I thought I was supposed to be getting SMALLER?!

This happened to me. But I think maybe the arms aren't actually getting bigger...they just look it. Maybe because as the fat disappears the extra skin sags more? Keep going...it resolved itself with me. Arms look smaller now. I think they're going to take the most work with me though. good luck!

This is probably what OP is experiencing. There is no way her arms have bulked up that much after 3-4 days of weights. I know my arms looked bigger when my shoulders and collarbones started getting more defined after losing the padding over them, but a measuring tape showed my arms were exactly the same size. My shirts felt a little tighter, though, because they were loose in the shoulders. It created the illusion the arms were tighter, whereas they were just as tight as they'd always been.

It could be water retention as well.

You will not bulk up lifting weights after lifting for only two weeks. If anything your muscles are swollen from the exercise.

You need to peruse the forums and look at all the wonderful threads about how lifting does NOT bulk you up. You've also lost 6 lbs in two weeks! That's awesome! Don't sabotage yourself now by questioning your routine when it's clearly working for you.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/602973-wieghts-were-do-i-start

This is one of my many idols on this website. Does she look bulky to you? NOPE! Healthy AND Fit!

I am afraid of bulking up muscles, so I am focusing on cardio over weights for the time being. Strength training is a huge part of it, but I want to lose some of the fat before I begin toning. I would ease up on the weights and keep up the good cario! Sounds like you're doing awesome!

You will not 'bulk up muscles' on a deficit.

or even bulk up muscles when NOT on a deficit.........

Sounds to me like you are building muscle.. maybe slow down on arm exercises for a few days? or lighter weights?

Yeah, do more cardio rather than weights x

No.

Look at all the ladies in here - if it worked the way you think it does, they would all look like the hulk!


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/884447-do-you-lift-heavy-are-you-bulky

I noticed a similar thing, that my arms appeared to be getting (slightly) bigger, because the arms on a blouse were tighter. But I think it is mostly because the muscly parts are more defined and do not want to be constrained as much as the flab which was previously there - you can push flab around a lot more than muscle.

I think you're doing good! Your body loses fat at different places at different times, some people lose the fat in the butt last, or thei belly, or their thighs, arms etc.
Keep going, it'll all come off eventually

You are not gaining significant muscle if you are eating at a deficit. Women don't have enough testosterone to build much more than .5-1 lb of muscle a month.

Are you taking steroids? Nope, didn't think so. Then your arms are NOT gaining so much muscle that they are hulking your shirt sleeves. Idk the answer, but that is not it.

I doubt that the 1-2 days of your lifting is making your arms bigger. You say you are losing abdominal fat? So maybe because we can't pick and choose where we want to lose you are just losing it in your midsection first and it just makes you look a little disportionate. But things will balance out.

But I just can't believe your 1-2 days of lifting is bulking you up.

I am a hardcore lifter and it's taken YEARS to get to where I am at. YEARS. And I still don't have my arms and shoulders anywhere near where I want them...and I lift ALOT and I lift HEAVY. I wish I could have a problem of getting muscle at the drop of a hat! We put on GRAMS of muscle in a month(IF THAT!) not pounds of it.

You'll even out but defiantely DO NOT give up strength training. HEck, I'd actually drop a cardio day and add another strength training day.

I doubt that the 1-2 days of your lifting is making your arms bigger. You say you are losing abdominal fat? So maybe because we can't pick and choose where we want to lose you are just losing it in your midsection first and it just makes you look a little disportionate. But things will balance out.

But I just can't believe your 1-2 days of lifting is bulking you up.

I am a hardcore lifter and it's taken YEARS to get to where I am at. YEARS. And I still don't have my arms and shoulders anywhere near where I want them...and I lift ALOT and I lift HEAVY. I wish I could have a problem of getting muscle at the drop of a hat! We put on GRAMS of muscle in a month(IF THAT!) not pounds of it.

You'll even out but defiantely DO NOT give up strength training. HEck, I'd actually drop a cardio day and add another strength training day.

I was thinking the same thing. 1-2 days a week is not going to bulk you up.

If you read it corectly, most of the bashing is aimed at the people telling you that you have gained muscle, and the people telling you to stop strength training.

It is aimed at the bad advice you were getting, not at YOU..