Dear MizFit,
I tried on my bathing suit last night and was unhappy with one particular part of my body (besides my post baby tummy) and was wondering if you could help. My inner thighs!! I have taken up running (started in Feb) and have been weight training since December but for some reason my inner thighs are not coming along as like the rest of my body. Is cardio the way to slim that area down? Or should I be doing tons of lunges or something like that? Just thought I would see what your thoughts are 
I have just recently stumbled upon your website –
It’s so inspiring and fun – kudos to you!!
Thanks,
Anyone else remember when Suzanne Somers was all about her Thighmaster? It was the late 80’s, MizFit was starting college, and she was *all about* the promise of the Master as well.
Alas that, and the myriad other spot-reducing plans I tried, didnt work.
I, like you emailer, tend to hang on to my inner leg fat (how unappetizing do *those* three words sound?) while the fat in other places (please to see ta-tas, knockers, or bazumbas) seems to melt away.
The great news? Youre doing everything correctly. The running, weight training (including your lunges) and the clean eating I *know* youre doing will, eventually, result in leaner inner thighs.
I promise.
All of us have those stubborn areas which are the last to go—-but depart they do. Keep doing what you’re doing!
—–
MizFit,
I workout all the time and find that I feel really guilty when I take a day off. I get really grumpy too. Because of this I actually try and avoid taking any days off from the gym which people say isnt good. why?
I love my bracelet. Maybe it is motivating me too much ( ha ha)
OK.
Because I dont know the specifics behind your email Im going to address it through the lens of “you can get so much more out of your workouts if you give your body time to rest & recover.”
There is, in fact, something known as activity disorder.
This may be something which you would find interesting to read more about—but there are far more elements to it than simply feeling uncomfortable taking a day of rest.
BOTTOM LINE? When it comes to exercise more (of a good thing) isnt necessarily better.
You dont mention what types of workouts you do but if weight training is involved and you’re seeking to add some muscle to your frame **rest** is required so that your body can repair, heal and GROW the muscles you’re working to achieve.
When I discovered weight training I was addicted from the start. I loved how my muscles grew so I lifted those same muscles (and the same exercises but that’s a blog post for a different day) 5 days a week.
On back to back days.
BingBangBoom my muscles began to grow smaller as I repeatedly tore them down & never allowed them time to rest/repair.
Thankfully I was fortunate enough not to injure myself (how? I shall never know) which can also result from over-training/too much exercising.
If your routine contains high levels of cardiovascular exercise studies have shown that this can serve to shrink (!) your heart and lungs.
What happens is your body adapts to your extended periods of cardio by downsizing your cardiovascular system in an effort to help your body cope with the stress of your workouts.
What I would recommend is that you begin to employ a few days a week of active rest (walking, swimming for *fun* etc) working toward adding at least one day a week of full-on rest to your workout routine.
Listen to your body.
Is it giving you signs of being over-trained? Of needing a break from your intense routine? Perhaps it’s time to listen and give it the *gift* of what it seeks.
I stumbled upon this quote (written by this blogger) while blog-reading last week and it supports with real-world evidence what Im struggling to explain via words (she’s referring to taking a break from running):
I’m feeling good for being back out there. It totally made my 4 days off well worth the relaxation!
Perhaps, emailer, entertain the notion of feeling the GRUMP but taking the break anyway?
It’ll make the joy of starting your workouts again that much more pleasurable.
MizFits? Additional thoughts?
Have you overcome feeling ornery when you skip a workout? Suzanne Somers’d your way to concave thighs? Hit us up in the comments.
Crabby McSlacker says
June 4, 2008 at 4:22 amGreat advice, Mizfit. It’s so tempting to think “more” is better, but it just doesn’t work that way. And in the long run, learning how to “go easy” at times will keep exercise a lifelong habit rather than just a temporary phase that you burn out on.
(And yeah, I get very, very ornery when something interferes and I can’t work out on a normal schedule.)
Marianne says
June 4, 2008 at 4:46 amOooh, the dreaded thigh glob. I had it even at 99 pounds. I’ve decided that the cure is longer shorts and bathing suit (can’t bear to look at mine yet) cover-ups.
So M, for those of us with knees of glass, what, besides lunges, can one do to tone up the legs? I’ve been doing the recumbent stair stepper and ibuprofen, but lunges, well, let’s just say that my knees are not prepared to handle THAT much weight!!!
