Thunder thighs...lol....help!?!?!

I too struggle with this epidemic, not too terribly but it's definately frustrating. As Stacy & Clinton on TLC's "What Not to Wear" say, that you have to fit the largest part of you first and then get the rest altered... it's true, you can get jeans altered, just have to find a good tailer. May be worth it to get a couple nice pairs of jeans done so they fit well rather than a dozen cheaper jeans that don't fit all over. Just a thought!

I have the SAME issue. Please look at the Callanetics program
By Callan Pinckney!!! You can look it up on Amazon to see the reviews plus I'll add my IT REALLY WORKS. Small price tag and no equipment needed!! Even my husband noticed! Ten times is all you need to see a difference (feel it much sooner.) This is a good place to start, and like I said for the price you simply can not afford to not try it. I've lost about 2 inches in my thighs after about the 10-15th time through the routine.

I know this won't help but my son has always had thighs that are huge and it doesn't help that he's large anyway. I always had to buy larger clothes and alter them for him. He would always split the pants if I did not do this and it can be very embareassing for a young boy or girl for that matter. Maybe seek the advise of a personal trainer.

TONS & TONS & TONS OF LUNGES and SQUATS in all kinds of positions and angles. These can be "full body exercises" that provide LOTS of muscle recruitment and in turn, plenty of calorie burn. I can't imagine that at 5'3 and 115 that it would be that much of a problem. I'm 5'2.5 and 126 and wear a size 4. I also work out all the time. (I'm a certified personal trainer and posture alignment and pain management specialist w/ over 30 years of experience.)

If you want a one or one or two to give you some new ideas to get things going, I'm in Fishers and would be glad to meet w/ you. There is also a place called SWEAT at 146th & Cumberland (Noblesville) that has a WIDE VARIETY of classes at very low cost. I teach pain mangement classes there twice a week.

Let me know.

I have the same problem with my booty. In fact I'm wearing a skirt right now that fits my booty but is gaping int he waist...I'm definitely going to have to tailor it.

Finding jeans that flatter your figure is just as essential as exercising. I recommend www.zafu.com

You fill out some questions about your body type/measurments/etc for jeans or bras and choose what you would like to downplay or accentuate. Zafu compiles a list of jeans (or bras)that best fit your body type...from $30 jeans on up. The thing I find most helpful is that once you click on a pair of jeans that they suggest, you can click on a tab called "how it fits me" and they explain why the jeans are flattering to your figure. Their selections are limited to about 15 brands but the "how it fits me" section is very helpful in knowing what to look for.

Ditto to Katie W. I watch "What not to wear" all the time. The best diet may include a credit card and a trip to the store to invest in some cute casual (and washable) dresses and skirts. I used to wear nothing but pants, but now the skirts make me feel a little dressier and they're actually more comfortable and cool in the summer. Good luck!

I have always had the exact same problem. My solution since I was in my 20's (I am now 49)is Tammy Lee Webb's "Thighs of Steel". It's an old video but I'm sure you could find it over the web. I know experts say you can't "spot" tone, but this has really worked for me over the years when I notice that my thighs are starting to get saddlebags again. You will notice a difference in about 2 weeks if you use it consistently 2-3 times per week. This doesn't mean you can use this video and eat whatever you want. I am also a huge fan of Stacey and Clinton on "What Not to Wear". I used to try on 1 pair of pants in a store and if they didn't fit, call it a day. Not I try on several different styles and usually buy more than 1 pair in different colors when I find one that fits. Also, I found that pants with a little stretch in them actually looks much better on my thighs. I am small like you and for a long time wore petites. But I've actually found that petities are petite everywhere, even in thigh area. So go with the regular women's section and have your pants hemmed. And stay out of the junior section. These pants are made for pre-adolescents with no hips! Good luck. I think you'll find some good results with the video.

Get your pants tailored to fit you perfectly. It will be worth the hassle. It seems hereditary so it probably won't ever go away, just embrace them - lots of women wish they had curves.

