Arms/Inner Thighs.....trouble areas!

[LadyJEsq]

Hello All,

My name is Jenné, even though I've been a BodyBuilding.com member for awhile now, I've yet to post, so I thought I would introduce myself. I'm really getting into my workouts now and have developed some muscles rather quickly (muscle memory maybe?). Anyway, I'm noticing certain areas of my body are being a little uncooperative in my body transformation. My arms and my inner thighs! While everywhere else i see significant improvement, in these two areas I only see flab and cellulite. I know this is probably highlighted more now because the areas around these muscles have started to firm up, so I'm looking for exercise/suggestions on how to firm these areas up too. I can layout my workout schedule for week if anyone needs to see that but basically I do legs/glutes on Mondays and Wednesday (or Wednesday and Friday) and arms/shoulder/back on Tuesday and Thursday. I do different exercises for each day. At last measurement, my arms were 14" and I would really like to lose about 4"-5" if possible. I just purchased some reduction bands for both arms and legs, because I feel they can't hurt, but have some doubt about their efficacy.

Thanks to all for any input you may have!

[AllThatGlitters]

I could be wrong, but I think this has to do with where fat is stored on the body. Lowering bodyfat% is the only way to really make dents. Muscle tone will help overall form though.

[Nijem]

Lowering body fat does help a lot for cellulite as does improving the muscles beneath the skin where you have cellulite. I had started to see some cellulite on my hamstring area and back of my arms and improving those area's as far as muscle goes has helped a lot along with eating clean healthy foods

[kimm4]

We all have those areas where we tend to hold more bodyfat. You need to continue lowering bodyfat, which is controlled though diet. Keep consistent with your training program and have patience, because you have a ways to go.

Good luck to you.

[srb04e]

I could be wrong, but I think this has to do with where fat is stored on the body. Lowering bodyfat% is the only way to really make dents. Muscle tone will help overall form though.

Yep that's exactly right.... Keep reducing bodyfat and eventually you will notice things getting tighter in those areas

[LadyJEsq]

Yep that's exactly right.... Keep reducing bodyfat and eventually you will notice things getting tighter in those areas

While I am currently overweight, I didn't used to be. In fact I was always fit, up until around the age of 32-33, then work and other things got in the way of my working out/eating healthy. I sincerely appreciate the replies thus far, however, this is an issue that I had even when I was at my fittest (well, not the thighs so much, but my arms definitely). I'm not too concerned with cellulite (as I haven't worn short shorts/skirts in years), but the size of my arms and the waddle is my main issue. Back when I was fit, my arms didn't have the flab hanging down like they do now, but they were HUGE. Not that that's a bad thing, but I just don't like it. My legs are HUGE and I love them that way, but I'm not really liking the look in my arms. And did I mention the waddle? Back when I was fit, I tried everything to get my arms smaller, but instead of making them smaller, I just got bigger. I felt like I could line up next to Brian Urlacher! I thought maybe if I did a few things now, I could avoid having that issue later on down the road. Since I'm losing weight all over, maybe just add a few exercises/routines that will minimize the size of my arms because I know that if I just keep doing what I'm doing, in the end, I'll still have HUGE arms, they'll just be toned. The issue with my thighs was really more of an afterthought, it's my arms that are my main concern. Have I mentioned the waddle?

EDIT:

Just for some additional background: I know about using smaller weights with higher reps to help decrease size. I have a neck/shoulder injury, so I try not to do anything that would aggravate this injury. I've read about using body weight, instead of weights, but I currently have a wrist injury so that limits much of what I can do. I don't know what's going on with my wrist, my guess would be something akin to carpal tunnel. I use my mouse a lot at work. I can do push-ups, but only if I'm on my knuckles instead of my palm. So if the exercise is something that I can modify like the push-up, then I might be able to do it. Again, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[LadyJEsq]

Wow, no one has any suggestions? Interesting that a forum entitled "Female Bodybuilding" doesn't have any posters that have knowledge about specific exercise for these common problem areas. Oh well, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Thanks anyway, I guess.....

[TigerAngelLeigh]

People could give you all the arm and thigh exercises in the world, but it won't change the fact that it's impossible to spot-reduce. You cannot get rid of fat on a specific body part by doing resistance exercises.

[kimm4]

Wow, no one has any suggestions? Interesting that a forum entitled "Female Bodybuilding" doesn't have any posters that have knowledge about specific exercise for these common problem areas. Oh well, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Thanks anyway, I guess.....

All training programs need to be focused around the compound lifts, because they hit multiple muscle groups. Isolation work isn't all that important. Your issue is a bodyfat issue and it goes back to your diet...not a specific exercise.

[LadyJEsq]

All training programs need to be focused around the compound lifts, because they hit multiple muscle groups. Isolation work isn't all that important. Your issue is a bodyfat issue and it goes back to your diet...not a specific exercise.

