Why am I gaining weight in thighs and buttocks?
David Perry
Updated on July 08, 2026
An unhealthy diet can result in extra fat
Why am I gaining weight in thighs and buttocks female?
The main culprit behind weight gain in your thighs is estrogen. This hormone drives the increase in fat cells in females, causing deposits to form most commonly around the buttocks and thighs.
How do you lose weight on your thighs and bum?
Try the following exercises to lose fat from the butt and to tone the muscles in the thighs and glutes:
- Running. Share on Pinterest. ...
- High-intensity interval training. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Step-climbing. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Squats. Share on Pinterest. ...
- Lunges. ...
- One-leg deadlift. ...
- Side-lying hip abduction. ...
- Lateral band walk.
What foods cause thigh fat?
The biggest culprits are pasta, white rice and bread, pastries, sodas, and desserts. These foods cause your blood sugar levels to spike, then crash soon after.
Why do I accumulate fat in my thighs?
Sedentary Lifestyle: thigh fat is a sign of atrophied buttocks settling within the thighs. The main reason for this is rooted in a lack of physical activity. If you don't have a somewhat active lifestyle, your blood circulation slows down, resulting in fat accumulation and cellulite.
36 related questions foundDoes walking reduce thigh fat?
According to The Stroke Association, a brisk 30-minute walk daily helps in controlling high blood pressure and in reducing the chances of stroke by 27 per cent. More importantly, brisk walking can help you tone your legs and reduce thigh fat. Walking tones your calves, quads and hamstrings and lifts the glutes.
What foods make your thighs smaller?
Dietary changes
- a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread.
- protein from a range of sources, which may include beans, nuts, seeds, lean meats, and eggs.
- healthful oils, such as olive oil and nut oils.
How do I reduce estrogen in my thighs?
Increase intake of cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous Vegetables have been shown to have great success in helping rid the body of bad estrogens. Examples would be broccoli, spinach, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.
What foods go straight to your thighs and hips?
Try some of the following foods:
- lean proteins, such as chicken and fish.
- red meat with no growth hormones, such as grass-fed beef.
- eggs.
- full-fat dairy, such as whole milk and full-fat Greek yogurt.
- fat-rich fruits, such as avocados.
- nuts, such as almonds.
- whole-grain breads.
What foods go to your butt?
- Salmon. Salmon is a great source of protein, packing 22 grams into a single 4-ounce (113-gram) serving ( 5 ). ...
- Flax seeds. Flax seeds not only boast a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids per serving but also high amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins ( 8 ). ...
- Eggs. ...
- Quinoa. ...
- Legumes. ...
- Brown rice. ...
- Protein shakes. ...
- Avocados.
Does walking reduce buttocks?
You really can lose weight in your butt and thighs from walking, but not just from walking back and forth from your mailbox. You need to stick with a program or routine if you intend to lose weight strictly from walking.
Does walking make your bum bigger or smaller?
Does walking make your bum bigger or smaller? Walking doesn't usually make your bum muscles big and stronger as you're not normally actively engaging your glute muscles with every step.
How can I lose butt and thigh fat without exercise?
If you want to get a smaller butt and thighs without exercising, try to cut down on sugary foods, like candy, cookies, and soda, which will help you lose fat overall. If you find yourself struggling to reduce the unhealthy foods you eat, take it slow and cut out 1 food at a time.
What should I eat to lose thigh fat in a week?
A Diet to Reduce Thighs and Hips
- Eat lots of whole fruits and vegetables.
- Swap processed grains for whole grains.
- Eat high-quality lean proteins, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds and legumes.
- Consume fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
- Avoid highly processed foods whenever possible.
How do you get rid of stubborn thigh fat?
6 effective ways to get rid of stubborn inner thigh fat
- Do exercises that target the thighs. ...
- Cut back on or change your carb intake to lose overall body fat. ...
- Eat nutritious foods. ...
- Drink more water. ...
- Up your electrolytes. ...
- Get more sleep.
How can I lose thigh fat in a week?
Here are some effective exercises to target this area.
- Sumo squat. Set your feet out wide, turning toes out to about the 10:00 and 2:00 positions. ...
- Side lunge. Stand tall with your feet together. ...
- Curtsy lunge. Stand tall with your feet together. ...
- Skater. ...
- Side-lying adduction.
Does eating a lot make your thighs bigger?
If you overindulge and eat too much food, whatever your body doesn't use up will be stored as fat. This fat will likely go to your problem area, whether that is your thighs or somewhere else. So in summary, food does not go straight to your thighs; EXCESS food may go to your thighs if that is your problem area.
Does estrogen cause big butt?
Excess estrogen, also called estrogen dominance, can change your body shape, causing an increase in fat deposits in the area of your thighs and butt. This is what gives some women a “pear” shape, where the hips are far wider than the shoulders.
Does estrogen cause weight gain in thighs?
One form of estrogen called estradiol decreases at menopause. This hormone helps to regulate metabolism and body weight. Lower levels of estradiol may lead to weight gain. Throughout their life, women may notice weight gain around their hips and thighs.
How can I stop hormonal weight gain?
10 Natural Ways to Balance Your Hormones
- Eat enough protein at every meal. ...
- Engage in regular exercise. ...
- Maintain a moderate weight. ...
- Take care of your gut health. ...
- Lower your sugar intake. ...
- Try stress reduction techniques. ...
- Consume healthy fats. ...
- Get consistent, high quality sleep.
How long does it take to slim down thighs?
In general, it can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks of consistent lifestyle changes to notice a slimmer appearance to your legs. With that said, some women may notice a difference in fewer than 6 weeks and some may not notice a difference after 12 weeks.
Why won't my thighs get smaller?
Rachael said one of the main reasons why you're not losing weight on your legs is because you're doing the wrong type of workouts. 'I see lots of girls that do workouts that focus solely on squats and lunges when trying to get slimmer legs,' Rachael said.
Do squats slim thighs?
WILL SQUATS MAKE YOUR THIGHS SMALLER: SUMMARY. Squats increase the size of your leg muscles (especially quads, hamstrings and glutes) and don't do much to decrease the fat, so overall your legs will look bigger. If you're trying to decrease the muscles in your legs, you need to stop squatting.
Do squats make your thighs bigger or smaller?
Although lunges and squats tone and define your thigh muscles, they won't make them smaller. In fact, you might notice your thighs getting bigger from exercise.
Do squats make your butt bigger?
Squats work all of the glute muscles in one movement. When you strategically recruit and tax these muscles, you can trigger hypertrophy (or muscle size growth). So, yes, squats can help you build bigger glutes.