Thigh help!

[suhollyberry]

My thighs have always been my problem spot. I thought that when I started biking it would help to slim them down a bit and make them more proportional with the rest of my body. Unfortunately this is not the case. My thighs have defenitely started to firm up, but I haven't noticed any fat loss or slimming.

Anyone else have this problem? Any recommendations on other exercises to do to help slim my thighs while biking? Thanks!

[Bikingmomof3]

I am interested in hearing responses. My thighs are fairly well toned and the more muscle I build the larger my thighs become. :confused: I would prefer to slim my thighs down so I am hoping to learn a thing or two from this thread.

[Veronica]

I think it all depends on how you're made. We have large thighs in my family. I've managed through biking to lose a lot of the fat on them (not all!) and they are still large and still shaped just like my sisters' (who each weigh 60-80 pounds more than me). I know they are slimmer and quite muscular, but I will never have what I consider to be good-looking legs, just because of genetics.

But I don't care. I kow I've made the best out of what I got from the gene pool and these legs spin me up some steep climbs.

V.

[Grog]

I wouldn't call my thighs or hips a "problem" but they definitely are bigger, proportionally, than, say, my arms (I have matchstick arms - really).

However, they have changed in the last two years of cycling. They did tone up and I obviously have lost inches down there because now I can pull down my jeans (which fit a bit tightly in the legs area when I bought them exactly a year ago, at the end of my first intense summer of cycling) without undoing the button and zipper. This happened without me losing a single pound on the scale. This is probably not very surprising considering that I have cycled 5000 km in between, but I find it annoyingly expensive to have to buy a few new pairs of pants again.

I haven't done any special exercises besides pedalling, save for 8 sessions of core-training that did have quite an impact on my core, but not really on my thighs.

So the bottom line is: it takes time and mileage.

[suhollyberry]

Veronica - I'm with you. I'll never have "nice" legs (although my calves are looking pretty defined lately), but I just want slimmer thighs.

I'm losing weight very disproportionately right now and it's getting hard to find jeans to fit me. I tried on jeans this past weekend and they were all tight in the thighs but loose in the waste. It's frustrating!

[tulip]

You might want to focus on spinning at high cadence. Mashing big gears will build big muscles (right? Experts correct me on this if I'm wrong!). Spinning is a better way to go, unless you are a sprint specialist.

Also, it takes a WHILE! And we are stuck with what we are given, so we might as well learn to appreciate what we can't change (and change what we can!)

[Bikingmomof3]

I'm losing weight very disproportionately right now and it's getting hard to find jeans to fit me. I tried on jeans this past weekend and they were all tight in the thighs but loose in the waste. It's frustrating!


I am doing the same thing. I am now back into 6's and the thighs are tight and the waist too big. *sigh*

[Veronica]

OH GOD ! I'll never be a 6!

LL Bean relaxed fit jeans fit me well. They have a no questions asked return policy too! They also have some other jeans that are more "in" now with a lower waist. I can't wear most of those... too big of a difference between my waist and my thighs. That style always seems to come with a more fitted thigh. :mad: I suppose you can't make a lower waist and a relaxed thigh.

V.

[Bikingmomof3]

I cannot wear the low rise at all. The waist is to big and slides right down to a very embarassing and uncomfortable position. Mid-rise, I can occassionally find. Gap Long and Lean (this always cracks me up, since I am short) work okay if I buy mid-rise, 100% cotton. If there is any "stretch" in them, they slide down the bum again. I have the most difficult time with jeans. I guess I am an hour glass shape.

[velogirl]

You can't pick and choose the body part or location to lose fat. It's kinda like saying that when you do crunches you lose belly fat or if you lift weights for your upper body you lose fat on your arms. That's the myth of spot toning.

When you lose fat, you lose it proportionally all over your body. Women's thighs (and hips, and butt, and belly) tend to pack on more adipose than other parts of our bodies. The good news, however, is we tend to see fat loss in these areas first.

