I have short stubby legs everything else about me is skinny except my legs especially my calves. What can I do to get my thighs and calves thinner/skinnier? Please help.

-- Michaela Specht (Petite002@aol.com), July 03, 2002

Answers

I HAVE THE SAME FITNESS ISSUE WITH VERY THICK CALVES. I HAVE NOT FOUND THE PERFECT SOLUTION YET BUT AM TRYING TO THIN BY WALKING AND DOING LIGHT EXERCISES WITH LOTS OF REPS AS OPPOSED TO ADDING WEIGHTS BECAUSE THAT WOULD ONLY SERVE TO MAKE ME BIGGER. IF YOU GET ANY MORE INFOR ON THINNING THIGHS AND CALVES PLEASE EMAIL ME . I HATE AEROBICS CLASSES SO I AM LOOKING FOR THINGS I CAN DO AT HOME OR ALONE.

-- JONES (neighbor@att.net), September 11, 2002.

I have big calve muscles too and I hate it! My thighs used to be really big too but I've toned my thighs up a lot by doing a lot of thigh exercises. As for the whole skinny look. Here's a few lil secrets maybe you can try:

In the summer apply baby oil....it makes u look thinner and more toned. Anytime, apply a shimmer bronzer and moisterizer........it works! Hope I helped(sorta)!

-- Melissa Paulichenko (oshkosh2112@hotmail.com), October 10, 2002.

What really works for me is to take light jogs. Nothing that is too demanding on the body, but enough to get some form into the legs.

-- Suzie Q (SrfnHun32@tropicalstorm.com), December 01, 2002.

I am really fit from the hips up, I only weigh 110 lbs, but I have really big thighs. When I walk they touch and when I stand they touch. I dont know what to do anymore. I do cardio almost everyday, and I'm extra active in the summerby playing tennis and running every morning. Please help.

-- Lisa Marie (Solid_bella@hotmail.com), January 18, 2003.

Lisa I have the same problem. Im skinny from my waist up and have really chubby thights. I dont really know what to do either. But I do know what not to do. Dont do exercise that involves alot of weights it just adds muscles. Sorry Im not much help but I'm kinda having the same problem...your not alone!

-- Vicki Ekstrom (Vicki8750@aol.com), February 03, 2003.

I have that problem too, my inner thighs brush up against each other when i stand and when i walk. Doing stairs and just plain walking will help, maintain a healthy diet, preferbly a vegan diet, it eliminates all the fats of milk and meats, lean meats aren't lean, trust me. Cut out the fat and oils too. But, stairs will REALLY give you good,quick results, but don't eat meat or alot of dairy, it's bad for you!

-- A. Lee (rose0018@hotmail.com), February 17, 2003.

I have thick big thighs and calves and im only 18 years old. i think its because i used to run track(i honestly dont know) but if anyone can help me or give me info on getting a thinner lower body i would really appreciate it!!

foreversaved2000@yahoo.com

-- Rachel (foreversaved2000@yahoo.com), February 27, 2003.

please email me here if any of u have suggestions or whatever thanku!

-- Rachel Daniel (foreversaved2000@yahoo.com), February 28, 2003.

Take my word for this, you cannot lose fat by doing cardio alone. When are are doing cardio you only burn the number of calories that you burn WHILE YOU ARE WORKING. What you want is to create a calorie defficiency throughout the day (you need to burn more than you take in). 1 pound of fat burs 1 calorie per day at rest. So if you have 50 extra pounds of fat on your body, you will burn only 50 calories throughout the day. 1 pound of muscle on the other hand, burns about 57 calories a day AT REST. So if you have 50 pounds of muscle (keep in mind that muscle is denser and therefore weighs more than fat) you will burn 2850 calories throughout the day. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, you HAVE TO DO WEIGHTS to lose weight and tone your body. You do not have to get huge muscles to do this. You simply need to balance your total body workout. Sure, you could do squats until you have tree trunks at the tops of your legs, but you don't want that. So you need to use weights 2 times a week and give your muscles plenty of protien every day. This means eating plenty of meats and foods that are high in protien. And contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need to cut out all fat. This would actually be BAD for you. Another thing to be weary of is using such little amounts of weight that you're not doing your muscles any good. You SHOULD be sore at the end of your workout. If you are not, you should increase your weights and do it again.

Cardio is good to stay in shape and burn some extra calories, but remember that when you do cardio, you ONLY burn what you burn WHILE YOU ARE WORKING OUT. Developing muscle throughout your body will help you to continue burning calories even when you are at rest (ie, while sleeping).

-- Chris (camidon@otelco.net), March 12, 2003.

I also have the big legs problem, i am very fit and active, especially above my waist..it's just from the thighs down that really bothers me! i think its because i have a lot of muscle underneath the fat, which makes my legs look fatter. What i have found most helpful is running. Maybe its just me but i think my legs do get bigger when i run, but its more toned than fat, which I'd prefer. I still haven't found a median where I can be toned w/o getting bigger legs-even if it is all muscle.

-- lauren R. (Snowbunni033@aol.com), March 19, 2003.

I am a male. and I have a skinny toned upper body, and i have huge thights and cavles, I do a lot of running for cross country. and when i have to run a race, its amabrresing cuz my leg is jiggly and so big, and i want that trimed, skinny distance legs, and i know i can, just dont know how to loos the exe'ss fat i have. its all I think about. even my freinds make fun of me. so if anyone know's any exercises that i can do to loos weight fast in the legs, plez email me.

-- Jose reno (murda_inc__8@hotmail.com), March 22, 2003.

i have really fat thighs also... its really hard to get rid of.. no one has a real answer to how to get rid of it... but.. summers coming soon, and i want to be able to at least be able to wear a one piece swimming suit. also, does any one know anything about a pubic hair line that starts from your stomach?? i hab lots ob hair on my stomach, so i cant wear two pieced swimming suits.. it just.. sucks. thanks

-- idunno... (idunno@yahoo.com), March 22, 2003.

ONE WORD: CYCLING.

-- (mercuryboots@hotmail.com), March 23, 2003.

Hey i just moved to another counrty, i am visiting my friends in america this summer, i dont want to go back with thick thighs, they arent fat, just thick. i too have a thin upper body but thick thighs! WHAT SHOULD I DO?? i am deciding to start like jogging, not short distance long distance to slim down the whole leg, but wont that just add muscles?? HELP ME!!!!

