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

ZombieChaser

Lunges and squats build bulky muscle. Muscle does burn fat, but if you're looking to be toned and lean instead of having bulkier muscle, I'd suggest trying pilates or a ballet class. The kind of muscle isolation and resistance that is used for those activites yeilds lean muscle. Sounds like maybe that's what you're after? Anyway, just a thought.

no


just no

QFT

Also, thread necromancy is BAD!

professorRAT

I think threads should be nuked after three months of inactivity.

I approve this message.

cmcollins001

Lunges and squats build bulky muscle. Muscle does burn fat, but if you're looking to be toned and lean instead of having bulkier muscle, I'd suggest trying pilates or a ballet class. The kind of muscle isolation and resistance that is used for those activites yeilds lean muscle. Sounds like maybe that's what you're after? Anyway, just a thought.

Muscle isolation yields lean muscle?

wigglypeaches

What is wrong with strong muscled thighs? If you are still carrying bodyfat, then overtime, as you reduce that, it should come off your thighs too. Nothing wrong with shaply legs though.

No kidding. I'd kill for a lower body like that.

BinaryPulsar

I think threads should be nuked after three months of inactivity.

I approve this message.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea!

jofjltncb6

I think threads should be nuked after three months of inactivity.

Given the robustness of the forum search function here, they might as well nuke them. It isn't like anyone can *intentionally* find an old thread using the search.

kitka82

BTW, since incorporating squats, lunges/side lunges.. I gained 2 inches off my thighs and my thighs were at 21" to begin with.. I have a 24" waist with 37" hips... now my thighs are at 23"

some of u must not know how it feels.

Just curious... has your waist measurement changed at all?

danasings

*edit: Just realized this thread is hella old! lol >_<

It's still pertinent though. The ladies need to know that the way to avoid getting all manly muscly is by sticking to Tae Bo. Billy works me out good, and I don't get all bulky.

Bean, is that you?!?!

kitka82

Lunges and squats build bulky muscle. Muscle does burn fat, but if you're looking to be toned and lean instead of having bulkier muscle, I'd suggest trying pilates or a ballet class. The kind of muscle isolation and resistance that is used for those activites yeilds lean muscle. Sounds like maybe that's what you're after? Anyway, just a thought.

This is completely false.

In other news, it could take months for your muscles to start looking smaller. When I started weight training my PEAR SHAPED lower body (in case you need my credentials), it took four freaking months for my body to calm down and actually get smaller.

That whole time, all of my clothes were ridiculously tight. I don't know how much I gained in water/glycogen retention, but it was very noticeable, and not just to me. That said, trust the process. Eventually, you will get smaller, too. One week, one month, whatever, is NOT enough to decide it doesn't work.

THIS.

I did heavy lifting 3x a week and cardio 3x a week for THREE MONTHS. My shirt was tight across the shoulders, but loose in the waist. My jeans were tight across the bum and thighs, but loose in my waist. My legs got thicker, but they jiggled less, and my cellulite disappeared. Then I started running and they got smaller

StaceyJ2008

It takes a while for your body composition to change.

dpots76

women are different -low weights high reps. That will slim you down and build muscle but not bulky muscle.

kitka82

Oh mys gosh, I'm a total pear shape too and I SO feel where you're coming from. I just started doing lunges and I'm kinda afraid my butt's gonna get bigger! My butt and thighs are already huge, I certainly don't want them any bigger.

I know a lot of people like the thick, muscled, curvy bum and thighs, but I DON'T want it. It's looks great on other girls, but I personally want to look more androgynous, I don't want to look ultra feminine. I don't want "child bearing hips". Not every girl is the same or cares about what dudes think of their *kitten*. I really couldn't care less.

*edit: Just realized this thread is hella old! lol >_<

Good. More @$$ for me. Do all the squats. Gain all the @$$. ........... wait I think that came out wrong.

lacurandera1

Better stop running, too, then. Also could increase your thigh size.

A more realistic approach would be to give your program some serious time to work. Fat loss isn't linear or quick.

tageekly

women are different -low weights high reps. That will slim you down and build muscle but not bulky muscle.

What? :huh:

BrunetteRunner87

I'm confused about why it matters what shape you are, won't everyone's muscles develop the more they use them? It's not like my legs are going to get smaller if I'm an apple or hourglass if I do squats, idk what else I'd expect

shontaymonroe

Yes, squats and lunges (especially weighted) make you gain muscle in those areas and you will gain inches. I would suggest cardio and HIIT. Any kind of cardio will make you lose fat all over and you will lose inches all over. But to make yourself "less pear shaped" I would suggest doing more upper body workouts and a lot of cardio. This should make you jmore porportioned. Good Luck!

princessage117

You look gorgeous!

kelly_e_montana

[/quote] Quoted: Oh and body somatypes are pseudoscientific nonsense people use as an excuse imo
[/quote]

Response: I never really thought of them as science at all. I always thought they were just descriptors. Specifically, they are used with success in deciding how to dress yourself appropriately in women's fashion. I don't know how anyone would try to use them *scientifically*.

Athena125

I have had similar issues. I noticed at FIRST, I get bigger. Then after 8 -12 weeks, the fat goes away. I have a bigger tummy, butt and thighs. I have had success in the past, and it is sort of happening again (I am gaining muscle but it's under the fat it seems). I can tell I look better. I believe after the 2-3 months passes, my body will turn around and start getting rid of the fat.

jenniferrusso7393

My thighs get bigger when I am fit and running-- if you dont want to bulk up-- dont do exercises that build muscle mass...

MellyGibson

For what it's worth:

I started squats and lunges 12 weeks ago. I gained a half an inch on my thighs at first and was actually happy because I gained muscle. I just redid my measurements on Sunday and I've lost an inch. So in 8 weeks + 1/2 inch. In 12 weeks - 1 inch. See how that worked? I had patience and trusted the process and I started to lose.

Erykah3584

To me it looks like you have an amazing body! A body that most women would want including myself. Why is it that we always want what we dont have? I have no booty whatsever. I do heavy lifting squats, lunges, leg presses, ect. I dont think I will ever have a curvy, volumptuous lower half, which is my goal. Be proud of it! If you keep working at slimming down, you will get there. But dont get angry that your booty is getting more muscle and more firm. How is that bad?

CorvusCorax77

not gunna read all the hoopla here.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/cardio-vs-strength-training-workouts

conclusion: do both cardio and weights for a well-rounded fitness program.

I looked at your pics and I don't see what there is to not like. I WORKED for my booty. WORKED HARD. I did only cardio for years and ended up with a completely flat bum. Embarassing.
I lifted and now I have a better shape.

Here's the thing, you can't change the genes you got. But you can be the best you that you can be. I think you should embrace that because it's beautiful.

astrobob76

all this talk about pears is makin me hungry. pears are YUMMY

subconscious_ink

Why is this thread still ongoing? The op was in May of last year :ohwell:

barrattandrew

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?

Keep squatting. Eat at a deficit.

This

CorvusCorax77

Why is this thread still ongoing? The op was in May of last year :ohwell:

cuz someone commented and that made it pop up in the recent threads! doh!

_Witsy_

Lunges and squats build bulky muscle. Muscle does burn fat, but if you're looking to be toned and lean instead of having bulkier muscle, I'd suggest trying pilates or a ballet class. The kind of muscle isolation and resistance that is used for those activites yeilds lean muscle. Sounds like maybe that's what you're after? Anyway, just a thought.

Just no. No. *facepalm*

Helloitsdan

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???

IMO increase the weight to a 3x5 or 5x5 so you won't get the sarcoplasmic hypertrophy of the muscle.
You get the myofibrilar hypertrophy instead.
Eat just below TDEE for best results.

MariaMariaM

I feel your pain!

<---This is the results of lunges and heavy squats! I need help reversing the look of muscular legs. Just in case it is relevant, I am hybrid apple-pear shaped...