How to Lose Your Thigh Fat With Jillian Michaels
Jillian Michaels' workouts can slim your thighs as well as your entire body. Here, the 30 Day Shred creator dishes on how to lose thigh fat.
Fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, best known for her 30 Day Shred workouts and her work on TV shows such as "The Biggest Loser" and "Losing it with Jillian," was once 175 pounds. As of 2013, she weighs 60 pounds less. Michaels, who understands weight loss from personal experience, advocates a healthy lifestyle and warns that you can't spot-reduce fat. Although you can't target thigh fat, following Jillian Michaels' workouts and advice can slim your entire body, thighs included.
Step 1
Ignore what Michaels terms "fad diets" and focus on healthy eating. Michaels says to skip processed food and to eat more beans, legumes, berries, nuts and organic food in general. She also recommends avoiding alcohol and drinking more than eight glasses of water per day, particularly when you exercise regularly.
Step 2
Avoid temptations, such as fatty foods, by using positive mental images. When you have a craving for sugary or fatty food, Michaels suggests that you think about how good you'll look if you eat healthier alternatives.
Step 3
Perform circuit training to keep your heart rate up and burn more calories than ordinary workouts. To do Michaels' 3-2-1 circuit, for example, warm up first with five minutes of aerobic exercise. Do six consecutive strength-training exercises, each for 30 seconds, four separate cardio exercises for 30 seconds each and then two core exercises for 30 seconds each. Don't rest between exercises until each of the three circuits is complete. Do three sets of these circuits — or work up to that level — four times per week.
Step 4
Strengthen your thighs — so they'll look better after you've dropped the fat — by performing buns and thighs workouts, including lunges. Take a large step forward and lunge so your lead thigh is parallel to the floor and your lead knee is above your ankle. Keep your feet in place as you rise, with your torso vertical. Squat up and down for 20 repetitions on each leg and try to work up to three sets. Perform the exercise two to three times per week on non-consecutive days.
Tip
Take a circuit exercise class is you're new to circuit training.
warning
Consult your physician before you attempt a new exercise program.