help! baby got back!!

[taifighter]

Hey guys, I thought I'd post this in a thread outside of my journal. Here is my dilemma. Although I've always considered myself an "hourglass" I am now starting to think I'm actually a "pear"
I carry all my weight in my butt and hips. My stomach isn't exactly flat either, but if I gain weight, it goes to my butt first. Luckily, I also put on muscle VERY quickly, especially in my...butt and thighs! I can also build muscle in my upper body pretty fast, but its hard to maintain...I have skinny arms and big legs.

When I started bulking I lifted as heavy as I could, especially for my legs. I would do tons of squats and leg presses, and made gains nearly every time I lifted. I was blessed with the ability to gain a lot of lower body muscle, and I think its great..but my legs have actually gotten BIGGER. Now, I can't fit into pants I could wear before I started lifting. I know muscle is more compact than fat..but I guess I can gain enough mass in my lower body that it still remains...large.

I know this is the worst thing to say in a body building forum, so please don't kill me, but I'd like to reduce the muscle in my legs. Or at least THEIR SIZE. It has become extremely difficult to buy pants because I have a big bubble butt and large quads that require very big pant legs...but then the waist is too big....and vice versa.

I am no longer bulking and have introduced cardio back into my routine. At first I was doing a lot of elliptical and stair stepper, but I thought it would be better to stay away from inclines. So now the majority of my cardio is running (sprinting intervals and long distance) and the exercise bike. I've also stopped lifting heavy and only lift my legs one every 9 days....with lots and lots of reps and little or no weight.

I've only just started this way of training..but I just wanted to know..is this the best way to decrease the size of my lower body? I still absolutely need to lose body fat in my legs as well, and I don't want to sacrifice all of my muscle, but I am pretty disproportionate.

sorry for the long post...but can any of you guys help me??! Any advice?

[luvtherush]

I can definitely sympathize as my legs tend to bulk up pretty easily. As a matter of fact, over the past four weeks I started doing a lot of walking lunges with no added resistance (just my body weight) and noticed my pant legs getting tigher too.

Anyway, I too would be interested in any advice on this topic

[imperfectly_lou]

The EXACT same thing happened to me late last year. I have a very skinny upper body which won't gain muscle to save itself but last year, my legs got too large and became out of proportion. I couldn't wear jeans for 6months because they were always miles too big in the waist to fit my butt and thighs.

I ended up having to lose a couple of pounds and increased my cardio, decreased my cals. My leg training became more focused on strength, so reps of 1-6 as opposed to hypertrophy. I also avoided free-weight squatting for about 4 months.

Now I can fit back into jeans which is good, but I do kinda miss how hard my legs were before. I guess thats the pay off

[gymgrrl]

Tai, I can totally relate to you! I've always been smaller and more muscular on top than the bottom. I DREADED buying/wearing pants...especially jeans with out a LITTLE lycra.....my waist is really small but my, uh, BUTT is ample . My legs tend to increase in size when I work them alot too.

It's almost as if my top and bottom are mismatched and there's someone out there with the opposite.....if we could just switch so my bottom would match! A perfect world!

[caligrl26]

Rofl!!!!! I Love my Big ol' Booty. BIG BOOTY HOES!!! j/k girls. I'm like a 15 year old on top and got hips and a butt. My legs are just starting to bulk up and my butt has gone in a whol new direction. Its sorta bubbly instead of wide. So Welcome to wonderful world of peardom. If i could have big boobs that would be awesome. And if i could get some more muscle in my upper body that would be great. Oh well. Don't know waht to tell ya Tailfighter. But you look really good in your pics. Maybe do yoga!

[taifighter]

THANK YOU! I'm just glad to know I'm not the only one out there that has pretty much given up on jeans. I'm like a size 2 at the waist and freaking size 7 at the hips. I DO love that I have a shapely butt and muscular legs, but MAN I don't want to live in sweat pants for the rest of my life.

Does anyone know if long distance running will eventually lean out the legs (as in the muscles become more elongated...rather than bulky) or if running will just keep piling on the muscle?

Lou..had a question about your leg reps...you said you did 1-6 reps for strength...did you use weight for these reps? I have gone the opposite route, focusing on endurance, so reps of 15 and up, with no weight. Just wondering if I'm wasting my time. I thought about just not training my legs at all for a bit...but knowing me my butt will stay big and just turn to jello.
Why must a I be so volumptous?!?

Thanks for the help girls, anyone else had this problem?!

[abbs]

I have read that for a lot of people long distance running (as opposed to HIIT and sprints etc) has helped to reduce the leg bulk. I do think not training the lower half is an option, because realistically, if your diet was in order and you were still lifting upper body and doing cardio, your lower half should atrophy without an increase in fat. The downside to that is losing the increased metabolic advantages that training legs gives your body. I think it will be a matter of trying different things and finding what works for you.

