Monster Legs

[lovelylibrarian]

I've been spinning and MTN biking a lot lately to get in better shape and I've really enjoyed it. I really like being outside biking.

I've always had muscular legs but my thighs are getting huge! I'm hoping that as I continue to tone and drop some weight, that they will be more reasonable. I'm not one to be vain but I think I'm getting monster legs! :eek:

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed these types of changes? Thanks.

[Zen]

Tone?

I don't like that word. Too girly.
Its muscle building, plain and simple.
Be proud of your monster legs.
stomp on Tokyo like Godzilla.

[ttaylor508]

By your avatar, I would guess you had chicken legs.....

I love my monster legs, not necessarily because the look great, but I know what they do for me...motor me up a grueling climb, push me through a nasty head wind, get me to the finish line of a double century, kick DH in the butt when he gets on my nerves (just kidding on the last one):D

[lovelylibrarian]

OK, you got me. I mean muscular. Tone IS a girly word. I think there is still a lot of fat there some I'm hoping the muscles will take over and I'll rule the world! I was trying on those hiking pants with the zip off legs that make shorts and my regular size didn't fit. I'll have to find brands that fit my new legs, I guess.

[ttaylor508]

I think what I am trying to say is your body is your body and even if you lose weight you will probably still have muscular legs. I have always had muscular legs no matter what my weight is. Be proud of your "monster legs" and just remember what they allow you to do!!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lovely Librarian,

First, read these threads:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=4700&highlight=thunder+thighs

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=16647&highlight=thunder+thighs

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8530&highlight=thunder+thighs

I always get a kick out of TE'ers talking about their 'monster' thighs....then when they post pictures their thighs actually just look normal and healthy and shapely- not monstrous at all. :rolleyes: Muscles are good, and our personal perception of our own bodies is often exaggerated.
Be happy that you are getting more muscles on your legs. I love mine and wish I had more! :p

[lovelylibrarian]

Thanks so much BleeckerSt. I did a search on the forums before I posted but didn't use the right keywords.

[Zen]

Thunder thighs...:D I think I remember sausage legs maybe, now monster legs.
I was just thinking to myself today "I have thighs like Christmas hams":)
But I like 'em.

[lovelylibrarian]

Thunder thighs...:D I think I remember sausage legs maybe, now monster legs.
I was just thinking to myself today "I have thighs like Christmas hams":)
But I like 'em.

Next time I do a search, I'll remember to use "Christmas hams" as the keywords. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I was just thinking to myself today "I have thighs like Christmas hams":)



Oooh, that sounds so yummy and ....festive! :D

[cyclinnewbie]

LOL Zen...I always say that my legs are a veritable holiday dinner...calves are like turkey drumsticks, thighs are like hams. But I am also 30# overweight at the moment...

[Fujichants]

My boyfriend says I have thunder thighs...then my brother mentioned it as well...Great!

They get me down...especially when I see those skinny girls in their jeans and they look so good...

And yeah...sure they get me through runs and up hills and all that stuff...but they feel like they want to give up. And then I see a skinny person doing the same stuff! So what are these huge legs for then?

Freaking tree trunks :mad:

[Zen]

So what are these huge legs for then?


We're all different and we're products of unique genetic heritage. You can't change that so you might as well just give in and appreciate you legs for what they can do, not how they look.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

They get me down...especially when I see those skinny girls in their jeans and they look so good...

To me they just look.....skinny.

It's all relative.

to be healthy is to be happy. :)

[7rider]

Thunder thighs I can live with. It's the saddle bags that get me down! :(

Let me just add to what these fine and smart women have already posted and say "Celebrate it." It is who you are at your best.

And then, join the club here as we moan and gripe about how we can't find any pants that fit us properly :rolleyes:

Personally, I don't care so much about the thighs...I'm going for the V-cut in the calves! :p

[cyclinnewbie]

Well, I'll just be happy when my thighs stop moving when I do. That and when my thighs don't touch. I'm livin' for the day.......;)

[Jen-Jen]

I too have awesome monster legs. When I was a lot younger I could leg press a little over 535 lbs. That was a full set with two people sitting on each side of the incline leg press.

Now, that I am a little older my strength has gone down some only leg press 400.

Besides, my legs are what got me my husband! ...and my family doctor thinks that they are gorgeous too. (Uuuuummm is he suppose to notice my legs like that or is it just creepy?)


I use to hate certain things about my body like the fact that I was able to build incredible amounts of muscle. I wanted to be skinny like all my other friends. The guys always seemed to look at the skinny ones and passed me by because I was strong and built. It seemed that highschool boy with a face full of pimples didn't want to hook up with the girl who could kick his a$$.

Now I am older and as I watch my mother get heavier, sicker, and weaker every year I am darn glad I am who I was made to be! I would change my monster legs and corn feed body for anything! :D

[KnottedYet]

Jeans for those muscular thighs, and the bikes they ride: www.gussetclothing.com

[HoosierGiant]

My boyfriend says I have thunder thighs...then my brother mentioned it as well...Great!

They get me down...especially when I see those skinny girls in their jeans and they look so good...

