Getting rid of FAT THIGHS in pregnancy - calling Hatcam

[LadyThompson]

I know that diets are out when you're up the duff - I am 14 weeks - but my thighs, always a weakness, are starting to get outta control. Already! I've seen Hatcam's posts about exercise during pregnancy, I really want to return to the gym but want to know what I can do to work safely on my REVOLTING GIANT WOBBLY THIGHS. Please help. Yes, I know it's vain, and yes my numero uno priority is a healthy baby, but though I am resigned to my tummy resembling the Graf Zeppelin in a few months, I am not resigned to having the thighs of a Sumo Wrestler. Thoughts?

I've been doing some leg exercises as part of m y pilates all way along (and am now 37 weeks). Lie on your side with your knees bent up in front of you , raise both ankles off ground and then lift top leg and lower gently (it should look like a clam) - if you do a few repititions of this it starts to really work into thighs/bum... you need to make sure that you are nice and straight thoguh (put your arm out to support you and pull in through your lower tummy and back) -also may need a pillow under bump as you get bigger.

Great, I'll try this, but I fear only lipo can help me now

You can get a pilates in pregnancy dvd, which I used. Try looking on Amazon.

The general advice is, if you exercised at all before pregnancy, then carry it on, but not to the point of exhaustion. Don't start a new demanding regime if you didn't do one before. I ran up to 6 months, and used the cross trainer in the gym right up to the due date; I also walked uphill on the treadmill. I am a pear shape and was determined not to let the arse and thighs completely run riot. Unless you have some medical advice against it, you can do things like squats/lunges etc.

hey ladyt

bet they are not REVOLTING or GIANT that's probably your unhelpful hormones, and you're def not being vain. The Royal Coll of Obs/Gynae postitively recommends exercise as a way to help ensure healthy pregnancy, successful delivery and healthy baby. Plus, if it makes you feel good, then it's got to be good in my book.

poppy34's recommendation is a good one - esp if you use your tummy (think of trying to draw bump in towards you) and back. Do 3-4 sets of at least 15 and in between sets do your pelvic floor.

Also, no reason at all that you can't t'mill walk (slight incline, make sure you put the safety clip on your t-shirt), x-trainer or upright bike - as long as you don't have any pelvic pain or any weird and wonderful pregnancy issues which would prevent you from being active generally. Bike sometimes gets uncomf because your bump sort of gets in the way, you can always have the seat a little lower than normal so you're not hunched over your poor bump. Good bit of cardio will def help - keep cool, don't overexert and drink water.

For legs specifically there's nothing like squats and lunges for thighs and bum - you work all the muscles (time saving) in a really natural way and it'll totally do the trick. If you're going into the gym get some poor unsuspecting gym trainer to show you correct technique as it'll make all the difference.

Squats with a swiss ball are brilliant as your bump gets bigger (you place the swiss ball into the small of your back and lean on it up against the wall, then roll down into a squat - it supports your back perfectly.

AS usual, make sure your midwife knows what you're exercising. Get those instructors in the gym to help you and don't let them fob you off - that's what you pay for!

OH and buy some luscious maternity jeans, to make you feel foxy not sumo!!

ooh and was making assumption that maybe you had been going to the gym up until recently...

if you haven't there's still no reason you can't do t'mill walking or good brisk walking outdoors, also squats and lunges will still be fine as it'll positively strengthen your back, core and legs for labour and also it's the kind of movement you already do in everyday life (functional exercise) - you just need to really make sure that you're not going overboard or over exerting yourself.

notyummy is spot on about the not embarking on a brand new regime i.e. this is not the time to decide to take up running if you haven't before.....

Hooray for Hatcam, and thanks Notyummy. I am a pear-shaped size 12 - still a 10 in good old M&S though - and started going to the gym in January AND walking to work (3 miles), found out I was pregnant end of March then all exercise was suspended because I had a two week hol followed by a burst ovarian cyst and a week in the hospital, recovery, then a dodgy scan and CVS (clear). All behind me now, but I want to begin exercising again, not just cos of my thighs, but because I feel out of condition and stodgy. My energy levels have plummeted and I actually think this is due to being sedentary more than pregnancy, as I have just entered the 2nd trimester.

I have tried pilates once in the past but couldn't get the breathing technique so I am afraid I gave up. I will try again though. Hatcam, embarassed to say that despite my three months in the gym I don't know what squats and lunges are, but I will ask them! I have never even SEEN a pregnant woman at my gym. I usually use the bike and the cross trainer and was sort of hoping to carry on. I've never bothered with the treadmill because I walk a lot, but maybe I'll give it a whirl. I have got a Swiss Ball so I will also have a go with that too - once I find out what a squat actually is

As for the maternity jeans - nice idea, but I bought a pair from Top Shop last night, size 12, and they are tight around said thighs. And my DP said "Oh my God, you are in maternity clothes ALREADY??" I know I am being oversensitive but it has made me feel like an elephant. Sorry for long indulgent post!

I think thighs have to get fatter, then they get thinner again. I am a beanpole thin size 10 with very thin arms and legs, but during preg thighs and arms gradually got fatter despite being very healthy during preg, eating all the right things etc. and I had stretch marks on my thighs that are still there, even though back to thin after a year or so post baby. So I don't believe you can avoid putting weight on thighs during preg, but it can come off afterwards...