[caligrl26]

Try lucky brand jeans. I have the same problem as you do Tai. They fit good.

[taifighter]

its so funny you recommend those...I have a pair and they're the ONLY jeans I can wear now. They fit perfectly. I guess I just thought its cause I've had them for awhile and they're "stretched out". Well, guess i'll go stock up on some more of them Thanks!

[gymgrrl]

When I find a pair of pants that fit well, I usually buy two pair at the same time. That way, no one can "technically" say that I wear the same pants all the time. Now that it's summer, I can wear skirts....so much easier!

[hotgymchick]

I have this problem too..its not that my legs are too big, its just the outer part of my quad sticks out too much. It's not like I can do legs without working this part...

[pixiewish82]

It's so nice to hear that others have the same problem!!! Sorry--misery loves company. I hate to even shop for pants because I never find anything that is cute or fits nicely. I'm going to look into Lucky jeans like everyone mentioned. Any other brands that you would recommend for khakis or dress pants??

[hotgymchick]

Express has dress pants (try the "Correspondent" fit) that fit well in the hips and waist, then have a full leg.

[gymgrrl]

One other thing is that I NEVER put pants or jeans in the dryer, I hang them up and I only wash them in cold water. I don't want them tight either so even if they're just *slightly* damp when I put them on, they will loosen up a tad after a knee bend or two

Lee jeans make their "One True Fit" line and the bootcut ones are great!

[terracotta]

If I made a thread it would be "baby WANTS back" lol.. its getting there

[terracotta]

Anyone ever thought of trying men's jeans?

[Dogmama]

Men's jeans are too big in the waist for me. Bump on never putting them in the dryer. Just use lots of fabric softener, or you'll end up with cardboard jeans.

[RSR]

Anyone ever thought of trying men's jeans?

I almost always used to wear men's clothes a while back in higschool.... but when I started growing hips, they stopped fitting. I bought a usual pair, took them home, and the waist would have been the right size, but I couldn't fit them over my hips. I almost cried [I had a lot of issues and didn't want to be feminine- it felt more safe to be masculine, if that makes sense].

Maybe for some people men's would fit better, but I think especially for curvy women, they most likely wouldn't fit the hip area either. For people who are really desperate, you could always get a good pair tailored or wear a belt all the time if it's not cinching the jeans too much.

I would almost recommend something lower cut- not necessarily hip huggers, but something with a slightly lower rise [if you are not wearing these already]. Because they are cut for your hip bone and not your waist, they may fit better. I have much less of a problem wearing low rise than other kinds of pants, and they are usually pretty flattering for most people.

Or, as someone else said, jeans with a bit of lycra or stretch in them. Personally, I don't like those much, though. They are thin feeling and reveal any little bumps you might have... and they always seem to stretch to the point that I can pull them off without unbuttoning them, which means they fall down a lot if you are walking around and such.

[terracotta]

I almost always used to wear men's clothes a while back in higschool.... but when I started growing hips, they stopped fitting. I bought a usual pair, took them home, and the waist would have been the right size, but I couldn't fit them over my hips. I almost cried [I had a lot of issues and didn't want to be feminine- it felt more safe to be masculine, if that makes sense].

Maybe for some people men's would fit better, but I think especially for curvy women, they most likely wouldn't fit the hip area either. For people who are really desperate, you could always get a good pair tailored or wear a belt all the time if it's not cinching the jeans too much.

I would almost recommend something lower cut- not necessarily hip huggers, but something with a slightly lower rise [if you are not wearing these already]. Because they are cut for your hip bone and not your waist, they may fit better. I have much less of a problem wearing low rise than other kinds of pants, and they are usually pretty flattering for most people.

Or, as someone else said, jeans with a bit of lycra or stretch in them. Personally, I don't like those much, though. They are thin feeling and reveal any little bumps you might have... and they always seem to stretch to the point that I can pull them off without unbuttoning them, which means they fall down a lot if you are walking around and such.

as you can tell I've never tried them.. I'm still pretty thin in the legs although I'm now wearing relaxed fit instead of skinny jeans. I always wear low rise (1/2-1 inch below belly button) jeans too.

Someone should start a line of everyday clothes for female bodybuilders. There seems to be a market.

[luv2live]

I was blessed with the ability to gain a lot of lower body muscle, and I think its great..but my legs have actually gotten BIGGER. Now, I can't fit into pants I could wear before I started lifting. I know muscle is more compact than fat..but I guess I can gain enough mass in my lower body that it still remains...large.

I'd like to reduce the muscle in my legs.

At first I was doing a lot of elliptical and stair stepper, but I thought it would be better to stay away from inclines. So now the majority of my cardio is running (sprinting intervals and long distance) and the exercise bike. I've also stopped lifting heavy and only lift my legs one every 9 days....with lots and lots of reps and little or no weight.

