Exercises to slim my thighs and waist?

[mangageek]

I have somewhat thin legs but lately my legs are getting bigger from some muscle and a little fat too and they almost touch. There is only about an inch between them. I want there to be more of a gap so my legs look longer and thinner. Also my waist is getting a little bigger, I just want to lose about 3 inches or so. I am a healthy weight with a small body fat % of 15 so its not weight I have to lose so much as inches. Any stretches or exercises I can do to make these parts smaller? Thanks for any help!

[madmisskelly]

Its really hard to spot tone and to "spot lose" fat.

It begins with a healthy diet- fruits, veggies, lean meats. Cut out added sugar, sodas, breads, pastas, and swap them for whole grain options like oatmeal, brown rice, etc. Most of weight loss is diet. If you don't change what you eat, and you work out you will put muscle on under your fat.

However, you say your body fat percentage is low, so you don't have to worry about cutting calories too much.

However, I think you would find weight training to be beneficial- tone looks so good and so healthy.

[mangageek]

I'm vegetarian which helped me lose about 7 lbs from just diet and keep that weight off. Right now I'm 5'0 and 98 lbs. I've been stretching a lot before and after the dance stuff I do and avoiding really hilly paths when I walk the dog because inclines make the muscles on the back of the leg grow. I want to lose about 5 lbs but most of the weight is muscle so I'm pretty OK with it. Just want to slim down. I've been eating extra healthy lately like not having processed foods and sodas

[madmisskelly]

98 pounds is fine, and I wouldn't go any lower. Keep in mind, that lifting weights will not make you bulk up- women cannot bulk up because they lack the testosterone to do so. Women you see who are huge and bulky aren't that way by accident. You can get the results you want by lifting weights.

[mangageek]

I want to lose a little more weight because I haven't grown in years but I've gained weight. My boobs haven't grown in years either so it's not good weight like that. Yeah I'm going to have to start lifting arm weights soon. I work in a restaurant and will eventually be a waitress and the plates are really heavy. What machines in a gym are good that burn calories without building too much muscle? Treadmills? I heard ellipticals and stair steppers build up a lot of muscles in the legs

[madmisskelly]

All of those are great. I want to reiterate that you won't build too much muscle lifting weights. You won't bulk up. I'm an inch taller than you and I am 30 pounds heavier. It doesn't make me bulk at all,

Plus, you have different muscles in your arms- so if you work each of those individually, you will see great resutls

day 1- shoulders, triceps, abs, cardio

day 2- back, bicep,cardio

day 3- legs, chest,abs, cardio

repeat as often as you want. You will burn fat, and look awesome.

[angyismytitle]

You do know you can build lean muscle and it looks fine. You just have to do more reps than sets. 98 pounds isn't big at all I think you should just keep being healthy instead of trying to get perfect skinny.

[angyismytitle]

try www.sparkpeople.com

[madmisskelly]

awesome site. as is caloriecount.com. Both great sites.

[angyismytitle]

yeah myfitnesspal is great too.

[madmisskelly]

Ive been on all three of them haha

[angyismytitle]

yeah but they're pretty much the same.

[madmisskelly]

My fitness pal is kinda bland. Spark People actually motivates you and you get points and have goals and its more interactive. Calorie count grades you on your food choices and when you complete your day it gives you your calorie deficit and stuff.