-- Amanda Smith (bball_star_4ever@yahoo.com), March 24, 2003.

i too have fat thighs. i also have fat big legs. i think it's because i had fat legs and ran a lot so the fat turned to muscle. Now it's really big. and i don't like it. i also play basketball and it makes it really hard. i want my legs to be really really thin and i want to have smaller calves so i can dribble the ball through my legs easier. and i want to have skinny, long, toned thighs. If any of you guys know how to get rid of the big muscle calves i have. please help.

-- John Molinet (chemboyo329@yahoo.com), April 18, 2003.

i too have fat thighs. i also have fat big legs. i think it's because i had fat legs and ran a lot so the fat turned to muscle. Now it's really big. and i don't like it. i also play basketball and it makes it really hard. i want my legs to be really really thin and i want to have smaller calves so i can dribble the ball through my legs easier. and i want to have skinny, long, toned thighs. If any of you guys know how to get rid of the big muscle calves i have. please help.!!!!!

-- John Molinet (chemboyo329@yahoo.com), April 18, 2003.

i think the only way is to grow and get taller. because if you have big muscle calves and fat thighs that you want toned and skinny. you have to grow b/c that will thin the muscle and make it look smaller. it'll stretch it out.

-- john molinet (chemboyo329@yahoo.com), April 18, 2003.

In order to get skinnier thighs, try this. Lie down on a mat and put up ur legs in the position of when you paddle a bicycle, and move your legs in the motion of paddling one too. This really does work! (especially for your thighs)

To get thinner legs (thighs AND calves), lie down on your side with an arm supporting your head. Then, with the leg that's on top, motion it all the way up and down up and down.. and switch legs as you go on and pursue.

Another (but strenuous) motion is to lean yourself against the wall and pretend you're sitting on a chair and stay in that position for about 10 seconds at first. Then to 30.. 40.. 50.. and even a minute if you can handle it. For men it forms into muscle, while for women it simply burns fat.

These really do work! I've lost 5 pounds in a week doing this exercise just for 20 minutes everyday! Of course, results may vary depending on how much you devote to these exercises. But try them. they do work! Good luck! =)

-- Katherine (katt1251@yahoo.com), April 21, 2003.

I have fat thighs and claves i use to do a lot of athletics and i mean a lot and then i stopped and that seems to have made all the fat or sumthing go to my legs and it's so grosse i usually only wear pants now becuase i'm so embarassed of how fat my legs r. if ne1 has ne ideas of how i could make my legs thin please help me.

-- Ella B (gut_ter_mouth@hotmail.com), April 22, 2003.

1. yoga helps toned up thighs and legs

2. i have almost the same problem with everyone else. Being 5 ft tall and 110 lbs of weigh I have a well proportional torso however my calf is getting bigger then i discover yoga, cycling and i started doing a lot of leg press with upto 120 lbs 3 times a week for about 20 minutes. i certainly have no bulge of fat anymore but it' getting toner and toner. and its certainly look better than the bulge although its not skinny.. oh yeah i have been wearing high heels for a long time now they gives a more definition and extending your legs ..

-- lala bridge (lala@yahoo.com), April 27, 2003.

I am 5'6 115 lbs. I workout all the time, but have thick calves and thighs. I had liposuction 2 years ago in these areas and it really helped. I am having it done again. I really think that this is the only option for some of us. I lift weights and have very tones muscles and do 6 hours of intense cardio a week. If all that exercising doesnt do it, lipo will!

-- Jodi L (jodil@americanagrp.com), May 05, 2003.

Everyone's bodies are shaped differently. I have heard that it is easier for people who have fat thighs to thin their thighs out rather than people with bulky muscles in their thighs. The reasoning being that muscle is more dense than fat. I have big thighs from being a dancer for 4 years and being in tumbling classes. It is really hard for me to run because my asthma has been getting worse and there are too many busy streets to go bicycling around here. What I have found that is the best indoor exercise for thinning out my legs or at least toning them and keeping them from becoming flabby is, pilate exercises. They really firm up your toosh too.

-- Nikki (PrettyPixie03@aol.com), May 08, 2003.

I also have this problem. I am 5'10 and very thin, and my legs aren't huge but they do not look like a Victoria's Secret model, which is what I am aiming for. I think what gives me the best results is plain walking (at a brisk pace). When I went to Europe one summer, I walked miles a day and my legs made a lot of progress. So I started walking everyday for a few miles- I hope this helps and works!

-- joanne (joanne@americancomedynetwork.com), May 12, 2003.

I too am short, at 5'2 and have super big calves. it's annoying becasue I look terrible in shorts and skirts so I usually don't wear them. I also have very big ankles. I use to run a lot while in high school during gym class so i'm think that's what caused it to be so big and muscular. Oh and I also have big knee bones. I hate my entire lower body. please someone help me ...someone told me that if i don't eat evetunally my body starts eating up the muscles and my legs will get small. I hope that's not something that I have to end up doing but i'm reallyx3 sick of not being able to wear short bottoms. HELP PLZ!!!

-- Short and Tired (bnh0301@yahoo.com), May 13, 2003.

I have big legs too and I thought doing more gym will make them thinner. However, recently I discovered that my thighs got so big. Is it because I do too much stairclimbing? It just seems that more of similar excercise on my legs only gives me bigger muscles on my legs not reducing the size of my legs?? Does anybody know?? I do want to tone my legs, but will I be able to thin down my legs by bypassing building up big muscles??

-- Vicky (ohalot@yahoo.com), May 15, 2003.

It's genetics!! I also have large thighs and calves! with a lean muscular, defined upper body. 4 years ago I began walking 2 miles a day and worked my way up to a light jog. Then I would alternate days of walking and jogging 3-6 miles a day, 5 days a week. I'm 38 years old and feel great. Now the some-what discouraging part. In those 4 years I've lost 15 pounds and have lost 1 inch in my calves and thighs, however, the front of my thighs have flattened out a lot which I am very happy about. My legs and calves are much more tone as well. I do get discouraged at times because I still want to lose 2 inches off of my thighs and its been over a year and I have lost anything yet, but then I take control of my thinking and I give thanks to God that I have two healthy legs and that I am even able to get out and exercise at all. I am also very grateful that keeping fit has become a part of my daily life and I feel great. I also remind myself of the weight I would keep gaining if I didn't workout because the fact is, as we get older, we lose muscle mass and put on the pounds. So, my answer is: just keep exercising and think long term. Sooner or later you will get positive results, which is better than nothing or gaining weight. The bottom line is that working out is healthy for the mind, body, and spirit. Just do it for the right reasons and screw the vanity of trying to look like some one you're not. Accept your body and take care of your body by eating well and exercising. Otherwise you will drive yourself crazy, you'll lose hope and always be unhappy with yourself. Oh, and allow for 1-2 days a week to splurge a bit. Don't go crazy with tons of junk food!! just allow yourself to eat whatever you want in normal proportions.

