Am I To Blame?

[beachbum47]

So I have been aware of an ongoing problem that has bothered me for years. I have really big legs! I'm 5'4 and about 135 pounds. To break it down I have a semi muscular lean upper body because I do my push ups, sit ups, etc., my waist is actually slimmer than average, but my thighs and calves are just unproportional to my body. I think it is one of these reasons:
1. genetics because my dad, mom, brothers, and sister have it (in varying degrees)
2. I didn't run enough as a kid because my mom didn't put me in sports
3. I don't eat right???
Can someone please give me their opinion and if possible a solution that will WORK!!! Thanks. And by the way my name is Spencer.

 

[summer123]

The shape of your body? where your body fat, muscle and so what your overall physique is like? thats genetic.
The amount of muscle, the amount of fat and tapering the overall physique, thats down to you. You cannot change your overall physique (well, maybe if you took hormones and spent 8 hours a day working out or used surgeory you could) basicly, theres only so much you can do to change the figure you've been born with.

Let me give you an example: I used to be severaly anorexic. I had a BMI of somewhere between 13 and 14. I STILL had a belly- not a big one, but I could still see I had a belly and when I got my weight up, it grew. I relased again, BMI was 16 for a while, I was continually asked if I was expecting... I have both parents with "apple" shapes- fat lies around their core, slimmer arms and legs.
I however run and exercise alot now. I have built up my thighs and calves- they are muscular and are often too wide for normal sized trousers (gutting for a girl, trust me, even if it is muscle!) so my legs are maybe a little more in proportion then they otherwise would be. Its my way of doing what I can as try as hard as I might, I cannot get my waist fat into order and have a proportionate figure.

If your dead set on your body fat going down, it can be done, but if your wary of where the fat is laid, please try not to worry overly as theres not much that can be done. Maybe get your hormones checked out I'd say but the position you have said the fat is laid is not one I recognise as being a reaction to a hormone inbalance.

 

[biggestloser105]

So I have been aware of an ongoing problem that has bothered me for years. I have really big legs! I'm 5'4 and about 135 pounds. To break it down I have a semi muscular lean upper body because I do my push ups, sit ups, etc., my waist is actually slimmer than average, but my thighs and calves are just unproportional to my body. I think it is one of these reasons:
1. genetics because my dad, mom, brothers, and sister have it (in varying degrees)
2. I didn't run enough as a kid because my mom didn't put me in sports
3. I don't eat right???
Can someone please give me their opinion and if possible a solution that will WORK!!! Thanks. And by the way my name is Spencer.

I don't think at your weight and height it's possible for you to have "really big legs". It sounds like you have a pear shaped body. Two things you can do is either lose weight, which will make you smaller all over including your legs. Or you can work on changing your body composition to being more muscular because muscle is half the size of fat for the same weight. For example you could lose fat, and gain some muscle in your upper body to change your proportions. Or you could just try gaining muscle in your upper body without losing weight to change your proportion. Other than that, you could have liposuction done to sculpt your body, but honestly it's just risky and expensive.

By the way a pear shaped body is not a bad thing, having a small waist and wide hips is a pretty attractive trait as far as sexual attractiveness goes. Men generally prefer shapelier behind/legs to stick thin if that's your concern.

 

[beachbum47]

I don't think you understand what it's like to have a "pair-shaped" body if you don't have one yourself. It sucks. First of all whenever I wear shorts, be it P.E. or recreational, people always stare at them and I can see that they are. I have had lots of people tell me, "you have big legs". Pants are sometimes uncomfortable because they are tight around the thighs and when I sit down my legs just spread out onto the chair. I also think it affects my ability to run long distance because they are heavy. But hey, that's just me.

 

[summer123]

I don't think you understand what it's like to have a "pair-shaped" body if you don't have one yourself. It sucks. First of all whenever I wear shorts, be it P.E. or recreational, people always stare at them and I can see that they are. I have had lots of people tell me, "you have big legs". Pants are sometimes uncomfortable because they are tight around the thighs and when I sit down my legs just spread out onto the chair. I also think it affects my ability to run long distance because they are heavy. But hey, that's just me.

