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In Search of the Elusive Thigh Gap?
Fitness | June 21, 2015
The sad and strange rise of certain obsessions with our physical appearances seems to be getting worse, especially for us women. So many of these body trends and fads are misleading and often impossible to achieve! It’s no wonder and certainly no surprise that body dysmorphic disorders are on the rise – not just for us ladies either, men are also beginning to obsess over their body image.
I recently wrote about our obsession with cellulite and why we seriously need to get over it. Some cellulite is, after all, normal and natural. However, the obsession with thigh gaps is not only an incredibly unhealthy but it’s pretty stupid as well.
Some women simply have a genetic predisposition that allows them to have a thigh gap. Usually this means slightly wider hips. In other words, the skeletal structure of their pelvis is what allows them to have a thigh gap not hard work at the ZGYM building strength and muscle.
Although a good amount of complete starvation could theoretically get you the desired thigh gap together with a life threatening eating disorder. It’s kind of a package deal. This is absolutely ridiculous and has nothing to do with fitness and wellbeing obviously. It also has nothing to do with being fit and in shape.
Thigh gaps are so dependent on bone structure that trying to achieve one without the necessary bone structure requires putting yourself through unnecessary amounts of torture. And for what? A passing trend? Look at the thighs on these American beauty pageant contestants from some years ago. No thigh gaps on these lovely ladies.
It saddens me that many notions of physical beauty for women have absolutely nothing to do with fitness and wellbeing. In fact, many of these ideas of beauty are diametrically opposed to our health and wellbeing and often lead women, especially younger women, down a treacherous path of eating disorders and a terrible sense of self-worth.
P.S. The last time I saw my own thigh gap in the mirror was when I turned 14. By the time I was 15 years old, my thigh gap was gone for good. The only way you can see a thigh gap on me is if I stand with my feet apart 🙂 but I’m pretty good at Pistol Squats, which I’m more proud of than I would ever be about some space between my legs.
Have any of you ladies obsessed about having a thigh gap? How did you get over it?
Private Member |
When I was younger (middle school – high school) I was obsessed over the thigh gap (probably before it was popular to obsess over it). I am genetically per-dispossitioned to have thicker thighs. My thighs rubbed together I hated wearing shorts. I still hate my thighs. I always had a hard time buying pants (especially in the age of the flair leg jeans when I was growing up). I would have to go up a size (or two depending on the brand) just so pants fit my thighs but then they were too large in the waist. Only difference today is that I am 30 years old, married, with a child, and I know I can’t get rid of them. That’s just how God made me. I can shrink them but they will always be “big” and they will always rub. I no longer compare my thighs to other women’s thighs but I am still very self conscious about my legs. You can’t get me to wear shorts in the summer or a swim suit without shorts.
Private Member |
I struggled with an eating disorder in my 20s, and I remember being so proud of the thigh gap that came with low body weight. And I thought I was healthy and fit. But you know what? When I was at my thinnest (of course with gap), people would compliment me and tell me how great I looked. Women were envious and constantly told me they wished they could be that thin. I couldn’t believe it…didn’t they see that I was sick? Even I knew I was sick! That just shows how messed up our ideal of women’s bodies can be.
Now, I am *actually* healthy and fit, without gap, but looking ten times better than I did during my ED time. I’m so glad I found Zuzka during that time, because I was so envious of HER and her amazing abs and wanted to be ripped instead of super skinny It was one of the things that helped me want to climb out of that hole. I would never want to go back to the gap, considering the high price of it.
Private Member |
nürnberg, germany
Hi, I also always wanted a thigh gap. But only for ne special reason: to be able to wear skirts without my legs rubbing against each other so that it always hurts…how do you handle that?:)
Private Member |
That’s how I feel I don’t really want a gap just maybe a tiny space so my thighs don’t rub together its quite uncomfortable especially in the summer
Private Member |
nj
I have the same problem! I was just thinking, that I want a tiny gap, not for vanity reasons, but so I don’t get a rash there from my thighs rubbing together. I have learned that if you put deodorant there, it helps.
