I know we all have our problem areas and insecurities....mine would have to be my legs/calves. It seems like no matter what I do, they stay thick and undefined.... For the past SEVERAL years, I've been too embarrassed to even expose them in public. It probably sounds silly, but I'm just...embarrassed is the only way I can put it. I live in Houston for crying out loud, and I'm wearing JEANS during the middle of summer in 100+ degree weather! I don't even own a pair of shorts.....except boxers to sleep in.
And I'm very fair-skinned--by choice. I USED to tan, but then had several moles removed that could very well have ended up malignant. (Melanoma runs in the family...) I've tried tons of different tanning lotions, sprays and wipes, but they're expensive and end up blotchy or streaky. So when I don't do that, you can see every ripple, dimple, and whatever...
So in a nutshell, I'm very insecure...and was wondering if anyone had any great leg-toning/slimming suggestions? I think if my legs were toned, the whiteness wouldn't bother me so much, and I'd be more comfortable wearing shorts!
I wish I could help.. I have the same problem though! I got down to my goal weight once before and my legs were very unshapely and undefined. It sucked! My DH has naturally toned calves and it makes me so jealous!
I would wear shorts anyways because it was too dang hot. I am from Texas too btw.. the Beaumont/Nederland area. So I understand what you are going through.
I have heard for calves to stand on the edge of a step or stair and raise up on your tip toes, but I never tried it. So I don't really know.
i also have larger legs. I was very athletic as a child and for some reason my legs have always stayed big even though there is very little muscle left in them! I never wore shorts until this past summer. I just sort of got over my leg thing. I had too! It is just too hot where i live! I am trying Cardio to slim them down, but it doesn't seem to work..... Mine are also very white!!!
Courtney, I also live in houston and NEVER wear shorts in the summer. All through middle school and high school it was so bad that I actually walked around in jeans and HOODIES in the 100+ degree weather, just to hide my stomach and my legs.
I'm at the point now though where I'm just not going to let myself care. I still probably won't wear any shorts that come above my knees because I'm still at the point where my thighs rub together and it would be painful, but I'm going to wear some Bermudas and even IF they make my calves look like sausages...and NO MORE will I walk around in hoodies in the middle of the freaking summer...my ultimate goal for this summer is to get over my fear of sleeveless shirts...my arms are a huge problem area...but it just gets so hot around here that I am going to try to not care anymore..
I guess what I'm trying to say is I know how you feel...and if you find some miracle toning exercise for your legs let me know...but honestly, you shouldn't let it get to you. No one is perfect...and no one is expecting you to be perfect either...
I mean, you're 133 lbs. I've never even DREAMED about that number. To me...that seems SO SMALL! You've lost 30 lbs, and you're only 10 lbs away from your goal. You're doing AMAZINGLY! You've got nothing to be ashamed of. Just get out there and rock that body and forget about everyone else. Let your confidence shine through and be yourself and no one will even pay attention to your legs. =D
My problem isn't the tone-it's the fact that I have stretch marks all down my inner thighs. So I can never wear shorts no matter how toned or skinny I end up. It's actually really depressing. I'm also crazy pale. Not fun. Lol.
I would do stairs. And for calves, do the step thing or just do the thing where you stand on your tippy-toes and go back down. I've also noticed women who wear heels a lot usually have amazing calves. you could give that a go.
I plan on wearing shorts/ skirts this summer. Thick thighs/calves be damned! No matter what I will be smaller than I have ever been this summer..so I'm wearing shorts! Of course I tried on a pair of shorts the other day and I have to admit that weren't the most flattering...but I will find ones that work I WILL!!
I never wear shorts. I hate them. And its not just a problem with my legs, its just the way they're cut in the waist, I look terrible.
Last year those knee-high shorts became popular and I went nuts buying those. I can't remember what they're called right now, but they only went as far as the top of your knee.
Capri pants are just as terrible. I'm the girl who's wearing long pants in 90 degree weather. I've actually just gotten used to it
Part of the problem is I am embarrassed about my legs combined with wearing pants in the summer meant my upper body was GOLDEN brown and my legs were GHOSTY white.
I went tanning for a month and got a really good base tan. Then I said screw it. I mostly wore capri type pants to work (like the cargos that roll up and button at the knee) and was SURPRISED when I actually got compliments that I have nice legs. I feel like I have NO definition at all and my legs are stubby sausages that are hideous. However, when one of the lesbians at work (who is a tell it like it is kind of momma) told me I had nice legs... I started to believe her.
I wore a tankini with board shorts swimming/at the beach. i just can't do the binkini/swimsuit bottom cause my thighs are HORRIBLE, but...
Suck it up.
We are much more self conscious than we think. Often we think people are thinking things about us which actually is NOT true.
You all probably look MUCH better than you give yourself credit for!!!
Divine--I went through the same thing with hoodies and sweaters. I'd wear them all year to hide everything. And that was when I was in the 8th grade. :P I've gotten myself out of the sweater-wearing phase, but I still don't really wear spaghetti strap tops...I'm just fine with T-shirts!
Rachie--I, too, have stretch marks on my inner thighs! I had an ex-boyfriend point them out (one time...wearing shorts *haha* while washing my car) and asked what happened and if someone had scratched me. I was so mortified...and there's no covering those suckers up either. When I tanned, they were a lot more camouflaged, but now I'm so pale, it's like BAM!! STRETCH MARKS!!
Man, I feel you, sister. I am also VERY fair. And not by really by choice. I just don't tan! I get red and when the red fades, I'm freckled. I have a hard time finding make-up light enough for my skin. I even had a cashier ask me "oh my god, why are you so pale? are you sick?"
I guess it's for the best that I'm an indoor girl. I won't wear short-shorts partly because of modesty and partly because I don't like my thighs. Bermuda shorts are the best! I have at least 5 paris. I'm short, so I don't look good in capris, but maybe you could start there? Start with capris then work your way up to Bermudas then higher if you're daring.
Personally, I like flowy skirts that high right about the knee. They're flattering and when it's hot you get a nice breeze, so to speak. Of course, chaffing can be a problem if it's REALLY hot.
Stairs with handweights static lunges with hand weights.
I used to always wear jeans in summer too. This summer I didnt. I am pastey pastey white, my thighs are no where near small and I cant be bothered shaving them. But I still wore mid thigh length shorts. I'll post pics if you want. We are often our own worst critics, but its not worth getting heat stroke over. I wish i had come to realise this many summers ago
I don't think I have worn shorts in the summer since middle school... the most daring I will get is capris. I hope this summer I will be comfortable enough to actually wear shorts this summer.... maybe.
Shorts-weather is coming...and I'm scared!
static lunges with hand weights.