Trust me, I may not understand what it is to be pear shaped, but I do understand what it is to be apple shaped. I get asked if I am pregnant. Even in the fits of anorexia, BMI 15 I was asked if I was pregnant!
Clothes now at a healthy weight, most of the time do not fit unless I get a black bag type outfit in the next size up- my waist and bottom are too large for jeans to look good. But the top of me? not in proportion, the legs and thighs? not in proportion! I'd rather look like a pear then a snowman!!

And I'd rather be told "you have big legs" then "are you pregnant?" followed by "are you sure?" followed by "have you just had a baby then..." as if they just can't take the point the first time they have to keep rubbing it in. And it also affects my ability to do certain exercises. But you know what? I work around it.

Look, I am sure we'd all love to have slender ectomorph type figures which run on endless amounts of calories yet lose weight or maintain a low weight, fact is that most of us don't. Instead out only options are to try to be as healthy as we possibly can and work to train against the grain. It can be done. It may hurt more and maybe there are things that are better suited (eg using the bike rather then the treadmill in your case) but it is possible to work around a body shape. I know as I already to.

 

[beachbum47]

Come to think about it I would say I am more of an hourglass shape because I work out my upper body frequently enough. I'm not sure if that's relevant but it's not the same as a pair so I just wanted to throw that out there. Back on topic, it would seem you have a problem similar to mine. Do you believe that it is genetics and that there is nothing we can do about it?

 

[summer123]

Come to think about it I would say I am more of an hourglass shape because I work out my upper body frequently enough. I'm not sure if that's relevant but it's not the same as a pair so I just wanted to throw that out there. Back on topic, it would seem you have a problem similar to mine. Do you believe that it is genetics and that there is nothing we can do about it?

As far as body shape goes, theres nothing you can do to change everything- for eg, I know I will never have an hour glass figure. I will always have an odd shape- larger then most around the waist. But I know that I can do my best to taper what I have to make it closer to what I want it to be. I can train my legs to be more muscular so my belly doesn't stick out so much (used to have very slender legs, my thighs were only an inch larger then my calves!) I now have problems fitting into slim cutting jeans.... (out of the frying pan, into the fire...) but at least I don't have such a huge looking stomach in comparison.

Both my parents have this problem, its very obvious to see- even my mum at 51 gets questioned on if she is expecting! My father is just very round, it looks like a beer belly on a grand scale but he rarely ever drinks and when he does its red wine. (He does eat like theres no tomorrow though).

I find that rethinking your exercise routine- what you find hard and working on that can help. Think about what you want to tone up, add muscle to. Bear in mind muscle wont show until the fat ontop is out of the way yet if you disporportionatly hold onto fat in certain areas its not so likely to show so be wary of toning and adding bulk instead of form. EG, I used to do loads and loads of abs, I ended up with a stomach that looked even rounder. I was adding bulk and the fat was spoiling any definition that all those abs did (and trust me, it was hours each week!) Took me a while to realise and I cut the abs. I still do a few occasionally but nowhere near as much as before. I have not really noticed any difference besides my ability to go 5 mins doing sit ups and not stop has now ceased!
My legs however have far more definition, you can see muscle shape (all be it with cellulite and lots of it!) It just goes to show that fat is not really proportional all over your body. You will lose weight all over if you do work on losing weight but there will always be a disproportional amount in certain areas depending on your genetics which cannot be changed. Annoying, very often heart breaking but true.

 

[beachbum47]

As far as body shape goes, theres nothing you can do to change everything- for eg, I know I will never have an hour glass figure. I will always have an odd shape- larger then most around the waist. But I know that I can do my best to taper what I have to make it closer to what I want it to be. I can train my legs to be more muscular so my belly doesn't stick out so much (used to have very slender legs, my thighs were only an inch larger then my calves!) I now have problems fitting into slim cutting jeans.... (out of the frying pan, into the fire...) but at least I don't have such a huge looking stomach in comparison.

Both my parents have this problem, its very obvious to see- even my mum at 51 gets questioned on if she is expecting! My father is just very round, it looks like a beer belly on a grand scale but he rarely ever drinks and when he does its red wine. (He does eat like theres no tomorrow though).

