Thinning thighs without losing strength / pear - Page 3

wendug · 05-06-17, 05:34 PM

Just wanted to chime in here about thinning your thighs. What seems to work for me are split lunge jumps-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3avm4QPINk

I remember when I first starting working out to videos Kathy Smith had these in her weight loss workout and I always dreaded them! I did the pink Firm Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn today and there were split lunges in this video, too! I don't dread them like I used to...but wow do they make my legs burn!

Hedgehog · 05-08-17, 10:28 PM

You are correct, I have struggled with body image issues especially since my extremely destructive divorce. As part of working through that process I have focused on positives that are within my control such as adding 2" to my butt and increasing my strength, I also enjoy the fact that my legs have lost that spread that happens when I sit down and work on fotcuing on how those accomplishments make me feel rather than any negatives my brain can conceive*

it's an ongoing process

Being able to grow definition on the back of my legs legs (hams, glutes & thutt) without the huge quads that have always dominated in the past (again...thank you Bret C for knowledge and exercises to accomplish this!) was FUN and I enjoyed the challenge and success. I just want to ensure I don't have any major strength losses as I use my body as a lab rat lol.

I have to laugh at the mental images you created for me hch, I work with an amazing group of men and I can't imagine they give a second thought to the SIZE of my thighs.....only as to whether or not their strength can carry my gear, my short (cuz well....*I'm* short!!!) legs can keep up and my driving (a skill I excel at) will get them there safely and quickly. They would also be the first to go at MY pace if I couldn't! My EMS patients only care if I am capable of giving them effective care and safe transport! I have a capt I affectionately refer to as Capt Gorilla because well....he's about the size and strength of one, I will be picturing a crew of gorillas with massive thighs in red strobe lights tonight and trying not to laugh too loudly

As to the running suggestions,* I've incorporated sprints on occasion, usually motivated by a teenage boy or 2 with legs that seem longer than I am tall and only because it's fun when your own teens want to race you knowing they will cream you lol. Otherwise, I tend to fall into the "why would I run, if it's not for my LIFE?" camp although I really don't know why?? I just detest running for some reason :/

My "rotation" was more or less a progression of the following over 6-8 months:
Always abs M-F usually the abs or stability ball abs from B&G or maybe Cathes CoreMax...PS abs...depending on my mood)
Weights - 10#x2 for B&G, 50# squats (or sometimes 25# for goblet instead of Cathe's), deadlifts etc. UB - 15# - 25# dumbbells x2 a little more if I'm home instead of the station.
I also walk 6 hilly miles some days, hike the mountain trail across from my house which is EXTREMELY steep or other similar activities with my kids frequently.
I do around 1 hr then abs for a total of around 80-95 min/day.

M-Cathe B&G
T- P90x UB (a combo of either disks 1&3 or 9&10 alternating...so chest, back, shoulder and arms are all done same day)
W-B&G
Th-P90x UB
F-B&G

A few weeks later:
M-B&G
T-P90x UB
W-Cathe GS Legs
Th-P90x UB
Fri-B&G
I switched to GS legs 2xwk and B&G 1x for week 2,4, etc

I wasnt thrilled with what P90x did for my arms but loved that I could do the pullups / pushups so, I switched to Cathe's PS for UB and did the 2 UB programs together to cover chest, back, arms & shoulders each UB day on T & Th and I'm happy with that change. I still keep throwing in P90x disk 1 which is all pushups and pullups randomly because...well...I want to!

I also added Leg & Glutes for a change more recently when I'm sick of B&G or GS Legs. Around 3 months ago I added weighted hip thrusts 5x5, 3x12, 4x10 or whatever either on legs days or sometimes all 5 w/o days with 115#. I stopped at that weight until I buy a better bar which can hold more weight. Weekends are out with DH & all 8 kids home or coming and going so I always take Sat & Sun as rest or walk/hike days.

So....after I started my latest self-experiment, last 2 weeks:
Still always Abs 5x week but I started adding Tummy Tuck from BBL for a change

M-B&G
T-PS 2&3
W-L&G
Th-PS 2&3
F-B&G

Week 2 (Started skipping hip thrusts on BBL weeks)
M-BBL High & Tight + Bum Bum
T-PS 2&3
W-BBL H&T + Bum Bum
Th-PS 2&3
F- BBL H&T + BB

This week (wk 3) repeat week 1 and add hip thrusts, week 4 will repeat week2.

I'm REALLY surprised at how the change of adding BBL worked. I expected it to be too easy but, I've found that I'm engaging my glutes a LOT better even though I already was impressed by the additional glute engagement after adding Bret's stuff. I noticed I dread Cathe's floor work less and upped my ankle weights during B&G after starting BBL and it's only been 1+ week. I will be replacing some B&G now that I've done that for so long with Hiit, plyo and kickboxing with my newly acquired heavy bag

I just need to figure out when and probably working barre in somewhere as I get tired of BBL.....or something like that. I'd like to keep it to 1 change at a time so I can link any changes in my shape/strength to what caused it. I'm thinking it's too early to tell if I am seeing a size difference at all but I really need to find my measuring tape so I can record the changes. I am LOVING the way my muscles feel with the new switch though.

