Let's talk about butts.......

[neenee]

Bwahahahaha.......:p

Seriously. About how big and out of shape they get. Oh, and those thunder thighs too! Those are my two worst spots for toning!

I need good exercises I can do for these two areas. I know squats are good but, I can't do a whole lot of those cuz of the arthritis in my knee. So share with me your wisdom and how to tone this big badonk a donk. :p

[luckyme]

Just buy those Reebox EasyTone shoes... Ever see those commercials? I swear, if a shoe could actually give me lower-half like the girl on that commercial, I'd be all over it!

http://www.reebok.com/US/womens/easytone-shoes

[scrapperjade]

Bwahaahhaha - love it! I have a very flabby rear end and thighs so I totally get where you are coming from! I would love some answers too!

I do know that cardio is good for all over weight loss, but some toning in the area is definitely essential - and I need help with that!!

[scrapperjade]

Just buy those Reebox EasyTone shoes... Ever see those commercials? I swear, if a shoe could actually give me lower-half like the girl on that commercial, I'd be all over it!

http://www.reebok.com/US/womens/easytone-shoes

I hate shoes like that (and the Sketchers Shape Ups). I was speaking to a girl at the athletic shoe store when I was looking for new runners, and she HATED them. Said she's had so many customer complaints, twisted ankles, etc. I guess because the Sketchers ones are curved, people were having a hard time walking in them properly and were falling down. Kind of defeating the purpose if you are tryign to lose weight and end up with an injury, lol.

[neenee]

I hate shoes like that (and the Sketchers Shape Ups). I was speaking to a girl at the athletic shoe store when I was looking for new runners, and she HATED them. Said she's had so many customer complaints, twisted ankles, etc. I guess because the Sketchers ones are curved, people were having a hard time walking in them properly and were falling down. Kind of defeating the purpose if you are tryign to lose weight and end up with an injury, lol.

I looked at those the other day cuz DH bought me some new running shoes for our anniversary. BUT...those shape up types were way out of my price range and with what you are telling me about peeps tripping would NEVER work for me. I am SO clumsy ordinarily that those would make me even more dangerous to myself.

It's a great concept though...if they worked.

[ColleenSwerb]

For one, you can't "spot tone". You can build muscle underneath the fat, but you have to get rid of the fat too. Just like you can do 1200 crunches or ab moves a day, but if you never do cardio you'll never get rid of what's covering up those muscles.

But, if you can run, do that. I SWORE I would always have huge thunder thighs and that it was just the way I was built. Running has totally slimmed them down though. Granted they are still a little big, but I'm 100% ok with that, I like my big strong legs :)

As for working the butt, IDK. I do have 1 move I learned from yoga that kicks booty. Lie on the floor, on your back, with your legs bent and feet flat on the floor, arms on the ground at your sides. Raise your butt up in the air as far as you can, then lower, barely touch the ground, and raise again. Do 15-20 times, and then hold your butt up in the air for 15-20 seconds. While you're holding, bring your hands together under your rear and clasp them together. Really makes you raise your butt up even higher. Rinse and repeat.

For the thighs, I like scissor kicks, and Jillian Michael's plank jacks. Plank jacks are just jumping jacks while in a plank position. Totally works the inner and outer thighs.

[emmasmommy]

i'm not a runner...i just can't do it. i wish it were in me, but i can't.

my butt and things are my worst area too. i've recently started bike riding 3 mi a day with the babe...and lugging her big ol' butt around is a work out in itself LOL

[eranslow]

Bike riding might be an option since it's low impact on the knees. Continue with your walking - that will certainly help. If you are feeling adventurous - try ice skating. Definitely a sport that works the thighs and butt!

[neenee]

oh these are good! See...I keep thinking that my cardio will help tons. I just know that I need to add in some extra toning exercises for those areas cuz they need lots of work. :p

Those exercises sound fab Col! I will try those. I want DH to get me a bike as well. I think I would like the change up to my cardio.

[ColleenSwerb]

A lot of the stuff that Jillian does in her various DVD's (I have almost all of them, LOL!) can be modified to be less impact. If plank jacks are too much impact, just do toe touches. That's one of the moves in her longer DVD. You are in a full plank position (not on your elbows, but arms fully extended like a pushup kinda) and spend 30 seconds just moving 1 foot from where it is normally, out to the side and back. FRIGGEN KILLER! Lol! Then in the next round of that circuit you do the side (I think, I don't think it's one after the other but I could be wrong).

