legs HUGE after I exercise

Ok, so I've read all the posts about women not physically being able to 'bulk up', so why on earth am I getting bulky?  Like, my clothes are fitting TIGHTER but I know I'm gaining muscle, not fat.  My legs in particular, not my upper body or anything.  I don't do squats or lunges or anything, most of the weights I do are for abs, arms shoulders, chest and inner/outer thighs.  My cardio is 30 min on the elliptical, the resistance not high at all.  What gives?!  Any way to decrease the bulk?

I would love suggestions for this too please!

Having got back into running lately my calves have exploded :-( and I no likey!

Elle, you could try cycling? I found when I was cycling and not running, it was  "slightly" more slimming for thighs and calves.  But then that's why I thought Ellipticals were good, at reducing impact on muscle groups?! Oh heck I'm confused...lol

How long have you been doing the elliptical?  I just started jogging for the first time ever about 4 weeks ago...and within a week and a half my calves "grew" 3/4 of an inch and I gained 3.5 lbs!    Turns out it was swelling/water retention from the muscles being overexerted and trying to repair themselves.   Just this week my calves are back down to where they were when I started.   And my weight went back down to the starting point last week.   So, that may be your issue as well.

Unless you've been working out for a long time, it's most likely just swelling. It takes a long time to build muscle mass.

I've been working out 3-4 times a week for a month now.  It's really strange... actually, I thought jogging was supposed to be slimming for your legs?  Well, I guess I'll give it a little more time, maybe you're right, thmheh, and it's my muscles trying to repair.  Who knows.  I don't know how women pump up the resistance on that elliptical.  I'd look like she-man!

How's your diet?  It's not muscle mass you're gaining.  If your pants are fitting tighther, it's probably increased body fat.  When you gain muscle mass, your body actually gets smaller.  The muscle takes up less space.  It's the fat that takes up more space - making your body bigger.  You should definitely do squats and lunges!  They're great exercises for building large muscle mass in your legs.  Building large muscle mass will actually help your body burn more fat and shrink.  Added benefit... they make your butt look awesome! 

I agree with Pam, it's unlikely muscle mass.  If you have a calorie deficit and are losing weight, it's definitely not muscle mass, considering it's physically impossible to gain actual muscle mass with a calorie deficit, you need to eat more to gain muscle. 

It could be that the rest of you is getting smaller, so your legs, which are toning more, look bigger.  Or, sadly, it could be fat, I hope that it's not, but it's possible.

Lastly, if your legs are consistantly soreish from excersize, it's probably mild swelling, I know my thighs bulk up for a day or two after a hard legs workout.  Try stretching and eat lots of lean protein to help your legs recover.

Edit: Elle,  Unless you're taking steriods and working out twice a day, or have some sort of hormone imbalance, you will NEVER look like a she-man.  Women don't have the ability to bulk up the way men do unless they go to drastic measures.

Original Post by thermal:

Edit: Elle,  Unless you're taking steriods and working out twice a day, or have some sort of hormone imbalance, you will NEVER look like a she-man.  Women don't have the ability to bulk up the way men do unless they go to drastic measures.

 Definitely needs repeating. Don't know why women can't get this through their heads. The OP thinks her legs are bulking up without doing any leg exercises HOW DOES THAT WORK? Seriously, I'd love to know. That would save me HOURS at the gym.

I'm eating roughly 1600-1800 calories/day.  I had my metabolism tested a while back, my resting rate is around 1200 so I know I'm fine calorie wise, it can't be fat. 

I don't want to be one of those wackos that are overanalying their body, calories, whatever, so I'll just shut my mouth and wait a few more weeks to see if anything changes.  Thanks for all the input!  Except for spirochete, that was a completely useless comment. 

Omg that happened to me as well! I take a fitness class in school. And everytime I'm finished with the stationary bike, my thighs feel huge and really tight. :/