Personally, I don’t see what’s wrong with going to the gym every day if it makes our new friend happy–as long as she isn’t doing Iron Woman Training every day? Maybe she’s just doing cardio in a place where children, mountains of laundry, a sink full of dishes, and the home office aren’t screaming for her attention….
Happy Hump Day!
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 4:50 amCompletely agree, Marianne about it NOT being the number of days *at* the gym or working out but more about this:
I feel really guilty when I take a day off. I get really grumpy too.
The feelings of guilt.
(more on the leg stuff soon.)
M.
Nita says
June 4, 2008 at 5:01 amOMG! You said it right when you mentioned disappearing ta-tas while other fat just hangs on forever. Why in the world would boobies go away? We need those! We don’t need the bulges of fat on the thighs.
Life can be so cruel sometimes.
hughsmom says
June 4, 2008 at 5:13 amAll I know is that when I was exercising – at home to DVDs all winter – and really going great guns with no rest day I totally hit the wall and burned out. I went months w/out doing a thing, because I was that fried. As guilty as ya feel about that rest day…take it! Working out is a huge commitment to “self” – I still feel guilty about my trips to the gym because it’s all about ME ME ME, but I’m working on getting over that. If you are grumpy on your rest day – go for a nice walk, ride a bike, mall walk – whatever ya got so you feel like you are doing “something” for yourself. I get a little resentful now if things come up that might keep me from doing “something” for me. That’s a good thing.
Ahhhh – thigh fat. At my advanced weight, i’ve just learned to deal with it. The swimsuit cover up thing is gooooood. When I reach my goal weight and maintain it, I am going to coerce my friends into recommending me for Extreme Makeover or something.
Anne Keckler | ACSM Certified Personal Trainer says
June 4, 2008 at 6:13 amThigh Fat:
As you said, spot reduction just doesn’t work. There are no secret exercises you can do to make fat disappear from a specific part of your body. Our genetics (along with, to some extent, our gender) determine where we hold onto fat, and for women it is often our thighs and hips. (I’m an apple, so for me it’s actually my belly, which isn’t any better!)
Some women have to get to a very low bodyfat level in order to lose that last stubborn bit of bodyfat. Your reader may choose not to go that low for various reasons, so the other option is to just live with it. Or get lipo.
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 6:20 amGreat point Anne. And one I failed to make about the lowlow levels of bodyfat needed for most women to lose that last little bit.
One word: dangerous.
Id say a sarong and a SMILE are better any day.
M.
Fitarella says
June 4, 2008 at 6:21 amyou bees wicked smaht lady. always great advice.
i love my rest days because I feel so strong in the next workout. if the intensity is right & the quality of the workouts high then its easy to justify the time to recover, at least for me….
charlotte says
June 4, 2008 at 7:02 amUm, MizFit? So kind of you to publish TWO letters from me in the same day! Oh wait – I didn’t write these. But I totally could have, lol! Seriously, First Writer – the top of the inner thigh is the last place most of lose weight and the first place most of us gain it. The good news? Carrying your weight there has been linked to heart HEALTH, lower diabetes and SMARTER babies. Someday Hollywood will get on board with curvy thighs. My no-boobs though… that’s another story.
As for the second letter? I totally relate. I need my daily exercise to regulate my mood. But I also force myself to take one rest day a week because I’ve overtrained before and you WILL feel like crap. I agree with MizFit that the guilt is a sign that you might be using the exercise for unhealthy reasons. Not to plug my own blog on here but I did a post on Exercise Dependency that talked about Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s struggle with it. Or, just look up the interview she did with Fitness mag – she talks about it in there.
Allison says
June 4, 2008 at 7:04 amI too have trouble not feeling guilty about rest days, but I am learning to enjoy them and on those days just make more of an effort to play with the kids, go on family bike rides (which is not at all intense as my son’s bike doesn’t have gears). I do struggle to keep leisurely walks from becoming power walks but when I see how much better I feel after taking it easy, I know it is worth it. Plus, having days when I just go for a bike ride by myself rather than hitting the gym, make exercise seem so much more enjoyable and less of a chore.
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 7:07 amPlug away, Charlotte (click her name to read if youre not ALREADY a longtimefan) and thanks for mentioning the smarter/better heart health/lower risk of diabetes piece.
M.
