How is it that I can't even squeeze into my jeans despite running 6 miles a day for the past week?

Hmnn this is rather demotivating, but I was excitedly pushing myself to run everyday for the past week -- only to try on my jeans this morning (which fit fine before I started running) and I couldn't even pull them up above my thighs?!

ANy thoughts? Should I give up running? SIgh...and i thought i had the perfect plan!

So they used to fit before and they don't anymore? Sorry have no idea, don't quit though because it could probably just be a problem right now but later it'll get better (In the long run). Possibly you're getting more hungry from all that running and you're over-eating? Sorry, no idea :(

Sometimes you g ain muscle faster than you lose fat. So the muscle is expanding faster then the fat shrinks and you put on a few more inches before you take em off. But, keep at it. Eventually you'll lose those gained and even more. Don't get discouraged

I have a similar problem...my legs are still chunky and I run a ton (though not as much as you) I've been doing it for 3 months...just keep at it....that's what I'm doing. It can't hurt that's for sure :)

I agree with sarah's theory; I had the same problem as you recently. But I'm not quitting running because it's making my butt look pretty awesome; and the rest of me. The thighs will follow.

thanks guys for all the encouragement. ok, i will keep at it and hopefully the weight will come off eventually!

I know that when I first started working out, I'd look at the calories and say to myself, "well, I just worked off what I ate this morning, so I guess I can eat whatever I want!"  That was a huge mistake!  It's *kind of* true, but it won't help you lose, only maintain. 

I agree with what others said, but at the same rate, maybe you're doing what I've been doing and it's the opposite of the above (what I said).  Maybe you're running so much but you're not eating enough so your body is in "survival" mode and saving the fat on top of gaining some muscle.  It'll come off.  I've been stuck at 180/178 range for like three weeks...I "run" the elliptical 6 miles and night.  I've just recently downsized though -- now I run at LEAST 3 and then do light weights for at least 30 minutes.  I'm hoping that'll kick start my body into losing again.

Here's my theory: you are gaining muscle in the thighs and butt, butt, but this is not where you normally lose fat first. Perhaps you lose fat first in your upper body or waist? How are your clothes fitting there? So what happens is that your thighs still have the same amount of flab PLUS the new muscle, looking chunkier.

Over time, you will eventually shed the weight in your thigh/butt area too, revealing sleek muscle.

Just be sure not to overtrain and get an injury!!

Weightloss doesn't happen over night and the places you first put fat on often are those that take the most time for it to drop.

Just keep at the diet and exercise and you should see some results but it is going to take time.   Sort of like how the weight didn't appear overnight but took years to pack on.

oh my, this is exactly my problem. i run a lot and very thin and toned in belly, arms and everywhere really and even in my legs but my outer thighs are holding on to fat but muscle is building for sure under it making thme look bigger. i am hoping the fat will burn away also and i will keep at it for sure but i think too i may not be eating a lot. but i gain first in my thighs and lose last there. so i will keep at it. i know they are not bad looking and give me some curve but i want it to go away eventually.

Ditto for me. I recently learned that muscles become swollen as well as sore after a good workout. Try switching it up- I run every other day, and do pilates in between days. That gives your leg muscles some time to cool down.

One thing I know for sure is that cycling WILL increase the size of your legs. So if you want to thin out thighs, really the only way is diet and running.

Good luck!

Don't give up! That's for sure. After six months of a consistent running workout, I've found that I've toned down everywhere... except my thighs! But I've recently realized that it might be because you're  outer thighs are becoming more toned, while your inner thighs are a bit slower to follow suit, so it looks like you're just bulkier overall.

But in the long run, you WILL see results! Just maintain a good diet, and all will be good in the world. (Eep -- I feel you guys on the overeating stories. Overindulging did NOT do my midsection any good.)

Original Post by sarah_11235:

Sometimes you g ain muscle faster than you lose fat. So the muscle is expanding faster then the fat shrinks and you put on a few more inches before you take em off. But, keep at it. Eventually you'll lose those gained and even more. Don't get discouraged

NO ONE gains muscle that fast. Hell, men on muscle enhancement drugs don't gain muscle that fast so a woman running for a week....no

There are a million other factors: bloating from diet or hormones, you ate too much this week, etc. It's not muscle. Running is a great way to burn muscle, actually.

Original Post by suntory1:

Hmnn this is rather demotivating, but I was excitedly pushing myself to run everyday for the past week -- only to try on my jeans this morning (which fit fine before I started running) and I couldn't even pull them up above my thighs?!

ANy thoughts? Should I give up running? SIgh...and i thought i had the perfect plan!

sounds like you need bigger jeans.

nothing will make you thin overnight - or even in a week.