Dear Fitbabe,

I am a 36-year-old mother of two. I struggle with “saddle bags.” How do I shape my thighs without adding bulk?
 
Regards, Thunder Thighs

Hi there Thunder Thighs. I get this question a lot. In fact, aside from the pursuit of nice flat abdominals, glutes and thighs are the most popular areas clients want to tone and sculpt! Doing squats and lunges will shape and tone your legs. Don’t worry because no matter who you are, you will not add BULK unless you are a man who eats 3500 calories a day and does no cardio. When squatting or lunging, try to use a moderate amount of weight, and really think about driving your heels into the floor as you rise out of either move. Also, concentrate on squeezing your glutes as you rise (and then press those heels to the floor). This concentration of mind on muscle will help you shape your thights/legs without bulk. I promise! Doing more reps with that moderate weight will also help yout to lean and tone. Here I must stress that you need to lift moderate to HEAVY weights. Next, I would recommened adding in hill walking, spin-classes, and step-mill training as your cardio choices, eat a clean diet (90%), and be sure to sleep and recover!
 
Hope this helps. Get it right, get it tight!
 
Fitbabe

Deanna Harder

Fitness Leadership Diploma, CSEP-CPT (Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology-Certified Personal Trainer), and Figure Competitor