gf wants to decrease leg size...
 

...so the gf used to be big into figure skating and tumbling, and has developed large upper (thigh) legs......but now she wants to lose some size in them, because she can't find pants that fit her well (ie: waist too small, legs too big).......now with my knowledge, I've told her to run (to lose fat around them).....and do high reps with low weight to tone them up a bit. Any other tricks out there???

More calories out than calories in to lose weight all over. If she wants the muscle in her legs to decrease, she needs to let them atrophy, which means no lifting.

High reps/low weight to "tone" is a myth.

She could also try bulking up her lower torso/waist a little tp change hip/waist ratio by working abs, lower back and obliques, but I doubt that would accomplish much.

If you want a good calorie burning aerobic exercise that avoids the leg muscles, try swimming. Most of the motive power for swimming comes from the upper body.

Get her a wheel chair and have use it all the time. He legs will atrophy pretty quick.

have her start running. long distance runners have small legs.

have her go on a ramen diet for like 6 months:) Seriously, she needs to get her body to start breaking down muscle during exercise so either a different diet or high catabolic excercise.

Sometimes you just are what you are. Long endurance stuff usually makes muscles smaller. I not what some may think of the low weight/high rep thing. Endurance creates long muscles why short reps and heavy create thicker muscles - from all my experience.

Gosh, that sounds like me. I was a figure skater up until the end of last winter. I've always had the same problem finding a pair of pants that fit well, its a curse I swear. As soon as I was finished with skating, I decided to switch to the gym. Now, when I go to the gym, I run for about 45-50 minutes, then will work on my arms and stomach, hardly ever my legs. My leg muscles are still pretty bulky, but I have noticed a slight change, not by much though. I dunno, I'm fine with my leg muscles for the most part, even if its a pain trying to find pants that fit well.

Just endless aerobic exercise. If she does an hour (preferably two) of low-impact dance workout, or whatever several days a week and restricts her diet, she'll definitely lose mass. Increased aerobic exercise, if it's not high intensity, should decrease her appetite as the body will go after the stored fat.

Personally, I think a fit woman with muscular thighs is hot. I'd suggest she goes with skirts and/or tights.

Rodney, that last suggestion is awesome. Show those legs off.

Haha, the wheelchair suggestion is good, but really, I think that if there is a significant amount of fat, exercise might help, but she might want to put some effort toward seeing her thighs in a positive light. Do not let clothing dictate the shape of your body.

;) Judging from your avatar, I think she looks great! Can't see her legs from here, but everything else seems to be in order. ;)

OMG! that's so funny because I was an ice skater 2 years ago and have the same problem. lol. I did it for like 12 years. It's a total curse. I might as well return to it.
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My wife skis, hikes, and rides her own motorcycle. Go figure, her thighs are almost the same size as mine.

Not every woman is going to be a size0 and an active lifestyle builds muscle. I'm not sure reducing leg size specifically is very feasible or desirable. Feeling healthy is way more important than an arbitrary image presented in the media.

Find a good seamstress/dressmaker and have pants altered/tailored to suit. I am sure just one good fitting and well cut pair will make her feel better - like the LBD. Then she can work on her training whilst looking and feeling good and comfortable.

lol its been 6 years, i think the problem's been solved

I would say working out less would make her loose muscle mass in her legs.

But just accepting how she is built might be the best option of all.