Problem areas with girlfriend

[brody]

My girl asked me to make a post for her and see if anyone could help.

Here "problem" areas are hips, but and thighs. She wants to know the best slimming/toning exercises for those areas. Maybe something that has worked for others. What kind of cardio would help?

Thanks Ladies

 

[LaDyBuG]

she probably just needs concentrate on dropping her bodyfat (overall-not spot reducing) and add some hard muscle to those areas...i would start with cleaning up the diet...that's most important in fat loss...also start her on some heavy squats at the gym...along with some lunges or step-ups (good for ham/glute tie in), leg extensions, hamstring curls, etc...plie squats are good at targeting the inner thighs...also throw in some cardio for good measure...stair master, step mill, running bleachers or sprinting all seem to really focus on the legs....this is always the last place women will lose bodyfat so she's not alone...tell her to be patient and work hard...and get her on here!! good luck!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Like ladybug said, she'll need to work on total body BF reduction. Cardio will help SOME, weight training MORE and a clean diet the MOST.

I'm betting her diet isn't so great..... so without a clean diet, the problem areas will always be problematic.

Women tend to hold more fat in the hip/tummy/thigh region (estrogen related) so there is often only SO much you can do. Those areas might always be a problem for her - no matter what - but with a very solid heavy weight training program that includes much of what Ladybug said (squats, lunges), moderate amount of cardio (including HIIT), and a CLEAN diet she should see a lot of results.

Have her get on this board and read through a couple of pages of threads - she will get great ideas.

 

[FitFossil]

For most females, the hips and thighs are the first place to gain fat and the last place to lose it. A steady consistent diet is key. Yo-yo dieting will only encourage more stubborn fat in those areas.

For years I was afraid to train legs heavy because I thought they were already "too muscular" Fed up with my lack of progress and endless repetitions of low weight, and figuring that big muscular legs would be better than big fat legs, I decided to start training legs hard and heavy. Surprise of all surprises - I lost 2 pants sizes (even though I gained 10 pounds) and my legs became lean and defined - I didn't even recognize them!

To see definition in the lower body, you've got to have some muscle along with low bodyfat. Squats, deadlifts, stiff-legged deadlifts, and lunges are all good butt/ham/thigh muscle builders.

Remember, muscle helps to burn fat, and muscle is denser than fat, which is why it weighs more but takes up less space.

Another good leg-leaner for me was doing 2 20 min sessions per week of HIIT (high intensity interval training) cardio.

Something else. "Problem" lower bodies often appear to be worse than they really are because the upper body is way under-developed. A little upper body muscle goes a long way. Adding width to the shoulders helps balance out the pear shape. Wider lats give the illusion of a smaller waist.

 

[jenscats5]

I definitely agree with the other ladies.....a strong upper body can "even out" the lower. I'm somewhat wide in the lower half, but with deadlift work & other upper body exercises, I'm wider up top now & look more even.

But you cannot "spot reduce" -- she will lose bf everywhere.....