-- Mary Ellen Hartung (meh428@yahoo.com), May 17, 2003.

I have an hourglass shape, but the only problem about my body is that my legs have a "muscular" look to them. My knees they are not thin and bony like some women have, but they are big and round! I also have bigger than average ankles that connect to my calves! How I got my legs to look thin? Only once during me life I got my legs to look model perfect, and it was a lot of work. I signed up for a swimming class at school and swam workouts for an hour and 15 minutes twice a week, plus I did 20 minutes of biking (level 7 on manual)for warm-up, and then 20-30 jog (6.0mph)at the gym. Then I would do weight training after or a different day. For weights I would just do a lower and upper body workout once or twice a week. I really think it was the swimming that did it. We mixed our swim workouts, never the same one every day. All that working out was really hard on my knees, though. I don't have time to do it anymore. I think most of it is diet and, I really hate to say it GENETICS! On the brighter side it makes me feel better to focus on the nice things I have. I have petite hands, a dancer's beautiful back and shoulders,and my waist is 24 inches and my legs are real long.

-- Tara Leilani Collins (collinst@uci.edu), May 30, 2003.

Hi, A good way to tone your legs is do pilates. Some other excersises that are good to do are running on a treadmill at an incline, and swimming.

-- Lisa (Little_Me_23@hotmail.com), June 10, 2003.

WOMEN HAVE BIG THIGHS TO CARRY HEALTHY HAPPY AND BABIES. YOU SHOULD BE SO BLESSED

-- MARRY (M@HOTMAIL.COM), June 12, 2003.

I dunno but if you walk long distances in winter when its really cold the next day your legs shrink. I know it sounds funny but its true. If you dont do anything afterwards they will return to normal, so the best is to keep walking or doin somethin. So you have to wait til its winter!

-- Loco (derlocovonwelt@hotmail.com), August 24, 2003.

u women r crazy. take it from a man that has erally skinny thihghs, and let me tell u guys, it aint that great. U should stop worrying about it that much, cuz everyone cant have a perfect body, u gotta face the facts , yeye. im out peace

-- alan directe (baseball5568@aol.com), August 30, 2003.

Hi, i guess we cant all be perfect., but we can do the best with what we've got...yes, i have big thighs too :o( but look on the bright side, so has j-lo and beyonce!! i have muscley legs from over workin myself on the treadmill, bicycle and swimming..the whole time i thought my legs would become slimmer..but boy was i wrong. the fat obviously turned into muscle, but at least now they r toned :o) if anyone knows how to slim down muscley thighs, then plz help!! thanks-

-- aaliyah jones (l@hotmail.com), September 07, 2003.

would it be easier to just not exercise your legs at all and let the muscles get less dense and add more fat to them THEN start eating heathy to lose the fat therefore losing the bulky muscles you had to begin with?

-- unknown (dontemailme@hi.com), September 08, 2003.

I am 5'8 really skinny upper half but have started to notice my legs and bum getting heaps bigger,Anyway a healthy diet is THE BEST thing you can do for this as i was a huge junk food freak and was blessed with a healthy metabolism, but hey all women need this fat in this area, so i got it too. Now walking everyday, not too hard or too long, just keep doing it and eating a healthy diet, which i actually prefer now, is the best cure to get those victoriassecrets models legs... 'Eat well and exercise', a common slogan but it is true!

-- con villis (conor@reitsma.com.au), September 18, 2003.

im 15 and male, im 5'8 120, and i used to have the same problem but they way to have skinyn legs is pretty simple: protein works relly well, so changing ur diet to low carbs and high prtein works (fruit for breakfast, celery with a lil peanut butter, lunch meat and water for lunch, and a midday protein shake, and for dinner anything u want) along with the diet power walking is a good way to burn fat and not add mcuh muscle, sometimes when im in bed i even work on my legs by lifting one leg at a time and moving the leg in a clockwise motion (laying down) for about 30 seconds each leg, as well as stretching. last yr to make my calves look skinnier i would walk around all day on my tippy toes which works well and even stretches ur calves and makes ur legs look sinnier and longer. hope it helps

-- dru (zero_dru@prodigy.net), September 24, 2003.

Well to be honest with you all i would absolutly love to have model like legs but it just dosnt happen for us all,im a size 6-8 and im 16,i was obssessed about being skinny that i became aneroxic,i dont want that to happen to any of you!you all seem so desperate to change your bodies,take along look in the mirror and pick the best things about yourselves ignore the bad because at the end of the day men like a curvacious woman not a skinny little scrany thing take it from me who only weighed 6 stone im now at a weight of 8.5 stone which is a little under my weight but i look fit and healthy,and may i add i have big thighs and big calves and a j-lo bum but men like it!so everyone give yourselves a break!eat healthy and exercise! thats my advice which does bloody work!!!

-- amie buck (amiebuckme@hotmail.com), October 02, 2003.

Im 5 feet 7 tall small boned and weigh 118 pounds and have been a ballerina for years, I also have the same problem as some of you "slim upper body but Very muscular thighs and Very defined muscular calves " I hate wearing heels with short skirts as my calve muscles really stand out!! Im not to bothered about my thighs its more to do with with my calves, I want less muscle tone. How do i achieve this? There is one good thing though about have muscular legs, it enables me to Control my boyfriend if he gets out of line. I just wrap em around him and "squeeze" , when hes locked between my legs he isnt going anywhere, all he can do is plead with me. I love it, u girls should try it.

-- Sarah Willis (carbeast2000@msn.com), October 03, 2003.

