"HELP" my top part has lost weight but the bottom is hanging around =(

[mandyMO 67]

I have lost 112lbs and the top part has slimmed down but my big legs are still there! I've done squats and walked ! What more can I do to get these legs muscled up? Someone please help ! I still have quit a bit to loose . Do I just need to be patient?

[Noturningback15 45]

We are upside down! LOL! My upper body is so big compared to my lower body now! I must admit I love the elliptical and bike so I am not working my upper body as much. Since you are doing your workouts on both areas you may just have to wait until it catches up or just do the elliptical for a while and see what happens.

[reverie 49]

Can't spot reduce fat sadly. You have 78lbs more to go so I'd say be patient. My legs were the last to go but theyre toning/losing fat quite nicely now (thanks Plyometrics!)

Maybe do some lunges, weighted squats, jump squats, and wall squats, but even then you're just building muscle under fat, so your legs may not appear to be smaller. Be patient

[Babe 0]

i think it's just patience, and more hard work. Also, you might want to try Pilates. It's great for toning your muscles and your core. The last time I took a mat class, I noticed a significant change on my hip and thighs (not to mention my abs!). Another thing would be to change your cardio workout to include the elliptical or stairmaster - they focus on more leg muscles than just walking.

Good Luck

[sassybandster 1]

I have the same issue. I've always carried most of my weight in my lower half. I've been doing the elliptical for at least 30 min a day 3-4 days a week plus strenght training and I have noticed that my legs are getting more toned and smaller. It takes time. You can do it! Don't give up! Try the elliptical or the stair master.

[mandyMO 67]

Thanks everybody I so appreciate the input! It helps out so much.

[Kymbethin 0]

Mandy,

The quickest advice I can give you as a certified personal trainer, is focus on cardio, your legs (quads, hams, gluts) are the biggest muscles in your body, when you increase your cardio your muscles will automatically react to the caloric burn. The best exercises are:

Stairmaster - the great thing about this machine is that you can move at a slower pace and receive the same effect as working out like a maniac. You can use a setting of >5 for great results in small increments like 10 minutes at a time.

Spin Class - the opposite end of the spectrum from the stairmaster, but you will yield FANTASTIC results! You can burn up to about 800 calories during an hour long class!

Interval Run/walking on a treadmill - warm up for 5 minutes, sprint for one minute, incline walk for 2 or 3 minutes (or as long as you can without holding on to the bar), then repeat, do this for 30 minutes a few times a week and you will see amazing results.

:Banane43:Jump roping is great too, but it takes a lot of endurance, work your way up to jump roping for at least 2 to 3 minutes a time with a 30 sec break in between (with active rest like crunches, walking in place or anything that will keep your heart rate elevated).

Your body is an amazing machine and what has happened is that it has adapted to the elliptical, change up your routine to create muscle confusion and you will get the results you desire!

Good Luck!

[Acadia 20]

I second Kymbethin's advice.

Focus on cardio and fat loss right now - not muscle building on your legs. Muscle building (squats, lunges, etc.) will make your legs bigger initially. You'll get enough of a leg workout doing cardio.

Burn the fat, your legs will show. The more leg exercises you do, the bigger your legs will be until the fat is gone.