|  | Diet Nutrition | Weight Control

Things to Make Your Thighs Thinner

Excess weight in the thighs is a common issue for people looking to shed a few pounds -- especially women. With healthy food choices and incorporating physical activity into your routine, you can reduce weight in your legs and improve muscle tone.

  1. Healthy Eating Habits

    • Reducing the number of calories you eat a day, and choosing healthier foods can contribute to weight loss in your thighs and in other trouble spots. Dropping your daily calorie intake by 500 calories a day results in a 3,500 calorie reduction a week, which is equivalent to 1 lb. pound. Create a shopping list that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and leaner meat selections such as fish and turkey. Eat carbohydrates and sugar in moderation, and avoid fast foods and fried foods to assist your efforts.

    Cardio Workouts

    • Cardio workouts are necessary to help thin your thighs. This type of workout burns fat and calories and contributes to a slimmer, smaller physique. Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts. Start slow with low impact exercises such as walking or light aerobics -- and then increase to a moderate or high impact workout to increase the number of calories you burn per session. Effective cardio workouts to help thin your thighs include power walking, jogging and biking. Work out for 30 to 60 minutes a minimum of two times a week.

    Drink Plenty of Water

    • Swollen thighs may result from excess water from fluid retention. Exercise increases circulation and helps release extra fluids in the body, as does massaging the thighs. Lose water weight by increasing your water intake to eight glasses a day -- and lower your intake of processed foods to keep your sodium levels down. If fluid retention does not respond to home methods, ask your doctor about safe diuretics to help flush fluids trapped in your thighs.

    Leg Exercises

    • Along with cardio to burn fat in the thighs, incorporate leg exercises such as squats, lunges and leg lifts to help sculpt and tone your leg muscles. Increasing muscle tone in your legs contributes to a higher calorie burn when exercising, and building muscle tone will smooth bumps and dimples caused by cellulite or fluid retention.

Weight Control - Related Articles