Exercise: How to slim your thighs?

Maia Baudelaire, expert nutritionist on Food Behaviour and founder of I Love My Diet Coach ® (first online slimming coaching site), shares with us her tips for firm and toned thighs.

Eat better and move more

Slimming down certain areas specifically is more difficult than following a diet to reshape your figure as a whole. Difficult yes, but not impossible! To achieve this, we must look a bit longer term and therefore practice patience as well. But believe me, you will get there in the end. But what is the best way, then, to get rid of flabby thighs? The answer is a balanced diet (no simple sugars and fats) + adapted sports exercises.

Practice an endurance sport

Running is your best ally if you wish to decrease the circumference of your thighs without adding volume to your muscles. It is advisable to run with a heart rate monitor to keep your heart rate to about 60% of maximum frequency. This is a good tempo to maintain in order to tap into fat reserves. Keep in mind that you are not obliged to invest in a device – if you are going on a run as a group, and are still able to hold a conversation at the same time, it means that you are exercising at the right heart rate. If jogging does not appeal to you at all, try swimming (a little more complicated to measure, though) or cycle to work. Whichever activity you choose, try to practice it at least 2-3 times a week.

Opt for targeted exercises

Whether you are training alone at home or you are attending a course (of aerobics, for example), be aware that some exercises are specifically targeted to slim the thighs. Among them, you can opt for squats, dips, jump rope (childhood flashback!), and leg lifts. If you do not know these exercises, do not hesitate to do a web search for explanatory videos. Have you heard about the “Challenges of the Moment”? It is simply buzzing on Facebook, involving thousands of users coming together to participate in a challenge each month and help each other stay motivated. At the moment, there is a 30-day challenge going on. Start with it as soon as possible, even if it the challenge of the month is already midway through, it cannot hurt, and will also provide a warm up for the upcoming ones.

Massages 

Opt for a massage once you step out of the shower as often as possible. Rolling massages help to improve blood circulation and quickly provide the skin with a smoother appearance. You can also use creams specially formulated for their draining, hydrating and firming effects. That said, this is no miracle solution, and you may be disappointed if you put all your money on this one option. To boost its effectiveness, carry out your massages before sports to help the assets penetrate into your body. You can also use coffee grounds for its invigorating exfoliation and detoxifying properties that will make your skin soft and firm.

Maïa Baudelaire