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05-06-17, 05:34 PM
wendug Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chicago burb	Just wanted to chime in here about thinning your thighs. What seems to work for me are split lunge jumps- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3avm4QPINk I remember when I first starting working out to videos Kathy Smith had these in her weight loss workout and I always dreaded them! I did the pink Firm Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn today and there were split lunges in this video, too! I don't dread them like I used to...but wow do they make my legs burn! __________________ Wendy

05-08-17, 10:28 PM
Hedgehog Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: New Hampshire	You are correct, I have struggled with body image issues especially since my extremely destructive divorce. As part of working through that process I have focused on positives that are within my control such as adding 2" to my butt and increasing my strength, I also enjoy the fact that my legs have lost that spread that happens when I sit down and work on fotcuing on how those accomplishments make me feel rather than any negatives my brain can conceive* it's an ongoing process Being able to grow definition on the back of my legs legs (hams, glutes & thutt) without the huge quads that have always dominated in the past (again...thank you Bret C for knowledge and exercises to accomplish this!) was FUN and I enjoyed the challenge and success. I just want to ensure I don't have any major strength losses as I use my body as a lab rat lol. I have to laugh at the mental images you created for me hch, I work with an amazing group of men and I can't imagine they give a second thought to the SIZE of my thighs.....only as to whether or not their strength can carry my gear, my short (cuz well....I'm short!!!) legs can keep up and my driving (a skill I excel at) will get them there safely and quickly. They would also be the first to go at MY pace if I couldn't! My EMS patients only care if I am capable of giving them effective care and safe transport! I have a capt I affectionately refer to as Capt Gorilla because well....he's about the size and strength of one, I will be picturing a crew of gorillas with massive thighs in red strobe lights tonight and trying not to laugh too loudly As to the running suggestions,* I've incorporated sprints on occasion, usually motivated by a teenage boy or 2 with legs that seem longer than I am tall and only because it's fun when your own teens want to race you knowing they will cream you lol. Otherwise, I tend to fall into the "why would I run, if it's not for my LIFE?" camp although I really don't know why?? I just detest running for some reason :/ My "rotation" was more or less a progression of the following over 6-8 months: Always abs M-F usually the abs or stability ball abs from B&G or maybe Cathes CoreMax...PS abs...depending on my mood) Weights - 10#x2 for B&G, 50# squats (or sometimes 25# for goblet instead of Cathe's), deadlifts etc. UB - 15# - 25# dumbbells x2 a little more if I'm home instead of the station. I also walk 6 hilly miles some days, hike the mountain trail across from my house which is EXTREMELY steep or other similar activities with my kids frequently. I do around 1 hr then abs for a total of around 80-95 min/day. M-Cathe B&G T- P90x UB (a combo of either disks 1&3 or 9&10 alternating...so chest, back, shoulder and arms are all done same day) W-B&G Th-P90x UB F-B&G A few weeks later: M-B&G T-P90x UB W-Cathe GS Legs Th-P90x UB Fri-B&G I switched to GS legs 2xwk and B&G 1x for week 2,4, etc I wasnt thrilled with what P90x did for my arms but loved that I could do the pullups / pushups so, I switched to Cathe's PS for UB and did the 2 UB programs together to cover chest, back, arms & shoulders each UB day on T & Th and I'm happy with that change. I still keep throwing in P90x disk 1 which is all pushups and pullups randomly because...well...I want to! I also added Leg & Glutes for a change more recently when I'm sick of B&G or GS Legs. Around 3 months ago I added weighted hip thrusts 5x5, 3x12, 4x10 or whatever either on legs days or sometimes all 5 w/o days with 115#. I stopped at that weight until I buy a better bar which can hold more weight. Weekends are out with DH & all 8 kids home or coming and going so I always take Sat & Sun as rest or walk/hike days. So....after I started my latest self-experiment, last 2 weeks: Still always Abs 5x week but I started adding Tummy Tuck from BBL for a change M-B&G T-PS 2&3 W-L&G Th-PS 2&3 F-B&G Week 2 (Started skipping hip thrusts on BBL weeks) M-BBL High & Tight + Bum Bum T-PS 2&3 W-BBL H&T + Bum Bum Th-PS 2&3 F- BBL H&T + BB This week (wk 3) repeat week 1 and add hip thrusts, week 4 will repeat week2. I'm REALLY surprised at how the change of adding BBL worked. I expected it to be too easy but, I've found that I'm engaging my glutes a LOT better even though I already was impressed by the additional glute engagement after adding Bret's stuff. I noticed I dread Cathe's floor work less and upped my ankle weights during B&G after starting BBL and it's only been 1+ week. I will be replacing some B&G now that I've done that for so long with Hiit, plyo and kickboxing with my newly acquired heavy bag I just need to figure out when and probably working barre in somewhere as I get tired of BBL.....or something like that. I'd like to keep it to 1 change at a time so I can link any changes in my shape/strength to what caused it. I'm thinking it's too early to tell if I am seeing a size difference at all but I really need to find my measuring tape so I can record the changes. I am LOVING the way my muscles feel with the new switch though.