Seems your original question was hijacked into what pants to wear! LOL
Real quick, for pants try buying a size that fits the largest part of your body and then get them altered to fit the rest.

As for Tiafighter and her question, if you really want to drop the muscle you've built stop doing the sprints and get back on the elliptical or take long runs. Weight train them less (lighter weight than before and hold the 10 rep range) or don't train them at all other than the running and cardio.
Try that and see if it helps.

[terracotta]

I know this is the worst thing to say in a body building forum, so please don't kill me, but I'd like to reduce the muscle in my legs. Or at least THEIR SIZE. It has become extremely difficult to buy pants because I have a big bubble butt and large quads that require very big pant legs...but then the waist is too big....and vice versa.

I wouldn't say the thread was hijacked.. right after saying she wants to lose muscle she says she can't find nice pants to fit the muscles.

[caligrl26]

its so funny you recommend those...I have a pair and they're the ONLY jeans I can wear now. They fit perfectly. I guess I just thought its cause I've had them for awhile and they're "stretched out". Well, guess i'll go stock up on some more of them Thanks!

Don't you luv em" The more you wash and wear them the better they fit. I don't know if you have a buckle store where you are at but the bk brand jeans are good too! Isn't it great to have a size seven booty and a size two waist!!!! I'm down for starting a clothing line for non stick chicks!!!! I love love love clothes!!! Sorry Tai I know this was about losing muscle in your legs not clothing. But since I can't help you there, I thought i would help you with yours jeans!!! LOL. You could always wear ummm ... cargo pants????? Army style. They look really cute with flip flops and a tank top.

[Gabrielle]

First of all, you know I'm going to say that I bet your booty looks great just the way it is!
But I do think the running will help a lot

I've found that working on building my delts has balanced everything out~which is great right now that it's summer and I can wear tank tops.
~~~~And that is something so different for me! Before my weight lifting days, I wouldn't leave the house unless my arms were covered. Now, it's how little can I get away with wearing!

As far as pants, DA NANGs rule for booty. But at 175 bucks a pop, a little pricey.
I discovered Army surplus BDU pants~OMG! they make booty look great!! I bought about 6 pairs last weekend.

[caligrl26]

First of all, you know I'm going to say that I bet your booty looks great just the way it is!
But I do think the running will help a lot

I've found that working on building my delts has balanced everything out~which is great right now that it's summer and I can wear tank tops.
~~~~And that is something so different for me! Before my weight lifting days, I wouldn't leave the house unless my arms were covered. Now, it's how little can I get away with wearing!

As far as pants, DA NANGs rule for booty. But at 175 bucks a pop, a little pricey.
I discovered Army surplus BDU pants~OMG! they make booty look great!! I bought about 6 pairs last weekend.

Arn't they the cutest ever!!!!! My ex husband was in the military and i stole a few pairs from him. They have a rocker chick kind of feel. With some girl- girl jewlery... Wah-lah!!!! If know one noticed I have a passion for working out and SHooooping!!!!

[luv2live]

I wouldn't say the thread was hijacked.. right after saying she wants to lose muscle she says she can't find nice pants to fit the muscles.

Terracotta, I guess it didn't come through in the post but I was just kidding when I said we'd hijacked the thread. Sorry, I guess I have a twisted sense of humor, and found it amusing that on the women's forum a question about losing muscle to fit in pants quickly became more about clothes than training. As a woman who is always on a quest for the perfect pair of jeans it just made me smile. No offense was intended.

[terracotta]

okey..

[Paichka]

Ugh...yall actually LIKE wearing BDU pants?

Holy crap, I can't WAIT until I can stop wearing the things! Of course, with a cute pair of shoes and the right top, they probably could look cute...the whole ensemble though...it's about as unflattering as you can get.

Sunny

[VanillaBean_21]

Well You ladies are lucky...Ive got nothing on top or bottom!

[greyhair]

Just my opinion, but I'd relax a little bit if I were you.
Your probably too hard on your self regarding your looks.

My advice is

1) Go for as much muscle as possible.
2) Maybe focus a little more on upper body, but don't try to "loose" mass in the lower body.
3) Keep track of your body fat percentage and forget the scale.

You'll look great, believe me.

Greyhair

[Gabrielle]

Ugh...yall actually LIKE wearing BDU pants?

Holy crap, I can't WAIT until I can stop wearing the things! Of course, with a cute pair of shoes and the right top, they probably could look cute...the whole ensemble though...it's about as unflattering as you can get.

Sunny

LOL oh sorry, Sunny! I forgot where you were!
I had mine on last night with a tiny red tank top, three low slung belts, a pair of cowboy boots, dangly earrings and a feathered straw cowboy hat.
Yep, looked pretty cute, even if I say so myself!
Hang on to as many BDUs as you can~in about a year after you get back, you'll want to wear them again, I bet!