I also have the problem of having larger hips/thighs with a smaller waist. Lee jeans/pants seem to work best for me. I also started running at one point, and that really helped tone my thighs. (Although I am not doing it now, due to just giving birth to #4 & #5...twin girls. I just don't have the time or energy right now!) =) But I do know it helps! I definitely feel your pain...I have to try on sooo many jeans to find one that fits. Now that I don't have as much time, I just look for Lee and stick with those. I just have had better luck with that brand. Good luck to you!

Hi L....

I also battle the dreaded thunder thigh. I am 5'2. Since my last pregnancy I took up running. I started walking, then jog-walking, and eventually was running. This does the trick!I am pregnant now and can't wait to hit the pavement after this baby!!

Good luck!

~K

Hello, I have the same problem but I weigh alot more than you! lol.
You said surgery isn't an option due to the cost, I don't know if that's the only reason that you wouldn't have it or not. I just talked to a mother of two the other day that had a tummy tuck done by a plastic surgery student under the supervision of a doctor. It only cost her $500. I don't know if this would be something that you'd be willing to do or not- just a thought- good luck!

I'm wondering if you go to a gym or your local YMCA, a trainer there might be able to tell you very specific exercises to target exactly that area?

I'm very German, too.. but I have more of the beach ball figure ;-) lol! Always a work in progress!

I had the EXACT same problem. But I'm sorry to say that there's really nothing that will get rid of them. It's your genes. I tried exercises to target the area and everything. I ended up just getting the surgery, and for how much better it made me feel, and how much easier it was to buy clothes, it was well worth the money. I had it about 15 years ago. Honestly, it's one of the best things I ever did, b/c all i used to do was obsess about it. Maybe start a little savings - it's really not too expensive. they charge based on how many areas they're doing, so if it's just your thighs, it's not a whole lot.
J.

These could be helpful....

http://www.homemakers.com/Health&Fitness/activeliving...

(copy/paste if link doesn't go)

http://www.thinthin.com/ridding-saddlebags.html

But I also found this, which isn't too encouraging LOL. I think as we age we just start holding onto more fat, and diet/exercise is key unfortunately.

Question: What exercises will get rid of saddlebags?

Answer: Saddlebags are just another name for cellulite, flabby butt, etc. Remember that there are no exercises you can do to target the fat around your butt, hips and thighs.

As I've mentioned before, you have to reduce overall body fat with diet and exercise. You CAN incorporate strength-training exercises for your legs to help strengthen your hips and butt. When you build muscle, you burn more fat all the time since muscle burns more calories than fat. Working your lower body with weights can help you in your quest. Check out the Top Ten Butt Exercises for some ideas.

Hi L.,

Thunder thighs, eh? lmao! I'm laughing because I have the same build as you and I completely understand how finding pants that fit could be frustrating you. As women, we are so unnecessarily critical of ourselves! Are you truly unhappy with your body or do you just want to find nice fitting pants? Both have solutions, but if you are unhappy with your body then you must find a way to love yourself for who you are...a beautiful mother of five and a child of the most high God!

Because I am built like you, I find my pants at Maurices (both jeans and dress pants), American Eagle (boyfriend cut jeans fit beautifully!), and Express (most dress pants and some jeans). After I had both of my kids I realized that I could no longer wear the same pre-pregnancy style of pants, so I just opened my mind to locate a different style...more of a wider leg in the hip and thigh area and less of the boot cut.

Anyway, hope that helps. Happy shopping! :)

D.

I have always had a similar problem finding jeans to fit because I have a small waist and larger butt/thighs. I've had the best luck with pants that are a lower rise and have some stretch in them. (Actually I use a mid-rise because I'm tall with a longer-than-average rise, so the mid-rise fit me like low-rise. Since you're shorter, you should probably try a low-rise.)

Anyway, I've done well with the "long & lean" jeans from Gap and the "stretch fit & flare" jeans from Express. For khakis, the Docker's "metro pant" seems to be proportioned well.

Hope that helps!

