toning legs?

[mouses]

hi
I have a tiny upper body and feel my legs need just a little bit shaved off to be in proportion.

I used to dance so did gain quite muscular legs...but that was 13yrs ago since college! and since having the dcs - my legs are the only part I cant slim and tone. before dd 3.5yrs ago I used to go gym 3 times a week and pilates. now its pilates and general housework.

even when I was going gym they were still too wobbly and never firm up? they are quite badly stretched marked and wondering if this is why they never firm?

any advice on toning would be great. thanks

squats and lunges would help. Could you make it to a body pump class?

my dd goes to nursery so I dont have time to go anywhere at the moment. so I do it at home.

i really need to learn how to do the lunges and squats properly asthey always leave my back hurting? they kinda scare me haha!

I started going to classes when mine started nursery- nursery was 9-11.30 and my body pump was 10-11 so fitted in well. I am sure there will be youtube videos of the perfect lunge/squat postitions.

unfortunately theres no classes nearby that i cant get to in time ( i don't drive) also i have times where my social anxiety would prevent me going to a class.

i don't mind doing it at home, im quite motivated. just need to know whats best.

i did look on ebay and do the same but still get back pain from them?

i sound like im making excuses! not honest :-) been trying since my first dc (12yrs old) was born to firm these footballers legs!

Squats and lunges are the way to go. As said above there are loads of videos on Youtube inc classes that you can do at home in front of your TV.

You should not be getting back pain at all while doing these correctly.

I too have muscular legs from years of dancing and gymnastics. I don't think the "shape" goes away but you can certainly work on the tone.

hmm you might be right, don't think I will get cat walk pins and will remain chunks

will look them up to try and do them correctly.

Jillian michaels DVDs....... Have a look on you tube too

I have dodgy knees so squats and lunges are not great for me. However, with the big stability ball they are brilliant. Put the ball against the wall and then with it on your back squat and roll down with the ball - it takes all the pressure off the knees and you will be able to go down much lower.

Those stability balls are brilliant, you can use them for abs, chest, squats etc etc :)

Callanetics also good for this sort of thing. Quite old school and 1980s but it does work! You can get DVD or book from Amazon.

Another vote for stability balls, I use mine for yoga aswell

so I sat and watched LOADS of lunges and squats on you tube, looking like they were a piece of cake

I tried so hard to do them but it just don't happen, I either lose balance trying to keep my knee from going over my toes, then think about my back straight and lose balance again, its like my back knee/leg turns in so cant keep upright? that's the lunge..

the squat, I go down, knees stiffen, cant keep my back straight? so I get an arched back which I know is wrong...

ive never been able to do them, even at performing arts school?
think I need a trainer who can assist me so I don't do further damage to my knees (which are now killing!) and back.

thanks for all your advice and time.

Well, at least you have noticed bad form. Book yourself a few classes with the gym. Good luckx

Mouses, squats can be tricky, a fair bit of knee and ankle flexibility is required...squats with a stability ball tend to be less awkward to do.
Might be worth looking into?

It sounds like some more core strength would be useful for stabilising your back too, sure you will be doing it in Pilates but planks, side planks, bent over rows with weights and supermans all good.

Have you tried goblet squats? Just use a light weight, a tin of beans even, cup I'm front of your chest and then squat, I find it forces you to adopt good form, the weight should pull you forward a bit, preventing your back from arching, yet also keep your chest pulled up? When you lunge, don't take a stance that's too wide and focus on your bum dropping straight down, in a line with straight spine, not inclined. Does any of that help ?

Suzanne thanks for the link, it does look easier. I didn't have a ball to hand last night but will put it in my things to do today.

sleep yes I do loads of core with pilates - I did take a break during a depression bout, bu I can still do the pilates with out strain?
oh an Im working up to a good plank time, had to restart them too.
never done supermans but will be sure to include them from now on!
I guess im thinking of keeping everything in the right position too much, my balance is usually really good?

one question- in the ball squat link the lady said keep knees before toes, but on you tube they had knees over toes??

its so deflating that I cant do the exercises needed to help my thighs.

I will head over to the gym later to get a price for a pt.

thankyou all x

Definitely don't let your knees beyond the line of your toes

What about static leg lifts? You could do it with your back against a wall if you need to for your back (but try just standing and see how it feels), just lift, straight leg in front of you, and hold for as long as you can?

There must be more...let me think!

Mouse, start with things that you can do.

as your legs strengthen the more difficult ones may become accessible.

Don't forget hamstrings, there are hamstring exercises that can be done with the stability ball, look on you tube.
Calf raises too, should help with ankle flexibility.

And look up 'frog squats' might be worth a go

ok, will try that sleep.

Suzanne I do everything except lunges and squats :-) which is probably why they are the least toned part of my body ,and my problem area!

its my hamstrings and inner thighs that need to be toned, my quads are quite firm actually.

im going out soon to grab a stability ball.

my legs are killing today, I only done a few dodgy squats and lunges last night!