Excercise Ideas for Trimming down Thighs

Jodi is totally right! You can not train your body to loose fat in certain areas. And, you want to be careful about some things like squats, or even lunges, as they can create short, bulkier muscle (with time) which may only add to the problem. My hubby (a big exercise buff) says that obviously eating well, and good general exercise is the way to go. Also, things like Pilates or Yoga will help to create long and lean muscles. Swimming and walking/running really are great too. Good luck with the things you can change, and even more luck coming to terms with the things you cant :) Some people just carry weight in specific areas no matter what they do..try one of those cute skirt things that people are wearing over their suits :) Have a fun summer! ~A.~

Ok.. I'm a curvy woman.. not fat, but curvy.. and one of my problem areas is my thighs. One of the problems with them.. is if I do anything with weights... then I build muscle really fast... and I don't want them to be bulky.. I want them to be lean!! The best thing I ever did was start swimming laps! It builds long and lean muscle. It's great if you have a pool available to you. You can do kicks hanging on to the side of the pool.. or get one of those little workout board things... and kick laps. I also love to swim... so I can push myself to do that.

If you don't have a pool available to you, then walk. Walking is always a good option.

Hope that helps!

-A.

I hate to say this, but you can't spot training. Your body loses weight based on your genetics. So if you really want to reduce your thighs, you have to do a full program. That does mean diet and exercise.

Squats are good, but they need to be combined with other things. Also, they might add thickness to your legs. If you are built a certain way, squats are not for you.

My suggestion is that you just start walking 30 minutes to an hour a day. It should be a brisk walk. Getting your respiratory system working and aerobic exercise is going to burn the fat.

Good luck!!!
Jodi

squats, squats and more squats. Do so many that it's hard to sit down on the potty the next day. LOL

Hi M., there is an excellent website called : www.trainwithmeonline.com
it has custom workouts for what you want to do. And it is Free!!! My friend and I have been following his workouts for a couple of weeks. They are really good! We just print the workout and take it to the gym with us! Hope this helps.

S.

UPDATE: Here's a good description of these exercises...you don't have to use a resistence band; weight of your leg will be hard enough if you do many reps.
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/2/code_22388/cmi_1...

Lunges are good = big steps forward, one at a time going across a long room..or backyard. Lunge forward with one foot --big forward step and stay there for a second or two and then step forward, feet together...then repeat across room several times.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunge_%28exercise%29 (for a pic)

Also...don't know if you go to a gym..but the leg press weight machine is great (good for leg quadriceps and leg hamstrings)! And there's also a leg abductor;leg inner-thigh weight machine (inner and outer thigh).

If you don't have access to weight machines....try this.....Hip/Leg Abductor exercise: stand up straight, hands on waist, and lift one leg to side (toes pointed forward, foot flexed flat)...slow, controlled movements up and down to your side...all on one side first. Try 3 reps of 10 first (take 1-2 min break in between sets if you need it). Do more if you can stand it.
And switch to other leg....
The balance will work the other leg at the same time...and your core muscles, too.

For inner thigh: standing, do the ballet pose/position, Plié: toes/feet pointed out. legs wide apart. And squat up and down - slow, controlled movements. And in another set: go down, half-way up, down, half-way up. So you never really get a break on the up. In another set: go down and stay down for 4 seconds, then up. Repeat for whatever # of reps you want.

Must stress this: stretch all muscles of the legs before and after you do this strengthening exercises.