Private Member |
nürnberg, germany
And it costs a lot of money, because you do always need new Trousers:D
Private Member |
I’m 19 now but I’ve been battling eating disorders since I was 13. At my thinnest I remember I looked sick, my heart rate was low, my cortisol levels were extremely high, I had suicidal tendencies, I was slowly killing myself. Self-image issues can be much more complicated than following a trend or an appearance, and recovery is easier said than done. I personally have been sexually harrassed as a child and I felt that I no longer own my body, that’s when I thought that controlling my weight would be some kind of way to reclaim my control over my body. And the obsessions started from there.
I’m much better now, I have a bulimic relapse every once in a while but they’re becoming much less frequent. I realise I’m much more than just a physical body and that’s what any person with self-image issues should realise. Beauty is extremely subjective and strong/fit is not something that we can always see. Strong is what you feel. And I think training should be about personal empowerment and health before it can be appearance-driven.
And if Zuzka sees this, thank you so much. Training with you helped in my recovery. Experiencing the maximum effort that my body is physically capable of empowers me and makes me feel strong. If I have the willpower to kill one of your brutal workouts, I am strong enough to kill an eating disorder. I hope that anybody who relates to this knows that they’re not alone and that they’re fighters and will soon be survivors. And life is much more vivid and tasteful after survival. Have faith in yourself and stay strong.
Private Member |
toronto, canada
Thanks for sharing your story Maryam. One of my family members works on the teenage health ward, and you’re right that most eating disorders are a complex and debilitating mental illness. I think this is another example of how fitness and nutrition are the cornerstones to physical well-being, and physical well-being is often the best asset to battling mental illness. I wish you all the best. Keep up the hard work and positive outlook on your recovery. xo
Private Member |
Thanks for taking the time to read it! You’re right about physical health being an approach to a better mental health. I wish you all the best as well. xo
Private Member |
Now isn’t this ironic? I’ve always had a complex about my thigh gap :)) which made me feel like I had 2 sticks in my butt…lool 😀 that’s what my grandma used to say when I was little… My body constitution was that I was thin and tall until not so long ago when I started to put some extra muscles on….I’ve always had muscular skinny legs because I used and I am still walking a lot…but I still don’t have those “appetizing” strong muscular legs. However, now I just feel good because they are well-defined and I couldn’t care less if I have a thigh gap or not. I guess people will always want what they don’t/can’t have. That’s why I am even more grateful for what I have. I know this is right for me, because it’s my body.
Private Member |
montreal, canada
I neved had a thigh gap and I don’t want to have one. 🙂 If for some reason I have one, it means I would have lost weight, which is not what I’m trying to do. I would rather have thicker toned thighs than skinny thighs. In Quebec (Canada), a young girl started an initiative with the government and then they created the Quebec Charter for Healthy and Diverse Body Images few years ago. Lots of women clothing stores, women magazines and fashion events happening in the province started to promote this Charter and got envolved by showing more women from all sizes and doing less Photoshop. 🙂 I think this helps showing a healthy image of women to young teenage girls so they are no more used to see only skinny models.
Private Member |
perth, western australia, australia
I don’t know how attractive having thigh gap is but i couldn’t care about it. It does not appear pretty physically in anyway to me. I rather have 6 pack abs and very define arms than this silly thigh gap. I think people will notice arms and abs before the thigh gap. So that’s me about thigh gap, i don’t look at that part of women photos/magazines but i think abs and arms are more attractive parts to look at.
Carmen
Private Member |
I used to have a thigh gap before I started working out. Now I have these muscular killer thighs that do amazing thing lol, and I love it! I mean I never cared whether I had one or not, but this obsession with have a gap is just crazy. I would never stop working out just to get my gap back because I love the way I look now. Plus I like to think that muggers and kidnappers choose not to mess with me because I look like I can hurt someone lol!
Private Member |
I had thigh gap even when I was pregnant. I just have the hip structure that allows it even with a lil excess weight. Hey – I’d trade it for narrower hip every day! Just get over it people – everyone wants the thing they don’t have.
Private Member |
I struggle to remove fat from between my things after my baby. I just want a lean muscle around them when I’m standing shoulder width as suppose to thigh gap with knees together. I don’t mind cellulite but right now the distribution of fat around my legs (although it had reduced greatly after summer shred!) is something I want to eve out… I will have my lean healthy looking legs again, because… Well, I’m going to the Caribbean for holidays! Who doesn’t! ☺️