I feel you girls... I have always been blessed with a thin upper body and toned tummy but my legs were always think and "cheesy" I started working out two years ago and I am proud to say that I LOVE my legs now. I never dieted at all, but i love food too much. I just did weight training for my lower body 3 days a week including weighted squats, lunges, and stairs... Don't worry baout bulking up by using alot of weight... The more weight I used the more toned and thinner my thighs got. After about 6 months I lost 20 pounds. I also did light cardio (30 minutes at moderate pace) 5 days a week.

-- Stella (superstarstella@aol.com), October 06, 2003.

my advice to all you girls is a few minor exercises 1 lay on your side and lift one leg up then down extended.2 lay on your back legs bent in the air and just extend one at a time 3 lay on side extend leg then bend back towards body and extend again.these little exercises really do work. hope i was some help good luck

-- amanda (mandygirl3787@cs.com), October 08, 2003.

Iv'e been a balletrina for six years so my legs did bulk up. I found a good way to get skinnier thighs is to stand in front of a chair and place your leg on it so your leg is behind you. Just go up and down untill you get sore. Running alot helps to

-- Chantel Snyder (bighappyfam@yahoo.com), October 17, 2003.

I HaTE MY CALFS MUSCLES!! They are so muscular. does anyone have any ideas how to make them less bulky? I hate showing my legs because it looks like i have guy legs. Even my thighs are super mucualar. None of the guys i know have legs as muscular as mine. Does anyone know how i could make them less bulky and so i can get thin, girly legs? PLEASE HELP!!!

-- Amanda (amanda_baby69@hotmail.com), October 27, 2003.

My thighs get thick as well but sometimes it can look good on certain bodies. I do complain about my thighs as well. I'm 5'1 and weigh 110lbs. My thighs were skinny when I weighed between 102lbs and 108lbs. I walked a mile a day and did aerobics and worked out on a stair climber. The only reason I weigh this much now is because I stopped when I got a job. But I found a way to work out and keep energy for my job. My advice is to eat 3 small meals a day drink plenty of water and limit snacks and desserts. Make sure you exercise on the days you snack. Hope I was of some help.

-- Amanda Bull (Phara4@hotmail.com), November 13, 2003.

There is no such thing as spot reduction...u cannot loose size in only targeted areas. If u want to loose size in your legs for example, u must loose size in the rest of your body...The only possible way a person can loose size is to do lots of cardio exercises such as bike riding....however, your diet is also extremely important...if your do lots of exercise and eat a lot then you may only be burning fat...the problem with big calfs is usually due to the muscles and not the fat....loosing muscles is much more difficult than loosing fat....unless u starve yourself....by doing loads of exercise and starving ureself as well ure muscles can actually deterioate over time... the effects will not show until a few months later, and this procedure requires immense dedication....i know this cos it worked for me... the end result is that u will be extremely skinny all round, but when u have reached the target on ure calfs, then u could start do more exercise to solidify that remaining muscle, so the size can remain smaller, whilst eat more to regain the weight in the rest of ureself...TRY IT!

-- none (none@none.com), November 16, 2003.

I'm 14 years old and i have muscular legs.. very muscular i play almost every sport mostly basketball volleyball and soccer.. People always say i have muscular legs , but i dont like it i started doing squats and that helped me tone my iner thighs. I was reading some answers that people put and people were saying if u starved yourself then muscle would deteriorate and then you would lose weight but gurls and guys that might work but thats not how u should do it. that can cause you seriouse problems! Physicaly and Mentaly... do leg lifts squats not alot in a row just enough until u can feel it then do another exercise.. i just realy want to say, be happy with what you got and muscualr legs can be good too!.. they help you be a good athlete!..

-- Caitlin Fraser (caitycat16@hotmail.com), November 17, 2003.

Pilates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Pilates!!!!!!!!!Girls, pilates is your answer to thin thighs and legs, it also gives o you a hella tighter tush!!!!!!!!!

-- Audry (Lukyme723@aol.com), November 18, 2003.

Ladies, muscular calves are GOOD! what is the problem for God's sake?!

-- Yasemin Baysal (elsa_venus@yahoo.com), December 04, 2003.

Hi, I am only 11 years old and I HATE my legs. I have been swimming for a while and I do so 3 days a week for an hour. My thighs are HUGE. I think its all of the muscle mixed in with the fat. What, I really want to do is eliminate all of the fat and tone the muscle WAAAAY down, because I really want to wear skirts and shorts and in the summer..A 2 piece. Can anyone help?

-- Michele Carson (MicheleSwimHun@yahoo.com), December 12, 2003.

hey ya i have that problem to even though i am active in ballet, jazz, lyrical ballet and hiphop i dance over 7 hours a week! I also play basketball 5 hours a week! im super skinny on top but my legs just dont match and i am only 13! i suggest going to the website www.ivillage.com they have lots of solution to tone your thighs!

-- devy (dancing_baby777@hotmail.com), January 03, 2004.

I also dont see what the problem really is here... I am a short and skinny guy (125lbs), and the only girls that 'hit on me' are skinny girls. Everyday I dream of meeting a lady with nice large thighs and calves with a slim upperbody, but it never happens. It could be just me, but I find that style of body a real head turner (in a good way)

-- JMD (scissortrapped@yahoo.com), January 19, 2004.

SWIMIN it realy tones ur body all of your body makes you lose wait but you haved to go all the time this wont happen like that HAVE U EVER SEEN A FAT WRINKELY SHARK ? X

-- kirsty (pinkpanther97899@aol.com), January 19, 2004.

ok you want a good answer this is what you must do lay on your side and do leg lifts then do squats and RUN but dont over do it you could end up with bulky muscles TRUST ME THIS WORKS if it worked for me it will work for you

-- cary (elcarlieto@sbcglobal.net), January 22, 2004.

Well i usually do squats, and i can realy feel my muscle pulling, but after visiting ivillage.com i found out that i am a hourglass and squating will just add bulkiness to my legs. you should visit the site it tells you what workouts to do and what not to do

-- Carrie (iwillnottellyou@imnottelling.com), January 23, 2004.

you should do alot of leg/thigh excersises maybe be a month or more you will most likely have your perfect legs.

-- taiyan (girlpower62220@yahoo.com), January 26, 2004.

