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    Why do I look flabby sometimes after running?

    Posts: 139 Member
    edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
    Hey guys I'm new to mfp and really need help figuring out why sometimes right after runs and eating that I tens to get flabby? Im a long distance runner ,i run about 5-6 days a weeks 1-2 rest days for about 1 hour to an hour and a half on my most days. Im 5'1 98 pounds and I eat the right amount of calories to support my running so I don't see what the heck the problem is. To describe it more clearly I come back from a run and I look pretty slim (water loss obviously) I drink a protein shake (half a banana, half a cup of soy milk and protein powder) as a quick replenishment and then I usually have my post workout meal after (low carb tortilla w/tuna, a cheese stick, yogurt & a vegetable) but the funny thing is get to get kinda flabby after my post workout meal..I don't know its hard to describe but I'm a pretty lean girl and the flabbiness doesn't go away. I'm thinking it could possibly be not getting enough carbs in after my workout and my bodies overproducing insulin to try and replenish my glycogen storage? My protein intake is way higher than my carb intake so that's why I'm thinking it could be that? If anyone has any suggestions or a good explanation please inform me! Thank you!

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    Replies

    • Posts: 14,261 Member
      It's probably water.

      I have pretty lean legs. A couple of months ago I went on a longer and more challenging hike than normal and then afterward my legs looked very weird in the mirror. Kind of like patches of fat with an almost cellulite-like appearance. Definitely out of the ordinary. The next day they were back to normal. I figure it was just water.
    • Posts: 2,831 Member
      It's likely water, but do you do any strength training?
    • Posts: 139 Member
      sunnybeaches105 wrote: »
      It's likely water, but do you do any strength training?

      No just running. But I don't know about it being water because it looks like fat automatically adds to my body when I don't give it enough carbs.
    • Posts: 2,831 Member
      edited July 2016
      alexastoutxo wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      No just running. But I don't know about it being water because it looks like fat automatically adds to my body when I don't give it enough carbs.

      If you're worried about body composition, and it sounds like you are, add two to three days of strength training to your regime. How many grams of protein per day are you consuming?
    • Posts: 35,719 Member
      alexastoutxo wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      No just running. But I don't know about it being water because it looks like fat automatically adds to my body when I don't give it enough carbs.

      You know that's not possibly true though, don't you?
    • Posts: 139 Member
      TavistockToad wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      You know that's not possibly true though, don't you?

      Probably not but that's what it looks like my bodies doing. I tried looking up other explanations and there was also the mention of my body overproducing insulin and causing fat storage after my runs..I don't know if that's true or not though.
    • Posts: 10,413 Member
      FWIW... happens to me, too.

      I don't know what it is or why, or how much of it is just subjective... but I see it too.
    • Posts: 871 Member
      Your muscles are probably just deflated from burning up the glycogen stores in your muscle from cardio. Since your muscles get smaller from having less glycogen stored in them, your fat stores have no other option but to cover less volume on your body making you look more flabby.

      Usually people will say I'm looking "flat" when they are dieting, which means that their muscles are depleted from glycogen. Usually after a refeed day or high carb meal, you will look "full". When your muscles are full, you usually look leaner as well because your fat stores have to spread over more volume on your body.
    • Posts: 139 Member
      j6o4 wrote: »
      Your muscles are probably just deflated from burning up the glycogen stores in your muscle from cardio. Since your muscles get smaller from having less glycogen stored in them, your fat stores have no other option but to cover less volume on your body making you look more flabby.

      Usually people will say I'm looking "flat" when they are dieting, which means that their muscles are depleted from glycogen. Usually after a refeed day or high carb meal, you will look "full". When your muscles are full, you usually look leaner as well because your fat stores have to spread over more volume on your body.

      So should I have a high carb meal or day to help the flabbiness go away?
    • Posts: 871 Member
      alexastoutxo wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      So should I have a high carb meal or day to help the flabbiness go away?

      If you're only looking to look less flabby after a run, i would eat a good chunk of carbs after, but this would be just a short term solution.

      Long term solution would be lowering your body fat percentage and having enough muscle to never really look flabby.
    • Posts: 139 Member
      j6o4 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      If you're only looking to look less flabby after a run, i would eat a good chunk of carbs after, but this would be just a short term solution.

      Long term solution would be lowering your body fat percentage and having enough muscle to never really look flabby.
      j6o4 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      If you're only looking to look less flabby after a run, i would eat a good chunk of carbs after, but this would be just a short term solution.

      Long term solution would be lowering your body fat percentage and having enough muscle to never really look flabby.

      Yeah makes sense but if I'm taking a rest day and the flabbiness is still there, what should I do then? Have a high carb day like you said? I do notice whenever I have more carbs on the days I run I look less flabby. Like yesterday I went on a long run (12 miles) and at the end of the day my carbs came out short and my protein were WAY over my carbs. So should I take this rest day to replenish?
    • Posts: 139 Member
      jacksonpt wrote: »
      FWIW... happens to me, too.

      I don't know what it is or why, or how much of it is just subjective... but I see it too.

      Oh really? I thought it was just me because I never saw anyone else with this problem before! I wish there was an explanation though :/
    • Posts: 14,464 Member
      The flabbiness is temporary so don't even try to get rid of it. In the meantime your body is getting stronger. Don't try to make the water weight go away faster. It has nothing to do with gaining or losing fat.
    • Posts: 642 Member
      I experience the same flat look, always read it was depleted glycogen stores from the run. It is gone the next day so so I never worry.
    • Posts: 1,372 Member
      I notice this a few hours to a day after a long run when I've pushed myself to carry on for longer than normal. I thought it was all in my head!
    • Posts: 139 Member
      Bump
    • Posts: 14,776 Member
      It's still just water and not fat. Stay hydrated and wait it out.
    This discussion has been closed.

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