I find that rethinking your exercise routine- what you find hard and working on that can help. Think about what you want to tone up, add muscle to. Bear in mind muscle wont show until the fat ontop is out of the way yet if you disporportionatly hold onto fat in certain areas its not so likely to show so be wary of toning and adding bulk instead of form. EG, I used to do loads and loads of abs, I ended up with a stomach that looked even rounder. I was adding bulk and the fat was spoiling any definition that all those abs did (and trust me, it was hours each week!) Took me a while to realise and I cut the abs. I still do a few occasionally but nowhere near as much as before. I have not really noticed any difference besides my ability to go 5 mins doing sit ups and not stop has now ceased!
My legs however have far more definition, you can see muscle shape (all be it with cellulite and lots of it!) It just goes to show that fat is not really proportional all over your body. You will lose weight all over if you do work on losing weight but there will always be a disproportional amount in certain areas depending on your genetics which cannot be changed. Annoying, very often heart breaking but true.

I am putting a lot of effort into this subject because 1)I want to wrestle for my high school team for my second year now. In this sport (and I don't know how many others) having big legs is definitely a downside because it is useless weight that keeps me at a higher weight class and thus lowering my chances at winning (I feel and look akward in a singlet as well). 2)It would also help in the long run to look better.

On what you were saying, would you say that if you have a lot of fat in an area and start to work that part of your body out then you will either lose the fat and then start to build muscle or will you just build the fat on top of the muscle? For me, they are kind of meshed together. When I used to run a lot I could flex my legs and they would be solid but still big. I just don't know what to do anymore.

 

[biggestloser105]

I don't think you understand what it's like to have a "pair-shaped" body if you don't have one yourself. It sucks. First of all whenever I wear shorts, be it P.E. or recreational, people always stare at them and I can see that they are. I have had lots of people tell me, "you have big legs". Pants are sometimes uncomfortable because they are tight around the thighs and when I sit down my legs just spread out onto the chair. I also think it affects my ability to run long distance because they are heavy. But hey, that's just me.

I have a pear shaped body as well, though considerably larger than yours. It's pretty common for women to store more fat in the lower rather than the upper body (this changes after menopause where women start storing fat in the upper body like men, which by the way is associated with health risks). When I was of a low weight (my lowest was about 120lbs at 5'5"), I still had a pear shaped body.

I am curious who told you that you have big legs, and what their intentions were. Shapely legs on a woman of your size are a sexually attractive trait the way breasts are, so are you sure it wasn't girls with bony legs/butt saying that to you out of jealousy?

Since you're young and growing, the best way for you to change your look is just to start training for your wrestling. Do more muscle exercises, run, and eat well. Since muscle takes up less space than fat, by keeping your weight the same but changing the proportion of muscle you will change your overall size including the size of your legs.

I wouldn't really do anything extreme in terms of weight loss, because you're not overweight and since you're growing you need the nutrition for your health.

 

[Spinner19641]

I am assuming you are a woman - if not then please disregard (particularly the fashion advice!)...

I have large legs compared to my upper body. When I was in my 20's my waist was 25" and my thighs 23" - it was like having a waist on each thigh! Now I am in my 40's I have a 27" waist and still 23" thighs. It used to bug me a lot. Made me self conscious and insecure.

Here's my older woman take on it:

- yes, I work out my upper and lower body and it has helped with my proportions
- using a spinner bike to resistance, speed and on my feet I have developed strong thigh & calf muscles
- my legs might not be smaller now but they are much better shaped
- yes, there is a lot of muscle & far more fat (than I would like) but at least it's shaped better
- short shorts are not much of an option so I wear knee length fitted bike shorts (you can always wear short shorts over the top & that could look very cute)
- I also wear a lot of very straight stretch skirts (2" above the knee) to create the illusion of long legs but the bulk in the thighs is concealed
- I have learned that stretch skinny or straight jeans (with a 2" plus heel) can be more flattering that the boot cut or flair that supposedly suit pear shapes
- in fact people think I have great legs but I have simply learned how to dress them well
- I am also now well impressed by how strong my legs are...I have just taken up motorbike training and can handle a 160kg ex army bike because my legs are so strong

As someone who has wasted a lot of time fretting over heavier legs it really isn't worth it. Not one single man in my life has ever disliked my legs - quite the opposite!