The second part of the equation is what others have mentioned -- when you cycle, you gain muscle mass in your legs/thighs. So, for many women, their thighs actually get larger when they begin riding, and since fat tissue is between the skin and the muscles, your legs might look worse than before you began riding.

If you keep riding and also keep your nutrition in check, you will eventually lose some fat in your thighs.

I always tell clients to remember that we didn't get this way overnight (overweight and out of shape). For most of us, it took years to get where we are today and it will take time to see a positive change.

[KnottedYet]

I've always had trouble finding jeans. Usually if the waist is good, the butt/thighs are too tight. Or if the butt/thighs are good, the waist is gapping HUGELY.

And finding a waist that sits a bit lower (below my bellybutton) seems also to be impossible.

Then... the miracle of MEN'S Levi 560's! Yes, folks, me the Rubenesque curvy girl fits best in men's Levis! I wear 32 w 32 L which seems to be similar to women's 12 or maybe 13. Each inch on the men's sizes seems about approximate to one size in women's.

Another nice thing about men's is that you can get the length you want. And as they "age" any little loose areas tend to shrink (good ol' shrink-to-fit effect)

Knot Loves Her Levis

Edit: I was at a Levi outlet, complaining to a salesgirl about how I used to be able to wear 501's when I was a teen, and how I couldn't find anything to fit these days, whine whine whine. She suggested the men's 560's. How cool that the salesgirl knew the Levi products so well! Kudos to that chickie!

[Bikingmomof3]

I never thought to try Levis. Thanks for the tip. :)

[tulip]

It also might be worth the $10 to get jeans altered (taken in for the waist). That way, you have custum-fit jeans!

The only jeans that fit me are Ann Taylor. Fortunately, they have great sales from time-to-time (because I don't pay that much for jeans!)

[mimitabby]

One of the women I ride with has ridden AROUND THE WORLD on an incredibly paced tour (close to 100 miles a day!) She has big thighs. They are incredibly strong, she does all sorts of things I will never have the strength endurance or interest in doing. I saw pictures of her during that tour, where she became quite slender!! She did not have skinny thighs there either.
Like the other gals said, you can't make your thighs slim down. What will probably happen is that they will firm up and ADD MORE MUSCLE but if they are already disproportionately large, bicycling will not change them into slim hips and thighs sorry.

[GLC1968]

The good news, however, is we tend to see fat loss in these areas first.

Ha! I wish! ;)

I'm a large legged girl...and I can NEVER find jeans. I find that ones with stretch are better than without...but I've never found a jean that actually fits my waist and my legs and still looks fashionable. To give you an idea, the old Reverse Fit at Gap fit me like a glove. :eek: Yuck.

Anyway, I have found that the best way to slim my legs is through sound nutrition, heavy weight training and cardio. Biking obviously covers the cardio, so if I could just reign in my eating and get back into the gym, I'd be golden! When I lost a bunch of weight a couple of years ago, the weight came off my middle first, so pants got even harder to find for awhile. The longer I stuck to my plan, the better it got because eventually, my legs started to lean out too. When I was at my lowest, I still had bigger legs (compared to waist) but it wasn't as drastic as it is when I'm overweight. Now...if I could only duplicate that dedication! :p

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi...

I'm sporting big thighs here as well. Really, it runs in my family - my mom is like that, ditto my sisters. That's just where I tend to carry more weight, even when I'm fit and trim.

I really struggle with slim fit jeans, I suppose the manufacturers cut them for gals with super slim thighs perhaps. The one line of jeans I can sometimes get away with unaltered, are the Victoria Secret Boyfriend Jeans.

Anyway, I've got a great seamstress and realized this is the way to go. I'll get jeans a size bigger, so that my thighs fit comfortably, then have her alter the seat and waist for the exact fit I want.

