Complaining, not complaining about muscle....

I came out to O/T to talk about my "issue" with recent addition of muscle due to my awesome workout plan, and found all of the health/fitness discussions going on. I mentioned in my response to elpgal that I've just hit the 100-workout point on my rehab training plan designed by my yoga instructor/durability-for-life trainer, and delivered by app. I do the exercises at home and while traveling using a minimum of equipment including resistance bands, therabands, strap, yoga mat, block, and myofascial release balls. I exercise first thing in the morning, as it helps loosen up my tight back muscles and makes me feel better for the rest of the day. The workouts are 40 min or less. I also walk, and will walk more now that the weather is nice.

Here's the thing....I've suddenly gone up about 1/2 size in pants and skirts and gained at least 7 lbs, which messes with fit when you are 5'4". I actually dropped 7 lbs when I stopped regular exercise due to the pain I was in over the last 3-4 years, despite worrying that lack of running and biking would cause weight gain. It is really true that muscle weighs more than fat. I have changed nothing about my eating habits which, of course, could always improve but are pretty decent. It's just this very regular and very specific exercise regimen that's changed. I carry most of my weight in my hips and butt. Glutes, hammies, quads - all are much more fit thanks to lots and lots of body weight squats and 4 kinds of lunges, but it's also bigger back there!
I am really happy about the strength I am gaining and the overall fitness I am working on. This is important for my life, and my continued well-being. I really get it. But, this is causing me real closet issues, and some real stress because I didn't mind how I looked the last few years, just how I felt.
I am trying to be chill. I recently gave away a favorite pair of Wit & Wisdom chinos and immediately ordered them in the next larger size so I would not ruminate about them feeling too small. But the next size were too big and fit wrong. I find myself in joggers even more than usual but that's not good if it is due to jeans-avoidance.
I have a lot of nicely-tailored clothes for my pre-muscle shape that will break my heart to have to replace. But! Do I want to be back in pain?Absolutely not. If this is the price, so be it. It's just going to take some getting used to. Anyone else experienced this?

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

This is totally a thing. Can change your shape too kinda, as well as your size. And pants are already so hard to fit...

kellygirl

That's such a drag but in a good way--just not sartorially good. Probably because you were so lean to start with--now that you have put on muscle it's making you more bulky. Most people have more body fat to start with so when they gain muscle and shed fat--it sort of balances out and clothes generally fit better. For me it's more mental--the number on the scale bugs me even though my clothes fit. I say, enjoy the muscle--you're lucky have made such awesome gains!

Stagiaire Fash

I'd love to put on glute muscle--am totally saggy back there. (I say "I'd love to", but I don't put in the work). Does the person whose routines you're following respond to messages? It is totally possible to decide which part of your body you want to put muscle on (where you want to take fat off, not so much). I think your new shape sounds great, but if you don't like it, you'll lose motivation for working out. Why not ask that trainer (or someone else) to help with routines that will work your back chain without putting on the inches?

BTW, who is it you're following?

Anonymous

Honestly for my 8 shape, pants have always been The Worst, no matter my weight/fitness level. Skirts are 10000% easier!
Armholes, however, are a new problem since doing strength training (though could be a retail phenomenon in general). I started noticing that many tops have very tight armholes, but very loose bodies. So-a M may fit the arms correctly, but the XS fits the body Rrrr!

Runcarla

Laurie - with the muscle mass you've built from your strength and rehab training, your body should be running at a higher metabolic level. If you add some cardio you might 'lean out' a bit more - but you already look pretty lean in your WIW pics. You could also talk to your trainer about your feelings about your appearance and he/she might change up your program.

FWIW - I have a scale that provides ratios for muscle, fat, bone, and water, as well as weight. I weigh myself once a week and chart the numbers in my fitness journal. My goal is to keep weight steady and the muscle ratio up, fat ratio down, since I am at an age and stage in life where muscle loss is a problem. I also do standard measurements quarterly with a tape measure.

My fitness related fit issues are upper body - 'swimmer's shoulders' and I did recently go up a band size for bra comfort. I've been doing rear delt work to improve my posture.

elpgal

That’s great that you are putting on muscle and I totally hear you on even small weight gain messing with wardrobes when you are short.

Laurie

Thanks for the empathy, gang. It is a "thing" isn't it? Carla, that is such a good idea to measure quarterly and to be mindful of muscle relative to weight. I will definitely be talking to Alison about all of this, and would not be adverse to thinking about professional nutrition counseling as well.

Kelli - I also have issues with the number on the scale, unless it's a surprise weight loss of 7 pounds after stopping all exercise, of course! I refused to get on the scale, in fact, when it was clear by how my clothes were feeling that this was happening because I didn't want to get all caught up in the negativity, but I had to go to a dr. appt last week where - sadly - despite me taking off my shoes and jacket, it was all confirmed! Lifetime of weight struggle and body image insecurity.

Fashintern, Alison's site and Coaching page is here: https://thepursuitofawesome.com/coaching/ (I had trouble accessing it via Chrome, but Explorer was fine). She is exceptional in every way and she's changed my life. I'm excited for her book to be published, Running for Durability. I will post it out here for the YLF runners when it happens.
It's kind of amazing how you can transform yourself with very specific and regular exercise. Not quantity, but definitely consistency.

My butt was saggy too! It's the lunges (alternating forward, single side backward, curtsy,) and the various bridge variations that really work on that area. I find that having a room where I can leave my yoga mat, and the straps and bands out at all times definitely helps me walk straight in there in the morning without having to do any prep that might be annoying enough to let me distract myself.

Laurie, yes, those are all good exercises for your backside. But changing the numbers and combos of each you do, and what else you combine with them, can change your body composition. Seriously, if you want to be in shape but have a smaller, tighter (not saggy) butt, it is entirely possible. I’m not a trainer, but any good be can help you adjust your routine to reach your body goals.

I haven't weighed myself in a few years. I don't pay any attention when they weigh me at the doctor's office. Unfortunately, we cannot sculpt our bodies to the exact dimensions we want. Bone structure comes into play and some people can build muscle more easily than others.

I am an ectomorph and most of my life I had a hard time gaining weight. I am more muscular now, but on the slimmer side. I will never build larger muscles as some of my gym mates have. It is possible that your are more of an athletic build and put on muscle more easily than others.

I work really hard on my glutes, adductors, hammies, quads, and calves and while they are firm, no large muscles here. Embrace your strength!

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