weight lifting making me bulky vs genetics?

violetrix

So before all of you jump on this thread and scream 'WEIGHT LIFTING DOESN'T MAKE YOU BULKY' , hear me out.
I've been doing SL 5x5 for nearly 4 months and I've lost nearly 10 lbs so far and am seeing more definition in my arms and waist. But I feel like all the squats are just making my legs thicker and chunkier.
I've been told that adding cardio helps to 'lean you out' but I'm not sure how true that is. Should I change my routine and take out the squats or is this just how my body is built ?

TR0berts

So before all of you jump on this thread and scream 'WEIGHT LIFTING DOESN'T MAKE YOU BULKY' , hear me out.
I've been doing SL 5x5 for nearly 4 months and I've lost nearly 10 lbs so far and am seeing more definition in my arms and waist. But I feel like all the squats are just making my legs thicker and chunkier.
I've been told that adding cardio helps to 'lean you out' but I'm not sure how true that is. Should I change my routine and take out the squats or is this just how my body is built ?

Re: the bolded - are they? Or is it just that they are more defined than before? Did you take measurements?

Escape_Artist

To bulk you need to eat at a surplus. You lost weight so I am guessing that is not what you are doing.

Did you take measurements? If so how much ''thicker'' we talking here?

Yanicka1

I go up half an inch on my legs after squat day. It is not new muscle. Take measurements and see if it is an impression or reality.

FrnkLft

My thoughts exactly. No doubt how you "feel" is very important, it's a huge component, but since we're worried about size (a.k.a. looks) here, if you measure them and they are not bulkier, then maybe you just don't like the way they look at your current BF%. Just have to make adjustments.

Also, lifting weights does build mass. It just takes forever and specific execution. Nobody ever woke up one day, or 4 months later for that matter, and realized they had gotten bulky lol

And as for running to deliberately catabolize the muscles in your legs... I have no information on that lol Do your experiment and let us know how it goes lol

If you're comfortable with it, post some photos and we can give you some perspective.

starbucksbuzz

I DEFINITELY went through a period of feeling like my thighs especially were chunkier. I agree that you should measure. When you start working / building muscle it feels different. Honestly now that I've been lifting a little longer my legs really don't feel bigger. They do feel solid though as opposed to obnoxiously jiggly. I am trying to lose some bf% though just to make all the muscles a bit more visible and possibly slim them down a bit.

DavPul

"I feel like....."

What does "feel like" even mean. Come back with some actual measurements from a tape measure that you used before starting and now and then we'll talk.

jwdieter

If the fat loss has mostly been on the top, and the legs aren't leaning out yet, it could just be a perception issue with ratio. As everyone says, try measuring to see if there are changes.

LiftAllThePizzas

Perception is pretty meaningless in this context. I agree with all the 'take measurements' statements.

violetrix

Did you take measurements? If so how much ''thicker'' we talking here?

I've taken measurements and my thighs have more or less stayed the same but it's my calves which are noticeably chunkier. My jeans fit fine except for my calves, they're a little tight there now. I just feel like they're getting a bit too muscular and want to know if there's something I can change in my training to target them less?

feltlikesound

My wife and I do the exact same workouts and eat 95% the same food, she is a muscular tank of a woman -- I am not even remotely bulky. We'd make a great study on genetics. She has been predisposed to "bulking" her whole life when doing strength training, as are members of her extended family. I notice definition and firm up, slim down, but don't pack on bulky muscle.

But really...I am not sure what your question is. Do you like how your legs look -- are they getting increased definition and visible muscling? Are you measuring to see if they are actually expanding?

What you SHOULD do is entirely personal -- if you are uncomfortable with the muscular look of your legs, perhaps you need to rethink your goals and fitness plan. I'd advocate the opposite, learn to like the fit form your body takes, even if it isn't the fit form you expected. I thought I'd slim out to a skinny thing when I lost weight, it turns out my body keeps its curves, go figure. Embrace and move on.

Your body is not going to develop exactly as you'd like, or evenly for that matter.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Did you take measurements? If so how much ''thicker'' we talking here?

I've taken measurements and my thighs have more or less stayed the same but it's my calves which are noticeably chunkier. My jeans fit fine except for my calves, they're a little tight there now. I just feel like they're getting a bit too muscular and want to know if there's something I can change in my training to target them less?