Do people on here not actually read people's posts? As I said before, I used to always be fit, and still had an issue with large arms (NOT FAT EITHER). I have an issue with fat (the aforementioned waddle) now, but know that once I get down to my usual weight, or thereabouts, I will still have the issue with large arms.

But again, thanks anyway.

[kimm4]

Do people on here not actually read people's posts? As I said before, I used to always be fit, and still had an issue with large arms (NOT FAT EITHER). I have an issue with fat (the aforementioned waddle) now, but know that once I get down to my usual weight, or thereabouts, I will still have the issue with large arms.

But again, thanks anyway.

Yes I did read your post more than once. Where you "used to be" doesn't mean **** to me. Stop putting the cart before the horse and focus on the now. Get yourself down to a decent amount of bodyfat and feel free to come back and post up your huge arms...

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it...

Negged because your attitude sucks...

[LadyJEsq]

People could give you all the arm and thigh exercises in the world, but it won't change the fact that it's impossible to spot-reduce. You cannot get rid of fat on a specific body part by doing resistance exercises.

As I stated in my earlier post, I'm losing weight all over, so not trying to "spot-reduce" but target. Big difference. It is possible to target a specific area(s). Not sure where you got that it's "impossible." And I wasn't looking for only resistance exercise, but any kind of exercises. Like boxing (using the punching bag) or rowing (not sure if that's good for working out the arms), but that's why I asked the question.

This site seems to be filled with two groups of people, those who think they know what a person asking and therefore fails to actually read what they write, and those who have no clue.

[LadyJEsq]

Yes I did read your post more than once. Where you "used to be" doesn't mean **** to me. Stop putting the cart before the horse and focus on the now. Get yourself down to a decent amount of bodyfat and feel free to come back and post up your huge arms...

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it...

Negged because your attitude sucks...

Yeah that makes a whole lot of sense. Wait until the inevitable happens, then when it does, decide how to deal with it then. Ridiculous!

[sonti]

Have you considered that from a physiological perspective, your question doesn't really make much sense? You are losing weight right now, correct? So the primary goal right *NOW* is to preserve muscle overall and lose body fat overall. Once you get down to whatever you feel is reasonable, you can then work on muscle building, which requires a surplus.

If you want to look less 'fat' in certain areas, but you are happy with your overall body fat level, then you'll have to take the time to eat more, gain muscle (which means gaining a bit of fat back) and then re-diet back down again. Or, you'll have to go even lower in body fat (ie 130-140lbs at 5'7 instead of 160 or whatever you were, I can't remember, I saw it somewhere) in order to start to really lean out the parts you hold your fat.

People here DO understand what you are asking (if you bothered to click on Kim's link, you'll see she's been doing bodybuilding for decades), but what you are asking, is not something that is done. You'll get a lot of people trying to SELL YOU the idea that it can be done, but these girls are providing you, for free, the alternative harsh truth.

[LadyJEsq]

Have you considered that from a physiological perspective, your question doesn't really make much sense? You are losing weight right now, correct? So the primary goal right *NOW* is to preserve muscle overall and lose body fat overall. Once you get down to whatever you feel is reasonable, you can then work on muscle building, which requires a surplus.

If you want to look less 'fat' in certain areas, but you are happy with your overall body fat level, then you'll have to take the time to eat more, gain muscle (which means gaining a bit of fat back) and then re-diet back down again. Or, you'll have to go even lower in body fat (ie 130-140lbs at 5'7 instead of 160 or whatever you were, I can't remember, I saw it somewhere) in order to start to really lean out the parts you hold your fat.

People here DO understand what you are asking (if you bothered to click on Kim's link, you'll see she's been doing bodybuilding for decades), but what you are asking, is not something that is done. You'll get a lot of people trying to SELL YOU the idea that it can be done, but these girls are providing you, for free, the alternative harsh truth.

Actually my question does make sense. I just did a simply Google search and came up with a lot of different exercises (yoga, pilates, kick boxing, Tai Chi, basketball and "cardio based weight exercises just to name a few). And I also found a site where a woman was asking the same question, but AFTER she lost all her weight. As she stated, her arms didn't have loose skin, but they were just too big. Unfortunately, it was a plastic surgeon website, so it didn't offer any insight, but it does prove my point. I don't want to be where she is now and instead would like to avoid that if possible. And I didn't say that I wanted to look less "fat" in certain areas. I said that I know when I get down to my regular size, I'll still have the issue of large arms, but muscular. Just another example of people that don't actually understand what a person is asking. But like I said, there is more than one way to skin a cat.....

And I did look at Kim's profile, before she responded the second time, and was going to applaud her for her achievements, but I'll pass on that now.

[kimm4]

I get down to my regular size, I'll still have the issue of large arms, but muscular. Just another example of people that don't actually understand what a person is asking.

