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    Why won’t my legs slim down, even when the rest of me does?

    Many women find that diet and exercise change their face, arms and waist, but not their hips and legs. Body shape is partly genetic, so this can be normal. When it comes with heaviness, tenderness or easy bruising, it can also be a sign of lipedema.

    Common reasons

    Your natural body shape

    Where your body stores fat is partly inherited, and many women naturally carry more on the hips and thighs.

    Lipedema (lipoedema)

    A long-term condition that mostly affects women, where fat builds up evenly on both legs and hips, sometimes the arms, but usually not the feet. Legs can feel heavy, tender or painful and may bruise easily.

    Source: NHS: Lipoedema

    Could it be lipedema?

    Lipoedema UK describes lipedema as fat that builds up evenly in the hips, buttocks and legs and is different from ordinary fat. It also notes that this fat does not respond to diet and exercise the way ordinary fat does. Common signs listed by the NHS include both legs being affected in the same way, feet usually staying slim, skin that feels soft and cool or dimpled, bruising easily, and heaviness or tenderness that can get worse later in the day or in hot weather.

    See how many lipedema signs your legs share in the leg check →

    Start a leg diary before your appointment

    Doctors often ask when it started, when it is worse and what seems to make a difference. A few weeks of notes turn “it’s just bad sometimes” into something you can show. Worth writing down:

    • Leg and hip measurements once a month, same day of your cycle
    • How your legs feel day to day
    • Bruises you notice
    • Meals and movement, so your doctor sees the full picture

    How Renya helps

    Renya is a daily diary for your legs. Rate how your legs feel morning and evening, snap your meals, tick off habits like a walk or compression socks, and add sleep, stress and your cycle.

    After about a week of entries, Your patterns shows how food, sleep, activity and stress line up with your better and harder leg days; cycle patterns need about two cycles. You see your own patterns side by side, and you have a clear record to bring to your doctor. Renya does not diagnose anything.

    Start your leg diaryOr take the 2-minute leg check

    iPhone subscription app. 7-day free trial on the annual plan.

    Get help the same day if

    • one leg is suddenly swollen, or has throbbing pain, usually in the calf or thigh
    • the skin around the painful area is red, darkened or warm
    • swelling is severe, painful, starts very suddenly or follows an injury
    • you also have swelling in your face or tummy, or a high temperature

    Call emergency services if leg pain or swelling comes with breathlessness or chest pain.

    Based on NHS: DVT and NHS: oedema.

    Questions people ask

    No. If lipedema is part of the picture, the leg fat is known not to respond in the usual way. Getting checked can be a relief in itself.

    Finding a doctor who knows lipedema

    A GP or family doctor is a good first step. Lipedema is still not widely known, so many women also look for a clinician who lists it in their work. These organisations keep directories or support networks:

    Renya is not connected to these organisations and does not recommend individual clinicians.

    Related

    Sources

    Written by the Renya team from NHS and other public sources listed above.

    This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Renya is a wellness diary and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you are worried about your legs, talk to a doctor.

    See your own leg patterns

    Check in on your legs, snap your meals and see what lines up with your harder days. iPhone subscription app. Android coming soon.

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