smokin" look at that figure. Sounds like you are doing a lot of things right.
I think for my lower body to get ripped, I'd have to reduce my pertcentage of body fat significantly since I hold the fat in my rear and upper thighs in the back where my leg meets the tooshie.
If you find a secret, please share. In the meantime, bask in the glory of the healthy body you currently have.
All the best,
Michele
I think for my lower body to get ripped, I'd have to reduce my pertcentage of body fat significantly since I hold the fat in my rear and upper thighs in the back where my leg meets the tooshie.
If you find a secret, please share. In the meantime, bask in the glory of the healthy body you currently have.
All the best,
Michele
ksg68
Cathlete
I agree with the other posters; watching your diet is key. In addition, watch your caloric intake. Even though you may eat clean, if there is a caloric surplus, the weight won't come off.
As far as exercise, running/walking will help reduce the size of your thighs. Since the end of December I went from 24 1/8" around my thighs to 22 1/4" by running/walking/endurance-type workouts. I also incorporated Cathe's DVD's like HSC (favorite!), Drill Max (another favorite!) BootCamp/Muscle Endurance, LIC, BM2 into the routine. The plymotric-type movements in these workouts I think helped shaped my legs. Now, let me preface it by saying that no one has ever complimented me on my legs. Ever. It's where I carry my weight. But now after doing some of the things I didn't want to do (running and plyometrics) I can see that they are better than they've ever looked. Not that they're great, but they are better and can now wear shorts without being so self-conscious and worried.
In general, watch your calories, workout 4-6x/week for 45-60 minutes with an emphasis on muscle-endurance/cardio and you should see some results!
HTH,
As far as exercise, running/walking will help reduce the size of your thighs. Since the end of December I went from 24 1/8" around my thighs to 22 1/4" by running/walking/endurance-type workouts. I also incorporated Cathe's DVD's like HSC (favorite!), Drill Max (another favorite!) BootCamp/Muscle Endurance, LIC, BM2 into the routine. The plymotric-type movements in these workouts I think helped shaped my legs. Now, let me preface it by saying that no one has ever complimented me on my legs. Ever. It's where I carry my weight. But now after doing some of the things I didn't want to do (running and plyometrics) I can see that they are better than they've ever looked. Not that they're great, but they are better and can now wear shorts without being so self-conscious and worried.
In general, watch your calories, workout 4-6x/week for 45-60 minutes with an emphasis on muscle-endurance/cardio and you should see some results!
HTH,
i agree w the post suggesting working out your legs 4 times/wk. i had amazing results when i did that. worked upper body twice week and lower body 4 times using a mix of all cathe videos. plus cardio.
Cathe did post a rock solid glute or leg workout i think last May...;that was great to follow. you can search it on this site.
Cathe did post a rock solid glute or leg workout i think last May...;that was great to follow. you can search it on this site.
found the link.....from 2006.
http://www.thecathenation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236281
there is another rotation fro, august 2004 focusing on burning body ft and shaping legs. you can find the link on the DVD and video forum
http://www.thecathenation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236281
there is another rotation fro, august 2004 focusing on burning body ft and shaping legs. you can find the link on the DVD and video forum
Havingfun
Cathlete
saddlebags
Hi,
What helped get rid of my saddlebags was (and it took time),
1. Several months of Cathe's leg rotations off and on
2. Progressive sprinting uphill last spring for 3 months done at the end of a run (I plan to start that again soon). Week 1, one 10 second uphill sprint, week 2, two 10 second uphill sprints, etc. then varied after 8 weeks.
3. Plyo weekly for about 45 minutes
Of course, serious clean eating. It was a long hard battle.
Tracy
Hi,
What helped get rid of my saddlebags was (and it took time),
1. Several months of Cathe's leg rotations off and on
2. Progressive sprinting uphill last spring for 3 months done at the end of a run (I plan to start that again soon). Week 1, one 10 second uphill sprint, week 2, two 10 second uphill sprints, etc. then varied after 8 weeks.
3. Plyo weekly for about 45 minutes
Of course, serious clean eating. It was a long hard battle.
Tracy
Running or run/walk intervals are my absolute best friend for shaping and shrinking legs 
for anyone who's never been a runner, you'll be amazed how quickly you build endurance, burn fat and shape your legs - compared to other forms of cardio - nothing beats it in my experience !! Good luck !
for anyone who's never been a runner, you'll be amazed how quickly you build endurance, burn fat and shape your legs - compared to other forms of cardio - nothing beats it in my experience !! Good luck !
bestican
Cathlete
ok, here's a dumb question.....is there any info on HOW to run? seems that when I try to run, it is just NOT NATURAL for me--I feel herky-jerky and have no stamina/endurance....and I am a regular exerciser! I KNOW that running will lean the legs out, just ..... HOW to run? Sounds really dumb, I Know, but I have a friend who says the same thing!!!
Thanks,
BESTICAN
Thanks,
BESTICAN
Re: "how to run" that actually is not a bad question at all !! I think what happens for a lot of beginning runners is they start too fast, push too hard and find it awkward, too strenuous, etc.. and quit. Go easy on yourself...start with a light jog then walk some then jog a little more. That runners cadence is something you develop/fall into over time. Even now, after 6 half marathons and years of running, the first mile always feels hard and off rhythm...after that, my stride kicks in and it's very natural. Check out runnersworld.com for more tips/details on form and how to start from scratch - there are a lot of great programs to kick you off! Or google 5K training programs for beginners - I find it's great to have a goal to work toward ! Most of all, Enjoy !
that actually is not a bad question at all !! I think what happens for a lot of beginning runners is they start too fast, push too hard and find it awkward, too strenuous, etc.. and quit. Go easy on yourself...start with a light jog then walk some then jog a little more. That runners cadence is something you develop/fall into over time. Even now, after 6 half marathons and years of running, the first mile always feels hard and off rhythm...after that, my stride kicks in and it's very natural. Check out runnersworld.com for more tips/details on form and how to start from scratch - there are a lot of great programs to kick you off! Or google 5K training programs for beginners - I find it's great to have a goal to work toward ! Most of all, Enjoy !
horseshowmom
Cathlete
Thanks for the honesty about the 1st mile. I'm a new runner and have wondered if that 1st one ever gets easier. Once I defeat my negative mind and get through it, it does become easier. So, I'm glad to know I'm not alone and that even seasoned runners struggle through the first bits!
Becky
Becky