And yeah...sure they get me through runs and up hills and all that stuff...but they feel like they want to give up. And then I see a skinny person doing the same stuff! So what are these huge legs for then?

Freaking tree trunks :mad:

Aaaaah! And then there are those of us who would give just about anything to possess a bulge that even remotely resembles a muscle!

After 20 years as a distance runner and three years cycling, it has become apparent (Call me a slow learner.) :) that genetics and slow-twitch muscle fiber are in cahoots -- I'm stuck with skinny, geeky legs and am never going to have those freakin' tree trunks!

[Tabby]

I must say I almost passed up this thread ... but geesh, I'm so in with the monster legs. LOL I've always felt I'm the only one with thigh problems, thanks for letting me know I'm not.

Last year and half I've dropped 45lbs. At different levels of weight loss, my legs looked "huger" and even now the bulk of my weight is in my thighs, calves and even the freakin' saddle bags. I think after 53 years I've made peace with the fact that I will never have thin-ner legs that will won't rub together at the crotch, I just want to be healthy and strong. I'm OK with the sissy "tone" term and do hope my legs shape up a bit more now that I'm biking. The spandex shorts are still a bit out of my comfort zone, but I'm keep telling myself "it's not a fashion show, just ride".


Jeans for those muscular thighs, and the bikes they ride: www.gussetclothing.com
Knotted, I checked the gusset jeans website ... how's the fit? When I buy jeans to fit my saddle bags and thighs, the waist is so huge and even with a belt gaps and looks pathetically gappy.

PJ

[Trek420]

So Christmas ham thighs mean slow twitch and skinny legs mean fast twitch muscle fiber abounds? Do I put whole cloves in the Christmas ham thighs? Or some kinda honey/mustard/maple glaze?

How can I keep kosher ;)

[AmyO]

I'm so glad that I've finally found a sport that I love that I'm actually built to do. Love the Christmas hams idea. I've always had big legs and hated them, even at my thinnest, but now, finally, a good use for those ham hocks!

Body fat is a whole other issue, however. Diet, along with heredity, has a lot to do with where you store it....unfortunately, mine all goes to my butt and thighs....but oh well, makes for better sitting!

[KnottedYet]

Knotted, I checked the gusset jeans website ... how's the fit? When I buy jeans to fit my saddle bags and thighs, the waist is so huge and even with a belt gaps and looks pathetically gappy.


It is a beautiful thing.

Brings tears of joy to my eyes.... NO GAPPING!!!!!

I'm built like a Botacelli (sp) with giganto booty and little waist. So I have a terrible time finding anything that fits both my waist and my loveliness. I wrote a review of these jeans somewhere on the "Apparel" thread. Lemme go find it.

ETA: here it is http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=23285

[Wahine]

Body fat is a whole other issue, however. Diet, along with heredity, has a lot to do with where you store it....unfortunately, mine all goes to my butt and thighs....but oh well, makes for better sitting!

There's actually good research to show that if you carry your weight this way you are less likely to suffer from heart disease that women who are more "apple" shaped.

I have very muscular legs. When I'm lean they don't really *look* that big but they are, I have a terrible time with pants like everyone else here. I also have the booty to match. DH calls the combo the "powerhouse of cycling". He's really funny, if I catch him looking at another women he'll often say something like... "wow, she's attractive. Too bad she doesn't have athletic legs like my wife."

[Tabby]

Great review, I have bookmarked the website and sent for their email flyers. I'll just have to give them a try. I have always hated shopping for clothes, especially pants/jeans. Maybe this will help get me into something no longer frayed from wear at the inseam seam. Remember I got those dang rubbing thighs! LOL :D Thanks for the info.

PJ

[KnottedYet]

Maybe this will help get me into something no longer frayed from wear at the inseam seam. Remember I got those dang rubbing thighs!

Me, too. And it doesn't matter how skinny or buff or chubby I get; they always rub.

A bit of warning for the rubbing types out there: the gusset puts the seams in a different place in your "crotchal" area. My skin has some nice tough patches where average inseams encounter each other as I walk, but I had to develop new patches with the new jeans. Not a problem, but I was tender the first time my skin had the new forces to reckon with.

[makbike]

LL love your thighs for they show how hard you have been working. Twenty some years ago when my little brother announced I had "thunder thighs" I was crushed but today I proudly sport them in public. I love my muscles, I love how my legs look in jeans, shorts, skirt, etc.

[RolliePollie]

Very ironic that I just came across this thread...

I rolled into my parents' driveway today during my ride and my dad was out taking pictures of the yard. So he took a few pictures of me on the bike. He emailed the pictures to me and I am absolutely horrified by my moster thighs! It's not the muscle part that bothers me...it's all the fat! :( Wow, a picture really is worth a thousand words. I know there is muscle underneath that fat...my goal now is to reveal it! Time to get real and drop those pesky extra pounds I put on over the winter. I guess my new user name is more appropriate than I realized!

