If I Want My Thighs to Be Smaller, Do I Tone or Lose Weight?

If I Want My Thighs to Be Smaller, Do I Tone or Lose Weight?
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Many people want smaller thighs, but don't know how to accomplish this goal. Some people say toning through stretches, weight lifting and specific exercises is best. Others argue that the only way to get smaller thighs is to lose weight through cardio and aerobic exercises. In reality, if you want smaller thighs, you must tone and lose weight.

Losing Weight Through Diet

When you lose weight, you lose it all over. Therefore, if you want smaller thighs, losing weight, in general, will make them smaller. You have two different options if you want to lose weight. One way to lose weight is to cut calories while maintaining a healthy diet. According to the Food and Drug Administration, depending on your eating habits and physical activity, you could cut anywhere from 100 to 500 calories a day to begin loosing weight. The problem is when losing weight, you can not pinpoint where you will lose it and your thighs may be the last place that it comes off.

Loosing Weight through Aerobic Exercise

The other option for getting smaller thighs through weight loss is by engaging in 30 to 60 minutes of cardio or aerobic exercise a day. Although this, too, will make you lose weight all over, it is easier to focus on some specific areas, such as your thighs. Kids Health suggests in-line skating or bike riding for cardio exercises that will specifically target your legs and thighs. These two aerobic activities are especially beneficial because they combine cardio and toning.

Toning

Depending on the size of your thighs, toning may help to make them smaller. Toning focuses on specific muscle movements to make the muscle tighter and more firm. Specific toning exercises that will help you shrink the size of your thighs include forward and side lunges, squats, leg lifts and using a resistance machine. These exercises should be done ever other day, as to allow your muscles to rest and rebuild.

Getting the Thighs You Want

To get the thighs you want, you must commit to accomplishing your goals. The quickest way to get smaller thighs is to combine both losing weight and toning. Modify your diet to reduce calorie intake and begin a cardio plan where you are working out at least 30 minutes a day --- remember, you need to break a sweat. Add to this a specific toning regimen focused on your thighs.

References

Article reviewed by Jessica Lyons Last updated on: Feb 7, 2011

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