Ahh! Thick legs!!

Ok, I have a question about something that has been bothering me every since I was like 12 or 13. I have ALWAYS (as far as I can remember) had thicker legs than all of the other girls. I have no clue as to why. It really, really bothers me because I am looking really good with working out and all, but I don't like the way my legs look! They look so...unproportional...to my body!

It isn't really flab; it's pretty solid. When I flex my legs, they bulk up even more! I think it might just be the way that my muscles and bone structure are? Is it possible that I could just have a lot of muscle in my leg?? They look fat though, even though I know that they aren't. It almost makes me feel less feminine because they aren't slender and curvy but are thick and wide. :( I am doing cardio and weight-training and the only difference I am noticing in my legs is that I actually think they might be getting BIGGER!! Should I stop weight-training with my legs??? It is really bothering me. Is there any way that I can slim my calves down, or am I stuck with this?? :(
 
Well, are you a well built person in general? Also, I have noticed that women tend to have thich thighs and legs, I tnink it's because of the task of carrying babie's but I am not sure.

I know some runners who's legs look very thick, but it is all muslce.
 
All women are built differently ... apparently bigger legs is your body type ... u probably gain weight in your thight/butt and not your stomach ... i have skinny legs and gain weight in my stomach that's my body type ... each to their own
 
I like me some thick legs, girl. Don't take your own word for it ;)

I'd recommend learning to deal with it. Exercising a muscle group is going to make those muscles bigger, yes. Your one option would be to train everything but the leg muscles so that they don't grow anymore (and potential, begin to shrink - but those leg muscles, some of the biggest muscles in your body, are going to help you burn a lot of calories).
 
ijt said:
I tnink it's because of the task of carrying babie's but I am not sure.


wha? I carry my babies w/my arms, but that' just me personal preference.
LOL. And carrying my babies have always been a joy, not a task ;).

It sounds like you have strong, sexy legs, girl!! so what if you don't have little chicken calves. I'm guessing you're *not* 5'2" and 110 lbs right? There is something to said for solid, physically and emotionally capable woman.
And you are confusing femininity with mostly unattainable social standards of "beauty." Femininity comes from within (yes I know I sound all new-age, self help book-y, but just go w/me here). Fem. is abt confidence and joy in being a woman. Women are amazing creatures.

um....there's more I could say, but I'll just sound weird.
I know you didnt ask for a pep talk, but you got it anyway. lol
 
i know exactly how you feel! im proportioned except it seems like i have HUGE legs!! i hate it! i see all these girls with teeny tiny legs and it makes me sick! but ive learned that i have naturally bigger legs. even when i was anorexic my legs weren't that small. im learning to love my body, work my hardest to get it in shape, and what i cant change.... just deal with it!!
 
And, just remember that there are LOTS of guys (like me and Fil) out there who absolutely love thick legs (not to mention a couple of other "big" areas)!

:)
 
I don't have a solution to your problem, just wanted to say that I feel your pain!! I, too, have huge calves and just all together bigger legs. I will never be able to be one of those perfectly skinny cute girls! There are others out there, you aren't alone ;) Hey, I guess we always want what we can't have, right?
 
Meh, I dont think very many men have problems with that. I know I don't, and I am 17...usually a very picky age about that stuff.
 
Hehe....this is all true!! Thanks, guys! (You better not be lying Fil & Rip to make me feel better) hehehe I guess the good part is that they are solid and don't have cellulite dimples or flab on them. Yay for that!
 
i feel your pain! i have always been a small girl with bigger, muscular thighs.

a lot of it is definitely genetic (thanks mom!) but a couple of things that worked to slim them down for me:

1. STRETCH! both before AND after workouts, ESPECIALLY running. this lengthens the muscles and keeps them from "bulking up".

2. if you do any kind of leg workout with weights, make sure you're using light weights and lots of reps instead of the other way around
 
Also, if you feel unproportional you can work on adding some muscle to your upper body to balance yourself out so you don't look so "pear-shaped."

~teresa
 
Thick legs?

If you read through the postings you will find that only women have a problem with thick legs. Let’s start with the term “thick” legs...I call them beautiful, or healthy, or curvaceous, or sexy legs. The term “thick” is a negative word trying to convey non-compliance with other “WOMEN”, “COMMERCIAL” concept of beauty. That’s right! Bombardment in the media of what other woman or fashion-conscious men think is pretty has screwed up women minds that believe that skinny, anorexic, flamingo, bony legs are what men want. Sweetheart…you know when you walk on the street showing off your legs, most men look at your legs approvingly. That tells you something about the beauty of your legs. That some women don’t like them and curse their luck? Well…As a man, I don’t care what another men think about my physical appearance. I am rather interested in women’s opinion. The important thing is really how do you feel about yourself. Once you understand that beauty is a matter of confidence, you can parade those muscular and curvaceous legs anywhere. Most men like curvy legs, most men (except the Fruit Loop crowd) dislike anorexic, skinny, and concentration camp legs. On your next post…How about showing an avatar with your legs? Woof…woof
 
If you do not feel that there's actual fat on your legs, then I would say, accept them as they are :) It sounds like you are well built, and some women just have bigger body types than others. The secret is to optimize your build, not try and de-tract from your natural body type. When people start trying to change their natural build, that's when things start going wrong. I would suggest keep your weight training for your legs lighter weights, but more reps so that you burn and not bulk. Hope this helped...
 
I think the grass is always greener. I have no meat to my legs at all, and I am always jealous of girls that have thicker legs because I think it looks athletic and sexy. More power to you girlie!
 
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