Changed from walking to running and now my thighs are bulky!

vsealy1
vsealy1 Posts: 2
edited January 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I just realised when i put on my skinny jeans that my thighs have bulked up. I used to just walk for 35 minutes a day...very fast walking. Then i added some jogging, now i jog about half the way but it includes hills. I have been doing this for a few weeks. Would this have changed the shape of my thighs? All i want is to lose weight and slim down all over. I dont want any bulkiness! What sort of cardio should i do?
Thanks.

Replies

  • thescrumisfun
    thescrumisfun Posts: 355
    Your legs appear to be "bulky" because there is fat on top of the muscle. Keep losing body fat, and this "bulky" appearance will go away. There is no way to spot reduce so just keep at it :).
  • foxymama73
    foxymama73 Posts: 60 Member
    Have you tried the Leslie Sansone DVDs? Her walking programs are designed to slim the thighs, and it's good cardio.
  • workout_junkee
    workout_junkee Posts: 473 Member
    Running will not make your thighs bulky. If you enjoy it keep at it. Your body will see results accordingly. A few weeks is two early to notice it. My guess, there is something else playing a part in this.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Running uphill works your quads big time if you have a high grade. You probably want to lower your grade and add some weight if you want to burn the same amount of calories without hitting your quads as much.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    I am sure your legs look great. Relax.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    Is it possible that your thighs muscles are just bloated from retaining water for muscle repair? Since running is new for you, that is.
  • kbitzonefour
    kbitzonefour Posts: 114 Member
    Hrmm loose jiggly skinny thighs or adding muscle / quad pumps.

    Argument invalid. Sick of these threads.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Not sure what you mean by bulky. Women can't get bulky unless you've somehow been messing around with your testosterone.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Is it possible that your thighs muscles are just bloated from retaining water for muscle repair? Since running is new for you, that is.
    ^ Most likely explanation. You don't bulk up from jogging and you don't build muscle in a caloric deficit.
  • weloveourboys
    weloveourboys Posts: 133 Member
    Running shouldn't bulk up anything. I'm a runner, and though I have muscles on my thighs, they're certainly not bulky.
  • ALH1981
    ALH1981 Posts: 538 Member
    Is it possible that your thighs muscles are just bloated from retaining water for muscle repair? Since running is new for you, that is.
    ^ Most likely explanation. You don't bulk up from jogging and you don't build muscle in a caloric deficit.

    Or you eat more to compensate the extra cals you are burning?
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    Could be water retention. Cardio without strength training will probably not increase the muscle mass in your legs, especially with only a few weeks of it and if you are eating at a calorie deficit. I usually only have the "thighs are bigger" feeling after a leg day with heavy lifting. A day or so later and my pants don't catch on my thighs any more because the water balanced back out. If you are doing the same thing every day, you may not notice the drop in size because they are constantly trying to retain the water. Give it some time and things will balance out. Try not to fear certain exercises because you don't want to get "bulky", over all fitness will feel much better than being skinny and out of shape.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Check your diet. Running doesn't make you bulky, but overeating can.

    I doubt it's even intramuscular swelling, Type I fibers don't really do the tear and repair thing like you go through with lifting, except in the very, very beginning- like the first couple times you run, and it's pretty short lived- UNLESS you're radically upping your mileage at a dangerous clip, which, obviously, you shouldn't be doing.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    Keep running.

    switch it up on alternate days with squats and dead lifts at least.
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