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“I swear, food just goes straight to my thighs!”

This saying is common enough but is it true? Does food really goes straight to you thighs?

does food goes straight to my thighs

I understand why women feel like everything they eat goes straight to their thighs, even if it doesn’t really. In this blog post, I’ll explain why :) 

DOES FOOD REALLY GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR THIGS? 

Not necessarily. Let me explain.

When you eat food, your body uses what it can for energy, and lots of metabolic processes in your body (even junk food!). Any extra food that your body doesn’t use will be stored as fat.

Most women tend to store fat in their butt, thighs, and lower stomach. It’s just how we’re built – women are designed to store fat here to help with carrying a baby.

So extra fat might be stored in your thighs if that is your problem area. Or it might go to your stomach, or your butt. You can’t choose where it goes.

If you eat a normal amount of food or at a calorie deficit (meaning you eat less than your body needs), then the food you eat will be used up by your body and won’t go to your thighs at all :)

If you overindulge and eat too much food, whatever your body doesn’t use up will be stored as fat. This fat will likely go to your problem area, whether that is your thighs or somewhere else.

So in summary, food does not go straight to your thighs; EXCESS food may go to your thighs if that is your problem area.

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

For men, their “problem areas” are a little different.

Men don’t seem to carry weight in their butt and thighs. Instead, it often settles around their belly.

Have you ever heard of a beer gut? It can be quite common in men, even if they don’t drink beer. They just seem to store more fat in the belly area.

There’s a reason women don’t really beer guts. It’s because we metabolize fat and calories differently.

This article goes into detail about the why women store fat in their thighs and men in their bellies, so have a read if you’re interested.

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ARE THERE FOODS I SHOULD AVOID?

There is no specific food that will go straight to your thighs. As I mentioned above, it is EXCESS food that is stored as fat, and this can go to your thighs.

So you should avoid diets high in calories.

The highest calorie foods are those that are high in fat and sugar.

High fat foods include avocado, nuts, coconut oil and salmon. Yes these things are healthy, but when you eat too much of them, you might end up eating a lot of calories during the day, and this can lead to fat storage. It’s best to eat these things in moderation, or just make sure your calories are right.

High sugar foods are all the typical “junk foods” such as chocolate, cakes, cookies, pastries and other sweets. Other foods that people think are healthy but are actually full of sugar include yoghurts (unless it’s natural with no added sugar), cereal and muesli bars.

does food really go straight to my thighs

Keep track of the number of calories you eat throughout the day. Not sure how many calories you need? Read this blog post to find out!

WHAT FOODS WILL MAKE MY THIGHS THINNER?

No food will prevent thigh fat from forming entirely. That’s just a natural part of being human. But there are some ways to reduce the buildup of fat that seems to stick to your thighs.

The best way to keep thigh fat from becoming a problem is to eat the right foods. Steer clear of processed foods like potato chips and microwaved dinners, no matter how convenient they are.

Stick to fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to round out your diet. This will help with cellulite too :) 

Wondering where to start? Make sure your pantry includes these delicious fresh foods.

LEAFY GREENS

does food go straight to my thighs

Fresh and frozen spinach, kale, lettuce, and other leafy greens are an important part of your diet. They contain fibre, tons of vitamins and nutrients, and help you feel full after a meal. You can add them to cooked dishes or eat them raw…the choice is yours! You’ll still get the same benefits as long as you eat them.

LEAN PROTEINS 

Chicken, fish, turkey, and some pork cuts are all great sources of lean protein. This will give your muscles the tools they need to heal and strengthen without increasing your caloric intake significantly. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, beans, tofu, and seitan are all good options.

FIBROUS FRUITS

Fibre is the key to helping you feel full, but it also helps your body cope with things like saturated fat, cholesterol, and even some vitamins. The best thing to do is start incorporating fibre into your diet.

Fruits are a wonderful source of dietary fibre and they’re the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add fruits like apples, bananas, raspberries, and even mango into your daily routine.

does food go straight to my thighs

These fruits can be eaten on their own or incorporated into smoothies for a delicious breakfast treat that won’t leave you reaching for a snack a few hours later. Not sure where to start? I have a FREE 7 day meal plan that will help you slim down your thighs in a healthy way!

It’s gluten, dairy and processed sugar free and you can download it below :)

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EXERCISE MATTERS!

The key to keeping your legs lean and toned is exercise. But it’s not just any exercise routine that will help.

You need to choose a routine that targets your legs, hips, and butt without making them bulk up. If you’ve tried normal exercises at the gym, you’ve probably been disappointed with the results. Not sure where to start?

Here are a few great ideas:

WALKING

does food really go straight to thighs

Walking is the absolute best exercise for getting rid of fat on your thighs. It honestly works wonders! Read this blog post to find out why it’s so great and how you can do it for the best results.

STICK TO THE HIIT AND LOW INTENSITY ROUTINES

High intensity interval training (HIIT) routines are designed to get your heart rate pumping and boost your metabolism for hours after the workout is finished.

Low intensity exercises are slower and higher rep, and focus on creating long, lean muscle. Here is an example :)

These exercises help you tone up your body without adding bulk, and can help get rid of cellulite. They will also give your legs a nice smooth and toned look.

There are a lot of HIIT exercises that can cause your legs to bulk up and look bigger. All of my HIIT workouts are focused on not bulking up. So if you don’t want your legs to get bigger, try out some of my HIIT workouts!

THE BEST WAY TO GET LEAN LEGS

I know that women store fat on their thighs and that it is a problem area that can be really difficult to change. So I have created the perfect workout program that will help you get rid of fat on your thighs and tone up your legs without making them bigger.

If this sounds like the perfect workout program for you, check out my 3 Steps To Lean Legs Program.

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I hope you found this blog post helpful! xx

Rachael is an Australian born certified personal trainer and nutritionist who holds a Bachelor degree in Science.

After struggling for years to find an exercise and diet program that is tailored to women striving for lean and toned body with no bulk she designed her Lean Legs Program. This program is tailored to each body type and focused on helping women get toned but feminine bodies, without getting bulky.

Her mission is to empower women and help them stay in shape in a healthy and balanced way.

2 Responses

    1. Hi lovely,
      If you are sprinting for 15-30 seconds at your absolute fastest speed, with a 30-second rest, your body is using the anaerobic pathway and is using predominantly glycogen. This may also contribute to bulkiness in your legs.

      However, if you are running at a fast (not maximum) speed for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, your body will most likely remain in the aerobic zone for the majority of the time, hence burning fat.

      The fitter you are, the longer your body will remain in this aerobic zone before switching to anaerobic (burning more fat)!
      I would only avoid interval running if you’re an endomorph since they gain muscle very easily.

      For more helpful tips please have a read of this blog post.

      Love,
      Diana
      xx

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