I think muscular thunder thighs are awesome, by the way. I rode with a group earlier this week and one of the girls had amazing monster/thunder thighs. I would love to have legs like that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So Christmas ham thighs mean slow twitch and skinny legs mean fast twitch muscle fiber abounds? Do I put whole cloves in the Christmas ham thighs? Or some kinda honey/mustard/maple glaze?


Don't forget the pineapple ring.


My DH calls my derriere his 'picnic ham'. :-D

[callmecrazy]

I'm still very much a biking newbie, but I consider myself an expert on Monster Legs! After 15 years of soccer, mine are certainly two monsters and not shrinking any time soon. I swear I had the terrible pant-waist-gap thing going on by the time I was 10.

Consider the new muscle a trophy off all your hard work! More muscle strength in your quads and calves puts less stress on your knees too, and who would complain about that?

[solobiker]

It is nice to know that I am not the only one with this problem. I always hate to shop for pants because I can never find any that fit. If they fit nice in the thighs then they are way to big in the waist area. I have tried some mens and they fit okay, not great. I may have to try the brand Knott mentioned. I do appreciate the fact that my megga legs can keep me moving at a pretty good speed on my bike.:D

[KnottedYet]

If you have a Costco near you, try a pair of their Kirkland brand men's jeans. Hard to go wrong when they only cost $12, but honestly they are the 2nd best fitting/no gap jeans I own. (after the Diamond Gusset jeans, which are #1 on my list)

[solobiker]

Cool, I do have a Costco near me. I am planning on going next week to get some stuff so I will have to check it out. I have tried DH's pants, he is a 32 and they fit okay so maybe these will work. Thanks!!

[Flur]

I'm not sure what you guys are considering big, but right now I've got 21.5" thighs. I've also got 39" hips and a 26" waist. That's the biggest hip measurement I've ever had :(

I did get into cycling to lose weight, but I've always had big thighs and after many years have come to accept them. I'm hoping to lose the fat (I can pinch 1.5 inches on my thighs so I've got it to lose) and I don't mind if I gain muscle to replace it. I'm hoping to get the hips back down to 37" (where they used to be) by losing fat from the butt (again, I've got a few pinchable inches to lose). I'm already muscularly well developed there and doubt I'll get much bigger through cycling, based on where I'm feeling the burn after rides.

That said, if you're my size I'd recommend investing in a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans. I've never looked better in denim, and b/c of the 2% stretch they will fit the tiny-waist-big-thighs people, and they make the butt look good even when there's a little too much there. They are pricy but if you take care of them they will last. And the same pair that fit me with 37" hips still fits me well at 39", so if you fluctuate a bit up or down they'll still look hot.

[Miranda]

I'm not sure what you guys are considering big, but right now I've got 21.5" thighs. I've also got 39" hips and a 26" waist. That's the biggest hip measurement I've ever had :(

I did get into cycling to lose weight, but I've always had big thighs and after many years have come to accept them. I'm hoping to lose the fat (I can pinch 1.5 inches on my thighs so I've got it to lose) and I don't mind if I gain muscle to replace it. I'm hoping to get the hips back down to 37" (where they used to be) by losing fat from the butt (again, I've got a few pinchable inches to lose). I'm already muscularly well developed there and doubt I'll get much bigger through cycling, based on where I'm feeling the burn after rides.

That said, if you're my size I'd recommend investing in a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans. I've never looked better in denim, and b/c of the 2% stretch they will fit the tiny-waist-big-thighs people, and they make the butt look good even when there's a little too much there. They are pricy but if you take care of them they will last. And the same pair that fit me with 37" hips still fits me well at 39", so if you fluctuate a bit up or down they'll still look hot.

Dang girl, that's gotta be some killer curve though:cool:! Have you ever heard the 70s funk song, "Brick House"? lol...

Regardless of what my weight is, I have always had more junk in my trunk and South Pole:o. If you are lucky to not carry the mass in your mid-section too, wearing more fitted waist tops I think helps to accencuate the curves from waist to hip/thigh ratio... without looking like the stigma "thunder thighs" heavy unfit girl that society gives.

I lost a lot of mass over the winter without being able to work out, and my thighs are touching, and the quads are not going pop like normal:(. Working on that with a new route to climb some hills.

I think the muscles are sexaaaay;).

[Zen]

That said, if you're my size I'd recommend investing in a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans. ... b/c of the 2% stretch they will fit the tiny-waist-big-thighs people, ... They are pricy

Gloria Vanderbilt jeans from JCPenney have the same stretch blend and cost a lot less.
I'm just sayin' :rolleyes:

[callmecrazy]

I'm not sure what you guys are considering big, but right now I've got 21.5" thighs. I've also got 39" hips and a 26" waist. That's the biggest hip measurement I've ever had :(

It may be safe to say that's pretty "normal" when you get a group of athletic women together. I'm rocking 22" thighs with 40" hips and a 26" waist. Yes, we've got cuuuurves!

And I know it's a teen store, but the Hailey-fit jeans at Aeropostale fit like a dream. Some styles are super trendy, but they have the basic cuts/colors, not to mention long and short sizes too! I always stock up when they're having their $15 jean sales because trying to find jeans that fit anywhere else is a nightmare!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you guys think those are 'monster thighs'....you're NUTS! :mad:
You make me laugh!

