When do muscles stop holding onto water?

Wombat468

I've started lifting and a little cardio in the last few weeks - 4xweekly for just about 45min. I tried on my jeans yesterday and found they were tight on the thighs. (Not what I'm used to - I'm an apple shape). Was initially discouraged and then realised it's likely due to my muscle retaining fluid while it repairs itself. So my question is - will this always happen? Can I expect them to stop retaining water anytime soon, or will I just have to learn to live with it if I'm lifting? Because otherwise if I'm a bit slack at my calories for a few weeks (and hence not losing weight) but still lifting, I'm going to expand more....

SarahPeters3

To answer your last question yes. If you are just lifting heavy and building muscle but not doing cardio or having a clean diet you will still have some fat around your legs and will be building muscle at the same time which is why your jeans are tighter. I had the same problem so I added more cardio and cleaned up my diet which toned down the fat on my legs but still kept the muscle making them look leaner many people have this problem you're not alone! If your legs are already toned and you're just building more muscle then you might just have to go up a Jean size! Even people with abs have to get bigger jeans when they start building muscle!

ninerbuff

You muscle will ALWAYS retain water if you're exercising in any form. The degree of how much is held will reduce. IF you're on a calorie deficit, your clothes should get looser.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

SarahPeters3 wrote: »

To answer your last question yes. If you are just lifting heavy and building muscle but not doing cardio or having a clean diet you will still have some fat around your legs and will be building muscle at the same time which is why your jeans are tighter.

If one is on a calorie deficit, they aren't likely to build muscle. And one doesn't have to have a clean diet to be in calorie deficit.

I had the same problem so I added more cardio and cleaned up my diet which toned down the fat on my legs but still kept the muscle making them look leaner many people have this problem you're not alone!

Adding more cardio and "cleaning up" your diet gave you a deficit. You don't "tone down" fat, you lose it.

If your legs are already toned and you're just building more muscle then you might just have to go up a Jean size! Even people with abs have to get bigger jeans when they start building muscle!

This is assuming that the OP is on a calorie surplus and not a calorie deficit.


A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Wombat468

Thanks all - I'm currently in deficit. Seems that I might just have to live with it though!