Missicat says
June 4, 2008 at 7:19 amAh yes, two things my trainers had to drum into my head: spot training does not work, and there are no magic pills for weight loss (*sob*).
I hear ya on the overtraining, am actually taking tonight off because I am just wiped out. Now I have to force myself NOT to feel guilty.
Vered says
June 4, 2008 at 7:23 amI agree that some areas take longer to improve. I LOVE your advice to just keep working instead of trying shortcuts. In my experience too, if you keep at it, eat healthy and workout regularly, there WILL be overall improvement.
I like that you are pragmatic and down-to-earth.
mousearoo says
June 4, 2008 at 7:25 amYou lost me at Suzanne Somers and Thighmaster.
*shudder*
But you’re right; focus on the quality of your workouts over quantity (you don’t have to LIVE at the gym) and for the love of dog, give yourself a break.
Things work out in the end
Mallory says
June 4, 2008 at 7:33 amI work out 6 days a week, but thats only so I don’t fall of the wagon. It has become so routine that I don’t think about skipping it anymore. I do miss days here and there for holidays and such and that suits me well.
I think the last thing to go for me will be my belly, ugh!
Valerie says
June 4, 2008 at 7:46 amAh, yes, the Rest Day Guilt. How well I know it…oh, wait, no I don’t.
I love me my Rest Days.
I never feel guilty anymore for taking my rest days. (Yes, plural, I take TWO a week! Gasp!) I used to feel guilty, when I was still trying to Do Everything Right and be Exercise Barbie. But along the way…I realized that my body needed them. It needed them as much as it needed the exercise on my On Days. So…if I was really all about doing what was good for my body…I should actually feel guilty if I SKIPPED a rest day, right?
It took some massive overtraining burnout to teach me that lesson though, so if the writer isn’t feeling overtrained, maybe it’s harder to think that way? All I know is that now, for me, rest days are like dark chocolate – something I am continually amazed is actually GOOD for me (in small quantities of course!) and I delight in it, feeling both virtuous and slightly sinful, which is an awesome combination.
V.
The Bag Lady says
June 4, 2008 at 7:50 amThe Bag Lady feels guilty all the time because she doesn’t “work-out” the same way that y’all mean working out. She doesn’t go to the gym, or run, or do “cardio”. She just does her ranching. Walking out to check cows 4 or 5 times a day, gardening, moving immense piles of firewood (again!), and doing housework.
Which is probably why she will never lose the belly. Sigh.
How do you women with children and “real” jobs find time to work out?
Rachel says
June 4, 2008 at 8:10 amWow, this was fun reading today.
First of all, you people need a running SKORT! Hides the leg fat and you look great in them. Also, prevents all forms of nasty chaffing going on when thighs rub together.
Ok, I AM GUILTY EMAILER number #2! Not really, but I could have written it as well. I tend to do 6 workouts a week. 3-4 running, 2 cycling, + core work. On my days **off** I try to do at least one core workout + stretching routine. So, not really a day off, heh?
Yes, I am struggling with inflammed knees from too tight IT bands.
So what do I give up???
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 8:23 amDang Rachel.
I’d be exhausted.
Anyone else?
And Valerie? I love your rest/dark choc parallel.
As always I learn more in the comments than I do writing the answers…
M.
Mercedes says
June 4, 2008 at 8:26 amI always joke that my thighs would still rub together even if I were a size 0 (which is likely only in a parallel universe, BTW). My small amount of stubborn “batwing” fat is what wigs me out. Grrr.
After a few burnouts and muscle injuries, I have embraced the rest days. Did I mention I have to learn everything the hard way? Balancing workouts, physical therapy, and proper rest has been a challenge.
Sagan says
June 4, 2008 at 8:28 amYesterday I went dress shopping (because summer = necessary time to buy pretty clothes!) and I found a gorgeous dress that fit perfectly everywhere… except in the chest. The chest was HUGE on me. Since I’ve been working out I swear I’ve gone DOWN a cup size. Jeez. It’s especially frustrating when you don’t got nothing there to begin with!
I’m a total exercise addict. But usually on Saturday and Sunday I’ll end up being really lazy and just go for a light stroll or something to get in my resting time.
Bag Lady- I’d consider your ranching to be as good of a workout (if not better) than the going-to-the-gym type. The type of work you do is REAL work! Also, the gardening business and such (grueling as it can be) is much more enjoyable than running hamster-style on a treadmill:)
Eileen says
June 4, 2008 at 8:33 amThe inner thigh fat is a killer, isn’t it? But I’m just going to keep at it, and hopefully the measurements will just keep going down.
