PISSED. Squats & lunges made me bigger.. wtf!!

24567…13

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,067 Member
    And it's only one inch. Just one. Relax.

    I say this allll the time.
    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    I'll just say I love this and that a woman with muscular legs is hot. Keep working and the fat will come off. Dedication, hard work, and endurance!
  • hiker282
    hiker282 Posts: 983 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    PS: More muscle means a higher metabolism, means you can enjoy eating more. There are some great advantages to having more muscle besides the obvious fact that it's hot.
  • LovelyLifter
    LovelyLifter Posts: 560 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    I'll just say I love this and that a woman with muscular legs is hot. Keep working and the fat will come off. Dedication, hard work, and endurance!

    :heart: :smooched:
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    oh cmon, is there anyone who seriously has had success in that area without trying to say "relax, just an inch" how about you relax and actually say something HELPFUL?

    I squat 130lbs. No, my thighs haven't gotten much smaller but the over all appearance has greatly improved (and they haven't gotten bigger either).

    DSC01915-2.jpg
  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    I believe you. Several months ago I would do them 4-5 times a week and my butt only got bigger (not wider but more perky but it already was VERY perky). I've now shortened them to only doing weighted ones twice a week and it has helped out tremendously. Inches are definitely going down.

    I suggest doing less (perhaps half?) of the amount that you were doing before and see if that helps.

    Good luck hun!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    I don't think you guys are helping the situation here..

    for gods sake, it CAN happen!

    <~~ Pear shaped here too, been on this weight loss journey since February to lose 15 lbs and squats & lunges have definitely NOT helped with trying to lose inches/fat off my thighs.. I KNOW YOU CANNOT SPOT REDUCE but all i'm saying is that it definitely made them bigger for me too!

    and with trying to lose fat, I also incorporate running.. and hiit on the elliptical and started lifting weights with eating healthy. still no progress in that area.

    So- guess what - I have been doing lunges and running for about six weeks now. I have gained some measurement there too, but it is temporary. I have been here before. I will keep on and will lose the inches and have wonderful looking legs in the long run. I have been doing curls for about 6 weeks too - guess what ? Arm measurements are up too. They will go down. Sometimes there is a not so pretty time while working towards your goal. It doesn't mean things aren't working.
  • picassoadagio
    picassoadagio Posts: 407 Member
    same here. i quit doing them unless i feel like doing them for the hell of it. i have enough muscle on my legs.
  • TKHappy
    TKHappy Posts: 659 Member
    I may be the only pear shape that actually wants strong looking thighs over skinny fat thighs!! I think you shoud be proud, you are building muscle...the same muscle that will burn the fat off your thighs....give it time, they may get bigger first and then once the fat starts burning off they will get smaller :) If not the only thing I can think of is to stop the squats and lunges and focus on oyur upper body! :)
  • onedayillbeamilf
    onedayillbeamilf Posts: 966 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    Hey miss lovely lifter, NOT EVERYONE has the same interests as you. Some want to be really thin. So put a cap on it.


    Whoa whoa whoa! Don't take your frustrations with your thighs out on her!
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    Hey miss lovely lifter, NOT EVERYONE has the same interests as you. Some want to be really thin. So put a cap on it.

    There's a difference between being thin, and having good body composition. Women would do well to not only eat at a calorie deficit when trying to lose weight, but also do a good weight resistance training program like SL 5x5, Starting Strength or NROLFW. The water will pass, and with dedication and positive energy you will achieve your goals and look like a goddess.
  • saintspoon
    saintspoon Posts: 242 Member
    LOL 1st world problems: ARG my thighs are too muscley! :laugh:

    I'm sorry you didn't get the results you wanted but thanks for posting.. you give me hope 'cause I'm trying to amp up my bum :flowerforyou:


    I also wanted to say... KEEP AT IT!! Beyonce is a total pear but she has super muscley thighs & it looks amazing on her... i think you're just at a weird phase of development that you weren't expecting. It will get better :)
  • BrettPGH
    BrettPGH Posts: 4,716 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    Hey miss lovely lifter, NOT EVERYONE has the same interests as you. Some want to be really thin. So put a cap on it.

    New meat is feisty...

    Fine. Stop lifting. Try eating as little as possible. Don't do this for your health, do this for a number on the scale. You'll look awful most likely and you'll have no energy, but hey you won't have to freak out about temporarily gaining 1 inch.

    OR keep lifting and start appreciating your body. You decide.
  • steve1686
    steve1686 Posts: 346 Member
    1. muscular legs on a female are hot
    2. work your lats also, this will give you a more broad upper body to even out with your legs, while your waist will remain small, giving you an hourglass figure
  • marieautumn
    marieautumn Posts: 928 Member
    you have to burn fat too...
    i do squats and jumping lunges every day and they make my legs look awesome. The muscles really pop out.
  • spynoodle
    spynoodle Posts: 404
    "Someone" is cranky...I'm not naming names!

    I love my big, strong legs!!!
  • jg627
    jg627 Posts: 1,221 Member
    I think all women should have strong thighs and child-rearing hips, but that's me. Did you measure the day after going to the gym? If so, wait a couple days after resting and check it again. They call that 'the pump'. It goes away.
  • debzeeU2
    debzeeU2 Posts: 99 Member
    I have a pear shape also. A few years ago, running & walking was my main exercise-- my boyfriend at the time was pissed because I lost my thighs, hips and butt. It just depends on each person maybe. I love squats & lunges because of the muscles you achieve from those exercises.
  • reneegee23
    reneegee23 Posts: 232 Member
    Feeling on the downside today. I've started to do squats & lunges as reading tips from some MFP members being pear shaped or well carrying most fat on thighs/hips.... and with also eating healthy it has only made them BIGGER. i'm not even overexaggerating, I gained an INCH. an INCH!!! Yes they have more muscle but I was aiming to slim them down / lose inches.

