Expert: Daphne E Brown MS CPRP - 6/15/2003

Question
I am a 16 year old girl with, I guess you would say, an athletic build. I'm not overweight but I have these huge muscles in my thighs. Literally, my thighs look like I am a professional runner because the muscle is so well-defined. I know I can't get rid of my muscles but is there some way to keep them from getting bigger? I walk on my treadmill for about 30 minutes a day to keep in shape.. is this making my problem worse? I would just like some advice in this area. Thankyou!  

Answer
****Suggestions offered here may or may not help you in your particular situation.  Always consult with your physician when you change your exercise and/or nutritional routine****

Hi Abby.

I understand from your question that you want "to get rid of" your thigh muscles or find a way to prevent them from increasing in size.  Am I understanding you correctly?

Some exercise professionals like myself evaluate people by their body structure, called SOMATOTYPE.  

ECTOMORPH - a person who is naturally slender, usually with longer arms, longer legs than other people.  If they aren't overweight, they tend to have have long, lean muscles with shorter muscle bellies.  Whitney Houston and Celine Dion would be examples of an ectomorph.

ENDOMORPH - a person whose body is not as defined, usually with soft, more "feminine"-type body structure.  If they are not overweight, they tend to not have much muscle definition, even if they workout a lot.  Oprah Winfrey would be an example of an endomorph.

MESOMORH - a person who has an "athletic" frame, usually stocky/thick build with plenty arm and/or leg musculature.  Olympic Gymnast Mary Lou Retton is a great example of a mesomorph.

Now, you can also have combinations
*ecto mesomorph
*meso ectomorph
*meso endomorph
*endo mesomorph

+++IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE AN ECTO ENDOMORPH OR AN ENDO ECTOMORPH+++

I encourage you to look at your parents.  Most people inherit their body type from their parents.  You can't change your parents, but you can change your attitude about yourself.  Figure out what body type you are and enjoy it. There may not be much you can do to reduce your muscularity, especially since you are still a developing young adult.

My exercise tip to you would be to avoid heavy weight lifting with your legs.  Consult with an exercise specialist who can give you personalized training tips.  If you can't afford an exercise trainer, go to a college or university near you who has an exercise science degree program.  Ask a Senior or a Grad student to help you with your questions about your exercise and fitness (are you eating nutritiously??).  They sometimes help you for free---I know I helped a lot of people for free when I was a graduate student.   Ask other allexperts as well.

Check out these websites:
http://www.weightlosscontrol.com/bodytypes.htm
http://www.femalemuscle.com/fitness/bodytypes.html

Did this help you??  Don't be quick to compare yourself to someone else.  Be proud that you are healthy young woman and continue to take care of yourself.  You will be happy that you did when you get older.

Take care and HANG IN THERE!!!!
Sincerely, Daphne