I sometimes feel like getting in a workout on my rest days as well, but I force myself to keep them as rest days. I would rather rest now, then risk the possibility of injury or burnout.
Gena says
June 4, 2008 at 8:38 amOh, inner thighs, how I loathe thee!
Seriously, the inner thigh fat will always be there. You can shrink it a little bit, but I don’t think it ever goes away unless you are airbrused. Instead of focusing on how I don’t like my inner thigh fat, I focus on how I *love* my defined quads and what a nice curve my hamstrings make. Pointing out the things you like about your body will help you feel better about those you don’t like!
Re: Guilt about taking days off; well, I don’t have it! The only time I feel guilty is if I miss a scheduled workout. Overall, though, I am a lazy person, so days off are just the most wonderful thing ever! Of course I do work out 5-6 days a week.
Take the rest day. Your body will thank you and you’ll be less prone to burn out!
Heather says
June 4, 2008 at 8:52 am1- I’m going with not worrying smooshing my body to an “acceptable” size. Instead, I think I’ll wait until “Hollywood will get on board with curvy thighs” (yeah I know, not in my lifetime, but I love the sentiment anyway).
2- BagLady is my MizFit hero of the day. In fact, I’m wanting her to do a MizFit camp.
3- I’m BATTLING with the rest day thing. Didn’t take one on Sunday after pushing myself on Saturday, and my shin splints got so bad that I’m having to take three days off instead of one or two a week. I’m only allowed to swim and with the hubby working round the clock and the two-year old being . . . a two-year old, that means kicking my legs in the wading pool this afternoon. Learning to embrace my rest days is all about the activity obsession thing for me. I’m totally with those of you who say it makes my mood better, but I’m willing to admit that it’s more a fear of magically gaining 10 pounds on the rest day and not being able to “control” my eating (which running helps with for some reason–I don’t feel out of control either way on days that I run).
*Sigh*. Can I get a rest day from housework?
Nitmos says
June 4, 2008 at 9:02 amQuality work outs are ALWAYS better than quantity work outs. Well said. Other than enjoying (as a male) the pure spectacle of the Thighmaster infomercials, I could never accept Chrissy Snow as a spokesperson. I was always more of a Teri the Nurse guy. Alas, she never had an exercise device.
Keep running Mizfit!
The Bag Lady says
June 4, 2008 at 9:09 amSagan – thanks!
Heather – that’s so sweet! The Bag Lady has never been anyone’s hero before!
Mizfit Camp at the Ranch – what a cool concept!!!
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 9:14 amBL?
Ive invited myself before
you KNOW I’m in….
M.
Jen says
June 4, 2008 at 9:34 amI HATE the inner thigh flab! I was hoping for a magical cure. Are you saying that chia won’t make it go away????
mamarunswithscissors says
June 4, 2008 at 10:25 ami heart the running skort!!
looks so much better than the spandex shorts!
bummer about no magical cure for the thighs! i was sure i was going to stumble upon it when i started reading this post!……at least my babies are going to be waaaaaay smart!:)
Ann says
June 4, 2008 at 10:36 amI learned to take rest days when I realized that I was on the road to permanent injuries that would prevent me from living an active life in the future. I’m trying to do good for my body, not punish myself for being a curvy female who likes food…
WeightingGame says
June 4, 2008 at 10:45 ami really ID with the message about feeling guilty for taking a day off – but there’s a catch. If I’ve planned on not working out (say I have a very busy Friday coming up and know I won’t get to squeeze anything in), then I am FINE. No problem. But if I am planning on working out and then something comes up and I can’t, I get very annoyed and pissy and yes, feel a bit guilty. Like I don’t deserve to shower since I haven’t worked up a sweat. Bizarre, I know. But it boils down to the whole control issue. Which I know and love. And by love I mean hate.
Meribeth says
June 4, 2008 at 11:21 amI’m with Rachel, 6 days a week. But it is muscle confusion, so each group gets a rest and works one day a week. I have the option of stretching or day off on day 7. I usally go for a long run/walk. I figure at my age things are supposed to start falling apart, so what’s it going to hurt?
