Why some girls got LEAN?

queenierz

I did cardio- my legs got bulkier.
I did resistant training- bulkier
I now do weights- of course bulkier.
Whatever I do, my legs got bulkier instead of LEANER. Why does successful photos of people (majority) who did program workouts seemed to have smaller and muscular in a leaner way legs? Why does mine keep getting bigger and bigger?! (I've checked my body fat and it kinda decreased)

yopeeps025

I did cardio- my legs got bulkier.
I did resistant training- bulkier
I now do weights- of course bulkier.
Whatever I do, my legs got bulkier instead of LEANER. Why does successful photos of people (majority) who did program workouts seemed to have smaller and muscular in a leaner way legs? Why does mine keep getting bigger and bigger?! (I've checked my body fat and it kinda decreased)

Was any of the above done in calorie deficit? If your lifting weight in a calorie deficit you cannot put on muscle mass.

LOTOPC

I did cardio- my legs got bulkier.
I did resistant training- bulkier
I now do weights- of course bulkier.
Whatever I do, my legs got bulkier instead of LEANER. Why does successful photos of people (majority) who did program workouts seemed to have smaller and muscular in a leaner way legs? Why does mine keep getting bigger and bigger?! (I've checked my body fat and it kinda decreased)

Was any of the above done in calorie deficit? If your lifting weight in a calorie deficit you cannot put on muscle mass.

^ This. If you really did put on bulk, low-intensity cardio training coupled with a calorie deficit will help you soften your muscle mass.

In the meantime, celebrate your strength! :flowerforyou:

rybo

Were measurements taken or do they just look bigger to you?

JoRocka

how long did you go with weight lifting- usually the first week or two you see water retention.

Secondly did they ACTUALLY get bigger or do you just think they appeared bigger.

I appear bigger when I start cutting because my muscles start to pop... but I don't actually GET bigger.

Getting bigger in terms of musculature takes a lot of work- a LOT. It doesn't happen on accident.

Unknown

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levitateme

I just looked and you have photos taken 6/14 - 8/14, I am failing to see any bulk anywhere on your body.

more muscular =/= bulky

I have a more muscular back/arms/thighs since adding weight training but my measurements are smaller. My quads "look bigger" because they are stronger and the muscles are more defined, but over all I have lost and inch a half from each one. I don't think bulky means what you think it means OP.

Sabine_Stroehm

You're 5'3" and 97LBS. You're not bulky.

Sweetvirgo63

I can tell you that no matter how much I work out, do cardio and muscle training, I will never, and I mean never have lean looking legs because they are not designed to be nor look slim and lean. Aim to have good overall health for yourself regardless of how the other people around you look like. Every woman will look different when they tone their bodies and your own internal percentage of lean muscle mass will play a role in how you end up looking. Don't measure your success based on those around you.

Laurenloveswaffles

You're 5'3" and 97LBS. You're not bulky.

Yep

queenierz

Was any of the above done in calorie deficit? If your lifting weight in a calorie deficit you cannot put on muscle mass.

During cardio- yes
during resistance+cardio= yes
During lifting= maintainance and very high in protein

QUOTE:

QUOTE:

I did cardio- my legs got bulkier.
I did resistant training- bulkier
I now do weights- of course bulkier.
Whatever I do, my legs got bulkier instead of LEANER. Why does successful photos of people (majority) who did program workouts seemed to have smaller and muscular in a leaner way legs? Why does mine keep getting bigger and bigger?! (I've checked my body fat and it kinda decreased)


Was any of the above done in calorie deficit? If your lifting weight in a calorie deficit you cannot put on muscle mass.


^ This. If you really did put on bulk, low-intensity cardio training coupled with a calorie deficit will help you soften your muscle mass.

In the meantime, celebrate your strength! flowerforyou

Hm... i'm scared if i'm eating at calorie deficit I won't gain my muscles on my upper arms- the progress is good up there though. It's just funny on how I don't focus on my lower body at all in lifting except some cardio trainings.. But thank you. I do feel stronger inside and I'm loving it.

