Fat thighs don’t have to be a permanent source of despair
WHERE your body stores fat has a lot to do with your genetic make-up, gender included, and for many women fat accumulates in their lower bodies — and in particular the hips, thighs and buttocks areas. Unfortunately, weight gain in the thigh area is quite often accompanied by unattractive, lumpy fat that bulges through the skin which is often mistaken for cellulite which is characterised by a dimpled appearance. Fortunately, personal trainer and fitness instructor Gisel Harrow said that these fatty bulges do not have to be a permanent source of despair.
“These fatty bulges are quite common; they, like cellulite, tend to be way more visible in women than men. The good thing is that consistent exercise such as resistance and cardio training as well as aiming to eat balanced meals cannot minimise the appearance. These combinations will encourage muscle gain and result in a much leaner frame causing the bulges to be less visible or disappear,” Harrow explained.
Below, Harrow shares exercises that can reduce fatty bulges beneath the skin and open your thigh gap.
Plie squats
Make sure that your toes are faced diagonally outwards and that when you squat down, you are engaging your thighs. Imagine that your knees need to open wide as you sit down but keep your chest open and up. DO NOT hunch over forward! Stay tall. Do three sets of 15 to 20 repetitions.
Side lunges
Stand straight with your legs a little more than shoulder-width apart. Now shift your weight to one leg, like sitting in a squat, then return to start position. Do three sets of 12 repetitions on each leg. You can use dumbbells or barbells (on your upper back) to intensify the movement, or you can use your body weight and increase the repetitions.
Body weight squats
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart; then slowly lower your body by bending the hips and knees until the thighs are at least parallel to the floor. Make sure the heels do not rise off the floor. Press through the heels to return to a standing position. Do three sets of 12-15 repetitions.
Step ups
For this exercise, find a bench or step and place your right foot on the elevated surface. Now, step up until the right leg is straight, then return to start. Repeat and aim for 10-12 reps on each side for three sets.
Walking
This is one of the most effective exercises that can burn fat and tone your legs. Try to cover at least 10,000 steps daily.
Harrow advises that if you are on the heavier side, you may benefit more by aiming to achieve full body weight loss, instead of going for targeted exercises. She said that you may also want to drink plenty of water for best results. She said that this way you not only lose weight and gain more attractive thighs, but you are able to ward off some of the common cardiovascular and other obesity-related diseases such as diabetes.
