Hip and Thigh Diet

hip-and-thigh-dietRosemary Conley’s Hip and Thigh Diet was first published in 1988. It rapidly became popular (particularly in the UK), staying at the top of the bestseller lists for years.

The title was a marketing coup – as so many women struggle with weight around their hips and thighs.

However, most research refutes the notion that fat loss can be targeted to specific areas. Fat usually leaves at the same order it went on.

Hip and Thigh Diet Basics

The Hip and Thigh diet is a very low fat, low calorie diet (approximately 1200 calories).

The books provide a series of different meal plans that can be chosen each day. There is no calorie counting involved.

The diet is fairly restrictive, with the following foods forbidden:

  • All nuts and seeds
  • All oils and lards
  • All dairy (except skim milk, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese)
  • All butter and low fat spreads

A typical meal would be made up of lean meat, poultry, legumes, unlimited vegetables, and medium amounts of starchy carbohydrates.

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Lose Hip and Thigh Fat? Not Likely

The title of the diet implies that it will specifically deal with fat in those areas. This premise is false.

It is extremely difficult to spot reduce certain areas. The body will burn fat from where it wishes (and this is typically from where the fat went in last). Usually Hip and Thigh fat are the last to go, with arms, abdomen, and bust disappearing first in most women.

The diet is is too low in healthy fats (overall fat ration probably about 15-20%. More recent nutrition research suggests that certain fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6) are required.

A lower calorie diet can also be quite difficult to stick to, with frequent hunger pangs – potentially leading to bingeing.

It is also likely that most dieters would hit a plateau sooner or later.

 By Mizpah Matus B.Hlth.Sc(Hons)
    Citations:
  • Schade, M., Helledrandt, F. A., Waterland, J. C., & Carns, M. L. (1962). Spot reducing in overweight college women: its influence on fat distribution as determined by photography. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 33(3), 461-471. link
  • Kostek, M. A., Pescatello, L. S., Seip, R. L., Angelopoulos, T. J., Clarkson, P. M., Gordon, P. M., … & Price, T. B. (2007). Subcutaneous fat alterations resulting from an upper-body resistance training program. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 39(7), 1177-1185. link
  • Katch, F. I., Clarkson, P. M., Kroll, W., McBride, T., & Wilcox, A. (1984). Effects of sit up exercise training on adipose cell size and adiposity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 55(3), 242-247.

19 Comments or Reviews

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  1. Val longstaff

    I done followed this plan, six years ago and I lost 5 stone, it was the best plan I have followed, and stuck for 13 months, as when. I had tried other diets, I have given up after a few months. I have kept those 5 stone off now for 6 years. I hVe have only put on 10 pound I those 6 years, but I kniw if I follow this plan, I will take this 10 pound off in know time, yes it was strict for the first few weeks, I needed this, I had a good weight loss coach angie, who supported me all the way, and we remain friends to this day, and she kedos me on the straight and narrow. I eoykd give this plan 5 stars, and would highly recommend it. Thank you

  2. Steph

    I did this diet when it first came out and lost 6 kg’s in 6 weeks. More importantly I lost weight from my hip and thighs and was the slimmest I’ve ever been while eating heaps of healthy food. I was never hungry on this diet and I’m doing it again now to lose some excess kilo’s. I can’t recommend this diet highly enough.

  3. Mimi O'Donnell

    I followed this diet years ago and lost loads of weight most of it from my hips and thighs.. might try it again

  4. steph

    This is the best diet I have ever followed. It gives you plenty of options when choosing meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can eat heaps and even have a three course dinner if you wish, and alcohol is allowed. As well, you don’t have to spend heaps of money on complicated ingredients as the diet uses everyday items you would buy normally such as meat, vegetables, salad items etc. All it requires really is that you take fat out your diet while you are losing weight then you go onto the maintenance diet where you can reintroduce some foods, cheese etc. I lost a stone in 6 weeks and didn’t feel hungry and a bonus was the extra energy and vitality I experienced. I would recommend this diet to anyone struggling with weight issues, you won’t be sorry.

  5. Anne

    Called H&T as in experiment before book published that’s where trial dieters lost the inches from.

  6. riah

    well i have big hips & thighs so i am going to give it go, if the outcome is either good or bad, i’ll definately let ya’ll know about it.

  7. Adele

    it DOES work. I’m telling you. And it’s true – you can lose weight or inches off the hips and thighs if you cut out high fat foods. It always deposits on those areas, but if you follow this diet, there will be no fat for it to go on those areas and along with the exercises, it does work. Anyone who says it doesn’t is probably jealous that they didn’t come out with this diet first!And… you CAN eat loads.

  8. sonia

    hi there i am trying this diet starting monday have got all the food and even started pilates i think im going to enjoy it i really want to and need to lose weight so i hope this does work

  9. blake

    LOL this is funny.

  10. dada

    eats what u want….golden rule-EXERCISE!!!!!

  11. april cunningham

    I’ve tried it and it does work.

  12. Martina

    It works, I lost 10kgs in 6 months.

  13. Elspeth

    Think What You Like But I Went On It And Lost 2 Stone In Just 7weeks. Anythings Possible. The Only Diet Thats Ever Worked For Me! Do It!!

  14. Kassy

    After all the negative comments I dont think i would venture there!!!!!

  15. Kathy

    I just read it and I think its stupid

  16. CHRISTIE

    BEST EVER DIET IN THE OPPOSITE

  17. juliana

    complicated

  18. emma

    doesnt work at all

  19. sonya thomas

    dont do it. doesnt work!