I used to have skinny legs but they are not toned so I started to do running then changed to do step aerobics, sketching and low impact aerobics then my legs began to get a lil bit toned but turn out now that my thigh getting a bit bigger and my calves also. What should I do to help my thighs and calves getting smaller now? and I heard that if people begin to get skinnier, they might get sagging body. So, does that mean if my thighs and calves gettting skinny then they might get wrinkes and saggings? moreover, What should I do to tone my butt? Help Please!!!!!!!!!

-- Kristine (ntran17@yahoo.com.au), February 06, 2004.

I'm a Cross Country, and Track runner for my high school and i have a nice toned body. My arms are shaped, and i have a defined, flat middle body. I have huge calf muscles and large upper leg muscles. I used to hate the fact that i had huge(unporportionate) leg muscles until i started tanning about a month ago. I believe that if you are pale and have large leg muscles it may create the illusional appearance as a women/man with fat untoned legs (cottage cheese legs if you will.)Even though somedays i feel my appearance is blah, i will always be a runner, because nothing, not even my appearance will stop me from the glory and feeling of accomplishment of finishing a race on top!!

-- bleedn'christ (xredxkissesx@yahoo.com), February 14, 2004.

I am 56yrs.old and have been into excercise for my entire life. I feel that I have a balanced goal,that is to be healthy.I am 5'3" tall and about 132 lbs. ,lots of muscle .Last spring I moved and did not join a gym,which is where I usually workout.I walked many miles with my dog for about a month(several times a day ,probably 5miles per day).I noticed an interesting thing...my thighs and legs became smaller ( my usually difficult part to slim).I have joined a gym and began my workouts again,the thighs are fuller... I am going to increase my walking and lighter weights for the legs with more reps... try this and see what you think...The cabinwoman from Maine

-- penny marston (cabinwoman@ptc-me.net), February 16, 2004.

WALKING IS THE BEST WAY TO SLIM THIGHS AND LEGS. TRY WALKING ONE HOUR A DAY EVERY DAY FIVE TIMES A WEEK. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND DO THE PILATES TAPES THREE TIMES A WEEK. YOU WILL GET RESULTS IN ABOUT A MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- KATHLEEN J BREEN (MIKEANDKATHLEEN@MCHSI.COM), February 25, 2004.

don't use so many f*cking CAPS, dumb*ss

-- Jim S. (ihatecaps@msn.com), March 01, 2004.

I am 16, 5'4" 115 lbs. I'd say i'm skinny, but i'm just not happy about my thighs. I look at all the other girls and school and then I look at my legs. Why do i need these. Help!

-- Jenny Jacobs (stevep519@aol.com), March 06, 2004.

For about a year now I have been trying to do lots of leg exercises to get thinner legs and I just want to kno if the exercise I do is benneficial. I can't get to the gym as I'm at school and cannot drive yet so at home I do a wierd cycling thing where i lie back and cycle (with no bike) and I also do squats but I don't kno if i do them right. I do this exercise for about an hour every night (with pauses) and it feels like it duz sum gud but I can never be sure, the other things i do are walking dog and carrying a v.v.heavy bag round all day etc. I know that I will probably not gain much muscle as I am a vegetarian and will just lose fat but sometimes I look in the mirror and think it is working but other times I really really feel it isn't working or it's making me worse. My thighs are quite big but im only 16 and i dread them becoming larger I also want a smaller bum but have no clue as to achieve this. My main problem is at the moment I have NO time AT ALL to go to a gym so all my exercise I do in my room which isn't exactly the best place to work out. Anyone got any better methods for me to get thin legs and small a bum?

-- Sam Kennedy (rockmysox666@hotmail.com), March 07, 2004.

Today I decided to research on the internet about getting thinner (mostly all over but legs are a definite problem area for me as well). I was overwhelmed at the amount of concerns people (mostly women) have about their body. I realized we all seem to want to look normal by having a skinny lower body, but if it seems we all have fat/chubby/thick legs, who are we trying to be like? Those paper-thin models? What happened to real women? Nevertheless, I'm going running now--cuz I heard that it helps slim you down all over. ;-)

-- Judi Stroh (Judochop_@hotmail.com), March 11, 2004.

I have the same problem on my lower part of the body but recently I have been doing work-outs in my room since I don't have much time to exercise. I also drink a-lot of water now im not talking 'bout one cup a day im talking 'bout 3-4 cups of water, that really helps too because drinking water runs all over so it targets thighs, it also clears your face up. I do see changes, so if it's working for me it should work for you!

-- Lucy ramirez (Lilnena324@yahoo.com), March 12, 2004.

hey yo. i got basically the sam eproblem as evry1 else except its just my thighs. they're big slabs of fat. i was once on a road trip with a friend and her little sister and i got to sit with the little sister in the in the back of the car. and she was laying on me and sed"jess, u have the fattest, comfiest thighs in the world!" wood u feel good after hearing that? I eat healthy i just need an excercise that doesn't require equipment or a lot of time ( no more than 20 minutes). if u an idea of my impossible workout, let me noe.THANKSS!!!!

-- jessi lee (Curlibabi99@aol.com), March 17, 2004.

For thick claves... *Elevate your legs twice a day(u may have fluid retention) *Do lunges 25 per leg each day for a month *drink 1 litre of water a day at least *walk for 1 hour ..as running builds muscle iT WORKED 4 ME AFTER A MONTH.. but i noticed my claves went half the size after 2 weeks.

-- jamima (rer@gtrgw.com), March 21, 2004.

i had the same problem. im a 16 year old, and i play every sport out there..im extremely athletic, and weigh 138lbs. the only way i got to reduce slim down, and tone out ANY part of my body, was through pilates, and weight training..it sounds funny..i know. but just find any pilates video. pilates is the ONLY way to tighten, and weight training toned..i used 5lb dumbells..thats all there is to do.

-- Ana (specialsomeone@whoknows.com), March 22, 2004.

i'm a ballerina and i genetically have a very long torso and short legs, which is not preferable for dancers. Therefore, my legs have always looked thicker than they are, but they were never really super skinny. But this year I have been going to the gym almost everyday,(I take one day off completely), but I got some tips from a trainer and this is what I have found to work. I do weights for my legs every other day, including inner and outter thigh exercises, and about 45 minutes of cardio 6 days a week. For the cardio, I walk on the treadmill with intervals of running and walking fast and slow. Doing weights for legs every other day is better so you can give the muscles a rest to rebuild. When doing weights, do repetitions of 12 or 15, instead of just going until you're tired. This is better for strength building. And also try changing the speed you lift the weight, for example, lift the weight slowly, then quickly release it. Drink lots of water, and cut down on the eating. Eat light meals, protein is good, and fruit, and cut down on carbs,and dairy also can help you burn calories. The real way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. I also have a pair of these "sweat-off" shorts which are great! Some kinda look like a trashbag and others are more spandexy, you can buy them at wal-mart. Pilates and swimming are also great, so just experiment because the same things won't work for everybody.

