How to reduce your thigh circumference

[Traveller]

So I'm a curvy woman, and perfectly at peace with that. Bum, thighs, boobs are all part of my package. However lately my thighs have been stealing the show, and because of my dodgy hip my usual squats, lunges and cross training have been off the menu. I can (and do) walk often, but I need some exercises that will tone my thighs without putting any strain on my hip. Does anyone have any ideas for me please please pretty please? I don't need a quick fix, my diet is good, but I'm just at a loss for how to target my thighs without ending back on crutches.

Thanks in advance lovely BB'ers

[meow]

I went on the GAPS diet 6 months ago and my thighs lost all their fat. We eat no grains, low starch, no refined sugar and lots of fat, meat, vegetables & eggs.

[Traveller]

I've never heard of the GAPS diet, was it for weight loss or health reasons you did it?

TBH though I am not good at strict diets. I maintain my weight pretty well usually (and can lose the post Christmas kilos) through calorie counting and a low complex carb diet. I am just frustrated with my body and wish I knew what exercise would be safe.

[Sopdet]

Trav - what about swimming? Yoga?

[~me~]

Have you tried Pilates? Most physio's have either group classes of 6 or less and have Pilates Reformer machines as well. So they can guide you to do the excerise the right way without agrivating your dodgy hip.
The reformer machines are great, as you can go on those anytime, alot of physio's will have one you can use, they will give you a demo, show you the excerises and then you can go back and pay as you use. Or if you like it, you could scour around Ebay for one.

[luna moth]

Cut the first 5cm off your tape measure

[Traveller]

Swimming sounds good, and I like the idea of pilates. I'll look into local classes, thanks for the suggestions

Aufuax

[Nai]

Normally I would say running but with your hips, Pilates, yoga and swimming plus cut out refined sugars and reduce alcohol intake.

[RhiChiChi]

Definately swimming or even gentle yoga poses

[Traveller]

Are refined sugars things like sweet biscuits, cakes, etc? Because they are very limited already in my diet (as is alcohol).

[meow]

Do you have sugar in anything? Jam, bread, pasta sauces etc? Also,highly refined grains such as flour,pasta etc is pretty close to sugar.

We're doing GAPS for health. I wasn't expecting the weight loss but it's been fascinating. You are so much better off getting your energy from fat which your body directly uses, rather than carbs which are often stored (hello cellulite) to convert to fat for energy. If I didn't have such a strong health reason to go onto this diet I wouldn't have had the will power either, but now I realise the benefits I'm going to have for life long health it's pretty motivating!

[Traveller]

I make my own pasta sauces with only a teensy amount of honey in them, I don't eat bread as a general rule, and I never eat jam. I also don't eat pasta or rice as a general rule. But as I said I am pretty happy with my diet, it is exercise that is letting me down. But I've been inspired so have dusted off the old bikini and am off for a few laps in the local pool just now

[meow]

Sounds good. Though one thing I forgot to expand on when I mentioned healthy fats was not to use refined vegetable fats, as in canola/sunflower oil (all the oils you can buy in those big plastic bottles). They turn rancid very fast and become trans fats which will just store on your thighs. Nut oils and olive oil are good but don't cook with them- heating destroys them too. The only plant based oil you should cook with is coconut oil.

Swimming is great exercise! Enjoy

[LuluHB]

I'll second (or third or fourth) the swimming, but make it kickboarding, not swimming. Sure, do some swimming too cos that's great for all over toning, but if you want to work on your thighs with the added bonus of your bum, then only do 0.5km or so swimming and do another 1km with just your legs kicking. Best thing I ever found for bums and thighs. As an added bonus, you may find the core muscle strength you build through swimming helps with your hip issues.

[Floweryfields]

I'll second (or third or fourth) the swimming, but make it kickboarding, not swimming. Sure, do some swimming too cos that's great for all over toning, but if you want to work on your thighs with the added bonus of your bum, then only do 0.5km or so swimming and do another 1km with just your legs kicking. Best thing I ever found for bums and thighs. As an added bonus, you may find the core muscle strength you build through swimming helps with your hip issues.

Lulu do you use swim fins? Or just bare feet?

[minniemouse]

aqua aerobics is great also and a lot of fun :-)

[LuluHB]

I use just bare feet but swimming is one of the rare sports that I'm good at so I still have a really good speed. I also have very strong legs from decades of horse riding. I think you would probably diminish the impact on toning if you used fins, but if you're not a great swimmer they could be a good way to start until you build strength and stamina.

[Traveller]

I had a blast swimming. Took DS1 with me and we went on the waterslide afterwards so it was brilliant I feel shattered, my legs are like jelly, so I guess it must have worked the target area. I didn't read the note about kickboarding until I came home but I did about 10 minutes or 'cycling' in the water with just my legs (ie holding onto the side of the pool) and I think that really helped. Definitely going to make it a regular thing.

Meow I always cook with olive oil, never canola or anything else. Is it bad for me to cook with olive or is it just that I have destroyed the goodness (ie a null rather than negative effect)?