to expect slimmer, not chunkier, thighs after 10 weeks of gyming?

[kaylathecat]

I joined a gym 10 weeks ago and go about 5 times a week and do about 45 minutes exercise each time - bike, rowing machine, cross trainer, a few of the weight machines for arms and stomach and pilate. I feel much better for it and my top half is certainly looking more toned. However my previously big thighs are even bigger and now are muscley! That wasn't the idea! I wanted nice slim thighs, not thighs that will hardly fit into my jeans! I've stopped using the weight machines on my legs as I guessed they weren't helping, but I can't seem to get those nice slim thighs I aspire to. Any ideas?

I share your pain. Have taken up running recently and my thighs/legs are toned but v.chunky. Am interested in any 'thigh thinning' ideas

kayla you are getting fitter though - your body fat percentage will have gone down. Some people are like this - I can lose fat really quite quickly but I am naturally built like Lennox Lewis quite strong and will put muscle on in its place.

Two options: strict diet + more cardio will help and do pilates not weights to tone. Or, embrace the fact that you are a stronger/ curvier woman not a skinny minny and find clothes that flatter that shape. In the last couple of years, I have started wearing a lot more skirts that show off my muscly but toned legs and cinch in at the waist - these look better on me than skinny jeans and hoody.

Spinning will do it.

Spinning won't do it. If your body tends to bulk up a calorie restricted diet is the only thing that will shrink you. Embrace your healthy toned legs.

YOu are doing stuff that means you get bigger muscles, hence your thighs will be bigger but toned.

If you had wanted slimmer you should have gone for different exercises.

Five times a week is excessive too.

Certain exercises will bulk up certain bits of you. For example, I find running always bulks up my calves to the point where it makes zipping up boots difficult. I find cycling good for slimming my thighs.

Constructive as ever fabby ...

It is constructive, if you want to look slimmer you don't do exercises that are going to increase muscle mass.

Surely any dim wit knows that, even I do and I don't go to the gym.

My son is a die hard gym man, but for him its muscle that he wants, so he weight trains. And even he know you don't go five times a week. You have to have a days break inbetween each day you go.

How was what Fabby said not constructive?

It wasn't constructive in that it didn't suggest why what op is doing is wrong, nor what would be better, so how was it helpful? Other posters have agreed they have similar results from the same type of exercise and offered alternatives they find better for example.

Fwiw I think op, that yonder and winkly are right, you should just embrace those toned legs, the type of exercise you describe wouldn't typically cause muscles to bulk up but if that is what you find with your body then it may be hard to fight. Alternative would be yoga/pilates type exercise that tends to lengthen and tone more than most...but if you enjoy hard sweaty cardio it may not be for you

Also it is completely wrong to say 5 days a week is excessive - it is if you only weight train, as her DS does, because muscle does need time to recover after that (although you could weight train different body parts each day if you wanted) but you don't need a day's break after the type of cardio exercise op describes.

When I joined the gym the instructor took all my medical details, we went through what I wanted to achieve, what I was physically capable of, my fitness level etc and worked out a regime to suit.

Sounds like you need to have a word with your instructor, you're obviously not quite on the right regime. But yes, going to the gym five times a week will make you nice and muscly!

OP, let's forget exercising/being healthy as fabby has suggested. In my youth I had thighs like a gazelle... I did no exercise, smoked 40 fags a day and lived off wine and lager - maybe we should try that instead?!

The first poster didn't do any of those things either?

I agree with Alistron

It makes sense alouisee, I might put out a DVD.

Yes but alistron was just commenting that she has the same issue and was effectively marking her place... fabby's post was basically "well you're obviously doing it all wrong aren't you" which is possibly what OP suspects and was therefore asking for some useful advice?

I have actually put on weight, but have lost 'girth' (on my whole body) and have these big manly legs. DP says that I look like jimmy krankie in my running shorts - the bastard.

You will only get thinner thighs if you diet as well as excercise. Sad but true.

Try yoga, Pilates or ballet to legthen to build long lean muscles. Lift weights but do more reps at a lower weight than higher weights less reps.

Do resistance training to build muscle tone without bulk.

And no to dieting, you need to eat healthy not starve your body. Protein, fish fruit and veg. Stay away from white bread, white pasta and refined sugar.

White bread, pasta, refined sugar??!!

What about gin??

OP, you need Callanetics or the Lotte Berk method.

Do some googling. Some of these come in rather old-fashioned format, but they work.

Alistron yep alcohol is just empty calories and should be left alone really.

I have lost over a stone and 24 inches in 4 weeks doing resistance training 3 times a week and eating well. Including 3 inches from each thigh so to me it has been worth it although think I've put it back on over Xmas

Fabby is wrong- 5 times a week is NOT excessive - it;s fine - unless you are physically HURTING the next morning, then you can go again the next day. 2 days a week rest is good, but 1 day is also ok as long as you're not overdoing it during your training. I am studio instructor and teach 21 classes a week so i know what I am talking about!! Don't do heavy weights, but still do squats/lunges and plyometric stuff (burpees, squat thrusts, jump squats) as they will give your legs great definition and make them strong and fit. Running is pretty good too (longer distance) at not building up bulk but will make the legs strong. Spinning ok ish but not great - look at cyclists legs- they are muscly, not thin!!

What's your general body composition like? Are you thin/fat/average? Pear hsaped or apple shaped? Do you have small ankles?!! (thin ankles usually means you can have thin legs!!) Or do you need to lose some more lbs?? In which case, watch what you eat, lose some more body fat and some of the weight will eventually come off your legs...however, if you're pretty thin but just have chunky legs (like me - I am like this - sob!) then there's not that much you can do if they are naturally muscly and strong - think Beyonce, wear heels and a good fake tan!!

It's definitely to do with body shape, I have slim legs and narrow hips but (like my bulldog) undefined waist, fat tummy, wide back and big shoulders.

When I diet the weight comes off my top half but exercise, specifically road running turns my calves and thighs into monstrous tree trunks.

I find I need to lose the first stone before I start exercising. Otherwise I look like a wrestler.