running

hales1wlker
hales1wlker Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have been running everyday (with intermittent walking because fitness is a journey for me) and I have been trying to keep under my calorie limit. While I do notice that my legs muscles are stronger, and my abs firmer from crunches. I am having trouble because my legs are getting bigger not smaller, I have been eating right, so why are my legs not losing fat like the rest of my body? Am I stuck with my legs how they are? Does anybody else have this problem? Btw for reference I am 5 6 and about 160 lbs right now give or take.

Replies

  • tabbyblack13
    tabbyblack13 Posts: 299 Member
    After working out muscles need to repair themselves. They will become filled with water as part of the repair and expand. This is temporary and will resolve itself with time. Make sure you are drinking enough water and also take rest days to allow for recovery.

    I've noticed my jeans feel tighter the day after I run. It goes away by the end of that day for me.
  • bwogilvie
    bwogilvie Posts: 2,130 Member
    If you're eating at a deficit, your legs aren't gaining fat; they're retaining water as part of the process of adapting to the new demands on them. If you do a lot of running or cycling, they'll remain large relative to the rest of your body, unless you also do a lot of upper body training, but they will be smaller than they were before. (Long-distance cyclist here: my thighs are pretty large for my weight, but still thinner than when I was 50 lb. overweight.)
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I run 4-6 miles three times a week, and my legs tend to be more fleshy, though I am fairly well proportioned after my 40+ pound loss.

    If you legs are not normally fleshy, I'm guessing it is water retention, perhaps from running every day. I'd suggest doing some weight lifting or other exercise on alternating days.
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  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    I'm confused as to how you know your legs aren't losing fat. By what means are you measuring?
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I'm confused as to how you know your legs aren't losing fat. By what means are you measuring?

    she said they are getting bigger and I guess she probably has read here millions times from others that running doesn't make you gain muscle..hence...???
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    I'm confused as to how you know your legs aren't losing fat. By what means are you measuring?

    she said they are getting bigger and I guess she probably has read here millions times from others that running doesn't make you gain muscle..hence...???

    No I got that she said they were bigger but what she didnt say is if that was a subjective view or an objective measurement.

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