I understand what you're asking...the problem is you just don't get it. Getting down to your "regular size" of 5'7" and 165 lbs...large arms, but muscular isn't the problem. At those stats you're still holding too much bodyfat.

It remains a bodyfat issue...not a too much muscle issue.

[Cara0915]

Ya know OP, you seem to want to argue with what anyone gives you for advice. If you really feel like you're not getting help here, you can always not come to the forums. I don't think anyone is forcing you?
You have gotten some great advice (for free, btw) its the truth. I'm sure you could find someone out there willing to tell you what you want to hear though, for a price.

[MoonAbove]

I have read this 12 times, and I still have no clue what she's asking.

[sonti]

Actually my question does make sense. I just did a simply Google search and came up with a lot of different exercises (yoga, pilates, kick boxing, Tai Chi, basketball and "cardio based weight exercises just to name a few). And I also found a site where a woman was asking the same question, but AFTER she lost all her weight. As she stated, her arms didn't have loose skin, but they were just too big. Unfortunately, it was a plastic surgeon website, so it didn't offer any insight, but it does prove my point. I don't want to be where she is now and instead would like to avoid that if possible. And I didn't say that I wanted to look less "fat" in certain areas. I said that I know when I get down to my regular size, I'll still have the issue of large arms, but muscular. Just another example of people that don't actually understand what a person is asking. But like I said, there is more than one way to skin a cat.....

And I did look at Kim's profile, before she responded the second time, and was going to applaud her for her achievements, but I'll pass on that now.

You know, I tried being polite in my explanation. I'm done - don't bother with more questions if you are just going to be rude to any responders. I've been training 10 years and I'm not an idiot, I know what you are asking, the problem is that what YOU think is "the issue", is not actually "the issue".

If you know so much, why do you bother with us lowly beings? 5'7 and 165lbs is overweight, and you held a lot of that in your arms/inner thighs making you look "big". If you went to 135lbs, they would probably disappear. They might even be dinky little muscles. But you go do that yoga and tell how that works for you. Yoga is great, but that's not the answer to this. You can skip around it all you want, but plate-pushaways are the solution.

[womanoid]

There are 4 things that can make a part of your body large. In order of likelihood;
-fat
-muscle
-edema
-elephantiasis

Which one does your problem look like?

[EPolis13]

You know, I tried being polite in my explanation. I'm done - don't bother with more questions if you are just going to be rude to any responders. I've been training 10 years and I'm not an idiot, I know what you are asking, the problem is that what YOU think is "the issue", is not actually "the issue".

If you know so much, why do you bother with us lowly beings? 5'7 and 165lbs is overweight, and you held a lot of that in your arms/inner thighs making you look "big". If you went to 135lbs, they would probably disappear. They might even be dinky little muscles. But you go do that yoga and tell how that works for you. Yoga is great, but that's not the answer to this. You can skip around it all you want, but plate-pushaways are the solution.

So much this

[LadyJEsq]

I understand what you're asking...the problem is you just don't get it. Getting down to your "regular size" of 5'7" and 165 lbs...large arms, but muscular isn't the problem. At those stats you're still holding too much bodyfat.

It remains a bodyfat issue...not a too much muscle issue.

And that's your problem, you assume. I will post a picture of me at 165 when I get home tonight (or this weekend), and then maybe you'll understand what I'm talking about. I mentioned in another thread that people always called me skinny even though my average weight was 165lbs. When I would tell them what I actually weighed, they were shocked. Now, I was always naturally thin growing up as a child (except for my thighs which were always naturally muscular). Then I go off to college and someone in my friend circle needed someone to workout with her in the gym. She wanted to workout in the free weight room, but always felt self-conscious because she was the only woman. I agreed to go with her because I felt bad for her. And two weeks later, she had had enough, and I was in love. I worked out like most, weights and aerobic, but my passion was lifting, especially for my legs. So, I knew that the reason I weighed so much was because I had a lot of muscle weight, which weighs more than fat. I even went in to get a body fat test at my school once and was told by the guy that the only test that would give me an accurate reading was the Hydrostatic Underwater Weighing, which they didn't do unfortunately. He told me that other tests would be skewed because I was muscular. I'm surprised that female bodybuilders are unfamiliar with this issue.

[LadyJEsq]

Ya know OP, you seem to want to argue with what anyone gives you for advice. If you really feel like you're not getting help here, you can always not come to the forums. I don't think anyone is forcing you?
You have gotten some great advice (for free, btw) its the truth. I'm sure you could find someone out there willing to tell you what you want to hear though, for a price.

You're an idiot, enough said.

[LadyJEsq]

You know, I tried being polite in my explanation. I'm done - don't bother with more questions if you are just going to be rude to any responders. I've been training 10 years and I'm not an idiot, I know what you are asking, the problem is that what YOU think is "the issue", is not actually "the issue".