JenS says
June 4, 2008 at 11:40 amSigh … that more is not always more equation is priceless, once you actually believe it. Like MizFit, when I first started hitting the weights I was so happy to see results that I overdid it. And was then injured (natch), and thus UNDERdid it for way too long after that. Here’s to finally getting it right … I hope!
Marianne says
June 4, 2008 at 12:13 pmRunning skort? COOL. Just bought a bunch of workout clothes from TJ Maxx, didn’t see any of those. Bag Lady, I don’t know how these folks do it either. If I make it to the gym 2x week I consider myself lucky. I’ll come to your camp if there are horses.
Now, for all you ladies lamenting the boobie thing… Let me tell you that a) a small chest looks a lot more fit and healthy than a rack, b) as you get older, that rack becomes a BOSOM that makes one look matronly, and c) the bras over a DD are ugly, uncomfortable and expensive.
Today is a gym day! : )
Sandy (Momisodes) says
June 4, 2008 at 12:15 pmI SO remember Suzanne Somers, and that ab cruncher machine. It’s good to hear that rest days can be a good thing. I’ve never been able to do more than 4-5 days/week.
BK says
June 4, 2008 at 12:21 pmMORE IS NOT BETTER.. you will end up laid up like me for weeks..
LOL
LOL @ the suzanne somers reference!!!
The Bag Lady says
June 4, 2008 at 12:29 pmHorses – check
Cows – check
Dog – check
Cats – check
Firewood – check
Gardening – check
Baking bread and/or pizza in the outdoor oven – check
Tractor-driving lessons – check
Nature walks – check
Drinking beer around the firepit – check….. oh, wait, that’s not exactly a fitness thing, is it? Unless you count mental fitness…..
Gena says
June 4, 2008 at 12:43 pmBag Lady? I’m looking for airfare! I love cows and haven’t seen my cows in forever! I’ll pass on the horses, though.
Dara Chadwick says
June 4, 2008 at 12:54 pm“Sarong and a smile” — That’s my new motto!
Katie says
June 4, 2008 at 12:56 pmThanks for posting and answering my email about my thigh issue
I am glad to know spot training doesnt work cause I am not a fan of those crazy thigh machines. Its nice to hear others thoughts about thigh issues as well.
“Id say a sarong and a SMILE are better any day.” —
I think that will be my summer style, unless I wake up one morning this summer with magical new legs
Oh, PS. I always take Sundays off and I always feel guilty about it- I have always been that way. Its nice to hear a day off is actually a good thing
Colleen says
June 4, 2008 at 2:15 pmThis is so true for me, I recently started running and I’m so gung-ho about it that I don’t want to take a day off, but I’ve been forcing myself to do it and my hubby has even scheduled his days off during the week so we can spend time together. WOW, that was a major run-on sentence! I feel so blah on the weekends if I don’t get to exercise, so during the week I’m fine with some time off. I love your site Mizfit and you inspire me! Thank you for being you!
Susan says
June 4, 2008 at 3:24 pmThis is a great post; I really like your answers.
I know that taking a rest day from exercise now and then really does help me feel more energized the next time I workout. I have more stamina.
There was a time when I too exercised every single day and usually pushed myself. A few months down the road I wondered why I felt so tired all the time! Live and learn, right?
Meribeth says
June 4, 2008 at 3:24 pmBag Lady: when lifting the beer, if you turn your wrist slightly, you have a bicep workout! Sudden movement when the beer spills on you works many muscles. Those laughing at you get a great AB workout.
So you have it all!
MizFit says
June 4, 2008 at 3:28 pmAs always thanks so much for sharing your stories.
Half the battle is the realization we’re not alone in all this crazyitude.
The second half is ordering the sarong.
M.
Brianna says
June 5, 2008 at 9:23 pmHaha – concave thighs! You made me laugh out loud.
Actually there is one area that just WON’T change, even after the thighs finally get the message (and thighs are stubborn, aren’t they?) – the fatty area above my knees. Seriously, those things are genetic and I don’t have a chance in a really hot place to have those puppies decrease in size – they’re the same whether I’m marathon training or 15 lbs. over weight. Crazy how our bodies work sometimes! I’m just having to learn that knees aren’t really designed to be pretty and that I’m happy they work and help me do all the things I love.
Good luck to your reader with her thigh firming/slenderizing. She’s in good company!
nancy says
June 9, 2008 at 11:37 amI feel so special!
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