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

Based on the information here, scientists need to start bottling up estrogen and start injecting bodybuilders with it like it's going out of style. Then apparently they'll get massive doing next to nothing!

Am I the only one that thinks that firm but thick butts and thighs are sexy? Bring on the squats and lunges for me!!!

I ride my bicycle. I love it
One thing I've read and actually noticed is working for me..Don't work your problem area with strength exercises. What you are actually doing is building muscle under the fat and pushing the fat out making your problem area bigger. Which is why I stopped doing sit-ups and crunches cuz they makes my stomach bigger. cardio is the way to go. I suggest Dancing with your friends or something along those lines. Keep it fun and you'll do more often. Another tip: When it comes to losing weight and staying healthy you want to think about your routine in the long run. Do you see yourself running in 20 years? Or going to gym every day in 20 years. If they answer is no than you need to find something else you enjoy doing. I enjoy biking and I see myself continuing to do so in the long run...so that is what I've chosen. I hope this helps you

I just literally LOL'ed at this advice. I'm sorry, I know that sounds mean, but I honestly did.

Nope not mean; I almost just spit out my food laughing. While I see the point in finding something you love she was trying to make, the other stuff is just a flat out face palm.

I'm hourglass shaped and squats and lunges have been a lifesaver for me. My booty looks amazing.

A++ thread! Would read again!

:laugh:

Don't get discouraged. My problem area is my butt and hips too. I have been doing serious cardio for the past month and lost 1/2" in my neck, an inch in my waist and an inch in my hips. I've dedicated this past month to heavy cardio, which includes running the bleachers 3 x's a week and long runs on the weekend. I plan on incorporating weights in my 2nd month. Maybe try a combination of cardio & weights? Honestly, I like having a bump--but I want to LIFT that bump. Ha ha!

DON'T GIVE UP! Good luck! ;-)

bigger isn't bad, jiggly is bad. Focus

TOTALLY agree with this comment. LOL.

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

No, just no.

Muscle is muscle and it is very hard for a woman to gain any appreciable mass.

you're so wrong, Sara! I have been lifting heavy weights and clearly I'm the size of Arnold Swartzenegger!

Somebody kill this old thread and put it out of its misery. She did not gain an inch of muscle in a month (or two). STOP. I am pear-shaped, naturally muscular, and I lift heavy (for 8 years). My thighs have become much slimmer over time. I am not bulky. It is HARD to gain muscle size and if you are not deliberately gearing your DIET (surplus) and exercise to specifically build muscle size it won't happen. It just doesn't work that way. The end.

Yep - not sure why it was necromanced.

IT'S ALL MY FAULT! X_x And I just did it again, LOL!

I am one of those, my legs seem to gain size easily too type people. I also like lifting heavier. So I compromise. 50% body weight squats/lunges/etc from all directions. And then 50% heavier weights. So I get the benefit of both schools of thoughts.

Making steady progress. My legs are changing, and I know I'll never be part of the skinny leg club. It just isn't in my genetic potential.

And it's only one inch. Just one. Relax.

I say this allll the time.

LOL!!

Oh! I remember this thread. I got in trouble for making fun of it.

It was a good thread lol. I may or may not have got a strike in this one as well =p.

I don't care what anyone else says squats and lunges make a pear bigger. I am pear shaped and have fought my hips and butt for over 12 years nothing works but high cardio like tae bo or stair climbing. We have the hardest body shape to try and do something with because we have such high estrogen. I will never ever do squats or lunges again.

Oddly enough, more than one incredibly experienced personal trainer, who deals with all kinds of 'pear shapes' among other body types...disagrees with you.

Have you considered that maybe it's you that isn't going about it properly? Here's a picture from a definitely pear shaped woman posted earlier in the thread:



The change came after months of heavy lifting involving squats, deadlifts, etc.

Things that make you go hmmm...

I don't care what anyone else says squats and lunges make a pear bigger. I am pear shaped and have fought my hips and butt for over 12 years nothing works but high cardio like tae bo or stair climbing. We have the hardest body shape to try and do something with because we have such high estrogen. I will never ever do squats or lunges again.

But why have you fought them? If we could just embrace that pear shape is normal and sexy wouldn't we be happier? It's healthy for a woman to carry a certain level of body fat. Why is it "bad" that we happen to carry it in our thighs and hips? If you don't like the level of body fat you are carrying, reduce it, but you can't pick where it comes from. Understand that you might always have thicker thighs and accept it. Make them stronger and more awesome. Strong, muscular thighs with a little bit of fat are good. Who cares about the actual measurement of your thighs if they look good and can move heavy things, make you better at any sports you participate in, make you live longer, prevent injury later in life, etc? Is vanity and size of your pants really that important?

And yeah, I've never heard that "pear shapes" have higher estrogen. I'm most definitely pear shaped (35" bust, 29" waist, 41" hips, 24" thighs) and I'm pretty sure I have slightly above average testosterone for a women.

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???

Water.

It happens when you start incorporating a weight resistance training program. It will pass. Relax.

THIS THIS THIS. Chill the f*** out.