Eating a healthy diet only goes so far in helping to trim and firm up the so-called "problem areas" on your body -- specifically your butt, legs and thighs. While reducing your overall caloric intake helps to reduce the amount of fat your body creates and stores, adding regular exercise to your routine helps burn calories and firm your muscles to give you a thinner, more toned look. All exercises are not created equal, however, and target different body parts and muscle groups. Lunges, crunches and squats work best to tone your lower body, and mixing your workout with different moves helps to work your muscles from different angles for maximum effectiveness.
Jumping Lunge
The in-and-out lunge works your butt, thighs and hamstrings. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, hands on hips. Step forward with your right leg and lower your body until your right thigh runs parallel with the floor, your knee directly above your ankle. Exhale and jump straight up, switching your legs in midair to land with your left leg in front. Lower into a lunge before jumping straight up to repeat the routine. Perform 10 repetitions, switching legs.
Ski Boot Sit
The ski boot sit targets your butt and inner thighs. Stand with your feet spread hip-width apart. Place a dumbbell under each foot, resting your heels on the handles of the weights. Place a folded towel between your knees, taking care to keep your knees in line with your hips. Lift your arms to shoulder level and extend them in front of you, palms down. Lower yourself as though you were sitting in a chair, squeezing the towel between your knees throughout. Bend your knees to a 90-degree angle while keeping your lower legs still. Lift to a halfway point, keeping your knees slightly bent. Lower yourself to repeat the routine. Perform eight to 10 repetitions.
90-Degree Lift
The 90-degree lift works your butt and thighs. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your upper body forward with your hips, bending your knees slightly and extending your arms to grasp the back of a chair. Keeping your back parallel with the floor and your hands on the chair for support, lift your right leg straight out to the side with your toes pointed. Return to the starting position and switch sides. Repeat the routine, alternating sides, for 15 minutes.
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