LT

Don't be too sad. You naturally lay down brown fat around that area to help feed the baby afterwards. I am a very similar size to you (size 10 on top, size 12 on bottom) and am now exactly the same size and weight as I was before dd. That was mainly down to exercise, and partly to breastfeeding....in fact when dd was 5 months old I weighed less than pre-pregnancy because she ate it all...and I had cake every day whilst bf

I am quite tall, so like to think that I look fairly slim, and if you are fitting into a size 12 then your thighs cannot be that massive!

My other top tip is the Matt Roberts book 'Fit for your Shape'. It has work outs depending on your body shape, and has good pictures of what a squat and a lunge are! It isn't designed for pregnancy, and you can't do the tummy exercises, but I used to do all the upper body and legs/bum exercises whilst pregnant.

Lastly, make sure you get your dp to agree to look after the baby after the birh to allow you to go back to the gym/go for a walk/jog when you feel up to it. That way all your hard work during pregnancy won't go to waste.

Good luck.

That book sounds good Notyummy - diagrams are what I need. I'm not that tall sadly - 5'6". Gemzooks - glad to hear that it even goes to superslim girls' thighs, and well done for getting back to normal. I think I put too much pressure on myself. Hey, don't we all?

DPs are soooooo rubbish. They never learn - it's so simple, they'd get more sex and more nice food if they pretended we had legs like Cameron Diaz, or at least siad helpful things like wow, gorgeous you're pregnant and hot not fat. Hmmmm. Never heard that one in my house - just hysterical laughter and pointing at my huge knockers.

Go pregnant ladies at the gym (but only if it makes them happy natch ), get those gym instructors earning their money by showing you proper squat/lunge technique. Also agree the Matt Roberts books are good with clear technique.

Come and play at Buggyfit when you've had your baby - lots of fresh air for babies, exercise for the mums and always some good gossip too.

Topshop maternity jeans are always skinny malinny - I've just bought some too but they do seem to give as you wear them (that's what I keep telling myself). Seraphine jeans are nice too, soooooo comfortable - poss not quite as foxy as topshop, but worth it because it's like wearing pyjamas. Without the embarrassment when you wear them out shopping!

Swimming.

Ooh, what's Buggyfit? Do they have them in either Central London or West Oxfordshire, as I will be whizzing between the two. Never heard of Seraphine either, but will check them out on the web. A good pair of jeans would be SO great but they are hard enough to find when I am NOT pregnant! As to swimming, it's not my best thing but I was considering it, though I always feel it's exercising my top half more than my bottom half, and it's the thighs that must improve. But maybe that's my crap technique. All these suggestions are really good though, so thanks a million.

am with solo swimming is the best form of excercise during pregnany, everything supported and relief from bump whilst in the water is just bliss

hey ladyT

swimming good and very safe, very relaxing but you have to swim quite hard to get fitness benefits. Mind you, it's so lovely to be supported in the water that it's always worth it!

www.seraphine.com for jeans, but ebay is always good if you fancy a bargain - lots of designer maternity clothes many new with tags. Think will still wear my seraphine jeans even after this baby arrives they are mmmmmmmmmm.

for buggyfit www.buggyfit.com they do have it in Central London - I am biased as am the local instructor here, but it's really good fun and a good way to meet other local mums, slightly different to do as well as the usual mother & baby church hall tea and cake groups.

must go work grrrrr....

Thanks hatcam, you are a mumsnet treasure.

5'6" isn't short though LadyT.
I am 5'8" with big thighs and an ongoing struggle with my weight. spent 6 weeks in bed at the start fo my pg (25 weeks now) and was very weak when I managed to get up again. Have been swimming, walking and going to Aquafit to regain strength and a bit of tone. Works well. I bought soem Seraphine cords and love 'em. And if it makes you feel better, I was in maternity clothes at 16 weeks. My ordinary clothes just about fitted, but I coudln't stand anything tight aroudn my waist.

hatcam - how much does it costs to attend a buggy fit "classe"/ It doesnt say on the website..

tostaky - the class prices vary in different areas, think £3-6 is probably a good estimate. In some areas Buggyfit has also been taken up by the local authority so may be available at a subsidised rate (I think). Let me know how you get on.

hatcam - thanks but it won't be anytime soon... I'm due in November only! Can't wait though!

ladythompson - i got jeans from topshop at first but last saturday i went to H&M and...OMFG! a discovery! i bought two pairs of jeans + one trousers + 1 pair of cute shorts (and believe me i don't have the nicest thighs around but they look very nice on me)
The jeans and the shorts make my bum look GREAT, i couldnt believe it! (hence me spending my entire pay check there and then)

no worries tostaky, good luck with the Nov baby, I'm due #2 in early October, seem to be expanding daily!

Thanks Tostaky, I must get myself to an H&M with a maternity section because H&M jeans usually suit my shape, so I trust them. But I still doubt they will make my bum look GREAT - I think only airbrushing or a bacon slicer are capable of that monumental task. Good luck ladies...