Look, it's just like that last thread on this subject- women describing their thighs and butts as huge....then we see photos and they are just lovely, not overly big at ALL. Yikes, get real! ;)

I just measured myself:
5'5"
thighs- 24"
hips- 42"
waist- 32"
age- 54

Yes, I could afford to lose 10 pounds and am working on that, but jeez, I'm still no 'monster thighs' or 'thunder thighs'- not by a long shot!
Look at me!:
http://harmonias.com/Lisa%20with%20Rambouillet.jpg
Do I seem overweight or 'monster' anything??
I don't think so.

You gals are mere lightweights! Quit griping about your lovely healthy bodies! :cool: ;)

[Tuckervill]

ME:
height: 5'4"
thighs- 25"
hips- 41"
waist- 32.5"
age- 46

I really DO have thunder thighs.

It's funny, cuz since I've lost all that weight, my big thighs don't bother me near as much.

Karen

[KnottedYet]

An oldie, but a goodie: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7zER7SSti3A&feature=related

"Shake that healthy butt!"

[OakLeaf]

Is this how we're measuring thighs?


Thigh:
• Ask the participant to sit in a chair or on examining table, with back straight.
• Mark a horizontal line just at the superior edge of the patella (knee cap).
• Place the zero end of the measuring tape at the inguinal crease, which is easily located if
the hips are in a sitting position.
• Extend tape along the midline of the thigh to the line just proximal to the patella.
• Mark a (+) at the midpoint of the thigh.

Because if so, I'm not going to complain about mine any more. (19") (They're actually quite a bit wider around the adductor muscles.)

My waist, on the other hand... (28.5")

But that's my highly developed obliques. Right.

Height - 5'3"
Hips - 36.5"
Age - 48

ETA: does anyone remember that cartoon show "The Mighty Hercules?" Wasn't there a line in the theme song about "Thunder in his Thighs!"? :D

[Dog]

My legs lean toward muscular (as long as I stay active). I ran the Whidbey 1/2 marathon this spring which meant a lot of hill training and also continued Spin classes. My thighs got even more defined and I noticed my jeans fit tighter in the legs (even though I dropped about 7 lbs). Some women in Spin class asked if they needed to worry about their legs getting too muscular - I tried not to be offended. Overall, I prefer having defined thighs to less shapley legs.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

ME:
height: 5'4"
thighs- 25"
hips- 41"
waist- 32.5"
age- 46

I really DO have thunder thighs.

It's funny, cuz since I've lost all that weight, my big thighs don't bother me near as much.

Karen

Baloney! Your thighs are only an inch bigger around than mine- I refuse to call those Thunder Thighs. You and I are practically the same measurements. :D

[callmecrazy]

I'm still no 'monster thighs' or 'thunder thighs'- not by a long shot!

I can't speak for anyone else, but calling my legs "monster thighs" and "thunder thighs" is strictly a term of endearment for them. Monsters scare people, as my legs should the competition, and, well, there's few things stronger than thunder.
I'd never gripe about my legs, unless of course all the muscle turns to mush!:eek:

[Zen]

ETA: does anyone remember that cartoon show "The Mighty Hercules?" Wasn't there a line in the theme song about "Thunder in his Thighs!"? :D

Hercules came on right after Popeye. Loved Popeye, hated Hercules. i think it was that annoying sidekick creature who said "Herc! Herc!" :p

[Tabby]

Being one to hate to shop, especially for jeans, and spend the money for something that doesn't fit ... I started shopping at a resale shop that carried designer clothes. The best jeans I found were Bill Blass 'Perfect Fit'. Course being resale, they only cost $12 but there was only one pair. Got them when I need 14s, then months later after dropping weight, 12s. Could I find them online or after more pounds came off, nope!

Then I found a pair of Talbots (with stretch). Resale shop price $15, store/online $44-$58. But, they fit AND don't gap, just can't get the perfect length. Petites 29.5 fine w/sandles, to short w/shoes. Misses is 32", too long w/sandles, still tad too long w/shoes. They run their sizes small. I think I would now wear a 12 in most styles, but my Talbots jeans are 8s. Good for the ego until I go anywhere else! lol

I lost 45 lbs in last year and half, so this has been a fun forum thread to comisserate and be encouraged. I measured myself for first time in years:

w - 29.5
h - 41
th - 23
age - 53
wgt 135, hgt 5'4"

[ttaylor508]

It may be safe to say that's pretty "normal" when you get a group of athletic women together. I'm rocking 22" thighs with 40" hips and a 26" waist. Yes, we've got cuuuurves!

And I know it's a teen store, but the Hailey-fit jeans at Aeropostale fit like a dream. Some styles are super trendy, but they have the basic cuts/colors, not to mention long and short sizes too! I always stock up when they're having their $15 jean sales because trying to find jeans that fit anywhere else is a nightmare!

I have to second Aeropostale jeans!!! Love them and they fit so well. My 13 year old daughter brought me in the store one time and I was hooked. She and I can even share them which is a bonus, although I can't keep her out of my closet now!!! They are great for woman with "monster legs"!!!