Were measurements taken or do they just look bigger to you?

Good point. I didn't take measurements, but I measured it by the "thigh gap" thingy and comments from my parents and friends... but yeah I should get actual measurements..

how long did you go with weight lifting- usually the first week or two you see water retention.

Secondly did they ACTUALLY get bigger or do you just think they appeared bigger.

I appear bigger when I start cutting because my muscles start to pop... but I don't actually GET bigger.

Getting bigger in terms of musculature takes a lot of work- a LOT. It doesn't happen on accident.

I did bodypump as my first weight lifting routine- two months ago, but the real official hardcore lifting with deadlifts and military presses and etc= about 2-3 weeks? I hope it's water retention- I've trying to drink A LOT of water.
Secondly, they APPEARED bigger- to me and my peers. But no accurate measurements taken.
Yep, I'm aware of that... but it just totally puzzles me that even fast running cardio makes my leg thicker... and resistance training programs that shows the successful photos of girls who finished the program got leaner smaller legs... the heck.. but thank you. i hope it's water retention... and I will definitely get it measured for sure tomorrow.

Maybe you are having a bit of a body dysmorphic syndrome and seeing your gain in a negative way. Muscle tone and definition are exactly what you are working for. Get out a tape measure and log to see for sure. I started with weighs and gained the first several weeks. Keep going and see if that is the continued outcome or if you to will begin to show the results you are working for.

I think I do... I always think of myself in a negative way I'm trying to gain muscles to fight off the excess skinny fats, but mentally it's completely difficult for me to deal when people say I look "bigger". Thank you so much- certianly I will!
Thank you for all the replies, guys!

emdeesea

That's not bulk. That's normal muscle.

queenierz

I didn't update yet. I'm up to around 99-100 lb already. I'm not bulky because I just STARTED. And for the reason I'm saying I have "bulky" legs means thick and muscular, comparing to my body. I used to have leaner legs.

You're 5'3" and 97LBS. You're not bulky.

Yep

queenierz

um... okay, maybe i used the term in an incorrect way, the word "bulk". Not BULK bulk in massive, but THICKER. From the side views in my photos, they don't look different. But from front views (I didn't show), I can see that it's bigger. anyways, sorry if I got you all confused with my saying of "bulk".

JoRocka

Good point. I didn't take measurements, but I measured it by the "thigh gap" thingy and comments from my parents and friends... but yeah I should get actual measurements..

the thigh gap isn't a measurement. I just I can't.

get out a tape measure- and measure yourself in consistent locations- 4" above the knee- waist at the belly button- under band- over the breast or shoulders/over- and arms.

The thigh gap isn't a measurement. WTF.

People don't know anything about your body- you can't let comments by people around you dictate your goals or your progress- it's completely subjective and not relevant.

yopeeps025

um... okay, maybe i used the term in an incorrect way, the word "bulk". Not BULK bulk in massive, but THICKER. From the side views in my photos, they don't look different. But from front views (I didn't show), I can see that it's bigger. anyways, sorry if I got you all confused with my saying of "bulk".

If you were eating in calorie deficit then the muscle you see is just what is being exposed from the fat lost. What you see and the measurements if you were using a tape measure would be different.

TriLifter

I'm confused. Looked at pics and legs are super slim.

ChasingMyBliss

You are super slim... nothing bulky happening there! ????

SonicDeathMonkey80

You're about as bulky as my wrists, and I have girly wrists. Just sayin

kshadows

I'm sorry but "thigh gap" is not a measurement.

Sabine_Stroehm

I didn't update yet. I'm up to around 99-100 lb already. I'm not bulky because I just STARTED. And for the reason I'm saying I have "bulky" legs means thick and muscular, comparing to my body. I used to have leaner legs.

You're 5'3" and 97LBS. You're not bulky.

Yep

5'"3 100LBS. You have a BMI of 17.7. You're not bulky. You're tiny. /end thread

CharleePear

What are you trying to acheive exactly? You have a thigh gap are you trying to look waif? I am not sure what you want.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I'm sorry but "thigh gap" is not a measurement.

