Ask Jillian Michaels

Advice for Pear-Shaped Bodies

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Q: I'm 5 feet 4, weight 123 pounds, and have a pear shape. My thighs have always been bigger than my hips. My arms are skinny and my stomach is flat. When I do leg exercises, my thighs get even bigger and my pants get tighter around the thighs. My diet is right on target. Any ideas?

A:

This is a common issue when doing weight training. Have you ever heard guys in the gym say they want to get a good "pump"? After a workout, the muscles you worked will swell as a result of fluid accumulation. This will occur almost immediately after exercise — which is why I never do a leg workout when I want to get into my skinny jeans on Saturday night! The swelling will gradually subside over the next several days.

Don't fret — as long as you are not eating more calories than you are burning in a day, you will not gain muscle mass or accumulate fat. And as you continue to lose weight, your legs WILL get smaller; it just takes time.

Get more fitness tips from Jillian Michaels.

Last Updated: 07/21/2009

Often called "TV’s toughest fitness trainer," Jillian Michaels has appeared on the U.S. and Australian versions of The Biggest Loser. Jillian is also the author of three books, Master Your Metabolism, Winning by Losing and Making the Cut, and the creator of the online weight-loss program www.jillianmichaels.com.