Granted it costs me $15 or so, but I'd rather have one great fitting pair of jeans that cost me a bit more, than a bunch of less expensive ones that look lousy.

Happy shopping.

[Veronica]

Sounds like 15 bucks well spent to me. :D

V.

[KnottedYet]

I used to wear those Gap Reverse Fits!

Give the men's Levi 560's a try. They are very similar, but without the tighter ankles the Gaps had.

Mervyn's has the Levi 560's for $26. I pick up a few likely sizes from the mens dept and take 'em to the women's dept to try them on.

Levi 550 have smaller butts, so if 560 don't work or bag too much try the 550.

[Cassandra_Cain]

Sounds like 15 bucks well spent to me. :D

V.


You bet!

After seeing an ever increasing pile of jeans/slacks that didn't fit (and the money I spent on them!) - I said no mas~ ;)

[suhollyberry]

Yes I know I will always have bigger thighs (I'm a pear shape and I'll always be), but I want bigger thighs that fit into jean! lol

I still have plenty of fat to lose on my wonderful thighs, so I'm hoping that with good nutrition (which I'm doing), cycling (training for a century right now), and strength training I'll lose the fat and end up with the muscle. :)

What kind of strength training exercises does everyone do?

[Grog]

What kind of strength training exercises does everyone do?

None right now. Oh, well, push ups sometimes.

Some core training in the winter.

[cherinyc]

So, for many women, their thighs actually get larger when they begin riding, and since fat tissue is between the skin and the muscles, your legs might look worse than before you began riding.

Is that what's happening? I swear - I am burning more calories since I started cycling - yet my thighs are starting to look MORE dimply. They feel more firm, less jiggly - and definitely getting bigger.
That kinda sucks. I had a feeling that the new muscle might be pushing the "bad" dimply fat outwards, making it more noticable.
Isn't there a way we can somehow brainwash the world into thinking that celullite is an asset? Since we all have it? Why couldn't the men be plague with it?:mad:
OR - how about having 1 magazine out there that doesn't airbrush it off of the women within it.

[ridebikeme]

I'm like the rest of you... big thighs! I will however, agree with Knotted... I too, wear Levi's. .... used to wear 501's, then 550's or 560's. They fit well, and get better over time HA!! Another jean that many people wear in New England is Carhardt... they are a bit heavier in weight, offer many colors and look like the old painter jeans.

I enjoyed reading this thread, thanks for the info everyone!

[CycleChic06]

Ok, I'm so glad I'm not alone here. I have really big thighs as well, I attribute them to genetics and years and years of swim team, so much so that an old roommate who, for obvious reasons I don't speak to anymore, told said to me "you have a really flat stomach, but your thighs are HUGE!"

But up until I started seriously riding at the end of last summer, I NEVER had dimply legs and now I do!! It's so frustrating. I didn't start riding expecting to lose weight (though I'd be more than happy to lose the fat on my hips), but I certainly never expected to have my legs all dimply. I've def. noticed my legs are way more toned and sleek with really nice definition, so hopefully I can dump this little bit of extra fat before winter starts and I gain it all back (snowboarding, my winter activity, doesn't really do much for me by way of excercise, in fact, I think it's the anti-excercise).

[velogirl]

Of course, if jeans are the issue, just wear skirts and shorts. You worked hard for those legs so show em off! I quit wearing jeans about the 2nd or 3rd year I was riding for just that reason -- they didn't fit my muscular thighs anymore. Now you'll almost never find me in pants.

[Geonz]

As the song goes, "There's lightning in these thunder thighs!"

They'll shape up in good time...

[Cassandra_Cain]

OR - how about having 1 magazine out there that doesn't airbrush it off of the women within it.

That would be the day right?! Then again, the cover girls would look a heck of a lot more like us if they weren't airbrushed - all and all, a good thing :p

[GLC1968]

What kind of strength training exercises does everyone do?

