really simple question. why do my muscles shrink after a workout

[rhcp430]

during a workout, i get a huge expansion in whatever muscle i'm working. I think people refer to that as "the pump"

but ~20 minutes after a workout, my muscles shrink back to normal and sometimes even smaller sizes before i worked out.

any explanation?

thanks

[BigZack1428]

The pump goes away, meaning not as much blood is being rushed into your muscles. When you get the pump, your muscles get bigger, but it goes away after it subsides.

[Bydded_Gryf]

Yeh. When you use a muscle, the blood concentrates there. After you stop using it, the blood leaves.

[rhcp430]

thanks

but i mean like why do my muscles look smaller sometimes than before i workout after?

i am eating right though

[BigZack1428]

Because when you work out, you break your muscles down.

[jei64822]

I'm guessing you are flexing your muscles after a workout. Personally, I cannot flex them more than 50% after a workout, because they are just so broken down.

[Chris_1990]

thanks

but i mean like why do my muscles look smaller sometimes than before i workout after?

i am eating right though

It's all in your head, they can't shrink to an even smaller size.

[Pyro05]

Psychology is a powerful thing...

[bigshayet]

Ze human mind is a powerful tool in terms of delusion and self-manipulation my friend.

It's all in your head.

[Retardo-pex]

Glycogen depletion. Blood rushing causing the pump effect makes them look/feel bigger but during your workout you use up stored carbohydrates called glycogen. More glycogen means more water drawn into the muscle (assuming you are adequately hydrated) so a loss of glycogen(used as energy during a workout) will in turn reduce the size of a muscle until the glycogen stores can refill.

[rhcp430]

thanks

After my chest/tri day, i couldn't even manage to do 1 pushup so i think that equates to my muscles being broken down pretty well.

btw excellent post retardo