Toning hips, thighs and bum

[Black Heart]

My body shape is definitely pear - my hips/bum are two dress sizes larger than my top half. As I have virtually no muscle tone anywhere, I would like to know if there is anything I could do particularly for my hips, thighs and bum to make them look less flabby. I have just taken up running, although as I am very unfit I am buiding up slowly. Will this help at all? Or will it just make me even bigger as I slowly build muscle?

[Sunny]

I think jogging will definitely help slim you down. I've found that bicycling is also great for the hips/thighs/buns.

There are a ton of toning exercises you can do. I think squats and lunges are very effective.

Slow Count Squat
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/slowcountsquat.html

Squat with Side Leg Lift (Do these without the dumbbells and add a pound or two when you become comfortable with the exercise)
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/squatwithsideleglift.html

Wall Squat with Stability Ball (If you don't have a ball, you can do these without one)
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/wall%20squat%20w%20stab%20ball.htm
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/wallslide.html

Alternating Front Lunges (Again, start these without weights)
http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/alternatingfrontlunges.html

Take a look through the list and find what works best for you. Just be sure to use proper form so you don't injure yourself.

http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/exercises/list.htm


I'm not an expert, I just know what works for me. There are quite a few fitness gurus on this forum who I'm sure will be able to give you a lot of helpful info.

Good luck!

[healthnut32]

Pilates.

[janie]

Elliptical trainer. I swear by it! I am slightly pear-shaped, and I definitely noticed a difference in my upper thighs, hips, and booty after I started going to the gym regularly.

Good luck with whatever methods you choose!! :)

[Lorilye]

Aerobic step. Most of them come with and exercise manual and it definatley works those areas.

[Black Heart]

Thanks very much for your tips, everyone. I will definitely try the exercises.

I thought pilates was more about whole body posture and flexibility, rather than muscle toning?

[CarlaVeg]

I'm also a pear and I thinl you definitely have to do strength training/ weight lifting... otherwise your pear shape won't change.... aerobics is for your heart... you will burn fat and lose weight by doing aerobics... and yes it helps, but may just become a smaller pear.

Lifting is the only thing that has toned my body.... and very quickly.... I really recommend it!!!! I’m almost 30 and my body looks better now than it did when I was 17 :hamster: I always being thin but never toned... and now, I'm getting there!!!! I lift only 2-3 times a week... I do yoga also...

But if you really want to change the shape of your body you got to lift!!!! Good luck :)

[Fyvel]

I'd say jogging. I'm pear shaped too and have always carried most of my fat around my hips, butt, and thighs. I went to the gym for several months, using the exercise bike and elliptical pretty much every day for at least 30 minutes (usually an hour), and noticed *some* results, but nothing drastic. I started jogging about a month ago, and I have noticed a LOT of improvement since then. I actually love my butt now! (And I have been self conscious of it for as long as I can remember). I actually lost 3 lbs in the past 2 or 3 weeks or so, and it has come off of my hips (and others have noticed as well).

So I'd definitely recommend keeping up the jogging. :)

[Volleyballchick]

rollerblading definetly works your thighs and butt and its FUN! lol also swimming.