{"id":23636,"date":"2019-11-25T01:00:56","date_gmt":"2019-11-24T21:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/?p=23636"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:31:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T07:31:03","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-saddlebags","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/how-to-get-rid-of-saddlebags\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Saddlebags"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

Lots and lots of you ask me all about saddlebags and how to get rid of them!<\/p>\n\n

Naturally, a lot of women (including myself!) store fat in their upper thighs<\/a>, so I’m not surprised that these are such common questions.<\/p>\n\n

I’ve written a lot about how to get lean legs<\/a>, how to lose inner thigh fat<\/a>, how to slim calves<\/a> and how to reduce thigh muscles<\/a>. So, it’s safe to say, I’m very familiar with the issues women have when it comes to their lower body.<\/p>\n\n

I know how problematic these areas are to slim down and how challenging it can be to get rid of saddlebags<\/a>, or at least reduce them. So I am happy to share more on this topic and guide you on this journey to answer your questions about saddlebags!<\/p>\n\n

Over the years, many of you have reached out to me with questions about the causes of saddlebags, whether walking or running helps get rid of saddlebags, and what the best way to get rid of saddlebags is.<\/p>\n\n

I am happy to share the comprehensive knowledge I’ve gained from both my personal fitness experience (I am a fully qualified personal and group trainer<\/a>) and my experience collaborating with clients of varying body types who struggled with extreme saddlebags.<\/p>\n\n

Why Do I Have Saddlebags?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

We all store fat differently! Some women are more prone to gaining weight in their stomach area, while others might gain more in their upper thighs and butt.<\/p>\n\n

In general, most women say that they tend to gain weight in their lower abdomen and upper thighs.<\/p>\n\n

But why are some women more likely to have saddlebags than others?<\/p>\n\n

Your saddlebags could be the result of a few different reasons, including:<\/p>\n

\n
\"why<\/figure><\/div>\n

1. Muscle Atrophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Sitting all day and not using your lower back and butt muscles can lead to muscle atrophy.<\/p>\n\n

When your butt muscles are underused or underactive, the area becomes softer and extra fat can fall out to the side. This can cause your butt to sag and lose its perkiness. For some women, this can lead to saddlebags.<\/p>\n\n

2. Hormonal Balance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Hormonal imbalances can cause women to gain and lose weight in certain areas.<\/p>\n\n

Estrogen seems to have a big effect on the accumulation<\/a> of fat in the thigh area. So, even though you may not have much extra weight on other parts of your body, estrogen may cause you to be more prone to developing saddlebags.<\/p>\n\n

I’ve had my own share of experiences with hormonal imbalances<\/a>. If you suspect that you might have a hormonal imbalance, I suggest going to the doctor and seeing a naturopath.<\/p>\n\n

They can do different tests to give you a good understanding of what’s happening with your body and they can help you be as healthy as possible.<\/p>\n\n

3. Genetics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

For many women, saddlebags are just genetic. Look at your mom or grandma. If they have saddlebags, there is a good chance you will have them too.<\/p>\n\n

But even though genetics play a big role, that doesn’t mean that you can’t reduce saddlebags. Diet and exercise can make a difference!<\/p>\n\n

Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Saddlebags?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Every woman’s body is different, but there are things you can do to feel healthier overall and to reduce the appearance of your saddlebags!<\/p>\n\n

Remember, it is impossible to spot reduce. We can’t tell our bodies where we want the fat to go (unfortunately!). This means that you can’t do a bunch of squats and expect that fat melts away from your thighs. Similarly, you can’t do crunches to lose fat in your stomach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

But you can lower your body weight, which can reduce the appearance of saddlebags, and you can tone your lower body to make it look more shapely.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n
View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A post shared by Women\u2019s Health and Fitness (@rachael_attard)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n