That's Fit

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. I'm trying to lose weight in my thighs. I do tons of leg exercises but haven't seen any results. Have a suggestion? -- Darlene

A. Yes yes yes! I have the solution to your problem. You can't lose weight in your thighs! That is ... you can't lose weight ONLY in your thighs. Spot reduction is a myth, and no matter how many leg lifts you do, you will never be able to see shrinkage in only one part of your body. The secret to shrinking those thighs are to shrink everything. Just strive to lose some weight. Eat fewer calories and burn a lot more. When we lose weight we lose it everywhere. Legs, arms, back, bum, face, and feet. Some people tend to lose weight in certain areas first, but we certainly can't choose that. Good old genetics made that choice long ago.

If your legs are your area of choice to focus on, well go right ahead. Continuing to do lower body strength training will only allow your legs to look curvier and stronger as you burn the fat. Again, focus on getting sweaty to burn lots of calories. Consume fewer calories and choose a high percentage of fruits, veggies and lean meat. You'll be loving your legs (and other parts too) in no time!

Q. I'm about six weeks pregnant. I'll soon be taking prenatal yoga but is it okay to continue with more strenuous activity like weight-lifting and running? -- Elizabeth

A. Congratulations! Motherhood is amazing, and I'm grateful you're taking your health seriously. Prenatal yoga is terrific, and I definitely encourage you to continue both cardiovascular and strength training throughout your pregnancy too. Strenuous exercise however, I do not recommend. Jogging at a slow or moderate pace is great if you were doing so before you became pregnant. If you're accustomed to it, you'll be able to control your breathing and avoid becoming overheated. Same goes for strength training. Do what you were doing pre-pregnancy, but don't jump into anything new and exhausting.

Pregnancy can be hard, and that sweet little life inside of you is fairly fragile. You are 100% right in choosing to remain fit and strong during these 40 weeks. It will help you avoid many nasty side effects of excessive weight gain, and make your delivery a heck of a lot easier. You just have to be smart. Listen to your body. If you feel like you're becoming breathless, slow down. If you're straining a ton while strength training decrease your load.

Aim to exercise frequently at a moderate pace. If you feel an "ouch" pain or something feels weird, slow down or stop. It's simply not worth it to push hard for the day. Definitely avoid contact sports or activities which you could risk falling, or colliding with anything. Think big picture at all times. Healthy baby. Healthy baby. Talk with your doctor before you do anything and visit this website to get more information.

I've experienced two spectacularly fit pregnancies of my own and I wouldn't change a thing. I made healthy eating choices daily, and exercised most days of the week. I also took a bunch of good naps. My pace slowed down a ton towards the end, but that was fine. I was grateful to just keep moving, and as a result I popped right back into shape once my children were born. Good luck to you both and enjoy creating a healthy home for your little bean. What better could you be?

Punches & Kicks,
Fitz

Note: The content presented on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.