Big thighs

I do cardio 5 days a week, and have been taking a "personal touch" class, in which we use hand weights and do a lot of reps, and lunges, etc.  My thighs seem to be getting bigger instead of smaller.  My question is, How long will this continue (I'm assuming I'm building muscle)before I start to see them start to get smaller (ie: lose weight)?  The class is 6 weeks, twice a week, but I don't want to come away bigger than I was to begin with.  I'm watching what I eat (tracking it on calorie count) but I've only lost a few pounds since I started (I'm in my 4th week).  Any responses will be greatly appreciated.   

It sounds like you've got a great exercise plan =)

Remember that exercising will help you gain muscle and increase your caloric burn, but that's mass gain - especially if it is something you have just started. This is good though, its the kind of mass you want to gain :) When your diet helps you slim down, you'll have definable muscle not the "skinny fat" that those who diet only (I was one of those until recently!) will get when they lose weight.

The bottom line is, you will gain muscle, which means gaining mass... but because your burn will be higher, if you keep your intake constant, you're creating a greater calorie defecit which will help you drop the weight (in fat, not muscle!)

Just don't go over a 1,000cal defecit and keep at it - its frustrating sometimes and even if its plumping you a little now, when the fat comes off, you're going to feel like a rockstar! ;) Keep at it!

Try running.  As crazy as it sounds, I've heard that it tends to break down muscle, which is why most running athletes have scrawny legs.  Running has transformed me because I tend to gain in my butt and thighs, which is also the hardest area to lose weight from.  Since I started running the inches have melted off and I feel spectacular.

Look at my pictures in my gallery, I have had a dramatic reduction in thigh size (and overall size!).  But I think my thunder thighs have markedly reduced.

My "secret" is diet (500 - 800 kCal deficit daily), running (x5 per week), and strength training with heavy weights (3x per week - squats, lunges, dead lifts, without ignoring my upper body).

This hasn't happened over night, it's been 6 hard months, and I have a way to go to get to my goal BMI.  You need to be committed.  Good luck x

Edit: You should know I think, that it's impossible to build muscle while eating a calorie deficit, so don't be afraid of "bulking up".  Just not going to happen if your diet is in order!

You cannot change the way you are built; it's that simple. The good news, however, is that your legs will look fantastic when you lose the weight. Do not worry right now about the fact that they seem bigger--you have MUSCLE in there and that is awesome!! When you lose the layer of fat (however thick it might be) that is over those muscles, you will have very sexy, toned looking legs. If you are a "pear" shape, then the thighs/saddle bags may be the last fat to go, but the look afterwards is really worth it!

As someone said, that muscle will help the fat disappear faster than if you did NOT have muscle, and I doubt you could get nice legs by diet alone if you are pear shaped. Do not give up!

Good luck.

Thank you so much for all of the good advice, I do appreciate it!!  I really have a hard time understanding, when you are building muscle, when does the fat loss happen?  I think I may try running aoifek, I used to do that, but switched to aerobics instead, your pictures are amazing!!!!  You are doing a wonderful job!!  You must be so proud of yourself!!  How far do you run, or how long, per day?  I'll keep it up, I have just been at a standstill for a couple of months, and I need a boost!!