Well, I've been lazy lately...but to see my legs get smaller it was HEAVY lifting. Squats (both with free weights and with a smith machine), tall box step ups, lunges, extensions, curls and leg press. Now that I'm cycling a lot more, I'm seeing the muscles reshape themselves a little differently. I've layed off the normal lower body gym routine to see how my legs end up.

You also don't want to neglect the upper body or core, either. :)

Knotted - I'll try the 560's! Thanks!!

[applegum]

I get lucky jeans, specifically the "easy rider" cut in any of the styles. They're pretty pricey, from $90-$120, but every year they have a half off sale at the beginning of the summer and in December/January. Plus, I wear them for two years until they completely fall apart. They don't have lycra in them so they won't lose their fit, and it's great for those of us who have unproportionate thighs and waists (ditto on that).

[maillotpois]

LL Bean relaxed fit jeans fit me well. They have a no questions asked return policy too! They also have some other jeans that are more "in" now with a lower waist. I can't wear most of those... too big of a difference between my waist and my thighs. That style always seems to come with a more fitted thigh. :mad: I suppose you can't make a lower waist and a relaxed thigh.

V.


I thought this til I tried JAG jeans (Nordies). Low waist, snug enough in the waist and the thighs fit comfy! I have a hard time finding jeans because my waist is pretty small relatively speaking, and my thighs are large.

I always lose weight from my upper body first. Even when I was 25 pounds less than I am now (which was NOT a healthy weight for me on many levels!), my collarbones stuck out and my thighs were still big. But after I discovered cycling, I felt like I finally realized what those big thighs had been made for!

[tulip]

I'm happy that my strong legs can take me over mountains and through valleys on my bike. I don't buy those magazines. I admire strong legs, not skinny ones!

And velogirl is right--wear skirts to show them off!

[hsmpcycle]

You might want to focus on spinning at high cadence. Mashing big gears will build big muscles (right? Experts correct me on this if I'm wrong!). Spinning is a better way to go, unless you are a sprint specialist.

Also, it takes a WHILE! And we are stuck with what we are given, so we might as well learn to appreciate what we can't change (and change what we can!)


I am not a certified physical trainer, but I have experience in teaching weightlifting in college. I will tell you this . . . the more resistance you have on your muscles, the more they will get bigger. So, if you pedal with a lot of resistance, you will build more muscle than you would if you just spin. If you want big thighs, increase the resistance. If you want to trim the bulk, spin away. And Yes, You will notice that your thighs getting bigger that is because of the blood in your body trying to repair your muscles. Eventually that will go down and you will notice a lot of definition and muscle tone. I know that dispite the size, your thighs will look a lot better than they did before you started.

[chickwhorips]

i love this place! i realize now i am 'normal' with my bigger legs and smaller waist. bf keeps telling me this, but he's a guy and doesn't understand.

i hate jean shopping for just this reason, but the other day i decided to try victoria's secret jeans. got them in the mail and they fit perfect! here are the ones i got:

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=XB-195704&page=1&cgname=OSCLOLOWZZZ&rfnbr=2958

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=XB-192454&page=1&cgname=OSCLOULTZZZ&rfnbr=2959

[suhollyberry]

That's what I'm hoping...that I may have to suffer through initial thigh "bigness" but eventually they will start to slim down a bit.

I also have one pair of VS jeans (bought them at the limited) and I love them! They are the best fitting jeans I have EVER bought.

[GLC1968]

the more resistance you have on your muscles, the more they will get bigger.

This is true. But there are three things to consider:

1) muscle is more dense than fat which means that takes up less room. If you lose fat and gain muscle, you will be smaller...even in your legs. (this does mean that you need to lose fat though...just building up the muscle will make your legs bigger).

2) 98% of women do not have the genetic disposition to build BIG bulky muscles. I thought I was one of the 2% because I do put on muscle easily. I was wrong...even lifting very heavy, my legs only got smaller.