None of us are perfect and we are our own worst critics. The trick is to make the most of what we have - take care of ourselves, dress well and walk tall! You just need to make friends with your womanly figure and maximise what you have.

 

[biggestloser105]

As someone who has wasted a lot of time fretting over heavier legs it really isn't worth it. Not one single man in my life has ever disliked my legs - quite the opposite!

That's what I hear from men too, men are attracted to legs and behind with shape to them. The stick thin legs are more attractive to fashion conscious women, but what's the point of impressing them (unless the OP is gay obviously).

Since the OP is still in high school, it might really be that some girls there made comments about her legs the way flat chested girls might make comments about another girl's larger breasts.

 

[summer123]

On what you were saying, would you say that if you have a lot of fat in an area and start to work that part of your body out then you will either lose the fat and then start to build muscle or will you just build the fat on top of the muscle? For me, they are kind of meshed together. When I used to run a lot I could flex my legs and they would be solid but still big. I just don't know what to do anymore.

I would say if you have alot of fat in one area, don't bother working on that area; you cannot spot reduce fat, no exercise will spot reduce fat, at best it will build muscle. If you don't get rid of the fat on top, you will never see that muscle. Aim to reduce your calorie intake, this will lose you fat though its likely to be chosen overall and not from one area.

I worked to tone up the muscles around my problem area, thus making things look in proportion. I build my legs up to give them muscle so they looked in proportion to my stomach.

And the only way you will build fat on top of the muscle is by over eating, you can though, build up the muscle so its shaped and if there is fat on top, this will give a wonderful plumping effect- you make the fat look worse.

Rule no.1 of exercising; don't even bother thinking about spot reduction, only cosmetic surgery can do that, exercise (cardio) will lose you weight overall of wherever your genetics want it to go from.

 

[Spinner19641]

That's what I hear from men too, men are attracted to legs and behind with shape to them. The stick thin legs are more attractive to fashion conscious women, but what's the point of impressing them (unless the OP is gay obviously).

Since the OP is still in high school, it might really be that some girls there made comments about her legs the way flat chested girls might make comments about another girl's larger breasts.

True, women can be very competitive and the harshest judges of themselves and other women. It's a shame. I remember the womens movements in the 70's and 80's and we were far more supportive of one another.

As for mens preferences...you are absolutely right! Men tell me even now I have a smokin' bod! So clearly we women don't know what men like! And if we go back 1,000's of years the 'pear' shape was the ultimate fertility symbol. Small waists, wider hips and rounded butt & thighs was the target bod. The fashion industry (& snippy jealous women) can say whatever they want but men are men and they know what they like!

But even with all that it comes down to self acceptance. Like many women I struggled with that for a long time until I realised I was just making myself unhappy and not enjoying my life as much as I could. Once I got into my 40's I decided I was running out of time and just how much more time did I want to waste feeling inadequate in some way. It's taken a while to train myself out of negative self percpetions (it's a bad habit & promoted by a judgemental society) but I have learned to enjoy being who and what I am.

I think that's why I have found this site interesting. So many of OPs say things I once would have said too and it helps me understand how far I have shifted my self perceptions. And it isn't easy to identify much less shift that - self perceptions are formed at any early age and become entrenched thinking and guide our behaviours.

 

[biggestloser105]

So clearly we women don't know what men like! And if we go back 1,000's of years the 'pear' shape was the ultimate fertility symbol. Small waists, wider hips and rounded butt & thighs was the target bod. The fashion industry (& snippy jealous women) can say whatever they want but men are men and they know what they like!

The thing is, the OP is not even overweight. At 5'4" 134 lbs she is of a healthy weight. Any time they do a study on what men like vs. what women like, it's the women who find the ultra thin model body type the best while the men like a body type within the healthy range and with more muscle tone.

It's really unfortunate that healthy young women feel bad about their bodies.

