|
|
02-15-2012, 03:19 PM
|
#1
|
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
S/C/G: Light as air
Height: 5'1"
|
Can running really make you gain weight?
Hi chicks!
So the title pretty much sums it up. I don't take measurements since I tend to get rather obsessive about such things; however, it certainly seems that since I've started running a lot my legs have bulked up (and I was pear-shaped to begin with!). I've heard that doing lots of cardio can do this...has anyone else had this issue? If so, any suggestions on how to "lean down" my legs?
(If this is addressed in another thread or the FAQ, feel free to redirect me
|
|
|
02-15-2012, 06:11 PM
|
#2
|
Losin' it in SacTown!
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 144
S/C/G: 230/ticker/145
Height: 5'4
|
In a word, no. Not fat. Running helps you lose weight, as in fat. However, you will gain lean muscle. You might be gaining some weight but it would be muscle, not fat. Just out of curiosity, why do you feel that it's a bad thing that your legs have bulked up?
If you want leaner muscle, exercises like yoga and pilates would achieve that.
|
|
|
02-15-2012, 06:36 PM
|
#3
|
I can do anything!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 2,509
S/C/G: 267/Ticker/150 & BAMF
Height: 5'9.5"
|
Not the running itself, no... but if you're eating a ton more to compensate for how tired you are then YES, for sure.
You can't spot reduce. Calories in, calories out.
Last edited by ValRock; 02-15-2012 at 06:36 PM.
|
|
|
02-15-2012, 10:27 PM
|
#4
|
On the slow track.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 607
S/C/G: 210/ticker/160
Height: 5'9
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit bear
If you want leaner muscle, exercises like yoga and pilates would achieve that.
|
Muscle only comes in one shape--and that is dependent upon your genetics, not the kind of exercise you do.
OP, you are noticing water: muscles will tend to hold onto water as they become accustomed to a new exercise regime. They'll get used to it and let it go. You definitely cannot gain fat by running (or become 'bulky').
|
|
|
02-15-2012, 11:14 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,238
S/C/G: 190/155/135
Height: 5'3"
|
I can attest to the water weight! Recently I've noticed that at the beginning of the week (after 2 days of rest and despite eating more on the weekends) I'm at my lowest weights then by Wednesday and then Friday I'm generally at my highest. I've also been adding distance and speed lately, so my body is still getting used to this whole thing.
In the end, running isn't going to harm your weight health!
|
|
|
02-15-2012, 11:32 PM
|
#6
|
I can do anything!
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 2,509
S/C/G: 267/Ticker/150 & BAMF
Height: 5'9.5"
|
Ah yes... good old muscle water retention. It'll go away.
I lift and I lift HEAVY and I must say that my muscles are pretty 'lean'. Unless you're specifically supplimenting to bodybuild and eating INSANE amounts of protein, you won't bulk.
|
|
|
02-17-2012, 01:17 PM
|
#7
|
Brighter than the moon!
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,653
S/C/G: 220/ticker/145
Height: 5'4
|
Contrary to what everyone else said, I noticed that my legs got slightly bigger after I started running. I didn't notice a weight gain, it's just a bit of a shape change in my thighs/hips.
Not a huge difference, but some of my skirts don't fit me as they used to (and it's not due to scale changes, as there haven't been any).
|
|
|
02-17-2012, 01:32 PM
|
#8
|
Losin' it in SacTown!
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 144
S/C/G: 230/ticker/145
Height: 5'4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DietVet
Muscle only comes in one shape--and that is dependent upon your genetics, not the kind of exercise you do.
|
I don't mean to be argumentative, but that's not true at all. Look at body builders. It absolutely depends on the kind of exercise and weight lifting that you do.
|
|
|
02-17-2012, 02:31 PM
|
#9
|
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
S/C/G: Light as air
Height: 5'1"
|
Thanks for the input & encouraging words, ladies
banditbear: I suppose it bothers me because my legs have always been disproportionately large, and I'm not keen on them becoming even more so! I have actually heard that running can make you LOSE muscle, which would make you look bigger in proportion to your weight, so that was the impetus behind my asking for personal experiences.
ValRock: I definitely know it's impossible to "spot reduce", but I'm afraid of "spot increasing"! I'm pretty sure this isn't water weight, since I've been running for about 9 months now.
I think you make a great point about overcompensating. I don't think I'm too bad with this, but I tend to not spread my food out very well during the day; I do need to keep a closer watch on my diet for sure.
It's just a bit frustrating, since something that makes me feel great and confident also effects changes in my body that make me feel crappy and ashamed. But I'll keep tweaking...If anyone else has input or suggestions, please do share!
|
|
|
02-17-2012, 03:31 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 725
S/C/G: S-218/C-170/G-159 & 24.9 BMI
Height: 5'7"-BMI-26.6=OVERWEIGHT
|
As for me, when I ran 6 miles a day about 3 years ago, running helped me lose 50lbs and it toned and shaped my body (especially my legs). I loved running and can't wait to get back in to it to lose more weight.
|
|
|
02-17-2012, 06:17 PM
|
#11
|
On the slow track.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 607
S/C/G: 210/ticker/160
Height: 5'9
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bandit bear
I don't mean to be argumentative, but that's not true at all. Look at body builders. It absolutely depends on the kind of exercise and weight lifting that you do.
|
You can work, develop, and emphasize all the different muscles to create different physical effects, and you can train muscles for endurance or for strength, but you can't direct the shape that the muscle will take when it grows. You can't choose 'long and lean' muscles over 'short and squat' ones. That part is determined by genetics.
|
|
|
02-18-2012, 11:44 AM
|
#12
|
Losin' it in SacTown!
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 144
S/C/G: 230/ticker/145
Height: 5'4
|
That's really not what I meant then. Having a certain body type is one thing, but you can lift weights to be bulky like a bodybuilder, or have denser, leaner muscle like a runner.
|
|
|
02-20-2012, 07:34 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: WI Northwoods
Posts: 672
|
Here's the thing: especially for women, muscle size doesn't really change more than millimeters or centimeters in a year and that's when one is weight training.
It is most likely that your work outs have increased your water retention and with gravity, the water falls to your legs. My guess is that with your weight loss combined with your skin taking longer to shrink, the water retention is going the path of least resistance and the path of most room to easily fill up - your legs.
Keep on keeping on.
The calories in vs calories out is the trump of the situation. But please know, you don't have to achieve that by merely running. Burning more calories than consuming can be achieved by circuit training with no running at all.
If you're truly convinced it's the running, stop running and do a weight circuit for a few months. Same problem? There's your answer. It's not the running.
Above all, do what ever you like to do and forget about appearance for a bit. Focus on your new abilities. Your strength. Your focus. Your dedication. And pat yourself on the back for a job well done in spite of your perception of the size of your legs.
|
|
|
02-21-2012, 12:26 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 701
S/C/G: 230/149/138
Height: 5'6
|
Ever seen a bulky marathon runner? Nope - bulky sprinters, yes, but not long distance runners.
|
|
|
02-22-2012, 10:07 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 725
S/C/G: S-218/C-170/G-159 & 24.9 BMI
Height: 5'7"-BMI-26.6=OVERWEIGHT
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lunula
Ever seen a bulky marathon runner? Nope - bulky sprinters, yes, but not long distance runners.
|
All of the marathon runners that I have saw are thin.
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:38 AM.
|