Running has made me bigger!

Hi,

I have been doing running and sprinting workouts five days a week for an hour and a half,  and I seem to be building a lot of muscle. I, however, can not seem to get rid of a residing layer of fat, so basically I look like I've gained weight, especially in my tummy area, and around my hips. Is there any way to try and lose this before the summer comes?

ive said this many times here ..but Ill say it again.  Some people i.e. me  build muscle running--and your clothes fit tighter (pants) .  I stopped running for a few years and replaced it with hour power walks every day.  My body completely changed.   I lost fat and slimmed down my lower body.  Lately I was training for the half marathon and started running alot again.  I have noticed my pants are tighter once again.  I have done reading and maybe part of it is muscle but also your muscles retain water so they seem bigger after hard workouts.  Many marathon runner say that their weight usually goes up about 5 pounds when they are training because their muscles retain water so that they can protect and repair themselves.   A few days after the race and doing no work out their water retention goes away.  just my two cents.  I know many people say it is impossible for women to gain muscle when doing cardio alot but from my experience and many others i have read about here, running does make them bigger/pants tighter so I think it is ones body shape that you have to take into account.  I gain weight in my thighs first and lose it there last.  This means I also gain muscle their first as well.  I think just change your lifestyle by walking alot and doing lots of stretching may help you alot.  I know it is annoying to work so hard and not see results.  Good luck!

I run about 30 miles  a week at the moment with my longest run being 10 miles in any one training session. I have noticed that my legs have really toned up. I don't appear to have put on too much muscle but running has knocked a good 3 inches from my hips. My weight has completely stabilised since I started running more seriously but I am happy with that. When I stopped running for a week I lost 2 pounds very quickly so your explaination makes loads of sense zombies. :)

Thank goodness other people have noticed this! I thought it was just me!! my hips look like they have a layer of fat over them as well and i run and run and run.  i never had it before i got really into it... so i am happy that i don't have to worry too much about it.  is there anything we can do to tone it up?

Do you think this comes mostly with the longer distance running? I just run for about 20 minutes and just feel toned up, I don't seem to be getting any bigger. Not that I'm complaining, I just want  to be lean. 

My sister and I notice that when we run we are always much hungrier, so we eat more, and we too feel bigger!  I wonder too if it is only with the longer distance/time running.  For the last few months I have only been running 20 minutes (HIIT) 2 days a week, and Have not noticed the heavieness. 

Covertmissiongirl, maybe you could switch your workouts up a little bit.  Perhaps your body is getting used to the long runs and it is storing up fuel to make sure you can get through them.  Maybe your body just more time to recover.  Instead of running 5 days a week maybe do three days and alternate with another type of exercise.  Just a suggestion--but don't worry you're not crazy..I've noticed it too! 

I've noticed the running makes my butt perkier - it's sliding back up to where it's supposed to be LOL. As a result, pants fit differently in the hips. But there is barely an ounce of flab left on my actual hips. I am fine with the thought I'll never get into a size 0, if it means my butt isn't so darn flat and nonexistent. :-)

It makes sense to me that running is not like other forms of cardio, and does build muscle, because it is a weight-bearing exercise. When you run, you are bearing the weight of your whole body.

As for the tummy, there are lots and lots of runners with a tummy. This is a combo of things. One, overestimating the amount of calories running burns and overeating. (How many runners do you know who figure they ran, so they can have a couple of beers?). Two, posture issues. A lot of runners have pretty crappy posture because they don't develop their upper bodies. Three, the water retention previously mentioned.

It does seem to me that power walking tones your core muscles more than running does, I don't know why though.

I am so grateful I read this thread. Thank you! I was starting to feel down because I've started running and getting back into my exercise routine and my pants are tighter in the back! :(

Also the tummy could kinda be like the "camel effect." For example if you are into long-distance running, perhaps your body needs to have a reserve of fat somewhere to fuel the mileage. It seems to make sense that a runner would carry that reserve in the tummy area - it's a matter of balance.

i am glad i read this thread also as i have the same problems. i run 3miles 4x per week in about 30min each session. i am definitely toned and muscular and butt rounder and lifting but still in my outer thighs and tops of hamstring area, i am holding a layer of fat but muscle underneath.

I am so glad to get on line with all of you.  I have the same problem.  The scale shows that I am losing weight however my pants are fitting tighter.  I do cardio for 1 hour 5-6 times per week.  I also began using weights for my legs.  BIG mistake.  The trainer at the gym told me that I would not gain muscle in my legs and that it was safe to do.  I don't know why I listened.  I stopped using the weights and am back to the cardio.  Once I have lost about 10 more pounds, I will begin to use the weights for my legs to tone them and I will not put a lot of weight on them.