3) to build BIG muscles, you will need to lift VERY heavy...much heavier than even mashing big gears will do for you. (Unless, of course, climbing in the alps is your weekend ride!)

If you watch your diet and lose weight, your legs will get smaller, no matter how hard you hammer. The bad news is that making your leg to waist (or hip to waist) ratio much different by biking is probably not going to happen. This is predominantly governed by genetics and is very difficult to drastically change.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think big thighs and a small waist is pretty damned sexy. (Assuming they have some muscles and are not ALL just flabby fat.)
I've lost 20 pounds of fat over this past year by walking almost 3 miles every morning. (no dieting, but a few healthier food choices like more fruit). A LOT of that fat came off my thighs and waist and hips. I still have plenty of cellulite dimples on my thighs but hey I'm 52 and I don't have 20 year old magic-elastic skin anymore. I love the new muscles i see on my legs and thighs. When you work out yu can stay the same weight but be slowly losing fat and gaining muscle- awesome!! Your whole body shape is changing...thinner waist, thinner arms and knees and face- but bigger thighs, calves, more defiined rear, etc. Muscled and shapely with some meat is healthy and good- boney and stringy is not beautiful in my opinion.
Be PROUD of your big thighs- they are your power engine! ;)

Happy pear shaped Lisa

[suhollyberry]

Thanks! I'm going to take some measurments tonight and for the next month incorporate some strength training for my legs (squats, lunges, leg press, etc.). At the end of the August I'm going to take my measurments again...let's hope I see some results.

I'm currently eating healthier and losing weight, I guess it's just a matter of patience with these big ol' thighs.

Anyone jump rope? My bf says that will help...I'm thinking about it but I HATE it!

[Cassandra_Cain]

i love this place! i realize now i am 'normal' with my bigger legs and smaller waist. bf keeps telling me this, but he's a guy and doesn't understand.

i hate jean shopping for just this reason, but the other day i decided to try victoria's secret jeans. got them in the mail and they fit perfect! here are the ones i got:

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=XB-195704&page=1&cgname=OSCLOLOWZZZ&rfnbr=2958

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/application/prodDisplay/?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=XB-192454&page=1&cgname=OSCLOULTZZZ&rfnbr=2959

Right on! I have those exact 2 pairs of jeans and they are great :cool:

[chickwhorips]

one thing that keeps me running besides biking is my bf said this to me: the more you run the thinner your legs get. (such great modivation) i actually noticed a difference. if i just cycle my legs get bigger, but if i throw crosstraining in and running, it keeps them down a bit. though i doubt if i'll ever have 'skinny' legs.

[Jones]

I have never ordered these but the price looks good http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=cm_reviews_dp_seemore/602-8704905-6867812?%5Fencoding=UTF8&coliid=&frombrowse=&alt%5Fview=custReviews&asin=B00023XKES. If anyone ever orders a pair please let me know how they fit.
Jones

[Bikingmomof3]

I get lucky jeans, specifically the "easy rider" cut in any of the styles. They're pretty pricey, from $90-$120, but every year they have a half off sale at the beginning of the summer and in December/January. Plus, I wear them for two years until they completely fall apart. They don't have lycra in them so they won't lose their fit, and it's great for those of us who have unproportionate thighs and waists (ditto on that).


I too like Lucky brand jeans and have had wonderful success with them. I buy mine on eBay. I refuse to pay even a fraction of the full price. It may be different if I was not a SAHM. Most of the time I am just doing things around the house or carting children around.

[spokewench]

Our Badonkadonks and our big thighs are our greatest assets on the bike. They provide power and speed! Yahoo Thank god for Big thighs and shapely bakonkadonks!:D

[chickwhorips]

Our Badonkadonks and our big thighs are our greatest assets on the bike. They provide power and speed! Yahoo Thank god for Big thighs and shapely bakonkadonks!:D

thanks now i have that song stuck in my head. :eek:

[spokewench]

I was really surprised to hear that song the first time (COUNTRY WESTERN). The first time I heard the term Badkonkadonks was from an urban black girl and she was definitely not into country western music!