Oh, another butt move. Jillian does plank rows with a leg extension. I would skip the row part (I find it hard to do, it hurts my hands to be on the weights in that position), but you can do either of the leg extension portions. You can be on your knees and do a donkey kick (keeping your leg bent, push your foot up to the sky), or you can be in a full plank, and just raise your leg in the air while keeping it straight. Totally killer for the butt.

[neenee]

Oh, another butt move. Jillian does plank rows with a leg extension. I would skip the row part (I find it hard to do, it hurts my hands to but on the weights in that position), but you can do either of the leg extension portions. You can be on your knees and do a donkey kick (keeping your leg bent, push your foot up to the sky), or you can be in a full plank, and just raise your leg in the air while keeping it straight. Totally killer for the butt.

Oh Jillian and I have a total love/hate relationship! I swear if I ever trained with her in person I'd probably smack her down. But, that is why I love her...she makes me feel the pain and I know it's working.

I used to do these donkey kick things all the time back in my twenties! I had no idea they really worked! LOL I was very fit at the time so, I never saw a difference, I probably just helped maintain. I will be able to do these with the full plank position you mentioned since I can't get down on my knees and put pressure on that stupid arthritic knee.

[jaylensmom]

This is too funny because we were having a conversation about butts yesterday at work...

I've been told stairs, stairs, stairs...

[Shawna Clingerman]

I don't have any magic excercises but I will say... building butt muscle is not always the result you want. I swear since starting a fitness and strengthening routine, my behind is actually bigger.... more tone, which is good, but i swear the muscle is just adding volume LOL

[ColleenSwerb]

Interesting Shawna! My butt has definitely gotten a little smaller. I'll have to keep an eye on it now though! LOL!

Stairs for sure. I like to do them flat footed. I feel more of a burn in my butt that way. :)

PS~Jillian and I would absolutely NOT be friends in real life. I don't think she'd appreciate the choice words that come out of my mouth when I workout with her :p

[Shawna Clingerman]

also, try doing squats but more leaned forward, i have knee probs and always thougth they weren't for me, but i've started bending my upper body at more of an angle (like in your brain think push your butt out and back like... if you had to take a poo in the wild... LOL -eww)

seriously, it helps!

after you have strengthened those gluts too, walking lunges are the best, but i had to build my leg strength before i could do those with out hurting the knees

[neenee]

I don't have any magic excercises but I will say... building butt muscle is not always the result you want. I swear since starting a fitness and strengthening routine, my behind is actually bigger.... more tone, which is good, but i swear the muscle is just adding volume LOL

Oh em gee....this would so not be good for me. I have a really big butt so, I want it smaller but firmer. :p

[profiler_mar]

I am loving all these tips too.....and Jillian, yes she is a sadist! :p

[lovely1m]

Ugh, thats my worst area, too. Even when I was 19 and weighed 30 pounds under my ideal weight, I still had flab in the thighs.

[CA Dreamer]

Are you knees good? If so, I recommend getting one of those small trampolines. You can do jumping jacks on it. Totally tones the bottom/legs fast. I think they are only about $35 at most sporting goods stores. I have had mine for about 8 years.

[LeeAndra]

But my anaconda don't want some unless you got buns, hon! :p

[I cannot believe Amanda or Kellie has not already posted a Sir Mixalot joke in this thread already. Slackers.]

[lliella]

But my anaconda don't want some unless you got buns, hon! :p

[I cannot believe Amanda or Kellie has not already posted a Sir Mixalot joke in this thread already. Slackers.]

Nothing to add... but that the thread title and this made me LOL :p

[4noisyboys]

I just put on my Spanx, and I'm good to go!

[DawnMarch]

I thing lunges and walking lunges are the best butt toners. But, I hate them. A lot.

[junebug]

i bought one of Jillian's dvds a few months ago along with some hand weights. i have neer opened the package and my kids play with the weights lol. we bought an elyptical machine. i've been on it maybe 4 times. i have all the tools, i just need to make myself DO IT. i swear i dont' know what my problem is! i just need to tone up my midsection, butt and thighs, not lose any weight. i guess i prefer outdoor activities like hiking and bike riding. but i have no hiking spots in flat indiana and i have no bike. grrrr......

running would kill me. i don' know how to breathe right. i just get winded too fast. wish i could do it though!

[ScrapShabby]

Oh.... don't even get me started! I'm just committed to starting the diet again in the morning. Ugh!