Hello all,

I had a couple of questions. I am trying to tone my legs a bit since they're currently slightly resembling tree trunks. Firstly, I've been told numerous times that it's far easier to convert fat to muscle than it is to just create muscle out of 'thin air' so to speak. Am I right in thinking that muscles turn fat nearest to them into muscle first, i.e. exercising/working out one's leg muscles would get rid of fat around the legs? Or will I miraculously lose fat from my rear whilst pumping iron with my thighs?

Secondly, I have a lot of fat around my thighs, but my leg muscles are quite big and powerful too (I've cycled and hiked a lot throughout my life). I get the impression that if I got rid of the fat around my legs, they would look pretty toned due to the amount of muscle. Would it be more benificial to use the treadmills to burn fat on my legs than it would be to work out the thigh muscles (seeing as I've said already, there's a lot of fat available to be turned into muscle)? And if running on the treadmill would be best, what sort of regime should I aim for?

I know these are perhaps very broad questions which can only be answered with generalised responses, but input anyone has to offer would be appreciated.

I only read briefly through your post but a couple of things stood out. First off, fat is fat and muscle is muscle. One won't turn into the other, period. If you've got great leg muscles then you will need to go on a reduced calorie diet and eventually the fat around your legs will disappear and your great legs will show. But, you can't "spot reduce" in one area. You will lose fat all over your body and there really is no telling where it will be lost. So, read the nutrition stickies and the weight loss stickies and you'll be on your way. Thanks for coming to see us. There is tons of info. here and you can benefit greatly from hanging around and asking questions. Take it easy, Greg

Seconding what GT said. Muscle is muscle and fat is fat. There is no process where one turn into the other. When people become sedentary the body reduces muscle because it is not needed, and gains fat because of excess food intake and a lack of exercise. When people become active, fat is burned and muscle is built to compensate.

If you are happy with how muscular your legs are now and just want to trim them down, then you need to eat a calorie deficit. You stated you've done a lot of hiking and cycling; well if those are activities you enjoy, you're in luck because they are both great exercises for burning up fat.

And again, to repeat what GT said, you can't spot reduce. When you exercise and eat a calorie deficit, your body stimulates fat cells to release energy to be used. This message gets sent to all the fat cells all across the body. So over time, if you keep sending that message, the fat cells all over your body will shrink, including the ones on your thighs.

Thanks for the responses - they're helpful. I take it then that the reason I've been told that having fat to 'turn into' muscle is good is that when you DO exercise, you burn the fat for energy whilst building muscle from the exercise, as opposed to burning the muscle for energy due to lack of fat?

Thanks again.

Do you consume enough protein? If you do, all you need is a little cardio or maybe running in the treadmill to reduce that fat around your leg

hey im currently going through the same thing, trying to tone my legs!!!
Im currently on my 'not enough calorie' diet!! Im soooooo hungry but the results will be worth it. im finding that a little cardio and some calf raises and squats are bringing them on a treat...however im never sure whether i want to pedal the bike or eat it !!!! GRRRRRRRRRR!!
Keep us posted on how its going! GOOD LUCK