[chickwhorips]

here it is defined: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Badonkadonk

[Dogmama]

This is true. But there are three things to consider:

1) muscle is more dense than fat which means that takes up less room. If you lose fat and gain muscle, you will be smaller...even in your legs. (this does mean that you need to lose fat though...just building up the muscle will make your legs bigger).

2) 98% of women do not have the genetic disposition to build BIG bulky muscles. I thought I was one of the 2% because I do put on muscle easily. I was wrong...even lifting very heavy, my legs only got smaller.

3) to build BIG muscles, you will need to lift VERY heavy...much heavier than even mashing big gears will do for you. (Unless, of course, climbing in the alps is your weekend ride!)

If you watch your diet and lose weight, your legs will get smaller, no matter how hard you hammer. The bad news is that making your leg to waist (or hip to waist) ratio much different by biking is probably not going to happen. This is predominantly governed by genetics and is very difficult to drastically change.

I agree with everything you said. As they say across the pond, "Spot On!"

Regarding leg exercises - if you're actively riding, you really don't need to focus on a lot of quad exercises but you DO need to strengthen those hamstrings.

Also, don't forget your upper body. Nice shaped delts (shoulder muscles) will drawn the eye up and will help normalize a pear shape.

Nutrition is the number one thing, though. You can ride for hours and demolish all of your hard work at Baskin Robbins in 15 minutes (or less if it's chocolate!).

[fatbottomedgurl]

Badonkadonk! Good ol' urbandictionary.com Not for the faint of heart. All the black boys loved mine in high school!!!

[Veronica]

You can ride for hours and demolish all of your hard work at Baskin Robbins in 15 minutes (or less if it's chocolate!).

What!?!?

But that's why I ride! :D

V.

[light_sabe_r]

Okay I didn't get into cycling to lose weight as I was pretty happy with the way I was...

Today I put on a pair of jeans I wore two weeks ago. They've always been Comfy... but today they're too tight in the thighs and too lose in the waist!

I've always had this problem though. Most pants (in my size) in general don't fit me in the waist If I'd go one size bigger (to relax fit the thighs) they'd be falling off and If I'd go one size smaller (to get em to stay up) they wouldn't get over my thighs!!! so when I find a pair of pants that used to fit my waist and thighs I'd snap them up faster then snapping up samples in the Cadbury factory!

THIS pair of jeans was one of those purchases! This in the waist and relaxed in the thighs..Perfect fit! (Jeans West... Fits Best)

I expecting some sort of muscle change in my legs... but nothing this quickly or this dramatic.

Damn...

[suhollyberry]

I hear ya.....I hear ya..... :(

[Tuckervill]

Big thighs are what make us WOMEN. They're evolutionarily determined, because we need the fat for childbirth during famines. (But I'm not starving. ;)

Also, if you're a pear shape, you're in better position to avoid such things like heart disease and diabetes, because you're not storing so much fat around your organs.

I'm all for body acceptance no matter how much I ride. Here's a blog about moms that was passed on to me today.

http://shapeofamother.blogspot.com/

Karen

[tulip]

Big thighs are what make us WOMEN. They're evolutionarily determined, because we need the fat for childbirth during famines. (But I'm not starving. ;)

Also, if you're a pear shape, you're in better position to avoid such things like heart disease and diabetes, because you're not storing so much fat around your organs.

I'm all for body acceptance no matter how much I ride. Here's a blog about moms that was passed on to me today.

http://shapeofamother.blogspot.com/

Karen

Amen!

