Legs getting bigger instead of firmer and where they are already big! Help!

laughinpink · 09-08-2008, 06:45 PM

Hi,
I have been doing more weight training on my legs the last couple of weeks and have gotten a lot of great advice about trying to focus on the right parts of my thighs. Unfortunately, they are getting bigger, which is not what I want. They were down to almost 21 inches (I have been dieting too for the past couple of months) and now they've each gone up 1/2 an inch in the past week! What can I do differently? How can I get the fat off??
Only the front of my thighs are getting bigger (where they were already huge) and right above my knees are small. I really just want to lift my butt/outer thigh area. Any suggestions?!? I'm so frustrated!

BatsyWatsy · 09-08-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laughinpink

Hi,
I have been doing more weight training on my legs the last couple of weeks and have gotten a lot of great advice about trying to focus on the right parts of my thighs. Unfortunately, they are getting bigger, which is not what I want. They were down to almost 21 inches (I have been dieting too for the past couple of months) and now they've each gone up 1/2 an inch in the past week! What can I do differently? How can I get the fat off??
Only the front of my thighs are getting bigger (where they were already huge) and right above my knees are small. I really just want to lift my butt/outer thigh area. Any suggestions?!? I'm so frustrated!

I too would like an answer to this. I'm having the same problem and it's really discouraging.

silverfox848 · 09-08-2008, 07:32 PM

I doubt that you put 1/2 inch of muscle on your leg in one week. Only thought I have is that you might have some inflammation due to weight lifting. Ultimately I have come to the conclusion that the I don't have the genetics to have skinny legs, and that most women are not designed to have thighs that don't touch. I'd rather have the shapely muscular legs I have now than the skinny ones I had as a teenager. I'm not saying that your goals are bad I'm just saying that I've had to redefine my idea of beauty.
Good luck

freebirdmac · 09-08-2008, 07:48 PM

Don't panic. That kind of overnight type increase is just muscle pump. Fluid in the muscles from a good workout.

If you feel you have enough growth in a particular muscle, switch over to a higher rep program. If you look at blondeamazon's workout journal you'll see she mostly does high rep as she's as big as she'd like to be.

Focus more on hams and glutes for the butt lift. Outer thighs will reduce as you lower your body fat.

Amanda76 · 09-08-2008, 08:39 PM

You didn't gain a half inch of muscle in a week. You're probably noticing an increase in glycogen/water being stored in the muscle and also some inflamation as silverfox mentioned. There may even be some pre-menstrual bloating involved.

It's very rare that a woman's legs are too big because of muscle. As you continue to lean up, you'll be glad to find some under the fat because that's what's going to give you a defined, "lifted" look. Without it, your legs will get smaller but will still have poor texture (cellulite) and look saggy.

The fat will come off with patience...and working to at least maintain the muscle in your legs will help with that process. The less hurry you get yourself in, for something I assume you plan to keep up for the long term, the better your results will be.

kimm4 · 09-08-2008, 08:56 PM

It's water/fluid and it's no big deal. As you drop more bodyfat your legs will lean out more. Continue to train your legs and follow the proper eating plan and results will come...just takes time

laughinpink · 09-08-2008, 10:29 PM

It just really makes me nervous when I've been dieting and trying to lose weight with slow success and then pumping up the weight and workout for 2 weeks and my thighs turning back into the size they were before the loss!
I triained with a trainer about a year ago and my thighs got so big that I couldnt wear my jeans anymore, they wouldn't fit over my thighs....so, I stopped the weight training and just continued the dieting. Now I've put on weight after stopping the dieting for about 4 months and have been working hard for about 2 months. Do you think muscle comes on before fat goes off? Is the training/exercises going to take the fat off or is that only based on my diet?
I am still maintaining about 1200-1400 calories a day and slowly losing weight. I've been stuck on the same number for about 2 weeks now. Any thoughts, should I just continue what I'm doing? Am I expecting things to change too quickly? Should I not let the thighs getting bigger stop me from what Ive been doing?

kimm4 · 09-08-2008, 10:45 PM

What you're eating determines bodyfat loss...not your training. How long have you been back on your diet? What's your macro breakdown? Give an example of what you eat during the day and we can help you revise things if needed.

Also, what were your stats when you worked with your trainer. Did you have to put on weight or something? If your legs were getting that much bigger...then it had to do with your eating plan not your weight training.

laughinpink · 09-08-2008, 11:27 PM

When I was with a trainer I wasn't on a serious diet, but my weight went up during the weight training, without a real change in the way I was eating. I weighed about 118 when I started and went up to 121. I then lost weight dieting. I went up a little and and am now at 115. No, I have never been trying to gain, just change the shape of my body. I would be happy at a higher weight, if I didn't have pudgy outer thighs that makes my butt look saggy. I guess that's why I'm happier whn I weigh less because these things (although they look the same) they are much smaller.

I have been dieting for 7 weeks now, eating around 1200-1400 calories a day. I started out about 119 and am now 115. Does this seem about right? The hardest thing for me to do is eat more food when I'm trying to lose weight. I don't normally eat breakfast, never have. I'm just not hungry. I have been drinking a slim fast when I wake up just to have something in my body. My digestion has improved since drinking it, which I like. Then throughout the day I normally snack on an apple or some sort of fruit, have a piece of turkey, and then have a sensible (early dinner) around 6:00. This is usually a turkey sandwich with veggies or chicken with veggies or a salad and cup of soup. I also try to drink water throughout the day.
I've done low carb in the past and lost the weight I wanted, but I can't maintain that forever. there's no way I can live a low carb life. I want to eat to lose weight and have a diet that I can remain with and maintain to keep the weight off permanantly, not gain it back when I go out for a special dinner or have a piece of birthday cake. I know that me eating foods that I hate I won't maintain it. Any thoughts are appreciated!

kimm4 · 09-08-2008, 11:44 PM

You're not eating enough throughout the day. You need to have a balance of protein, clean carbs and healty fats with each meal. Based on what you eat in a day doesn't look close to the amount of calories you say you're taking in.

I've gotta get some sleep. I'll send you a PM tomorrow with a breakdown of what you can do to get some better results!!

laughinpink · 09-09-2008, 12:43 AM

Thanks kimm. Please keep in mind that I won't be able to burn many calories for a while (having ankle surgery in 3 weeks), so I need a diet that's low calorie enough that I can still lose in a sedetary state, until I can workout again.
Thanks!