Slimmer Thighs -- Woo Hoo!!

[faie]

I bought a pair of pants last month. It fitted well around the waist but it was snug at the thighs. But hey, it was on sale and I bought it anyway. I wore them only once to work and then I just shoved it at the back of my wardrobe.

Today I got the best surprise ever! After nearly a month, I wore the same pants again ... and, the thigh area was loose ! Wow, I am so psyched right now .

Reflecting back and looking at my workout log, I can say that I did some changes to my workout and my eating habits about three weeks ago. One, was that I ate 4-6 small meals per day. I used to eat big meals but I broke it up into smaller meals because I read that it increases metabolism. Second, I worked my muscles to failure in the 8-10 rep range by using heavy weights. In terms of cardio, I didn't change my routine which was 3-4 times per week, 30-40 minutes inclusive of one interval training.

My body is pear-shaped, btw. I work out consistently, but a few months ago I reached a plateau. I think this goes to show how a few tweaks here and there in my diet and workout routine can do wonders !

 

[Runcrazy]

Congratulations and great news!!! I am pear shaped too and would be interested in what your routine was over the last month. Would you mind sharing? Us pears got to stick together!

Thanks!

Jo

 

[faie]

Hello Jo,

Here's my routine for the past 4 weeks:

Week 1
------
Cardio:
SJP (Step + Hi-Lo Premix)
Imax 2
Power Max

Strength:
ME & MIS (upper and lower body done on separate days)

Week 2
------
Cardio:
Body Max (Step + Power Circuit)
Step Works (1st & 2nd section)
Kathy Smith's Aerobox (I did all the jump rope sections, but I added 30 basic steps on an 6" platform done on each leg between each section for recovery)

Strength:
MIS (upper and lower body done on separate days)
Custom training program for lower body - I did 35 lbs (12 sets) and 45 lbs (10 sets) of squats, static lunges, plie squats and leg presses (on 10" step)

Week 3
------
Cardio:
Power Max
Body Max (Step + Power Circuit)
Cardio & Weights (I did the step section, and inserted an Imax 2 blast in between the cardio section)
Karen Voight's Strong and Smooth Moves (Cardio section only ... my knees were hurting that day)
Christi Taylor's Still Jumpin' (1st Combo only ... my knees were still hurting)

Strength:
MIS (Upper and lower body done separate days), twice a week

Week 4
------
Cardio:
Step Blast (Combo 1-3 Premix)
MIC (Hi-Lo only)
KPC (Cardio Conditioning Premix)

Strength:
Custom lower body training - Squats, static lunge, outer thigh lifts, inner thigh lifts (3 sets of 15 reps)
Custom upper body training

Phew! Thank God, I recorded my workouts in a log. I worked my abs too at least twice a week, but I didn't write it down up there. I think my changing my eating habits helped a lot too as well as shaking up the strength routine to include heavy weights. For last week's strength workout, I went all out to go really heavy until I reached muscle failure. I was extremely sore last week. Well, I hope my routine helps

 

[Runcrazy]

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to type this all out!! I'm sure there are many other pears interested in this also! This looks like a nicely balanced workout. In general I eat very consistently clean but I do have a downfall for Snickers bars when I'm under a lot of stress - love that chocolate! I have everything you have so I may have to give this a try!

Again, thank you as we're all interested in each others success! And here's to thin thighs!

Jo

 

[candi]

If you don't mind me asking, what weight range is heavy? This would really help me.

 

[faie]

I think everyone has their own range of weights that they regard as heavy. Basically, I consider heavy weights to be the ones that push the muscles to failure after 8-10 reps. 'Failure' means that I cannot possibly eke out another rep until I get a minute of rest before proceeding to the next set.

 

[candi]

Do you go over forty lbs for legs?

 

[KathyH]

Hi Faie! You did it!!! I couldn't be more happier for you! I've always suggested to people on these forums to use a workout log as well as a nutrition journal & tweak it either one way or another to see if you get any results. Congrats again & keep up your awesome work! Kathy

 

[Jcrew3082]

Nice work, faie! That must have been such an exciting surprise! Keep up the great work.

 

[susanz]

Congrats to you! I know just how good you feel! I recently lost 15 pounds and can finally return to my "thin" jeans. I was so happy when I slipped on my old Levi's and they fit perfectly! My hubby likes it to! ;-) How I lost in the lower body was actually decreasing my weight training and incorporating pilates. It changed me in so many ways!! Keep up the great work - Susan

 

[faie]

Hello Candi,

The heaviest I went was 45lbs. I am capable of squatting heavier than that, but it's just that I cannot lift a 50lb barbell over my shoulders x( . I cannot rely on my husband to be my spotter (he'd make some jokes or worse he'd cop a feel when I squat, then I'd crack up and lose my concentration ), and I don't have a squat rack. The way I compensate for this is that I'd do warm up sets of squats or lunges with 12 lbs to pre-exhaust my legs and glutes before working with my barbell.

 

[rmrmr]

Congratulations Faie, from another fellow pear!!!! Thanks for sharing your rotation with us. I know we all respond differently, but it is always nice to know what others' are doing that bring them such success. Way to go and enjoy your "thin" jeans!!!!

Diana