[Fujichants]

You know what is also really attractive for us women with big, strong legs? Wrap dresses.

I also find that Seven jeans, Hudson's and True Religions are pretty forgiving.

[sundial]

ME:
height: 5'4"
thighs- 25"
hips- 41"
waist- 32.5"
age- 46

I really DO have thunder thighs.

It's funny, cuz since I've lost all that weight, my big thighs don't bother me near as much.

Karen

Hey Tuck, congratulations on your super duper weight loss. :D Are you hooked on Bootcamp?

When I was in high school, I hated the French jeans fashion era. I had to buy 2 sizes larger just to fit my 24" thighs (cuz I ran, lifted weights, and played sports) and had almost a foot of gaping waist band. :rolleyes: Thank goodness manufacturers make relaxed fit jeans and pants. I still have 24" thighs.

[seeker]

I also find that Seven jeans, Hudson's and True Religions are pretty forgiving.
I've gained 10 lbs in the last 6 months since I started triathlon training. And it's all in my thighs and butt. I can barely get my Seven jeans up over my thighs.
And I've given up any idea of wearing my junior size clothes again. They are all cut for thin legs.
I was complaining to my coach the other day about the weight gain and the size of my thighs. He said, "you're going to get huge!". Just what a girl wants to hear. :eek:

[lovelylibrarian]

That said, if you're my size I'd recommend investing in a pair of Seven for all Mankind jeans. I've never looked better in denim, and b/c of the 2% stretch they will fit the tiny-waist-big-thighs people, and they make the butt look good even when there's a little too much there. They are pricy but if you take care of them they will last. And the same pair that fit me with 37" hips still fits me well at 39", so if you fluctuate a bit up or down they'll still look hot.

I have these too and they really do look great. It's worth the investment to me since I wear them all the time.

[lovelylibrarian]

I just have to say that you are all really great. Thanks for the encouragement. I think I'm a naturally muscular person. I've always had really muscular legs even before I was biking. Now they are just morphing into something new.

Thanks

[Flur]

I get the Athleta catalog delivered to my house, and I LOVE looking at the models - they've all got a lot of muscle and fill out the clothes well, yet they look really good doing it. It makes me feel really good about how I look.

We also go to "Lumberjack Days" in Stillwater, MN every summer. I love watching the lumberjills tackle the logs. They've all got a lot of muscle too - probably more than I'll ever have!

[berkeley]

I can relate to the new found muscles. :D First spinning and now cycling really have done a job on my quads... I was one of those knobby knee'ed apple shaped women who looked like a 4 year olds drawing - you know, big round body, two wimpy sticks for legs!

No matter how much I lifted or worked out, I could never build any quad muscles... but now I have! And I'm thrilled! They aren't big, but they're there. :cool:

I remember a few months ago, a coworker came to a spinning class with me. I took off my sweat pants and she remarked at how "skinny" my legs are. I dunno, as an athletic person, skinny really isn't what I'm going for. Especially since the rest of me certainly ain't! :P

[lovelylibrarian]

Here's a picture of me from our backpacking trip last weekend. You can see my "monster legs" here. I have a lot of fat left to lose on them but I'm really looking forward to getting cycling legs.

[Jolt]

And then there are those of us on the opposite end of the spectrum...wimpy legs that don't seem to build much muscle! Maybe THAT has something to do with why I've never been a very fast runner/cyclist (granted, I don't do as much as some of you but I do some type of workout almost every day). Today, for example, I did a 2-hour ride (just randomly decided to explore some of the surrounding towns) that worked out to be about 22 miles, maybe slightly more--that's 11 mph average speed, which is embarrassing given that there wasn't much stop and go once I got out of Worcester. If I had been riding with a group they would have been mad at me!!
My measurements:
Height: 5'2.5"
Waist: 26"
Hips: 35.5"
Thighs: 17" around midpoint, 21" around adductor muscles (largest part)

[Fujichants]

How about this. I will give some of my tree trunks to whoever thinks their legs are too skinny. That way, we'll both be happy!

Wish it were as easy as that!

[Fujichants]

PS...how to measure thighs?? I took out a measuring tape and i'm shocked by what I saw. Hopefully I am not doing it right...I put the measuring tape around the biggest part of my upper leg.

[Zen]

Here's a picture of me from our backpacking trip last weekend. You can see my "monster legs" here.

You call those monster legs?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I looked at the photo before i read the text and my first thought was "she has skinny legs"

You're a piker in the monster leg competition. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You call those monster legs?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I looked at the photo before i read the text and my first thought was "she has skinny legs"

You're a piker in the monster leg competition. :D

Yep....they'd throw you back in the ocean. :cool:

[OakLeaf]

Terrific calves. But they'd throw your thighs back ;)

[RolliePollie]

lovelylibrarian...those are not monster thighs! I wish my thighs were that thin. Cool picture...where were you backpacking?

