Thigh help!

[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/comm...ZZZ&rfnbr=2958

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/comm...ZZZ&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/comm...ZZZ&rfnbr=2958

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/comm...ZZZ&rfnbr=2959

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

[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...sin=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!

[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!

thanks now i have that song stuck in my head.

[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/defin...rm=Badonkadonk