To be so upset that exercise has effectively ruined my figure?

[MyBodySucks]

I was a size 6-8 until about a year ago, when I started Pole Fitness classes, as well as a few other classes at the same club, things like Body Pump.

I've eaten the same as always (clean!) but the exercising has given me a body that I hate and I'm so upset about it.

Basically my thighs and upper arms have beefed up, for want of a better expression. I can barely even get size 10 jeans over my thighs now, and my arms look like men's arms. My waist, and tummy look good I suppose but everything else is just horrible and I hate how I look!

I'm quite short at 5ft 4 inches and so in clothes I just look large and stocky.

Has anyone else found the same thing? I am stopping classes and going to just walk and do pilates in future and hopefully my muscles will shrink and I'll look ok again.

AIBU to be upset?

[blubberball]

Your feelings are valid, but your body sounds amazing, healthy and strong.

[MyBodySucks]

@blubberball

Your feelings are valid, but your body sounds amazing, healthy and strong.

That's kind of you to say, but it honestly does not look amazing. I look really tubby if I'm honest.

[CactusForever]

Wow, YABU you sound so fit and strong. Kudos to you. I'd trade for my flabby all over physique.

[User7312019]

Well yanbu to be upset, it’s your body you can feel how you like about it. I’m not entirely sure what you expected to happen though doing strength exercises? Running will shrink the muscles fairly quickly

[Somethingkindaoooo]

But, if you didn't like how your body was changing, why didn't you stop?

Although, I keep hoping that I will be fit after one exercise class- is pole thingy the one to try?

[Sparklesocks]

I’m sure you look fab. But if you’ve genuinely unhappy if you decrease your exercise you’ll soon lose that muscle and definition.

[Martinisarebetterdirty]

Do yoga or ballet - they lengthen your muscles.

[underneaththeash]

I'm the same OP, I put on muscle very easily.

Just don't do heavy weights!

[Curiosity101]

You sound like you have an athletic build now, which makes sense with the type of exercise you're describing.

If you want to be more lean and toned then the changes you plan to make to your exercise routine should do that.

[Windyone]

I’ve done similar but I love my strong body. I’m also 5ft 4. I know that as I get older strong muscles will be really important. I’m 50.

[Leaannb]

If you stop exercising and lose the tone and definition you really will look tubby

[MyBodySucks]

@Leaannb

If you stop exercising and lose the tone and definition you really will look tubby

I didn't look tubby before though

[Isadora2007]

I can’t see how you expected to not become stronger when doing strength training exercises. 🤷🏻‍♀️
So yabu. You’ve fallen for the “women are attractive when they’re skinny or small or weak” shit- not you’re strong and you’ve found exercise you enjoy. Change your mindset not your body!

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

Is it me, or are there a lot of odd and controversial threads by first time posters at the moment?

[YellowandGreenToBeSeen]

Pilates. Long, lean, toned muscles. I have defined thighs, arse, arms and stomach but no bulk. I am not a fan of the big arse, thick thighs look currently being peddled as ‘the ideal’.

[TeaAndHobnob]

I highly doubt you look tubby. But I expect you were skinny before and now you've filled out a bit.

[Dawnlassie]

Whats the issue here? Just wear slightly bigger jeans.

[ktp100]

What's wrong with looking athletic/healthy rather than looking just skinny?

[Dragongirl10]

If you don't want to build bulk then Pilates and yoga are great for a lean look.

[MyBodySucks]

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

Is it me, or are there a lot of odd and controversial threads by first time posters at the moment?

I'm not a first time poster. I've name changed. And I really didn't mean my thread to be odd or controversial. I don't think it's either of those, really.

[MyBodySucks]

@YellowandGreenToBeSeen

Pilates. Long, lean, toned muscles. I have defined thighs, arse, arms and stomach but no bulk. I am not a fan of the big arse, thick thighs look currently being peddled as ‘the ideal’.

Your figure sounds lovely! How often do you do pilates?

[Eckhart]

This didn't happen after one session. If someone came on here saying they'd done 100 push ups a day for 5 years, and now they were pissed off because their chest was all muscly, they'd be laughed out of the room.

[Merryoldgoat]

So why did you keep going?

[InfiniteSheldon]

Body Pump over a twenty year period ruined my physique. as a trainer I started ignoring the advice and only using light weights for squats, lunges and the back track and that helped loads. It ruined my thighs I build muscle easily and if I could relive my gym life I'd never ever do Body Pump.