So I broke out the measuring tape too:

W: 29.5"
H: 39.5"
Th: 24" (monster)
Weight: 162 (way too much!)
Height: 5'6"
Age: 33

I do not think I should I weigh so much. Heavy sigh. Wait...how much does each monster thigh weigh?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

lovelylibrarian...those are not monster thighs! I wish my thighs were that thin. Cool picture...where were you backpacking?

So I broke out the measuring tape too:

W: 29.5"
H: 39.5"
Th: 24" (monster)
Weight: 162 (way too much!)
Height: 5'6"
Age: 33

I do not think I should I weigh so much. Heavy sigh. Wait...how much does each monster thigh weigh?

Sorry....you do not have 'monster thighs' either! :D
See my post #38 in this thread with my photo.
My thighs are 24" just like yours, and you are an inch taller than me!
I think it's pretty obvious that I don't have 'monster thighs'....or am I totally self-delusional?? :eek:
Again, I find it odd (and rather disconcerting) that so many women think they are 'huge' in some way or terribly overweight and they are so....NOT! :(

[short cut sally]

LovelyLibrarian..my first thought after seeing your pic was nice calves..I studied those and thought she has awsome legs. Didn't see much fat there. As soon as I find a tape measure i will measure and share my info. Thought I had one but guess not. I will have to "borrow" one from work this weekend

[Crankin]

OK, all this talk of measurement made me go upstairs and dig up my tape measure. I know that no matter what size I have been, my waist has always been a size smaller than my hips. The discrepancy is probably at its smallest point ever, since I started cycling.
I am five foot one, which may have shrunk to five foot half an inch. Right now I weigh about 106, which is exactly where I like to be.
Waist 26
Hips 36
thighs 20
age 54
My thighs used to be 18 when I was doing aerobics...
I would be perfectly proportioned if my chest measurement wasn't so overwhelmingly small!
My thighs are bigger, but they are not as flabby. This year, I feel comfortable wearing some of the shorter cycling shorts. Usually I wear the 8 inch ones, which on me, come down almost to my knees. All of my fat is in my hips and butt. No matter what I do, or how small I get, it will never be firm. Well, maybe if I went to boot camp or did heavy duty weights. Right now my strength training is limited to the upper body.

[cyclinnewbie]

I'm just gonna say that I'd LOVE to have 23-24" thighs. And I'm 5'2". Tell ya anything????

[Wahine]

You wanna talk about thighs..... check out the last photo on this post (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=193099&postcount=3523).

And I am happy to say that those thighs power me up the hills like nobody's business. Thank you X for that photo to always remind me of why it's OK to never fit into pants the way that other "ladies" do.:D:D

[OakLeaf]

What????? I don't see anything in that picture???? Not another one!

Okay let's ALL take pictures of our perfectly lovely thighs which we for some reason believe are "monster..." And then the rest of everyone can reassure you that you have beautiful thighs :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

What????? I don't see anything in that picture???? Not another one!

Okay let's ALL take pictures of our perfectly lovely thighs which we for some reason believe are "monster..." And then the rest of everyone can reassure you that you have beautiful thighs :)

That's a good idea! :D

[BarbaraAlys]

lovelylibrarian, you do NOT have monster thighs. You have strong legs that look like they belong to a WOMAN.

Seeker, giving up junior clothing is something an adult woman should be proud of! Juniors are made with little hip room; girls have not developed curves and beautiful muscular legs.

We have grown up in a world that tells women they should be child like, underdeveloped (except for the boobs, those should be huge) and weak. Don't let them make you feel monstrous because you are strong and shapely.

Okay, I'll get off my soap box now.

Barbara

[OakLeaf]

Barbara, of course you're right, but I will never love my thighs as much as I love the way the veins pop on my biceps :cool:

[RolliePollie]

Sorry....you do not have 'monster thighs' either! :D
See my post #38 in this thread with my photo.
My thighs are 24" just like yours, and you are an inch taller than me!
I think it's pretty obvious that I don't have 'monster thighs'....or am I totally self-delusional?? :eek:
Again, I find it odd (and rather disconcerting) that so many women think they are 'huge' in some way or terribly overweight and they are so....NOT! :(


Nope...you don't have monster thighs! Your legs look much thinner than mine. Of course, I could very well be self-delusional! As a matter of fact, I think I probably am! :confused:

I think that it's not the actual inches part that makes me think I have monster thighs. It's more the shape and the flab and the cellulite! Eeew! I can feel the muscle under there though. It's just the padding on the top that I'd like to see melt away.

It really is too bad that our culture makes us think that a healthy weight is overweight. Although I need to lose 6 pounds to get to the healthy weight category of the BMI. I must admit that I'd rather be this size and know that I'm in pretty darn good shape and have pretty darn strong legs than to be super skinny with no muscle.

-sara

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think that it's not the actual inches part that makes me think I have monster thighs. It's more the shape and the flab and the cellulite! Eeew! I can feel the muscle under there though. It's just the padding on the top that I'd like to see melt away.

It really is too bad that our culture makes us think that a healthy weight is overweight. Although I need to lose 6 pounds to get to the healthy weight category of the BMI. I must admit that I'd rather be this size and know that I'm in pretty darn good shape and have pretty darn strong legs than to be super skinny with no muscle.