I'm confused.  I run for 30-50 minutes everyday (depending on what type of plan I have for weight lifting) and the scale is being super stubborn.  I'm eating enough, but not too much (I'm counting).  I am not "starving" either...so that's not it.  BUT!  I will have to say I'm slimming down a little here and there.  I'm fitting into some of my "beginning stages" fat pants (not old pants, but the ones that were YIKES getting too tight even though this is the biggest I've ever been).

So...what some of you are saying is that running long distances (I use the elliptical) I'm going to reserve fat rather than if I walk for a short amount of time?  This makes no sense and I'm confused.

I gotta tell ya, I used to be an every day runner, until I got fed up with running and switched to daily yoga. I lost a lot of weight in my rear, and my legs got a lot leaner (less boxy, which is where my body holds extra weight). i am gradually phasing in some cardio, but this time around I will be a lot more aware of my body's tendency to build up in that area. So yes, running made me bigger!

It's true--running builds stronger, shorter muscles, while walking makes longer, more toned muscles. I would just switch to power walks, maybe on a treadmill. It is different for everyone, but this has been my exprience. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat. You might not drop any punds, but you are building muscle. As for that layer of fat, try a toning exercise like daily yoga. If you really enjoy running, try three days running, three days of yoga. This is what works for me. I hope you find a solution that fits with your needs!

Best of luck! 

makes absolute sense... as this is also happening to me, my pants fit tighter .... but i look like ive lost weight but havent.... whats with that??

I'm also one of those girls who build up muscles fast, running also makes me bigger.

2 years ago I was running plus free weight for 3-4 times weekly yet I didn't lose a single pound but I grew bigger.  Therefore I stopped training all together and as I became vegetarian, weight started to come off.

Then since last Sept, I started to work out twice at gym, so I lost more weight but recently I started to up it to 3 times a week and do free weight again, yet eating order hits me back, and I have put on weight, also muslces.  So it's not impossible for women for build up muscle in a fast pace.

Another thing is we should never push too hard and opt for the way which is the most suitable for us.  It's all trial and error.

Thanks to everyone!

I think I'll start switching up my routine with power walks twice a week, and see how that goes. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one here :D. Great advice!

Hello Everyone!

I'm glad I looked up this post.  I am 5'2" and wiegh 130.  I am very muscular and run 5 times a week for 45 minutes.  I am getting married in October and want to drop 10 pounds.  My ONLY problem area are my thighs!  I have a tiny waist and a bubble butt (I like my butt) and then I have my thighs.  I've been a runner for 5 years and just decided to stop running this week.  It's sad because I love running and I think it is such a great all around work out.  So you guys think that walking and yoga would help me shed the pounds and thighs?  Please write back with some more great ideas!  Thanks Ladies!

same problem here.  i loved running, its kind of addictive, with all those endorphines, but I was having super problems with big thighs, and even a puffy belly. 

now i switch between swimming, running, weights, and bouncing on a trampoline.  the best trick is to switch up your workout.  (dancing I here is the best, because you use everything)

I've been running pretty seriously for about a year, but in the last 2 months, I've stepped it up and have been running 20- 25 miles a week. I'm in great shape, and I'm toned, but my hips have decided they need to grow outward. I know that there's such thing as a 'runner's butt', but this is ri'donk'ulous!

I mix in the weights, which helps.. but I guess I just have remind myself that it's being fit that's important. Any suggestions for a little minimization of excess 'runner's hip'?

It helps to see that there's other people out there whose pants are a little tighter too!

it took me FOREVER to get rid of my sprinter thighs.

i was so p*************************
i had ballet like legs before and BLAM.
they stayed even when thin and doing nothing.
this year after losing i can see that there is not that shape there now. what i did...was disabled so i barely did anything at all as i couldnt walk or really get around. i wouldnt reccomend it. lol



going through and reading about exercise and researching everything i liked to do some things i learned:

- hardcore cardio like running takes more calories but burns less actual fat tissue. walking is the best for fat % reduction or a stationary bike. basically something that gets your heart beating but you are not dripping with sweat

that didnt make sense to me...i couldnt believe that WALKING would get me more of what i wanted than running.

- weights build muscle. so if you dont want to add bulk go with your own body weight and 5 pound resistance bands. they will tone a lot before you actually build. i find in my body if gives me a smoother look than the bulby look.

- poofy runners gut - dehydration and stress on the body. carb heavy intake. a lot of runners have to eat carbs. make sure you choose complex ones and you are not eating too many.


good luck!