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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

179 replies

MyBodySucks · 21/09/2020 19:26

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?

OP posts:
Thunderbolted · 21/09/2020 19:28

This reply has been deleted

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blubberball · 21/09/2020 19:28

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

Original poster
MyBodySucks · 21/09/2020 19:30

@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.
OP posts:
CactusForever · 21/09/2020 19:30

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

User7312019 · 21/09/2020 19:30

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 · 21/09/2020 19:31

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 · 21/09/2020 19:31

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 · 21/09/2020 19:32

Do yoga or ballet - they lengthen your muscles.

underneaththeash · 21/09/2020 19:32

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

Just don't do heavy weights!

Curiosity101 · 21/09/2020 19:32

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 · 21/09/2020 19:33

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 · 21/09/2020 19:33

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

Original poster
MyBodySucks · 21/09/2020 19:33

@Leaannb

If you stop exercising and lose the tone and definition you really will look tubby
I didn't look tubby before though
OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 21/09/2020 19:34

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 · 21/09/2020 19:35

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

YellowandGreenToBeSeen · 21/09/2020 19:36

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 · 21/09/2020 19:37

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

Dawnlassie · 21/09/2020 19:38

Whats the issue here? Just wear slightly bigger jeans.

ktp100 · 21/09/2020 19:38

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

Dragongirl10 · 21/09/2020 19:39

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

Original poster
MyBodySucks · 21/09/2020 19:43

@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.
OP posts:
Original poster
MyBodySucks · 21/09/2020 19:43

@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?
OP posts:
Eckhart · 21/09/2020 19:45

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 · 21/09/2020 19:46

So why did you keep going?

InfiniteSheldon · 21/09/2020 19:47

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 Sad I build muscle easily and if I could relive my gym life I'd never ever do Body Pump.