Muscular calves are SEXY. However Strong lifts doesn't really target calves at all. I'm wondering how much of this is just really your imagination...

I'd advise you to continue what you are doing until you hit your goal weight. THEN you can decide if your legs are bulkier than you'd like. If you still don't like them, then possibly switch your focus away from progressively increasing weight.

http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

Escape_Artist

Did you take measurements? If so how much ''thicker'' we talking here?

I've taken measurements and my thighs have more or less stayed the same but it's my calves which are noticeably chunkier. My jeans fit fine except for my calves, they're a little tight there now. I just feel like they're getting a bit too muscular and want to know if there's something I can change in my training to target them less?

Muscular calves are SEXY. However Strong lifts doesn't really target calves at all. I'm wondering how much of this is just really your imagination...

I'd advise you to continue what you are doing until you hit your goal weight. THEN you can decide if your legs are bulkier than you'd like. If you still don't like them, then possibly switch your focus away from progressively increasing weight.

http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

^^ this. SL doesn't target calves, at all. Mind you they work with squats and Ds but i don't think they can get bigger from SL alone.
Besides, with the deficit it would be really hard to build muscles. It's hard enough while bulking..

violetrix

Muscular calves are SEXY. However Strong lifts doesn't really target calves at all. I'm wondering how much of this is just really your imagination...

I'd advise you to continue what you are doing until you hit your goal weight. THEN you can decide if your legs are bulkier than you'd like. If you still don't like them, then possibly switch your focus away from progressively increasing weight.
http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

I think I'll carry on with what I'm doing and take more measurements but I don't think it's in my head since various members of my family have commented that I look like I've gained weight even though I know I've lost weight so there must be a reason?

creativerick

What do you see?

Your calves can grow from deadlifts and squats. As your bodyfat drops your calves will get slimmer.

TR0berts

I think I'll carry on with what I'm doing and take more measurements but I don't think it's in my head since various members of my family have commented that I look like I've gained weight even though I know I've lost weight so there must be a reason?

Sure. The reason is that you have more definition now. It's an illusion of size. It appears that your muscles are bigger, but they really aren't.

FrnkLft

Muscular calves are SEXY. However Strong lifts doesn't really target calves at all. I'm wondering how much of this is just really your imagination...

I'd advise you to continue what you are doing until you hit your goal weight. THEN you can decide if your legs are bulkier than you'd like. If you still don't like them, then possibly switch your focus away from progressively increasing weight.
http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

I think I'll carry on with what I'm doing and take more measurements but I don't think it's in my head since various members of my family have commented that I look like I've gained weight even though I know I've lost weight so there must be a reason?

Not always actually. I've had people comment that I look slimmer even when I've gained obvious fat weight. They might just be noticing the definition in the same way you are.

Also, of course your goals are perfectly legit, but thick is hot as hell.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Muscular calves are SEXY. However Strong lifts doesn't really target calves at all. I'm wondering how much of this is just really your imagination...

I'd advise you to continue what you are doing until you hit your goal weight. THEN you can decide if your legs are bulkier than you'd like. If you still don't like them, then possibly switch your focus away from progressively increasing weight.
http://bretcontreras.com/how-to-attain-a-slender-look-like-jessica-alba-zoe-saldana/

I think I'll carry on with what I'm doing and take more measurements but I don't think it's in my head since various members of my family have commented that I look like I've gained weight even though I know I've lost weight so there must be a reason?

Not always actually. I've had people comment that I look slimmer even when I've gained obvious fat weight. They might just be noticing the definition in the same way you are.

Also, of course your goals are perfectly legit, but thick is hot as hell.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if some people think muscle definition = weight gain.

omma_to_3

Did you take measurements? If so how much ''thicker'' we talking here?

I've taken measurements and my thighs have more or less stayed the same but it's my calves which are noticeably chunkier. My jeans fit fine except for my calves, they're a little tight there now. I just feel like they're getting a bit too muscular and want to know if there's something I can change in my training to target them less?

Whether it's perception or not, running won't make your calves smaller. Just the opposite - at least for me.

WhoHa42

You could be holding a lot of your fat in your legs, so since they are building muscle they are getting larger, but you can't actually see it because that's where you hold fat.