If you know so much, why do you bother with us lowly beings? 5'7 and 165lbs is overweight, and you held a lot of that in your arms/inner thighs making you look "big". If you went to 135lbs, they would probably disappear. They might even be dinky little muscles. But you go do that yoga and tell how that works for you. Yoga is great, but that's not the answer to this. You can skip around it all you want, but plate-pushaways are the solution.

My goodness you people are so simply minded. If you can't think it (ie that someone can actually weigh more than an average person for their height, and still not be overweight), then it can't occur. And here I thought this site had experienced professionals. And lets be clear, you telling me that I don't know what I'm talking about when I trained from the time I 19 until I was about 32/33, is calling me an idiot. OPEN YOUR MIND!

[sonti]

So, why not post a picture of this other person you spoke about who had the issue? The one from the plastic surgery site? Educate us. Post a picture of yourself at 5'7 and 165lbs. Unless you are Iris Kyle, I cannot picture this as being anything but still overweight.

[LadyJEsq]

So, why not post a picture of this other person you spoke about who had the issue? The one from the plastic surgery site? Educate us. Post a picture of yourself at 5'7 and 165lbs. Unless you are Iris Kyle, I cannot picture this as being anything but still overweight.

First off, I didn't think it was necessary since this is a site that has female bodybuilders, so I would assume that it's an issue you guys are familiar with. Second, I did say that I would post a pic. I don't have the pic from the plastic surgery website because there wasn't one. I know you cannot picture it, and that's your problem. If I can't see it, then it must not be possible!

[sonti]

You are rude and combative to people who took time out of their day to try and help you. Good luck on your future boxing and yoga goals to 'firm up' muscle. Good luck with using 'high reps and low weight' to decrease size. You have mentioned multiple myths about weight lifting which leads to believe that you might not know as much as you think you do about lifting in general. If there is one thing I have learned in 10 years of training, it is that sometimes we just need to keep our ego in check and take heed of a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 10th) opinion on a subject.

[MoonAbove]

This was all really unfortunate.

OP, we're just going around the maypole here. The good ladies are full of great knowledge, and sincerely like to help.

Perhaps take a few days to cool off, come back with an apology, your BF%, diet, current fitness routine, and what your goals are.

I think the gals will be more inclined to help, which was the intention of all of this, yes?

[LadyJEsq]

You are rude and combative to people who took time out of their day to try and help you. Good luck on your future boxing and yoga goals to 'firm up' muscle. Good luck with using 'high reps and low weight' to decrease size. You have mentioned multiple myths about weight lifting which leads to believe that you might not know as much as you think you do about lifting in general. If there is one thing I have learned in 10 years of training, it is that sometimes we just need to keep our ego in check and take heed of a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 10th) opinion on a subject.

Yeah, I'm sure it seems that way to you. You people keep telling me that I don't know what I'm talking about and wonder why my tone has turned hostile. Which it was not at all at the beginning of this post. They are not myths, just because you think so. As with most subjects out there, there is always conflicting information. Reason being, because you're not going to find a formula that works for all people or even most. We're on a planet with over 7 billion people, do you honestly think that one size fits all when it comes to fitness? If you do, then I say it's you that doesn't know as much as you think. And the ideas you quoted, I didn't say they WOULD help "firm up muscle." I said these were things I heard would help "decrease size." Are you not aware that you can reduce without gaining? And my ego has nothing to do with it, otherwise I wouldn't have come here sincerely seeking advice.

As for your taking heed when you've heard the 2nd-10th opinion on subject, if that's how you live your life, then that's you. I for one, don't. Case in point, I went to the Bahamas a few years back, and I really wanted to go snorkeling. I was repeatedly told that I could not because I didn't know how to swim. Instead of taking the word of the Hotel Concierge and three Captains, I continued to ask. I finally found a Captain who provided a "handler" for his clients that didn't know how to swim. I signed up, and had one of the most memorable experiences that I've ever had in my life.

[LadyJEsq]

This was all really unfortunate.

OP, we're just going around the maypole here. The good ladies are full of great knowledge, and sincerely like to help.

Perhaps take a few days to cool off, come back with an apology, your BF%, diet, current fitness routine, and what your goals are.

I think the gals will be more inclined to help, which was the intention of all of this, yes?

I didn't ask for the world here, I only asked for a few simple exercise suggestions. People see my profile pic and automatically assume that I don't know I'm talking about and therefore need to be told all the ins and outs of fitness. I assure you I don't. A lot has changed since I've been in the gym regularly, but I still know my body and was only looking for suggestions to deal with a couple of problem areas. Who knows how it got here, but I'm going to let it die. This is far too much work. I'll hit the internet to find the information that I need and achieve my goals.

Thanks for replying though.