-- heather (hmaze@pop.ncarts.edu), March 24, 2004.

Hey im jess im 15 years old i no young but i need help witht hese thick thighs i have that i inherited from my mother there. Huge and iim tiny up top it the thighs that get me and i wanna look go in a bathing suit... So pleas ePlease if you have ne advice i could use it!

-- Jessica (15) (explictexpsure8@aol.com), March 26, 2004.

I NEED TO DISPEL SOME MYTHS THAT I'VE READ! Hello everyone :) I've noticed that some of you have "bought" in to some popular fitness myths. 1.) Dairy is BAD for you! (and so is fat and yadda yadda) MYTH! Dairy is actually great for you, it provides a lot of protein which your body needs to build muscle, too much of anything is a "BAD" thing. Americans typically get more protein then they need daily. The average female who is physically active needs between 65-75 grams of protein daily. Same thing for fat, it depends on what kind of fat your getting, are you getting fat from candy bars?? Well dur, that's not good for you! But your body does need some fat to keep that engine running. If still have questions regarding your bodies nutritional needs,please, see a proffesional nutrionalist, do not seek out information from the internet or weight loss fads.

2.) Carbohydrates are BAD for you! MYTH! popular myth these days though isn't it? Yes, you will lose weight on the atkins diet...but more importantly is why you are losing all that weight. Your cutting calories! Simple as that. Carbs tend to have more calories than meat. However you need a well balanced diet and it is VERY common that people on the Atkins diet gain not only all the weight they lost on the diet but extra pounds too! Sad. You need to eat "good carbs". Think Oatmeal...and whole grains. They fill you up longer and keep you satisfied and they have plenty of good for you fiber!

MYTH 3) YOU SHOULD DRAMATICALLY RESTRICT THE AMOUNT OF CALORIES YOU EAT TO LOSE WEIGHT! Danger Danger! Your body needs a certain amount of calories in order to function and keep your metabolism burning calories, think of it as feeding your bodies engine! You can calculate your bodies caloric needs by punching "basal metabolic rate" into your search engine and finding a "bmr" calculator. For example. My bmr is 1400 calories, this is the amount of calories my body burns "at rest" This amount maintains my bodies organs, if I stayed in bed all day. However hopefully most of us do not stay in bed all day...we move, go to work ect! That burns calories too, so you can look up your "active metabolic rate" to find out how many calories your body burns daily based on your activity level. In the end, it's ok to cut calories :) but it's unhealthy AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE to cut below 1400 calories, besides you'll be really hungry and more likely to break your diet. Unfortunatley excersize is STILL the best way to lose weight (and KEEP IT OFF!):) :)

MYTH 4) DON'T LIFT WEIGHTS! THEY WILL CAUSE YOU TO GET BULKY! That my friends is a big fat lie! lifting weights helps you build lean muscle. Muscle burns more calories and boosts your bmr, the calories you burn at rest. MUSCLE DOES NOT WEIGH MORE THAN FAT, that's another myth I noticed. It's a common mistake. One pound of muscle weighs the same as one pound of fat....a pound is a pound is a pound. HOWEVER.....that pound of muscle is denser and takes up less space in your body, therefore making you look smaller even though your weight might not change much.

THE TRICK TO THINNING OUT YOUR BOTTOM HALF....... Pilates is great! Pick up a pilates video, the moves lengthen and strengthen your body and make your muscles look "longer" and leaner....check it out :)

-- Joanna (joanna_cahill@yahoo.com), March 29, 2004.

hi i amsorry but girls like me and all of my friends think it is a turn on to have short stubby legs so i dont think you should do any thing but, if ur legs are hairy then my friends and i suggest that you shave them.

chow.

-- Faybe Lee Tangreen (goodytwoshoes57@yahoo.com), April 07, 2004.

There is only one answer that has worked for me, cut the carbs. All the weight goes from the thighs and bottom, i guarentee!

-- Rebecca (rebecca@hotmail.com), April 19, 2004.

I have the same problem i'm only 4.11" in height and my legs are so short and stubby. I've found that lunges and squats to the trick but without weights. Doing legs exercises on a swiss ball really helps as are using your own body weight to lift them. I've lost 2 inches off my thights in around two months.

-- Amanda Everett (p00kie666@hotmail.com), April 22, 2004.

im having the same problem girls... i really want to be skinny, but my thighs are completely holding me back. im tall so having big thighs makes me look out of proportion. its grossing me out, and i hate having all this chub on my legs! im so tierd of it, and at this point, I WILL TRY ANYTHING THAT DOESNT TAKE TOO LONG! ive even tried the 3 day diet (disgusting.) SO PLEASE EMAIL ME SOME ANSWERS OR THINGS THAT HELPED YOU GET NICE LEGS - AND FAST! thank you so so so so so much.

-- (swetlaufer@winsor.edu), April 30, 2004.

PLEASE help me.I'm 11 years old and my mother had thick fat legs so I got stuck with thick fat legs. I heard you can be fat because your mom or dad was.PLEASE e-mail me and tell me the best answer you can give me.

-- Lily Kim (Nature_Girl72@hotmail.com), May 06, 2004.

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!1

-- Lily Kim (Nature_Girl72@hotmail.com), May 06, 2004.

i don't really have the big lower body problem but i'm a dancer and i don't really have shapely legs, you could call them chicken legs, though my claves have always looked a little big. I have found that light running only 2 times a week for only half an hour or around that time frame has started to help and the excercise where you stand as tall as you can and then you raise up onto the balls of your feet. Repeat only a few times each time you do it. This is a slower process but i have found a change. There is more shape and less size. hope this has the same benefits for you guys, if you decide to try it. If it don't it was worth a shot and i'm sorry.

-- Jessy Marianchuk (upchuck@sympatico.ca), May 11, 2004.