It is if you whip out the trusty ol' calipers

farmers_daughter

I would take bulk over what I have any day. hands down. I say the image of what you think is "supposed to be" in your head is much distorted.

msf74

um... okay, maybe i used the term in an incorrect way, the word "bulk". Not BULK bulk in massive, but THICKER. From the side views in my photos, they don't look different. But from front views (I didn't show), I can see that it's bigger. anyways, sorry if I got you all confused with my saying of "bulk".

You haven't got "bulkier" but rather your leg muscles, particularly your quadriceps, have become more defined.

It is likely that you are actually smaller but you are given the illusion of greater size which comes from better definition.

tiptoethruthetulips

There is nothing bulky about you at all, you are quite slim.

Your perception of yourself is distorted.

emdeesea

I would take bulk over what I have any day. hands down. I say the image of what you think is "supposed to be" in your head is much distorted.

Yeah I agree with this statement. A thigh gap is a genetic thing. You can't get one if your body is not built for one. And due to your statements about being afraid to gain fat and your concern over people's comments about you "getting big," I think you've got some body issues you need to work on.

msf74

I think there's a cultural disconnect happening here.

The OP is a young girl living in Thailand and their cultural perceptions of what is "bulky" and so on is a little different to that of the West.

queenierz

Ah, that kinda simplifies things... thanks... didn't think of it.
And yes, i am aware I'm underweight; I am trying to gain actually, but I'm focusing on my cores and upper body more than lower body.
And yeah, i'll just see what happens; i'll keep doing the routines i'm doing because i want to get stronger overall..i guess the only thing i have to deal is be strong mentally.
thanks for all the replies, guys!

I think there's a cultural disconnect happening here.

The OP is a young girl living in Thailand and their cultural perceptions of what is "bulky" and so on is a little different to that of the West.

funfang

I think you are a very beautiful girl and you are very skinny. No where on your body can be considered "bulk" or even "thick" In my opinion you will look better with more weight on and with more muscle tone, but that's just my opinion.

I can understand why you look at yourself with such a distorted image. I think most Asian do. Somehow lots Asian think "the skinnier the better" I came from Taiwan almost 20 years ago. When I was 19, I weighted 110 lb and with my 5'7 height, people still told me that I would look even better if I could lose a bit more weight. I never thought I was skinny, I always thought I have a big butt ( and my American girl friends now often joke about it "butt? where?") I always thought I have big thick legs... now I look back, I was a paper thin person and unhealthy.

I think you are doing great with all the excise you are working on. Aim for being healthy, not being smaller ( leaner) You are beautiful and don't let others opinion effect you.

edited for typo

queenierz

Hahaha yup, I am surrounded by friends and my parents (big influence here) who think "the skinnier the better", and I'm trying to convert my thoughts to the different direction here. Thank you so much; I am trying to gain and get muscular in the upper body, but maybe I do not realize that it's not possible to do so without gaining the lower as well?
To be fair, I admit I have bad distorted perception of myself, like other people here said- one of my issues here hehehe. but yeah, i need to slowly adapt myself mentally, accepting the fact that it's not big it's not big it's not big >< Thanks for the understanding

I think you are a very beautiful girl and you are very skinny. No where on your body can be considered "bulk" or even "thick" In my opinion you will look better with more weight on and with more muscle tone, but that's just my opinion.

I can understand why you look at yourself with such a distorted image. I think most Asian do. Somehow lots Asian think "the skinnier the better" I came from Taiwan almost 20 years ago. When I was 19, I weighted 110 lb and with my 5'7 height, people still told me that I would look even better if I could lose a bit more weight. I never thought I was skinny, I always thought I have a big butt ( and my American girl friends now often joke about it "butt? where?") I always thought I have big thick legs... now I look back, I was a paper thin person and unhealthy.

I think you are doing great with all the excise you are working on. Aim for being healthy, not being smaller ( leaner) You are beautiful and don't let others opinion effect you.

edited for typo