-sara

Sara, I totally understand. I hate my layer of cellulite and a bit of flab that is overlaid on top of my muscles too. I need to lose 10 pounds. BUT- I still feel healthy and beautiful and strong even with those extra pounds and my excess padding and cellulite. No way would I want to be skinny with no muscles like so many young 20-something women I see walking around in shorts with stick-thin legs and arms. Poor things! I think I could carry one of them on each shoulder! (not that I would- I'd make them WALK and build up some muscle!) :cool: :rolleyes:

[mudmucker]

Sara, I totally understand. I hate my layer of cellulite and a bit of flab that is overlaid on top of my muscles too. I need to lose 10 pounds. BUT- I still feel healthy and beautiful and strong even with those extra pounds and my excess padding and cellulite. No way would I want to be skinny with no muscles like so many young 20-something women I see walking around in shorts with stick-thin legs and arms. Poor things! I think I could carry one of them on each shoulder! (not that I would- I'd make them WALK and build up some muscle!) :cool: :rolleyes:

You know what I love about getting older. More confidence gained. You just don't care what anyone else thinks or perceives you to be. Bleep anyone else if they have anything contrary to say. I've always been confident, athletic, but I've seen changes I don't like too, as all of us do. What I love to see in women is their confidence and inner beauty radiate. Screw the hangups which mostly contemporary ads and other men might put upon us. Screw the hangups, self-deprecation, and defensiveness that we beat ourselves with based on some pre-conceived standard. I love to see that confidence, empowering, that says, this is who I am as an aging women - and it's darn good!! It's beautiful to see, and believe me, it can be seen. When you get to the point in your life when you take care of yourself, but body changes happen because we are female and you can say "I don't care what anyone thinks of my physicality" is JUST SO LIBERATING!!

[solobiker]

I used to think that I had monster thighs and sometimes still do. I work with many skiiny legged women that can fit in those small sized pants while I am trying to wedge my legs into a size 10 or sometimes even a 12 which gets me pretty frustrated at times. All I keep telling myself is that I am in far better shape then they are, espec when some get out of breath just walking down the hall with me at work. :eek:

My measurements:
Waist: 30
Hips: 42
Thigh: 24

These legs were able to take me on my bike ride for over 30 miles today with an average of close to 16mph while riding solo. Not too bad. At times on flat stretches I can get going over 20mph and sustain it. What a ride:D

[solobiker]

If you guys think those are 'monster thighs'....you're NUTS! :mad:
You make me laugh!

Look, it's just like that last thread on this subject- women describing their thighs and butts as huge....then we see photos and they are just lovely, not overly big at ALL. Yikes, get real! ;)

I just measured myself:
5'5"
thighs- 24"
hips- 42"
waist- 32"
age- 54

Yes, I could afford to lose 10 pounds and am working on that, but jeez, I'm still no 'monster thighs' or 'thunder thighs'- not by a long shot!
Look at me!:
http://harmonias.com/Lisa%20with%20Rambouillet.jpg
Do I seem overweight or 'monster' anything??
I don't think so.

You gals are mere lightweights! Quit griping about your lovely healthy bodies! :cool: ;)

Thanks for posting this, you and I are about the same size except for the height, I have about an inch or two on you. You definately do not have monster thighs like you said. You like great!

[BarbaraAlys]

Sara wrote:

It really is too bad that our culture makes us think that a healthy weight is overweight. Although I need to lose 6 pounds to get to the healthy weight category of the BMI. I must admit that I'd rather be this size and know that I'm in pretty darn good shape and have pretty darn strong legs than to be super skinny with no muscle.


HUH? I don't think our culture tells us that an over weight is healthy. There is a PC kind of movement that we tell people they can be fat and fit (in fact I've noticed that not one of the doctors I've gone to in the last year has had the courage to tell me I should loose weight, and I'm over 200lbs at 5'6"!), but most of our culture says if you are not skellital you are fat.

I don't think that BMI is an ideal way to test your body composition, though it is the easiest since all you do is weigh and take one measurement. It is really off on people who have significant muscle, since the scale does not know the difference between fat and muscle. A better way would be through a body fat analysis of one type or another, the simplest being calipers. Watch out for those scales that give you body fat % using bio-impedance they are not as accurate as calipers and are hard to keep consistent.

As for the skinny leg vs strong...I'm not skinny anywhere on my body, but I have strong muscular legs. I get more compliments on my legs from both men and women, virtual strangers and friends, than those with slender legs. Yes, it is harder to find boots. Yes, it is harder to find pants that fit the thighs and are not too big in the waist, but I'll keep my strong legs.

Barbara

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

HUH? I don't think our culture tells us that an over weight is healthy.
Barbara

No, Sara said:
It really is too bad that our culture makes us think that a healthy weight is overweight.
you are not understanding what she said. She is saying that when we are actually a healthy weight then society tells us we are overweight.

