Recent Weight Loss in All the Wrong Places!

I also have problems with my lower body (hips and thighs). I have exercised or been active all my life and the best thing I have found to really tone my lower body was an arobic toning workout that has a lot of squats and lunges in it (I found a cheap DVD at Wal-mart). When I was doing this 2 to 3 times a week, my legs were the smallest they have ever been. I just had another baby so I have to get back on the wagon with my workout. I would suggest alternating this type of work out with the walking you are already doing.

B. Holt

I did the same thing, lost 89 pounds and at first I lost it on the upper part. But with us being women that is normal, we carry our fat cells around our hips and belly. Just keep up your walking and do some AB excerises and you will reach your goals. Good Luck its hard to change your lifestyle, but it is worth it.

Congrats on your weight loss! I am currently trying to do the same, but the only motivation I have is the tightness of my jeans-which is really more depressing than motivational. Anyway, people lose weight differently, I don't know if you have done this before, but your body shape will have a lot to do with where you lose weight first. And the fact that you are walking may make it seem that you aren't losing weight on your lower half...yet, because you are toning/building muscle-it doesn't mean you haven't lost any fat. Don't give up on your diet, keep eating well and walking, sometimes it can be frustrating but it will be worth it!

I feel your pain. Anytime I lose weight I lose it out of my boobs and I need those. My pooch is welcome to leave, and it stays!

Don't get discouraged to quickly. Unfortunately you cannot spot reduce so you're body is going to show it where it wants to when it wants to.

However, if you've been strictly walking you may be toning up your lower body and building muscle even if you don't appear to be getting smaller yet.

If you aren't already try mixing in some resistance training - things like squats, lunges, pushups, etc don't necessarily require additional equipment but get good results.

Also make sure you are changing your walking routine on a regular basis. Instead of walking the full time at the same pace try to do a few faster paced segments. This will help burn more calories and increase your overall fitness.

B., I suggest two things. One is that you find a swimming pool and swim laps. It is great to tone up your whole body. Also, are you are birth control pills. If so the estrogen in them sometimes causes us to gain weight around the middle. I suggest getting on a natural hormone cream that will balance you out. The company that I am affiliated with called Arbonne has one. Check out my website at www.successfromtheheart.myarbonne.com and also you might get Dr John Lee's book called "What your doctor may not tell you about Premenopause". Give me a call if you want ###-###-####. Thanks, K.

KEEP GOING!!! You can't choose where the weight will come off, but it will keep coming off. Your lower body will eventually lose weight too. The good news is all the walking should be toning your legs. You should have some nice legs once the extra weight is burned! Keep it up!!

There are a variety of things that could be happening. One is how you are exercising. It is important to have a well rounded exercise program including both cardio and weight training. I hate running but that is the best way to lose fat from the lower body. Another factor could be estrogen dominance. Weight sticking to the hips and lower tummy area are classic signs of estrogen dominance. In this case using natural progesterone will help with the weight loss as well. Since your kids are so young you are probably having lower ab issues from having babies. Reverse crunches and leg lifts are great for toning that area.

i have witnessed many people go through drastic weight loss (100 lbs or more) and typically they 'melt' like a candle, starting with their face and neck, then moving down. my problem is i have lost my legs and my butt which makes my stomach look more and more like an innertube! i get sick of it, but i'm hoping, even if it is last to go, that it will go. good luck and don't give up!

B.: I think I have replied to you before about your weight loss struggles. I am an Independent Herbalife Distributor and have the best products on the planet for weight loss and overall good health! In 2 1/2 months, I lost 45 pounds and 55 inches! I'm still on the products and will be for the rest of my life because I feel so good! My fybromalgia is gone, my energy level is through the roof, my metabolism is rocking and to date, I've lost about 60 lbs. I started taking the products mid-March of this year. I had a host of medical problems and at 5 ft tall had reached a soaring 180 lbs! I had never weighed over 110 lbs in my life! At any rate, I can't explain why you are losing your upper body weight and nowhere else? I can tell you that when I started these products, the exact opposite happened to me. I actually lost many, many inches in my lower body (rear, thighs, saddle bags, belly) before I started seeing the inch lose results in my upper body. So, I may have the perfect answer for you! If you are interested, you can email me at ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-####. Also, you can go to www.herbalife.com and check out the website and the different products for different health/weight issues. Good luck and I look forward to hearing from you! How have you lost the weight you've already lost? I also have to let you know that I have not worked out AT ALL--no walking, no gym (like I used to) and after losing 60 lbs-I have none of the "loose skin" that should be associated with that since I don't work out. I'm telling you, these products are the answer to every woman/man out there that wants to get back in shape! Anyway, let me know what you think after visiting the website, or email/call me with questions.

Good Luck,

S. Woodall
Independent Herbalife Distributor

Hi B.,
The thing that you are missing is some weight training. Just walking is not enough. Have you ever heard of Turbo Jam or P90X or Hip hop abs. This is what I do and I am almost 49 and have lost 20 lbs doing it. They are DVDs so you can do it at home. I have lost my big legs and hips. I feel great. So I became a Coach for Team Beach Body because it worked so well for me. I am helping other reach there goals. You can check me out at www.milliondollarbody.com/coachanita. You can become a member or free member under me and I would be your Coach. Just order one of the DVDs and I guarantee if you use it, you will become more perporsionate.

A.

The lower body is typically the hardest place to lose weight. Make sure none of the foods, dressings or soups you're eating contain MSG in any form (including most restaurant & fast foods), as this will hinder your weight loss. http://www.naturodoc.com/library/nutrition/MSG.htm
You may also have to ramp up the burn a little, if you're body's now use to the walking. Bellydancing worked for me to get the last few pounds off and tone up my butt and thighs. Unfortunately, this is where the "if it doesnt hurt, it doesnt work" mantra comes in. You need to break a good sweat and really feel the burn after a workout. That encourages bloodflow to the area to repair the muscle and clean out the fat. Sweating will also help increase your metabolism and your desire for more water - the more you drink, the more you'll lose. Dont give up, it takes a long time. I gained 40lbs while I was on chemotherapy for cancer, and at about a pound a week, it took me almost a year to lose the weight and another year to see the tone I use to have. Most of my major sweating comes from yardwork - mow the lawn, plant a new bed, add a concrete/stone path someplace, etc. just get really drippy. Last Saturday I laid a new stone path - checked my weight that morn at 122.6 - drank close to a gallon of Gatorade (was a terribly hot day) & toweled off regularly. By that evening my weight was at 121.2 (and that includes the over 8 pounds in liquid I consumed that day.) So try not to get discouraged, dont think of it as a diet, but as a lifestyle change. The weight wont truly stay off unless you eat healthy at every meal (with the rare exceptions). For myself and my family, all that took was eliminating all processed foods - I cook almost everything from scratch (cheaper than mixes, with no addatives). I use items like real butter and cream over vegetable oils and cream substitutes, (Counting calories never really worked for me anyway), but I keep my portions small - typically at the serving size or less. We grow a lot of our own fruits and vegetables, my girls (8&9) help out with that as well and love it, so we have something from the garden at most every meal. And tending the garden gives me another good reason to sweat. I hope my story gives you some inspiration and keeps you from being discouraged. If you'd like any tips or have questions, feel free to let me know. Good luck :}