    What works for some of you doesn't work for EVERYONE.
    I just want to give up. My jeans feel super tight on that area and a girl in the gym who is pear shaped that i've seen have great success told me she stopped doing squats/lunges due to the fact that pear shapes don't always have the best success in that area, so she does alot of cardio and HIIT..

    NOW.. to anyone who REALLY has some success stories in that area.. what SERIOUSLY has helped you???

    Time and consistency (in weight loss and training) will solve your problem. It will probably take a 6 months to a year of hard, consistent work, but you'll get change. If you give up heavy weighted leg work, you give up toned legs and thighs. You should be weighting your squats and lunges MORE.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    It's temporary, don't worry.

    I am pear shaped as well, and although I've lost 4 inches in my waist and 3 in my hips, I've only lost 1 in my thighs. But at first, my thighs got a big bigger due to the muscle building (I do squats and lunges all the time). I also run, do cardio kickboxing, and yoga...at first, yes, your thighs will probably get a bit bigger, but as you continue to burn fat they'll get smaller and all you'll see are sexy muscular thighs and a booty you can bounce a quarter off of!

    Give it some time. I didn't notice my thighs getting any slimmer until fairly recently and I've been really at this hardcore since late January. Also, there is no golden rule that says you HAVE to do lunges and squats all the time. I do them because they firm up the jiggle and building muscle helps me to burn the fat more efficiently. Trust the process :)
  • FrugalMomsRock75
    FrugalMomsRock75 Posts: 698 Member
    And it's only one inch. Just one. Relax.

    I say this allll the time.

    O.m.gosh! ROFL!

    :laugh:
  • Lennox497
    Lennox497 Posts: 242 Member
    It happens, but if you continue (since weight loss isn't just a month and a half ordeal), they will slim down. You can't base it being non effective since you've only done it a short time.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    Yup this is legit. We are all living in an instant gratification soceity. Everything takes time, fitness especially. I know I always try to measure my gains/losses over a 12 wk period. Definitely some ups and downs along the way.
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    Hey miss lovely lifter, NOT EVERYONE has the same interests as you. Some want to be really thin. So put a cap on it.

    LOL, I'm not the only one who finds this reply hilarious, right???
  • Kris0109
    Kris0109 Posts: 177 Member
    I'm a total pear, have been doing squats and lunges, usually weighted, twice a week with a trainer in addition to 3 sessions of high-impact cardio for the last 4 weeks. I've gained 10 lbs (mostly water/off now), lost a pants size and have never loved my legs or butt more. Give it time. Also watch your calorie intake.
  • dolldreams
    dolldreams Posts: 245 Member
    Cardio and then more cardio. My hips, thighs and butt are losing all the weight right now. If only I could get my waist to catch up, then I'd be in a smaller pant size for sure.

    I do 8 miles a day on the exercise bike. I try to keep the tension up by doing intervals. Today, I did four and a half minute intervals of high tension and then 3 minutes of lower tension for 30 minutes total.

    I'm going to do some more cardio for about 45 minutes. Just low impact and then top it all off with some Wii Zumba.

    Good luck!
  • RumOne
    RumOne Posts: 266 Member
    Im not a pear....honestly Im not sure how youd describe my shape but ive gained an inch in both my thighs and its muscle and its sexy and im damn proud of my legs so my question is exactly what are you complaining about.....you don't like muscle???

    Twigs break easily! Strong Fit women are sexy as h3ll and can handle a lot more without breaking. I'll take Lovely Lifters body and advice anyday of the week.
  • Jules2Be
    Jules2Be Posts: 2,238 Member
    my legs seem to look smaller the heavier i go in the squats etc...but i have been at it for 8 months...maybe the measuring isnt accurate, or youre measuring in a different spot...i would keep at it.:glasses:

    IMGP2865-1.jpg
  • Lula16
    Lula16 Posts: 628 Member
    Have you seen my profile pic?

    I am a pear too and carry my weight in my hips and thighs. I would love some good exercises for slimming that area too. My waist has always been proportionally much smaller which makes it hard to buy jeans/trousers.

    You're one sexy pear.


    ^^^^ silly :happy:


    try adding more cardio to your routine. Or you can cut back on the lunges/squats and start the brazilian butt lift from beachbody. Works your problem areas: thighs, hips and butt.
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    It takes time, be patient.

    I don' knowt if my legs got temporary bigger when I first started, but my thighs have slimmed quite a bit since I have kept up with it. I can squat 90 lbs. Believe me I have long legs. I used to have chunky legs, but I don't anymore.
  • cPT_Helice
    cPT_Helice Posts: 403
    Feeling on the downside today. I've started to do squats & lunges as reading tips from some MFP members being pear shaped or well carrying most fat on thighs/hips.... and with also eating healthy it has only made them BIGGER. i'm not even overexaggerating, I gained an INCH. an INCH!!! Yes they have more muscle but I was aiming to slim them down / lose inches.

    What works for some of you doesn't work for EVERYONE.
    I just want to give up. My jeans feel super tight on that area and a girl in the gym who is pear shaped that i've seen have great success told me she stopped doing squats/lunges due to the fact that pear shapes don't always have the best success in that area, so she does alot of cardio and HIIT..

    NOW.. to anyone who REALLY has some success stories in that area.. what SERIOUSLY has helped you???

    You get what you pay for...... rather than complain that people on here aren't giving you the advice you want, maybe..... just maybe..... you should ease up on the caps button (yelling) and get a trainer! Just my opinion.
    Oh.....and.... I am a trainer and have had success in that area. BTW...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories