Too much muscle from running!

hchristopher33
hchristopher33 Posts: 2
in Fitness and Exercise
I started running about 2 months ago, and have recently bumped up my route to about 3-3.5 miles. I go about 4 times a week and the route is relatively flat. However! I have gained about 10 pounds of muscle mainly in my quads and glutes. It's to a point where few of my pants fit anymore! I have always been able to tone my lower body easily, but I did not think running/jogging would have such results. While I have noticed a reduction of fat all over, these muscly legs are a bit much! Any thoughts or advice?
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Replies

  • 2143661
    2143661 Posts: 566 Member
    I don't understand what the problem is.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I think it's probably the distance you are running. I would imagine if you start running more like 6 miles a session or more you will see your thigh slim down again. It's usually shorter distance runners that have bigger muscles.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    I started running about 2 months ago, and have recently bumped up my route to about 3-3.5 miles. I go about 4 times a week and the route is relatively flat. However! I have gained about 10 pounds of muscle mainly in my quads and glutes. It's to a point where few of my pants fit anymore! I have always been able to tone my lower body easily, but I did not think running/jogging would have such results. While I have noticed a reduction of fat all over, these muscly legs are a bit much! Any thoughts or advice?

    Just curious. Where in the world did you get the figure you gained 10llbs of muscle in 2 mos? How did you measure this?
  • still_crafty
    still_crafty Posts: 682 Member
    not sure you're if serious . . . sounds like crap to me
  • Faintgreeneyes
    Faintgreeneyes Posts: 729 Member
    Just going to throw this out there (and hopefully your not just a troll)

    There is pretty much no way that you could have gained 10 lbs of muscle from just running. It takes body builders months upon months to gain a couple pounds of muscle, and that's with a significant calorie surplus and heavy lifting.

    It could just be water/glycogen storage that is causing the weight gain and making your pants fight tighter. Also perhaps the presence of some muscle building up while the outer lying layer of fat has yet to be shed that could be causing the pant tightness as well.
  • Cliffslosinit
    Cliffslosinit Posts: 5,044 Member
    Fred Durst voice "trollin' trollin' trollin'
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    what-you-did-there-i-see-it.thumbnail.jpg
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I started running about 2 months ago, and have recently bumped up my route to about 3-3.5 miles. I go about 4 times a week and the route is relatively flat. However! I have gained about 10 pounds of muscle mainly in my quads and glutes. It's to a point where few of my pants fit anymore! I have always been able to tone my lower body easily, but I did not think running/jogging would have such results. While I have noticed a reduction of fat all over, these muscly legs are a bit much! Any thoughts or advice?

    Just curious. Where in the world did you get the figure you gained 10llbs of muscle in 2 mos? How did you measure this?

    Was my first thought as well.
  • itsDorian7
    itsDorian7 Posts: 105 Member
    Damn 10 lbs? I'm gonna have to start running !
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    id like to see your food diary. in order to gain muscle, you need to eat at a surplus. If you are running as much as you say you are, you have to eating TONS of food to be gaining muscle like that.
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    what-you-did-there-i-see-it.thumbnail.jpg

    this
  • Lorisara75
    Lorisara75 Posts: 11
    why is everyone being so mean? i thought this community was for support?
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Maybe switch to riding a bike? :ohwell:

    Seriously, like the others said, you didn't gain that much muscle in that short of a time period. Water weight makes more sense. When I am bloated, I can't fit in my pants. I have a few pairs of denim with 1% spandex that help when I am retaining water.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    why is everyone being so mean? i thought this community was for support?

    Some people on here are mean to people who are starting out. Arrogance is a better word.
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    that seems odd to me too.. I was running like crazy and didn't gain or lose a single pound over six months... but if I give the benefit of the doubt... I don't see a problem with having muscly legs and thighs... better than scrawny and flabby, right?

    muscle is mmm mmm mmm gooooood! would love to see pics of this progress!
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    It's virtually impossible to put on 10lbs of muscle in 2 mos, let alone doing cardio.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    why is everyone being so mean? i thought this community was for support?

    Some people on here are mean to people who are starting out. Arrogance is a better word.

    I say it's neither. Right now, it's calling a spade a spade.
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    I started running about 2 months ago, and have recently bumped up my route to about 3-3.5 miles. I go about 4 times a week and the route is relatively flat. However! I have gained about 10 pounds of muscle mainly in my quads and glutes. It's to a point where few of my pants fit anymore! I have always been able to tone my lower body easily, but I did not think running/jogging would have such results. While I have noticed a reduction of fat all over, these muscly legs are a bit much! Any thoughts or advice?

    itsimpossibru.jpg
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    why is everyone being so mean? i thought this community was for support?

    It is...but there will always be people who make assumptions. If you really need help, answer the questions and ignore the meanies.
  • _runchick
    _runchick Posts: 22
    Just going to throw this out there (and hopefully your not just a troll)

    There is pretty much no way that you could have gained 10 lbs of muscle from just running. It takes body builders months upon months to gain a couple pounds of muscle, and that's with a significant calorie surplus and heavy lifting.

    It could just be water/glycogen storage that is causing the weight gain and making your pants fight tighter. Also perhaps the presence of some muscle building up while the outer lying layer of fat has yet to be shed that could be causing the pant tightness as well.


    I agree 100% of ^^ the above (minus the troll part)... there is NO WAY you could have gained 10lbs of muscle in such a short period of time AND for sure with running .... I am a runner and have been for years and no one..... NOT ONE of my running friends (marathoners etc..) have ever had this problem.

    You have to really look at your diet and nutrition. Initially when you start running, it takes quite a few months for the weight to come off (all depends on the person, for we are all different) - but when it does and you check your diet and NOT overeat - then you will see that all will balance out. Also.... use a measuring tape and keep an eye on inches you lose/gain, not just weight.
  • haylz247
    haylz247 Posts: 435
    10lbs seems like a lot. Yes you can put muscle on from running. I can see it in my legs and they look trim and nice. But no way is it 10lbs! Like someone said, it's probably water.
  • jcr85
    jcr85 Posts: 229
    Quad development from running and not heavy squats who knew.
  • kiminikimkim
    kiminikimkim Posts: 746 Member
    Big muscles like this:

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/olympic-track-cyclists-legs-are-gigantic

    enjoy the read.
  • melindadunston
    melindadunston Posts: 157
    I have taken up running and have ran about the same as you except for about 3mths. I have noticed a difference in my legs but not that much. I don't know why you would have that dramatic of a change on 2mths of 3mile runs. Doesn't make sense to me either!
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    trolls gain muscle alot easier than regular humans i guess.
  • Bazan101
    Bazan101 Posts: 19 Member
    I just got my first dose of bullish for the day! Thanks! Yum..Yum...Yum..
  • Elen_Sia
    Elen_Sia Posts: 638 Member
    I don't understand what the problem is.

    I don't either. :huh:
  • dawson55510
    dawson55510 Posts: 197 Member
    I would love to have this problem
  • tlynnweb
    tlynnweb Posts: 201 Member
    Not sure that's possible at all. I remember Jillian Michaels saying that it would take months and months of hard-core training with tons of weights to add that much muscle!
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    why is everyone being so mean? i thought this community was for support?

    You're right, automatically calling the OP a troll is mean. However, if you ignore that part of the posts, other things they are saying are correct.

    Unless, you are eating above maintenance calories, you are not gaining muscle. It's pretty hard to put on 10 pounds of muscle. More than likely, the OP has gained some muscle tone in the legs, but also has not lost any fat--resulting in larger legs.

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