body feels softer since I started lifting?

stonel94

I lowered cardio (but didn't stop compltely) and started lifting (new rules of lifting for women) and I also do other ab exercises and sometimes other machines and stuff in addition because the workouts are pretty short, I'm starting at stage 1 like you're supposed to.
But weirdly, I'm sore after working out, and I use heavy weights, it's hard when I do it, but my body is feeling softer (and I've been eating a LOT of protein) like I guess I feel thinner, but my abs and arms feel less toned (and I never did arm/shoulder anything before, I did do abs though)
is this like normal, like cause they're being rebuilt, or what?

stonel94

Bump, please, anyone, is it fluid from rebuilding or is it like something else, it doesn't seem to make sense

erinsueburns

Sore is probably good, and it does mean you are lilly holding into more water, which is part of why new muscles tend to look bigger/more developed than they actually are. But the softer thing definitely confuses me. Do you mean softer all the way down. Because when I started doing body weight my fat layer started feeling softer and squishier but if I dig down under it I can feel the muscle ridges in a way I couldn't before.

CoderGal

fluid repairing your muscles, it's a good thing.