Please Help?? Running made me FATTER??

sashabee25

This morning I had gone out in my first run in over a month and a half (I usually do HIIT and strength training). I don't have high endurance so it wasn't a crazy workout. I just ran one and a half miles, and walked 4 miles afterwards, all fasted. When I got back home, I saw that I looked (no exaggeration) TWICE as big as I was yesterday. I don't feel as tight, and it looks as if I gained about 10 pounds of fat. Does this happen to anyone else?

Diatonic12

You. Are. Not. TWICE as big as yesterday.

Don't sell yourself a load of banana oil. As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. Waiting to bounce right back into peak condition is part of the human existence. We wait for customer service, wait for a good job offer to roll in, wait for our food to get to the table.

We don't like to wait because we don't like the uncertainty of knowing how long it will take to bounce right back into shape. Sit tight for another 5 minutes, 5 days or 5 months. Customer service will keep you on hold for 80 minutes. You're going to get back there. The ride is always better than the waiting in line but you have to be patient with yourself.

You can't hang up on yourself now, you ran 1.5 miles and walked 4 miles. Stay strong and never give UP.

harper16

Running did not make you fatter. Maybe some water retention from working out, but not fatter. Did you just go by the mirror or did you weigh yourself?

SuzySunshine99

New/different exercise can make you retain water and other fluid.
Running did not make you "fat".
Besides, you are basing this on how you look...meaning you didn't actually weigh yourself, you just think you looked like you gained 10 pounds? Mirrors, and our personal perspective, can be deceiving.

sashabee25

I took a before and after picture, one yesterday morning, and one after my run in the same position. There is a definite increase in volume of my body. I didn't weigh myself though. I know it's impossible I gained 10 lbs of fat but I just want to know why it looks like I does?

SuzySunshine99

sashabee25 wrote: »

I took a before and after picture, one yesterday morning, and one after my run in the same position. There is a definite increase in volume of my body. I didn't weigh myself though. I know it's impossible I gained 10 lbs of fat but I just want to know why it looks like I does?

Besides the water answer you already got...for some people, certain foods can cause bloating. It might have nothing to do with your run, and perhaps something you ate that caused bloating or gas.

sashabee25

I ran/walked completely fasted this morning though, so I didn't eat anything beforehand...I also only drank water. But it might be water retention like you suggested. Thank you

Shortgirlrunning

Sometimes my face looks a little puffier at the end of a good run. It’s just some water retention.

I’m sure you didn’t actually look like you doubled in size and you know there’s no way you gained fat from doing a run.

MostlyWater

Exercising definitely makes me hungrier. Plus a drink a lot more water. Measure your portions and listen to your body !

MaltedTea

Sometimes I avoid clicking on threads for the title but this one got me: I had to know what was happening. The thread's nothing less than entertaining thus far.

@sashabee25 No shade, consider a side hustle writing clickbait titles.

Beyond the sound advice you've gotten regarding running perhaps being linked to water retention or the food you've eaten (even from the DAY before) doing the same, I'd suggest you base your physical appearance on measurable things.

For example, I was hoping against hope that you'd quote your body fat percentage change or even your weight (pre-run vs post-run). It can happen that you lose lean muscle mass if you're only doing cardio and not conscious of your nutrition. But that's not even the issue here.

Instead, keep running, enjoy yourself and stay hydrated (what are you drinking, if anything, on your runs btw?)

littlegreenparrot1

Without wanting to lower the tone, you mentioned you did your run fasted, so before breakfast.
Was it also *ahem* before going to the bathroom?

There is nothing like run leggings for emphasizing some bloating that will just...sort itself out later.

sashabee25

If it helps, my hip and thigh measurements were about 2 inches bigger than yesterday. I also only drink water on my runs. i'm trying to slim down my hips and thighs, so it's a little frustrating.

Also no, I run after I use the bathroom.

MaltedTea

There's some dedicated/monthly runners' threads in the forums. Perhaps check in with the regular runners and see what they think about your issue.

If it persists, though, talk to your doctor about your concerns. It could be a simple edema issue (swelling) that regulates on its own, something else or nothing at all.

janejellyroll

It's not uncommon for me to have significant (as in visually significant) water retention after a longer run, especially during more humid months. This doesn't mean running makes me fatter. It means I'm temporarily retaining some water weight.

snowflake954

janejellyroll wrote: »

It's not uncommon for me to have significant (as in visually significant) water retention after a longer run, especially during more humid months. This doesn't mean running makes me fatter. It means I'm temporarily retaining some water weight.

This^^^^after running or most exercising my wedding ring is very tight on my finger--fluid retention. It loosens up later.

kimtober

I’m a runner and I can’t say I’ve had such a dramatic issue but as some others have mentioned, when it’s hot I definitely get puffier. I would guess if you’re body isn’t used to this kind of exercise and it’s hot out, it might freak out a little.

claireychn074

Depending on where you felt you looked fatter... I’ve just got to say it - wind. Motion causes motion and all that 🤷‍♂️

lemurcat2

What was the weather like? Some water retention due to heat/humidity is something that I sometimes experience.

And if you were outside running for 1.5 miles and then walking for 4, it seems unlikely to be the running specifically vs. some other cause (including a reaction to weather, perhaps, or a delayed reaction to something you ate yesterday). Most of the time you were outside in that session you would have been walking.

hipari

I agree with others, probably fluid retention especially if it’s hot outside. Based on my experience, here’s a trick you can try next time you go for a run: before you go, put on a ring that fits normally, and pay attention to how it fits. When you return from your run, do you feel/look fatter again? If so, is your ring also now stuck to your finger?

At least for me, my rings are the clearest sign for water retention. It usually goes away in a few hours after cooling off, calming down and drinking lots of water.