I would do a mix of whatever your favorite form of exercise is. For me, that includes some weight lifting (especially squats, deadlifts and lunges), walking with a weighted vest (I have to walk the dog anyways, might as well get a workout in!) and barre/yoga.

But if you like cycling or swimming or pickleball, the best path to fitness is creating a routine you will stick with. Lots of different ways to get toned legs!

I prefer weight lifting personally, but I found that Barre classes were good for leg definition.

OP here. Thank you PP for sharing your story and tips! Gives me hope. I just started. I'm using My Fitness Pal to track my progress (and calories!) and hope I can stick with it. I just feel physically bad. It's amazing only after four days of Buckling down, eating less and getting serious about exercising I am sleeping so much better and feel markedly better as well.

I also need to rebuild my legs. I remember in the past walking up hills helped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I forgot to mention what’s worked for me:
- Full body lifting 2-3x/week
- Power yoga 2x/week
- Brisk walking 2x/week
- 1500-1600 calories/day
- 100-120g protein/day
- 25g fiber/day

Another thing I forgot. I got kinda burned out after about six months of this program and decided to increase my calories to 1700-1800 to maintain my weight and just focus on staying active. If I decide to cut a bit more weight, I’ll tweak my diet, but for now I feel pretty good.

Nobody on earth should be in a cut phase for longer than 6 months, probably 4 is the max, so good idea increasing your calories for a bit.

Anonymous wrote:PP here. I forgot to mention what’s worked for me:
- Full body lifting 2-3x/week
- Power yoga 2x/week
- Brisk walking 2x/week
- 1500-1600 calories/day
- 100-120g protein/day
- 25g fiber/day

Another thing I forgot. I got kinda burned out after about six months of this program and decided to increase my calories to 1700-1800 to maintain my weight and just focus on staying active. If I decide to cut a bit more weight, I’ll tweak my diet, but for now I feel pretty good.

PP here. I forgot to mention what’s worked for me:
- Full body lifting 2-3x/week
- Power yoga 2x/week
- Brisk walking 2x/week
- 1500-1600 calories/day
- 100-120g protein/day
- 25g fiber/day

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I'm 53. I used to be in good shape. Two kids, menopause, and a hysterectomy later and i'm feeling a bit of a mess. I'm feeling very motivated to drop the weight (my goal is 40 pounds). I'm not interested in drugs. I want to feel eat better, feel better, get moving, and stay moving. I knew I had gained weight and had lost muscle tone, but wow, when I got a look at myself in a full length mirror I was shocked at the state of my legs and ankles. They used to be one of my best features. Now they are just chunky. Really woke me up. I have no illusions. I"m in my 50s. I'm not going ot turn back the clock. But I do hope to get back to a point where I'm not embarrassed to wear a pair of shorts.

I could have written this almost verbatim. I’m a bit older, also had a hysterectomy and instant menopause, which felt like falling off a fitness cliff. Then there was Covid, driving kids around, desk job, insomnia, and caring for ailing parents. Really does a number on one’s cankles. I’m a retired dancer and shocked at what a decade of inactivity and stress can do to a formerly fit body. But earlier this year I joined a gym and began watching my diet. In the past seven months I’ve lost 8% of my total body weight and maintained all my muscle. I’ve gone down a full size and I’m starting to see more definition. I doubt I’ll wear shorts again, but I feel pretty proud of myself.

You can do it OP! Getting started is the hardest part.

Thanks everyone. I'm 53. I used to be in good shape. Two kids, menopause, and a hysterectomy later and i'm feeling a bit of a mess. I'm feeling very motivated to drop the weight (my goal is 40 pounds). I'm not interested in drugs. I want to feel eat better, feel better, get moving, and stay moving. I knew I had gained weight and had lost muscle tone, but wow, when I got a look at myself in a full length mirror I was shocked at the state of my legs and ankles. They used to be one of my best features. Now they are just chunky. Really woke me up. I have no illusions. I"m in my 50s. I'm not going ot turn back the clock. But I do hope to get back to a point where I'm not embarrassed to wear a pair of shorts.

How old are you? Most people's ankles are thinner when younger.

Are you taking any meds for blood pressure? That can make your ankles thicker - relaxes blood vessels.

Are you eating a lot of sodium? It could be water retention

Walking a lot would lean your legs out with the right diet.

What kind of legs do you want to have? Figure out what kind of athlete has those legs and then do the exercise that they do.

Over the last five years I've gained weight and have lost muscle tone. My once sexy legs now look chunky and untoned. I even look like I have Kankle. Ick. Before I accept my fate, I'd like to give reclaiming my toned, pretty legs. Advice for the activities, workouts, and exercises that would be best? I've gotten serious about my diet which is already showing results but I want to pair that with the right exercises. Thanks.