Saddlebags... Again

[Tinyblu]

I have done more research than I care to on how to reduce (preferably eliminate) my saddlebags. I know all of the "age old' truths: You can't spot reduce... genetics... lose fat overall... blah, blah, blah...

Here's the deal... I am 5'3" and I weigh 114 lbs!!! I don't have visible fat ANYWHERE on my body except my saddlebags!!! I am currently at 19% bodyfat which I want to reduce, and I think I carry it all on the chunks in my thighs!

I eat clean, I exercise regularly and lift regularly. I am seriously considering lipo!!! I HATE wearing bathing suits without anything tied around my waist because my bottom half literally looks like it doesn't belong to my body (have you seen how Barbie's body is connected at the hips? Well someone gave me the wrong bottom half)

I have tried everything from slimming down (became a skinny girl with fat qualities) to bulking up (have you ever seen GREAT quads an hams with their own pillow attached), and NOTHING works!

So, is it true? Because nana had thunder thighs and cellulite am I reduced to always carrying a sarong in my beach bag? I'm heading to Mexico in 4 weeks and soooo wanted to flaunt by bikini without a wrap. Is lipo my next stop? That would be so depressing...

[sonti]

Picture? I wonder if your expectations are unrealistic because going below 19% at 114lbs at 34.... I mean, most itty teen girls aren't that lean.

[thepowerwithin]

I, too, carry much of my fat in the thigh area. It's the last place for it to go, then I look like crap everywhere else. Not sure what your lifting history is, but I had to attack my saddlebags for quite a while with cycles of fat loss, eating at maintenance, and finally a bulk and, of course, lifting heavy. I've managed to recomp my quads, hams, and glutes quite a bit in the last couple of years. Things still aren't perfect, because I refuse to lower my body fat much more, but I'm happy, for the most part.

I am with Sonti, pics and your lifting history would help.

[catskills]

Oh Man, its like you're me. That is where I am at. I have a strategy that I am going to try and I am not sure if it is going to work. My strategy will take a bit of time, if you remember send me a PM at the end of the summer and I will tell you how it is going. I am terrified of liposuction so I am willing to try just about anything to avoid that! 8)

In the meantime, if you could post some shots of your body, that might help. Sometimes it is easier for people to give some advice if they have a visual.

[Tinyblu]

Well... I searched for a pic of myself that could give you detail on my saddlebags, and in EVERY bathing suit pic I take, I am either wearing a sheer wrap or I place my hands on my hips to cover them up!!!!

Lifting history? I have lifted at least 3 - 4 days a week consistently for the last year or so. Most recently, I have been doing NROL4W, stage one, two days a week followed by a third day of legs (focusing on calves, abductors, adductors, and more focused exercises like leg extensions and hamstring curls). I hike (pretty intense) at least 3 times a month and supplement my lifting with a modified Brazil Butt Lift routine with the videos three days a week. My typical training schedule looks like this:

Monday Rest
Tuesday NROL4W Stage 1, Workout A
Wednesday Brazil Butt Lift Bum Bum
Thursday NROL4W Stage 1, Workout B
Friday Brazil Butt Lift High and Tight
Saturday Brazil Butt Lift Cardio Axe / Additional Leg Workout
Sunday Hiking or Rest

I really try to keep my diet clean (OK... I had maple syrup on my spelt french toast this morning.... so shoot me!!), but I have noticed that I usually exceed my sugar limit daily and my cholesterol limit on the days I eat eggs. Could this be a sugar thing (sugars coming from the milk I use in my protein shakes and fruits... and maple syrup today)??

I honestly DON'T want to lose any more weight. I love my upper body, but the lower just doesn't look right... maybe it's just a "me" thing.

I am going to make my profile pic (headless of course) a snapshot of my body in December of last year. I was recovering from the sudden death of my brother, so I look a little soft there. Will update with new pics from Mexico in a few weeks.

[Tinyblu]

On second thought... no profile pic... hate them all!!!! Maybe after a little more work... YUK!!!

[freebirdmac]

Well... I searched for a pic of myself that could give you detail on my saddlebags, and in EVERY bathing suit pic I take, I am either wearing a sheer wrap or I place my hands on my hips to cover them up!!!!

Lifting history? I have lifted at least 3 - 4 days a week consistently for the last year or so. Most recently, I have been doing NROL4W, stage one, two days a week followed by a third day of legs (focusing on calves, abductors, adductors, and more focused exercises like leg extensions and hamstring curls). I hike (pretty intense) at least 3 times a month and supplement my lifting with a modified Brazil Butt Lift routine with the videos three days a week. My typical training schedule looks like this:

Monday Rest
Tuesday NROL4W Stage 1, Workout A
Wednesday Brazil Butt Lift Bum Bum
Thursday NROL4W Stage 1, Workout B
Friday Brazil Butt Lift High and Tight
Saturday Brazil Butt Lift Cardio Axe / Additional Leg Workout
Sunday Hiking or Rest

I really try to keep my diet clean (OK... I had maple syrup on my spelt french toast this morning.... so shoot me!!), but I have noticed that I usually exceed my sugar limit daily and my cholesterol limit on the days I eat eggs. Could this be a sugar thing (sugars coming from the milk I use in my protein shakes and fruits... and maple syrup today)??

I honestly DON'T want to lose any more weight. I love my upper body, but the lower just doesn't look right... maybe it's just a "me" thing.

I am going to make my profile pic (headless of course) a snapshot of my body in December of last year. I was recovering from the sudden death of my brother, so I look a little soft there. Will update with new pics from Mexico in a few weeks.

Sounds like it's time to try a bulk. Then see where you're out after leaning out.

[Shortjuju]

sugar is unfortunatley one of the monsters that sits on the belly and the sattle bag area. As soon as I swapped out for sugar free and run and weight training I have seen them go away, it was the last place to go. Yep was so happy when I lost weight in my fingers and face but not my back end lol.