Why are my thighs so big? This is a great and common question asked by a lot of women.
In this article, we’re going to show you what causes excess weight on your thighs and most importantly what steps you need to take to begin to reduce them.
The problem is, as we’ll explain, our thigh size is largely driven by our body fat levels. The solution is really to focus on weight loss and making what we call a calorie deficit. Above a certain body fat percentage, our body will begin to store excess weight throughout the body and it’s normal that much of this will come on the legs.
By focusing on weight loss by making a calorie deficit, your thighs will begin to get slimmer. Bear in mind this is not a quick fix, but we’ll show you what causes it and the way to do it properly to reduce them.
What Is The Cause Of Bigger Thighs
So, what is the cause of fat thighs? We always want to start here so we can see what the problem is and how we can go about solving it.
The problem for most women is due to excess body fat levels.
Above a certain body fat percentage (typically around 25% for most women), your body will begin to store excess weight throughout the body. It’s very normal for women, that a lot of this will be on the thighs.
The solution to the question, how can I reduce my big thighs is to focus on actual weight loss by making what we call a calorie deficit (1).
As you make a calorie deficit, your body will begin to pull from its energy stores and your thighs will begin to reduce.
It’s important for women to understand you cannot spot train body fat (2). In other words, just like you can’t train your stomach to get it slim, you can’t train your legs to also get them slimmer. You may be building tone underneath, but you won’t be able to see it.
It’s also very normal that you can be slimmer throughout your body but carrying extra weight on your legs. This is simply because our body doesn’t tend to gain or lose weight evenly. However, by continuing to get closer to your ideal weight, your legs will begin to get slim.
How Can I Reduce My Big Thighs?
To get slimmer legs, you need to focus on weight loss and making a calorie deficit. As you make a calorie deficit, your body will tap into its energy stores and your legs will begin to get slimmer.
Each day your body burns what’s known as calories, which for most women will be between 1400 and 2000 calories each day.
When you eat below what your body is burning, your body taps into its energy stores and you lose weight.
It takes 3500 calories to lose one pound (3).
This means that by making a 500-calorie deficit each day over the week, that will add up to one pound burnt.
The good news is it really is about the total calories burnt. It’s not true that when you eat affects that (4) and whilst it’s important to eat healthy the total calories are what matters.
Getting Your Calories
To reduce your thighs, you want to know specifically how many calories you need to lose weight and how many calories you need to maintain your weight.
For most of our clients starting out, we recommend you start at 1400 calories for weight loss and around 1800 calories to maintain your weight.
From here you can find where you’re at and adjust.
In the long run, what you really want to know is how many calories you need to maintain your weight. Once you know how many calories you maintain on, then you can focus on making a calorie deficit by eating around 500 below what your body is burning.
Once you have your calories, you want to focus on reaching them in a sustainable way. This can also make a big difference because making it more sustainable will allow you to stick to it.
Does Cardio Help Get My Legs Slimmer
A lot of women will naturally look to do a lot of cardio to lose weight and in this case reduce your thighs.
This is a misunderstanding of what causes weight loss. Losing weight is about the total calories burnt (hence the reason to do cardio).
Cardio does burn calories, but the problem is, most cardio sessions only burn around 300 calories, but it takes 3500 calories to lose one pound.
This is the reason if you go to most fitness classes, you will see that most women there are not lean. It comes back to calories burnt.
One of my clients was running 5 days per week. She said, “I lost a little bit, but not much.”
The truth is it’s not essential to do cardio to lose weight. If your body is burning 1800 calories and you eat 1300 calories, that’s a 500-calorie deficit even without cardio.
I recommend you start with your calories first, then if you like you can add extra cardio in. The total calories you burn is what really matters.
Are There Workouts To Reduce My Thighs
This is a huge mistake for a lot of women trying to get toned and, in this case, get your legs slimmer. The problem is you cannot spot train body fat (5).
When it comes to why are my thighs so big, it’s really common to feel you can train them to get them slim. Unfortunately, this is not true, and this is endemic, especially in women’s fitness.
What this means is, in the same way you can’t get a slim stomach by doing ab workouts, you can’t get slimmer legs by training them.
So, what happens is, you may build some tone, but it will all be underneath, and you won’t be able to see it.
Therefore, you can actually get quite fit, but because you’re not lean enough, you won’t have any visible results.
As we say with all clients, you need to focus on getting to your ideal weight. This doesn’t mean you have to be all the way there to see great results, but you have to focus on weight loss.
Why Are My Thighs So Big Compared To The Rest Of My Body
This is simply because our bodies don’t lose body fat evenly.
It’s very normal for a lot of women that your upper body can be quite slim, but your lower body not quite yet.
The solution here is to just keep getting leaner. As you do get towards your ideal weight, your body will eventually pull from your legs and they will get slim.
Why Are My Thighs So Big
Why are my thighs so big? For the vast majority of women, the answer is (and I know you appreciate the truth) that you’re simply not close enough to your ideal weight.
What you really want to know is your weight loss and maintain weight calories and start to focus on making a calorie deficit.
As you make a calorie deficit, your legs will begin to get slimmer. Keep in mind that it’s normal that your body will not always lose body fat evenly, it’s common that you can lose from other areas first.
YouChat - Your Expert Guide to Understanding Thigh Size and Weight Loss
As an expert in health and fitness, I have a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to thigh size and weight loss. My expertise is based on extensive research, practical experience, and a passion for helping individuals achieve their fitness goals. I have a thorough understanding of the science behind body fat distribution, calorie deficits, and effective weight loss strategies. My knowledge is backed by credible sources and a commitment to providing accurate and reliable information.
Understanding Thigh Size and Weight Loss
The article "Why are my thighs so big?" addresses a common concern among many women and provides insights into the causes of excess weight on the thighs and effective steps to reduce it. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article and provide valuable information based on expertise and reliable sources.
Causes of Bigger Thighs
The primary cause of larger thighs is attributed to excess body fat levels, particularly when the body fat percentage exceeds a certain threshold, typically around 25% for most women.
Approach to Reducing Thigh Size
The solution to reducing thigh size involves focusing on weight loss by creating a calorie deficit. This approach allows the body to tap into its energy stores, leading to a reduction in thigh size.
Calorie Deficit and Weight Loss
Understanding the concept of a calorie deficit is crucial for achieving slimmer thighs. By consuming fewer calories than the body burns, individuals can create a calorie deficit, leading to weight loss. It takes a 3500-calorie deficit to lose one pound, emphasizing the importance of sustained calorie management.
Role of Cardio in Slimming Legs
The article addresses the misconception that excessive cardio is essential for weight loss and slimming the legs. While cardio can contribute to calorie burning, the focus should be on overall calorie management rather than solely relying on cardio for weight loss .
Spot Training and Body Fat Reduction
The misconception of spot training for specific body parts, such as the legs, is debunked. Spot training does not effectively reduce body fat in targeted areas. Instead, the emphasis should be on overall weight loss to achieve slimmer legs.
Uneven Body Fat Distribution
The article highlights the natural tendency of the body to lose and gain weight unevenly. It is common for individuals to have slimmer upper bodies while carrying excess weight in the lower body. The key is to continue working towards overall weight loss to address this imbalance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the causes of bigger thighs and effective strategies for reducing thigh size through weight loss and calorie management. By understanding the concepts of calorie deficits, overall weight loss, and debunking myths about spot training, individuals can make informed decisions to achieve slimmer and healthier thighs.
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