 

[Spinner19641]

The thing is, the OP is not even overweight. At 5'4" 134 lbs she is of a healthy weight. Any time they do a study on what men like vs. what women like, it's the women who find the ultra thin model body type the best while the men like a body type within the healthy range and with more muscle tone.

It's really unfortunate that healthy young women feel bad about their bodies.

I know. When we are younger we tend to want to 'fit in' but it's tougher than it used to be. I have many mature women friends (40's) who are struggling under the pressure.

And you are right, the OP is not overweight but I have scanned some of the threads on this site and many of the young women are targetting to be a BMI of low 20's or less.

 

[biggestloser105]

I know. When we are younger we tend to want to 'fit in' but it's tougher than it used to be. I have many mature women friends (40's) who are struggling under the pressure.

And you are right, the OP is not overweight but I have scanned some of the threads on this site and many of the young women are targetting to be a BMI of low 20's or less.

I guess, though low 20's BMI is still fairly middle of the road. With healthy BMI ranging from 18.5-25. A BMI of 21.8 is the middle of the healthy range BMI. The OP is at 23 which is pretty close to that, and if she wrestles she probably has muscle mass which makes her look leaner for that size.

I think the young women who are into being really thin want underweight BMI's. I remember as a teenager weighing about 130-140 at 5'5" some of my skinny friends the same height weighed 100-105lbs. I used to be really jealous of their thinness, but thankfully now I grew out of it and consider that kind of low weight ugly and dried out.

 

[beachbum47]

Ummm... I don't know where all you guys got the idea that I'm a girl but I'm not (I said I wrestled, how many girls do you know that wrestle and so I was just assuming...). I'm just a self-conscious dude that wants to look better. Like today in P.E. I go down to sit beside a guy I just recently met in the class, he looks at my legs for like 5 seconds straight then tells me, "you have reeaaallly big calves" and I was just like ........ It gets really annoying in all aspects of it really.

 

[biggestloser105]

Ummm... I don't know where all you guys got the idea that I'm a girl but I'm not (I said I wrestled, how many girls do you know that wrestle and so I was just assuming...). I'm just a self-conscious dude that wants to look better. Like today in P.E. I go down to sit beside a guy I just recently met in the class, he looks at my legs for like 5 seconds straight then tells me, "you have reeaaallly big calves" and I was just like ........ It gets really annoying in all aspects of it really.

I'm sorry, I assumed you were a girl because by default I was thinking in terms of adults and since adult men (especially on a weight loss forum) generally weigh quite a bit more than 134 I just figured you were a girl.

Still, usually the guys I talk to struggle with the opposite problem of having legs that aren't muscular enough. Are your legs big because of muscles or because of fat? Do you happen to know your body fat percentage? How old are you by the way?

 

[beachbum47]

I am 17 and would have to say between 10% and 14% body fat, but it doesn't make sense to me because I feel that I should be higher. It is a see it to believe it kind of thing.

I also noticed that guys want bigger and more muscular legs and I wonder why. There is nothing good about them.

 

[biggestloser105]

I am 17 and would have to say between 10% and 14% body fat, but it doesn't make sense to me because I feel that I should be higher. It is a see it to believe it kind of thing.

I also noticed that guys want bigger and more muscular legs and I wonder why. There is nothing good about them.

Decently muscular legs are attractive on men, probably why men want to develop them. But also it would mean you're stronger and more able to perform in physical activities, no?

I think because your weight and body fat are so low, it's very unlikely that the size of your legs is due to fat. Why are your legs muscular? Do you do activities like biking that would account for it? If you are really bothered by the size of your legs, you could always drop muscle by cutting the activity that has developed your legs.

But are you absolutely sure that your legs are unattractive? I still have to wonder how big can your legs be given that you only weigh 134 and your body fat is 10-14%. I mean my goal weight is 130lbs at 5'5" with a body fat of 21-24%. I was this weight before and I was quite skinny! You're male so your skeleton likely is bigger and weighs more than mine, also fat takes up twice as much room as muscle so it's just hard for me to imagine that your legs can be that big! What is the circumference of your thigh/calf?