How do I get rid of my flabby legs?

Question

I have been walking and doing legs lifts and squats and other leg excerse.What else can I do to look good again.I am in my late 30's and I would like to look good before my 40th birthday.

Answer 1

When you do your leg exercises, do you do heavy weights with fewer reps -- or do you do lighter weights with more reps? I'd recommend the latter if you're trying to be lean -- the former will make you bulkier.

Keep doing the exercises you're doing.

Are you also doing hip ads and hip abs? If not, they will help a great deal too, especially with those hard-to-hit areas in your hips, groins, and inner thighs.

Nutrition is important too. You could be doing a great job on the muscles under the flab -- but if your diet is putting your body into fat-storing mode, you'll be fighting an uphill battle.

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a peasant. Make sure all three meals are nutritious. See a dietician for details.

Also, back to exercise -- what time of day do you do your walking?

I highly recommend doing it first thing in the morning -- that's the time of day when your body is in peak fat-burning mode.

With walking, you probably need to do it for at least 45 minutes to get any fat-burning benefit (and again, doing it first thing in the morning is definitely the best fat-burning time).

You can also vary your cardiovascular activity (in the morning) by doing some light running (or light running and walking mixed together), as well as bicycling or roller blading.

Speaking of which ... if you can skate, roller blading will give your legs (and butt!) a workout you won't believe.

You'll be training lower-body muscles that you didn't even know you had -- which is probably where a lot of the flab is located.

Answer 2

For your cardio, do more than walking. Try stationary cycling, or jogging if you are able. You want to get your heart rate higher than walking will get it. Sustain this higher rate of activity for 30-40 minutes each time you work out. What will happen is that your body will continue burning calories even when you aren't working out, and your improved cardiovascular fitness will help your body circulate fresh blood into your flabby legs, and by increasing the circulation in your legs, your blood flow will take away more fat, and bring in more nutrients.

The squats you are doing are great because they will help tone and firm your legs, but you need to give your body a more efficient way to get protein and electrolytes to the muscles so you can work them harder, and so that they can firm more easily. Improved blood flow through better cardio fitness will do that.

Improving your cardio health with more agressive cardio health is the best thing you can do, in addition to what you're already doing.

Also focus on nutrition. You get out what you put in (literally). If you aren't a vegetarian, make sure to include lean meats or whey protein in your nutritional portfolio.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Amputation is a bit drastic. I was in your situation in my late thirties. Went through a medically supervised fast. Very expensive. Just diet to lose no more than 3 lbs. per week and about exercise... I bought several Cathy Smith exercise videos. She is great. Also you can work your legs in the water (in a swimming pool, not the bubble bath) like trainers do with their race horses. I've never seen a race horse with cellulite -- just kidding, but it's true. The water resistance really works the legs and the abs!!!! Great for the back and easy on the joints. Remember, the real work is in staying in shape.

Have a great and joyful life. Happy 40th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

After my 3rd baby, I decided to get into shape. I cut out all white flour and sugar, and ran every day no matter what. I started with walking, and then started running a little at a time until I ran 30 mintues at a time. I never thought I could run, and that I would love it so much. My legs were so hot!! (my husband said) (until I got pregnant again- but I plan to start running again as soon as I can after this baby) I heard one time something that helped me- diet is 85% of your results, and the rest is exercise.

Answer 5

I am 40 and I have hard muscles in my legs because Im riding a bike every 2 days for 1 hour and swim for good general shape!

Answer 6

I found that cycling also helped me shape my legs although its also important to watch what your eating aswell.
I started cycling to work everyday and I was quite 'chubby' at the time. So my legs went very muscley but they didn't look slimmer, they looked even bigger! That was until I changed my diet and began doing other cardio exercise, like walking then they started to look much better!
I hope this helps!

Answer 7

If you have the resources, and actually like doing this activity, I would recommend english riding classes if offered at a local riding academy or stable. western is fine too, but I keep my legs slender and muscular through english riding. Your calves, inner and outer thighs will scream at first, but overall, it's great for upper body strength and balance as well. Hope you like horses.

Answer 8

A step machine will probably help alot. Also plyometrics is a great exercise program. Look it up on the internet. Just make sure the site is up to date.

Answer 9

Jumping rope (everyday or every other day) and walking on an incline on the treadmill. I usually try to set my incline at 3.5 or higher. Good Luck.

Answer 10

Honestly, that should be enough. Maybe you are taking in too many calories. Keep an eye on what you are eating. Keep a journal. It helps.