After reading through..i guess the answer is:

1)Pilates 2)Cycling 3)regular leg exercises

i'm gonna try pilates for a month..and will get back to y'all. Wish me luck!!!

-- Miss Thick Calves (queen@hotmail.com), August 17, 2004.

Pilates helps but you need to focus on lower body more than the typical 45 min pilates session does. Try CALLANETICS. The tapes look old b/c everyone's wearing 80s style leotards but get past that. CALLANETICS works. You can also find the books on Amazon.

I have taken it for about a year in NYC and there are several models etc, in my class who swear by it. They say it gives much nicer muscles than lifting (those long lean muscles, not hard bulging stumpy muscles that -are- produced by weights for those of us w/ large legs--no matter what anyone says to the contrary) and works faster than Pilates. It gets a bit boring though once you've mastered the exercises, so now I mix it up with Pilates and standard squats, lunges etc. w/out weights. My butt and thighs (inner and outer--no more saddlebags) and calves are all very tight, as are the backs of my arms. AND NO STRESS TO BACK OR KNEES. Excellent. If you've heard of Lottie Burke, this is similar but less stressful to the back.

An especially awesome exercise for saddlebags is to lie on your side with knees bent and in front of you, so that the tops of your thighs make a 90 degree angle with your torso. Prop your head up on your elbow. Keep hips on top of one another. Keeping knee bent lift leg. It's kind of like a jaw opening. Do this for as long as you can and you will FEEL it in your butt and outer thigh. Be sure to stretch afterwards.

-- Clare McQueen (clare622@hotmail.com), August 27, 2004.

Also have to respond to person who posted myths above.

1. Non-organic dairy IS bad for you b/c it's loaded with harmful hormones and antibiotics. But yes, there are many benefits from calcium. Perhaps more inportantly from the high amounts of conjugated linoleic acids found in dairy from grass fed cows--not the regualr factory farm cows fed on high carb high pesticide diets.

2. A low carb diet will work b/c you cut out harmful carbs like white flour, sugar and rice. This diet, long known as called the White Diet, has been around for at least 100 years. Eating lots of these harmful carbs increases insulin resistance, which makes you store more fat. NOT SIMPLY B/C YOU ARE CUTTING CALORIES. THIS IS JUST WRONG, A LIE MINDLESSLY REPEATED BY THE "NUTRITIONISTS" WHO HAVE BEEN PROMOTING LOW FAT/LOW CAL DIETS FOR YEARS AND NOW, IN FACE OF MUCH MUCH RESEARCH DENOUNCING OUR HIGH CARB, HIGH SUGAR DIET, HAVE TO SAVE FACE. People who toss out this calorie argument should read a book on biochemistry. Eating tons of carbs, esp sugars, makes your body STORE FAT. And that means BIG THIGHS.

Carbs from veggies and full fat organic yogurt are good. Carbs from Hostess cakes, Eggo waffles, Wonderbread, all processed cereals (no, they're not healthy just b/c they claim to be) are bad.

3. This one is true. Dramatically cutting calories is bad. Dramatically cutting sugar is good.

4. For some women who tend to build muscle on their bottom halves, lifting weights can add bulk. I don't care WHAT anyone says to the contrary. I've seen it happen. I've seen the difference b/c using the leg press and using calisthenic type exercises like Callanetics and Pilates. These latter type exercise simlpy produce ATTRACTIVE LONG LEAN MUSCLES. They are also strength building as long as you constantly increase difficulty. These exercises also include mandatory stretching, which many women do not do after lifting weights.

In many cases, such as with a hamstring machine, weight training produces unattrative muscles b/c weight the exercises do not mimic natural movements in which muscles do not work in isolation but in concert w/ other muscles. Many trainers will attest to it. Many many many women will attest to it.

Yeah, you need to build muscle in order to get more toned. And sometimes that will mean your clothes will be more tight before they get loose. But lifting weights is NOT the only way to tone your muscles.

And sure, a pound of anything weighs the same as a pound of anything else. But, as you noted, muscle is more dense than fat. So in that sense an inch of muscle on your thigh will weigh more than an inch fat.

-- Clare McQueen (clare622@hotmail.com), August 27, 2004.

i need help to lose wait if neway one got ne good pionters den plz email me

-- charlotte (juslove@hotmail.com), November 08, 2004.

Hi....thick thighs and calves are a turn on for me...especially if they are muscular and/or shapely....so if any of you ladies would like to discuss my preferences with me, please reply to me....thanks for your consideration....let me know what your preferences are...til next time.

-- Big Leg Lover (dash24048@aol.com), January 05, 2005.

it is quite simple it is 80% diet and 20% doing exercise you should contribute to using lighter weights compared to the heavy weights for making your legs defined and slim and eat a clean diet

-- john h scott (eliza@netzero.com), January 15, 2005.

YES YOU ARE MAINLY RIGHT YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!!

-- steve anderson (steven@hotmail.com), January 15, 2005.

Girls,

Big, thick calves are amazing! It is a must of a woman to have big calves before I will even consider dating her. I'm a good looking and particular guy and I have a hard time finding what I want because I am so picky. 17 inches... yummy!

I have a pic up of me on my website with an email so feel free to check me out and email me if you wish. I'll get that self esteem of yours up:)

http://profiles.yahoo.com/mavs2005champion

Kevin

-- Kevin (mavs2005champion@yahoo.com), January 16, 2005.

woman if you want to be noticed i suggest that you have nice lean looking legs no wants to look at some big ass gurella legs get a nice tan and get lean and toned not to skinny but not big

-- brad stevens (nick389@hotmail.com), January 17, 2005.

Tips I used (I trimmed 2 inches from my calves)

1. Pilates 2. Build muscle - helps burn fat that 3. Do exercised that work the inner and outer thighs/calves (instead of doing leg raises and presses front and back, do them to the sides) 4. Wear heels (makes your legs look longer and thinner) 5. Sadly, this may not work for everyone. There is something called genetics which means that no matter how hard you work, some people are predisposed to have a certain body type. Exercise will help to tone and shape your body, but exercise does not trump genetics.

Love the skin you're in...it could be a lot worse.

-- Debbie (simpleNigma@yahoo.com), January 20, 2005.

I heard there is certain operation that can help. The doctor cut off part of the muscles inside the claves. And your legs will be slimmed by 9mm at most. But will we be dilapidated someday?

