large hips...

Since I started exercising a few weeks ago I feel a lot more energetic and all-around happier. I'm not sure how much fat/weight I've lost but I've gotten a few comments that I look better/healthier/ect.

I'm overall happy with my body. However, due to genetics rendering my body pear shaped, I have hips that are disproportional to my average sized bust and small waist. My thighs, too, are larger than I'd like. I'm not severely disproportional but it's enough to make me wary of wearing a bikini as well as a bit self conscious of my lower half. I know I can not change my body shape since it's genetic but I'd like to get a more balanced shape. Possible? If so, what do I need to do?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

you could try to bulk up your chest area & lats. that's what im doing. unfortunately it doesn't make that much of a difference but it helps some.  the v back helps to make my waist look even smaller & thus hourglass. oh & i try to always wear victoria secrets wonder bra to give myself a little ooomph up top.

I also have the same problem except my bust isn't even average, it's small...lol. No matter how much weight I lose or how much exercise I do, my measurements may change but my shape doesn't. My hips and thighs are always the biggest part of my body. I also wear a "Wonder" bra or push up bra and it kind of helps but honestly, it doesn't really make a difference. I think being a pear is not so bad. I'd rather have hips than no hips at all. I have learned to love my shape.

I'm doing the Learn to Run, increasing my running and my thighs are getting smaller.  I'm trying to build up my arms and thin out my belly too. 

I'm pear-shaped too.  A couple years back, I lost a lot of weight riding bikes and being active but not doing any other specific exercise.  I lost nearly all the weight on top and looked like a triangle.  no joke. 

I don't know if it would work for other people but running seems to be thinning out my legs and my hips are losing the fat too.  My poor breasts are shrinking too and I'll have to reinvest in bras soon. 

Eek. I just started cycling. I really hope I don't experience weight loss on top. 

I have been gradually increasing my running, so I hope that helps. It's discouraging to hear that there's little hope for me. I guess I'll just have to get used to my body shape. 

Thanks for the replies. :]

I do both, now.  I do think you'll see results if you also run and do upper body strength training. 

OK. Thank you. I will incorporate strength training into my workout.

Where can I find more info on strength training for beginners? I don't know much about it.

Also, I just remembered we have a workout machine called the total gym 1000 that hasn't been used in ages. This would be used for strength training, correct?

there's no way that you can target an area for fat loss. however, for a big hip/thigh region, you should try lifting weights - go for squats, lunges, deadlifts and the leg press.

i recommend high weights, low reps; this might sound intimidating at first, but remember that you are trying to build muscle in these areas and in order to gain power, you need high weights. if you don't feel like you're struggling, you need to up the weight.

also, STAY AWAY from the hip abductor/adductor machines. they work the inside and outside region of your hips/thighs, making the lower body region look wider from the front. this is the opposite of what you want.

remember this: the leg muscles are the largest muscles in your body. increasing strength in that region will insanely boost your metabolism and the fat will shed away.

Large hips run in my family too, it's a curse and a blessing. I've also started recently running. In only a few weeks, I've noticed some decrease in my cellulite, haha. I've also started incorporating tons more lower body work. I basically split my workouts, 40 minutes of cardio and 20 to 30 minutes of complete lower body (and/or some upper body/abs if I have extra time).

I checked out the Women's Health magazine website and got some great ideas that are easy to do at the gym. It let me put my own routine together, print it off, and bring it with me. Here's a link:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/files/customiz e-your-workout/index.html

To make me feel better, I downloaded Hips Don't Lie by Shakira. Love it! Along with Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC. One of the verses goes: "Knockin' me out with those American thighs..."

Go pears :)

I know how you feel! My mother refers to mine as my "Island Thighs" (which she got from the way the Disney Lilo and Stitch characters are drawn :P Teeny waist and big bottom halves!)

I get the same self consiousness.. instead of having jeans fit my waist, they end up fitting my thighs and being loose in the waist. I'm trying some thigh abductor machines at my work's gym facility. I doubt they'll ever be in proportion though.

As far as the bikini issue goes, I've seen these really adorable fitted board shorts that you wear with a bikini top. I think they're really cute! Definitely considering getting a pair for myself. Maybe it'd be an option for you too? http://www.surfskateclothing.com/images/roxy/ 15090.jpg (there are also longer ones that are still fitted) They used to sell them at Pacific Sunwear if they have that where you are, or online :)

I'm a pear shape too, and I've gradually come to realise that my top is always going to be a size smaller than my bottom no matter what I do. And as for the 'does my bum look big in this?' well, I know it always will. However, I can make my butt look even better by losing the fat and toning up. If it' gonna get noticed, let it be for the right reasons 

 Lets face it ladies, our figures are designed for practicality... good strong thighs for walking, great babymaking hips, and a big butt so we don't have to share the comfy spot on the sofa

Same sad song as everyone else.....  I to have the whole pear shape....  small waist and wide hips...  To make it bad, no matter how much weight I gain my waist is always 10inches smaller than my hips.........   not to mention I am very busty!!

The only advice I have is to lose weight and tone up the body...  my mom and I have the same shape only difference is she is small and a hour glass body looks great on a small frame.....   

Your shape is great!!  People are paying for what you got!!  Good luck with your weight loss.

Please read one of my posts...

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/101 584.html

I hope this links correctly...

Thanks everyone for your advice/helpful words.

I guess I'll just have to learn to love my shape.

Being self-conscious about a part of your body brings more attention indirectly because your non-verbal or verbal communication will give that away.  Truly and honestly, no one is going to care about it as much as you do.  When you can just accept it and have fun in that bikini, people will focus more on your attitude and personality than what you are wearing or how you look in it.