PS - If you're genetically programmed to carry your weight in your hips & thighs, then you will always have proportion issues with your pants regardless of your weight. The only ways I know of to selectively lose fat from your thighs are liposuction & breastfeeding.

I have this problem too. My family is from good German breeding stock ( a direct quote from my grandmother) and we all have saddlebags, large thighs and a ghetto booty along with an hour glass body shape. Not the easiest to find pants that fit! I've never had jeans altered, but it sounds like a really good idea. Do you wear the low rise jeans? I've found that these seem to fit the best for me. I do still have to wear a belt though. If you do exercises stay away from the stairmaster or leg lifts with heavy weights. These exercises will actually make the legs bigger! The stairmaster tends to make the booty area larger. Maybe try some yoga or pilates. Other than that, you can't do much to fight DNA. If you decide to have jeans altered, let me know how it works out!

Have you tried going to a healthfood store???? The health food center on Market street in Youngstown could probably help you...I believe you need Kelp.

I'm confused, and am wondering what your self esteem is like. The reason being, I'm 5'4" and weigh about 122, and have a rocking body. I have a better body now, after two kids, than I did back in high school. Since you're only 1 inch shorter than me, and weigh a few pounds less, I would think that your body is rocking too!! Stop being so hard on yourself~!!! I have always been picky about my body, so for me to be happy with it means a lot, so cut yourself some slack

L.,
I have had problems with this particular area also....and I joined the YMCA in Jan. of this year. In March my sister-in-law and I started doing the group cycling classes...it has made a big difference in my legs! I have done other exercises in the fitness room and taken other exercise classes there also. But, I have went to nearly every cycling class they have had there since March and it's really helping.
I haven't lost a lot of weight but I have went down 2 sizes! YAY!
Well, good luck...hope this helps! :) D. R.

I am going to borrow a page from the popular show on TLC called "What Not To Wear" and advise that you hire a seamstress to help you with the fit of your pants. It may cost a little more but if you have pants that fit you won't feel the need to constantly go out and try and find new ones just to see if you can find something better. I am not little like you, especially not right now because I am pregnant but I do understand the thigh and butt being bigger than the waist and that causing all kinds of issues. I have had good success with medium rise jeans in either a straight leg or a boot cut but not slim fit or the new pencil jeans, stay away from those! The store that I like the best for jeans and pants is New York and Company, not to advertise but I love their pants. Really though, it all may come down to just hiring someone to alter your pants for you.

There is a simple exercise you can do that helped me with the same problem...you just stand with your legs shoulder width apart and one leg at a time bring one leg across the other and hold for a few seconds then swing outwards and back in for two reps. of 10 on each side..it works your inner thighs and outer thigh muscles hope this helps

I always have the problem with a way huge waistband once it fits everywhere else. My "problem area" is my backside . . . it's just always been bigger than what designers think is normal. Ditto for my mom and sister. The only brand that consistently fits is Lee. But be warned, not every style of their pants will work. Fortunately they have lots of options these days.

Good luck!

Hello,
I can totally relate. I am 5' & 107lbs,an OK weight for me. I have fought w/ the thigh issue since my 20's. I have 4 kids, 15, 13, 9, & 4.
The best thing that works for me is protein. I make sure I have protein with any carbs. It helps them burn better. Also I really cut down carbs. & things w/ white flour, ie. bagels, pretzels. It changed my shape! I try not to drink beverages w/ many calories. Your body burns sugar first & can leave the rest. Carbs can turn to fat but protein goes to the muscles.
I eat little red meat ever. I have skim milk, 10 gram protein bars, fish, etc. Never protein powder. I still love pasta & bread but I eat less of them.
Also, popcorn w/o butter is a great snake if you are really hungry.
Hope this helps!

I had the same problem!! That was my nick name too!! I am 37 and 5 2", and I run 4-5 times a week on a treadmill for just 20 minutes!! I also do strength training!! I eat small snacks every 2-3 hours and watch my carbs pretty closely!! I can put jeans on and not have to worry about those thunder thighs anymore and it is the best feeling!! so run and watch your carbs!!