Getting Bigger Before Getting Smaller

lisalsd1 · August 2013

I've been doing strength training with my husband for 6 weeks now. I'm definitely starting to see results in my "problem areas." I definitely can see more definition in my quads, hamstrings. I was a "Cardio Queen" before.

I put on my "go to" jeans, and they feel slightly more snug in the thighs. My husband assures me...and I read that you "get bigger before you get smaller." He couldn't exactly explain why this happens. Basically, he told me that the "fat will pop out for awhile before shrinking." I also just read an article that said to stick with the strength training, b/c this "getting bigger before getting smaller" is a common, temporary phase.

Is this true? My goal is to strengthen, tone, and make my thighs smaller (not bigger!). If it's true, how long does this generally last?

kittyhasclaws · August 2013

For one, when you're doing heavy lifting, your muscles will suck up a whole bunch of water that makes them swell, therefore making it seem like they're getting bigger. They're really not. They're just retaining water to repair the muscle fibers. So I guess you'd "get bigger" (along with noob gains) before you start to get smaller.

born2drum · August 2013

Being that you were a "cardio queen" you are experiencing noob gains so enjoy them while they last. This is one area that many new lifters experience. Usually, it is almost impossible to gain muscle while on a cut, unless, you're new to lifting. So, yes, the fat will eventually go away.

For now, enjoy your new quads. You should start to see results in your butt area too as in more tone/lift if you see your quads changing.

RGv2 · August 2013

Noob gain + Water Retention.

kiwigal41 · August 2013

oh wow......I have this problem exactly and it was making me so discouraged.....thank you, thank you for posting....I was 116 earlier this year I February....went away on holiday for a month and gained a little of course, about 120 when I got back....worked it off to about 118 and then starting mid-june I started Chalean Extreme for lifting and some resistance training....upped the calories a little from 1200 to 1500 and lo and behold...i'm 126!!!!WTH????....and my little love handles are starting to appear again.....not nearly as bad as they used to be of course but it's where the weight goes first so I notice it right away....what do we do??? cut back calories again and cut back the weights, increase the cardio??? I just don't know.....I do know that i'm getting very frustrated....OP, hopefully we will get some great advice....thanks again for posting....:)

lisalsd1 · August 2013

See I've sworn off the scale for the next couple of weeks. I weighed myself when I first started (130)...and again at 6 weeks (128). I thought, "cool, I've lost 2 lbs." But a woman in the locker room stopped me last week and complimented me on how much weight I look like I've lost. Technically, it's only 2 lbs, but it looks like more than 2 lbs apparently. So forget the the scale!

I just googled "noob gains" too btw. So if it's water retention then I should see some of it dissipating soon...I hope:) I was super discouraged and confused, b/c I feel stronger, look better in general, but my damn jeans were tight on my thighs.

Boogage · August 2013

I'm feeling discouraged too. In the last 2 weeks I'm gained 2lbs and 3/4 of an inch on my tummy which is my problem area anyway. I've been wondering whether I should just stop but I know I probably should give it more time and see what happens.

mantium999 · August 2013

I'm feeling discouraged too. In the last 2 weeks I'm gained 2lbs and 3/4 of an inch on my tummy which is my problem area anyway. I've been wondering whether I should just stop but I know I probably should give it more time and see what happens.

If you are gaining pounds and inches, it is likely your diet and not your workout that needs to be reviewed.

Getting Bigger Before Getting Smaller

Replies

Categories