[Flur]

Actually I think you both are correct. The biggest issue I've seen is that society, doctors, advertisers, etc. send such mixed messages that people don't have any idea what a healthy weight is. So they attach themselves to whatever works best for them mentally. If they want to be super skinny, they attach themselves to that definition of a healthy weight and what a healthy person looks like. If they're on the heavier side are happy with it, they attach themselves to that definition. You can have two people who are the same height and weight, and one will think they need to lose 20lbs, and the other will think they look too skinny.

Body fat calculations are really the best way to determine if someone has too much fat, but even the definition of "too much body fat" fluctuates depending on where you look or who you ask. And on top of that, what's right varies per person. I tend to follow the rule that if you are getting enough exercise (30+ minutes/day) don't have a horrible diet and don't have any risk factors, you're probably fine.

For me, I know that I'm not getting enough exercise, and now that I'm working to change that my body composition will change. I'm at a healthy weight/BMI/body fat now, but even that doesn't make me healthy without the right amount of exercise.

[beccaB]

Has anyone gone out and purchased the Wiifit? It's an exercize platform that goes with the nintendo Wii. I set myself up as a user and it says my BMI is too much, but it's kinda funny. You have to give yourself a "mii" which you can make look like yourself, and after I got mine set up it made me fatter than I had set up myself to be, based on my weight. I probably do weigh "a lot" but I'm fitter than most people I know!
I guess you just have to do the right things for your health and not be concerned about fitting into the mold.

[beccaB]

OK, here's a word my teenage daughter just taught me- muffin-top.
That's where the love handles are. It's something I wish I didn't have.
I did have 3 kids, so I suppose there could be some extra skin in some places. Yes, That's it. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

[callmecrazy]

OK, here's a word my teenage daughter just taught me- muffin-top.
That's where the love handles are. It's something I wish I didn't have.
I did have 3 kids, so I suppose there could be some extra skin in some places. Yes, That's it. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

If it's any comfort, the "muffin top" term is usually referred to the girls or women that squeeze themselves into pants that are much too small, hence pushing everything they've got up and over the top of their pants. If you're dressing in clothes that fit, they're just love handles... so go ahead and love them!

[short cut sally]

As promised, I "borrowed" a tape measure from work and have measured. First I want to say that I am built like Lisa/BleekerSt. and I think she looks rather nice in that picture..and that I consumed a crap load of chocolate frosted brownies yesterday while at work-I was having a rough day.. So here goes
THighs--32"
hips--39"
Waist--33"
Height--5'4"
Weight--150#
Yes, before biking seriously and being strict on food portions/intake I weighed 136#. But that was after losing 40# and I loved myself at 136#. I started biking more and more, and think (I know:rolleyes:) I've really let my other cardio aerobics and caloric intake go to the curb! I have calves and upper/tops of my thighs that have defintion which is something I never had before. The back side however is like the container of cottage cheese:eek:.

[sundial]

Hee hee! You guys are small fries. ;) :D

[KSH]

Monster Thighs here and proud of it!

My thighs are rock solid. No fat on them. They look great. I have even had a couple of people marvel over how great they looked when I'm riding my bike. The definition of my quads along the side of my leg and my hammys.

Hey, it's me. I can't make 'em any skinner. I'm healthy. I ride an average of 400 miles a month... run around 70 miles a month... and swim a good 30,000 yards. I'm strong. I'm healthy. I'm an athlete.

And if someone doesn't like it... I'll just crush their head with my Monster Thighs.

I'm the girl in the picture! In the yellow. :)

[lovelylibrarian]

Thanks again for all of the support everyone. I'm actually really starting to like my legs since I've been biking more. I'm looking foward to having biker's legs. When I can get up those big hills, I'll really be so proud of myself. I'm working on it!

When I posted this original post I was really down because I tried on a few pairs of hiking pants at REI and they were all really tight around the legs. I even tried 2 sizes larger than my regular size. I'm over it now. :) I wound up getting the cute skirt you see in the picture I posted.

Someone earlier asked where I was backpacking. It was in Lassen Volcanic Park in CA.

[RolliePollie]

No, Sara said: you are not understanding what she said. She is saying that when we are actually a healthy weight then society tells us we are overweight.


Thanks for clarifying what I meant, Lisa. I did not mean it's healthy to be overweight. I meant society seems to be promoting super skinny instead of a normal, healthy weight. This is actually ironic considering the obesity crisis in this country.

I'm finding it very interesting that so many of us seem to have similar measurements even though we are different heights and weights. Goes to show that everyone carries their weight differently I guess. I have always tried not to focus too much on the pounds I see on the scale, but it's hard when it's staring you in the face. I agree that the BMI is not the greatest. But I would still like to stay within the healthy range!

I have decided that my thighs look good if I look at myself from the side. But KSH, those are KILLER thighs! I want thighs like that!

[lovelylibrarian]

But KSH, those are KILLER thighs! I want thighs like that!

I know! I'm totally using that picture as motivation to work my butt off and get those killer thighs.

[KSH]

Thanks ladies! Trust me, my Ironman training has done it to me. Riding an average of 500 miles a month... and running 75 miles a month = killer thighs. HA!

Thanks again though. I use to hate them.