[HappyAnika]

It is so good to hear I'm not the only one who struggles buying pants and jeans. In my family its called the "[last name] Curse". All of the women have big thighs. My mother's oldest friend recently told me that when she first saw me the day I was born she said to my mother "That baby has the fattest thighs I've ever seen!". I've never outgrown them . . .:rolleyes: Cycling has made them more toned closer to the knee, but up top I haven't seen any changes. I just don't understand why it seems like all pants and jeans are made for women who are either sticks or who carry lots of belly fat with skinny legs. It frustrates me to no end when I attempt to go shopping. (At what point in time did the hourglass figure go out of style?) Thanks for the suggestions on jean brands, and I think I will be hunting for a seamstress soon as I'm fed up not being able to buy the cute trousers I see in the stores. (Unfortunately I can't wear skirts to work because I work with chemicals, and in the winter I'd freeze!).

[SadieKate]

Another one of those hour glass figure gals. Cabela's relaxed fit (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=TGP_1a&id=0028373913011a&navCount=2&podId=0028373&parentId=cat21186&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21186&hasJS=true)and jeanos (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat601085&id=0034837913227a&navCount=5&podId=0034837&parentId=cat21186&navAction=push&catalogCode=QT&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21186&hasJS=true) fit well. Inexpensive, too.

[mimitabby]

now you guys, i am a skinny legs girl and let me tell you most clothes are not made for ME either.
I tried to buy leg warmers and all they do is slide down.

It's a good thing i liked relaxed fit clothing because even sometimes
TIGHTS don't fit me right.

The good news is since i've been bicycling, at least i have enough calf to
hold my knee socks up!

[li10up]

This is true. But there are three things to consider:

1) muscle is more dense than fat which means that takes up less room. If you lose fat and gain muscle, you will be smaller...even in your legs. (this does mean that you need to lose fat though...just building up the muscle will make your legs bigger).

2) 98% of women do not have the genetic disposition to build BIG bulky muscles. I thought I was one of the 2% because I do put on muscle easily. I was wrong...even lifting very heavy, my legs only got smaller.

3) to build BIG muscles, you will need to lift VERY heavy...much heavier than even mashing big gears will do for you. (Unless, of course, climbing in the alps is your weekend ride!)

If you watch your diet and lose weight, your legs will get smaller, no matter how hard you hammer. The bad news is that making your leg to waist (or hip to waist) ratio much different by biking is probably not going to happen. This is predominantly governed by genetics and is very difficult to drastically change.
Many women don't know the above facts, especially #2 so I thought this was worth quoting again.

Another thing worth mentioning...FIRST ON LAST OFF. Wherever your body stores fat first is the last place it will come off. In my case I've always had a bigger butt and thighs. Then when I got older I started to put on fat around the waist and on my upper arms. When I lose weight the fat comes off the belly and arms first then if I'm lucky it will start to come off the legs.

IMO build the leg muscles by pushing a bigger gear or lifting heavy weights. Muscle is what burns fat so the more I have, regardless of where, the better! Build muscle and burn fat. It sounds so easy but is so hard to do - especially when you can't control your diet. That's my biggest problem. Eating out with my DH is our "entertainment."

[KnottedYet]

Just got back from Mervyns. I tried on some Levi 501s because I WANT to be able to wear what I did when I was a teen. And I think button flies are very sexy.

Ain't happenin' on this heinie. My best friend, who lost 120-something pounds, can wear them. Dang...

I tried Levi 559s, cuz they look so bad-boy. Ain't happenin' on this heinie.

Yup, I'm definitely a 32W 32L Levi 560 gal. Not a 33W, not a 31W. 32W is where it's at. I guess it's nice to know where you belong....

On the other hand, Mervyns had Jockey microfiber "No Panty Line Promise" undies on sale. SCORE!!!! Yes, it IS happenin' on this heinie! Now I can toss out the last of my toooo-big underwear because I bought 4 pair of those suckers. (sexy red, hot magenta striped, wild green striped, and dainty pale purple) They'll go nicely with my crazy pink and nutso leopard print ones.