-- doris (samanthaleilin@sohu.com), January 21, 2005.

im 5'5'' ans 110 lbs... like all of y'all i have big thighs... and it's start to aggravates me because my legs made me look short.. PLZZZ HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- nhi hoang (nvionni07@yahoo.com), January 22, 2005.

i don't know why i'm the only one in the family with big calves!!! i feel so bad about them, i can wear any shorts or skirts my legs look like they belong for a 40 years fat lady, i'm 115 lbs and my thihgs are not big at all, i have a tiny west but huge calves... after i read what is written above, i don't think i'll joy or rife the bike for long distence because it will make them worse and more musculer... DOES ANYONE KNOW IS JUMPING HELPS AT ALL???!!! thanks a lot

-- Anna Scott (new_darkeyes@hotmail.com), January 26, 2005.

I have big legs up and down ive lately been jogging i thoght it would be really hard but its not.I have a pool party each year with guys to and i hate having to show off my body and have ALOT TO SHOW! It stinks but im losing wait and learned that anerexia isnt the answer. I need to also loose stomach weight to and running, jogging or just going to the YMCA with friends and swimming or working out in there work out room helps but dont lift heavy weights but small weights will tone down your muscles. Just remeber that people like Jessica s. and Drew Barrymore wernt born with there body they had to work for it to!!

-- anonomus (www.macstarsinger@yahoo.com), February 10, 2005.

I know of two ways that worked for me 1) Stretching three times a day for 30 to 60 seconds 2) Doing Pilates to lengthen three times a week

NO, JUMPING will not help!!!!!!

-- Amanda Evans (a.evans5@umiami.edu), February 13, 2005.

I have the same sort of problem and Im only 14!!! I used to horseride and now my calves and lives are so 'butch'! I hate it! if anyone knows how i can reduse the muscle please let me know!

-- Hana (Hanz_Goldz@hotmail.com), February 15, 2005.

hi i am so fat plz help me to get all my body skinny

-- chinoor mahmood (roxygirl_19_370@hotmail.com), February 20, 2005.

I have fat stubby legs too and they're not jsut fat their muscular...i hate them so much but i was told that u need to stretch a lot, this hleps to mkae the muscles longer making them skinnier. Also the muscle that u build up helps burn fat so stretch n build up muscle...u'll see results.

-- Jackie (skibaaby88@hotmail.com), February 22, 2005.

I am 18 years old and traning to become a body builder. The best thing to do to tone down your legs is squats with basically no weights on it, just enough to make u do some type of work.

email me if you need anything, or email me if u would lke to have my number and maybe want me as a trainer. thanks

-- Rafael Mouradyan (rmouradyan1@hotmail.com), February 22, 2005.

Im sorry, i have my email mistyped....one of them is airtimerm@hotmail.com, and the other is rmouradyan1@yahoo.com

-- Rafael Mouradyan (Rmouradyan1@yahoo.com), February 22, 2005.

Hay i feel 4 evry1 out there because im lucky i hav a perfect figure and skinny model type legs!!! i luv thm!! but if u want a figure like mine it takes hard work my trick was going anorexic im not proud of it but it sure works!!!

-- Emmalee Deposido (Blooms_bitch7@hotmail.com), February 27, 2005.

I'm only 15 and I like my body I'm okay with it but there is one thing and its that my muscle from my calve goes into my ankle if you'e ever heard the term "cankles" thats what I have and if I don't excersise they get fat and look really bad and since I'm in track and just got doen with soccer I do alot of running and the muscle just gets bigger, If anybody knows anyways that could possibaly help me or is the same situation please email me!! Thanks!

-- Samantha (sam326159487@hotmail.com), February 27, 2005.

Before I started dancing I had the same problem my thighs touching when I stood walk. I was never fat but I wouldn't say I was thin either. The problem with your calf’s and thigh could be to do with strengthening the right muscles. you need to have a strong lower back and core muscle strength which holds your posture and legs in the right place also strong inner thighs and outer thighs its in the balance of strong opposing muscles

-- karen peta (keepinfruitbowl@yahoo.co.uk), March 04, 2005.

i really think that the best advice i can give you all is to try this exersize lay on your side raise one leg up then back down repeat for as long as you can then do the other leg the same amout of time it works for me it keeps my legs toned another thing that contributes is plain and simple walking doesnt have to be 10 hour treck just a hour long walk a day try it and see even if you dont like walking kick yourself up the butt and do it

-- dawn cuttis (wee_don_24@hotmail.com), March 05, 2005.

Well hey, i have big calves too.. but ya know they are doing a thing for surgery to get the muscle or some of it removed, ... lol but i dont think you can make anything smaller honestly, i just think that doing light weights, and exercising everything not just lower part of body, LIKE EVERYTHING. would help! Also if you have Jiggles, then work them, so they are very hard, or quite hard cause then it looks more toned, and why not tan, makes everything looks smaller. just wear black.! also clothes can make you look like you have small legs, or even shoes can do the same.. email me for details.. all though im 17 i do so much research on everything, just for fun! Even having a question about anything, i will reply too! so ttyl byebye JEN

-- Jennifer Lyn (baybej14@aol.com), March 07, 2005.

stop complaining and get off your ass..

-- lisa (lilisighs@aol.com), March 08, 2005.

I have the same problem I am 5'2 and have a slim upper high but muscley thighs.I know this probably sounds silly but I was wondering does anyone think that if you just don't exercise for a bit bt eat well, will your muscles sort of disappear?

-- emily black (emilyblack@hotmail.com), March 09, 2005.

FIRST OF ALL, You need to maintain a stedy diet, meaning, dont eat fatty foods, ( try that for 5 months), dont eat white rice, floor, (mainly whit fatty foods)start to drink water, and low in fat milk, water helps flush some of the fat, and also try vinegar pills, half and hour before each meal (ask your nutrcian dc) vinegar pills, eat away at the fat that goes down.

Thx Shana

-- shana (shanabanana51@msn.com), March 11, 2005.

I NO, i just put a annoncument in BUT, my sister dosent belive my topics, so is being belimic the answer.

shana

-- shana (shanabanana51@msn.com), March 11, 2005.

Going bulimic is NOT the answer! No eating disorder is the answer. From what I read, do pilates, swimming, jogging, drink lots of water, and cut back on the sugar.

-- J. (..@msn.com), March 15, 2005.