Over muscly thighs

[Figgyroller]

I don't really know where to start with this, but hopefully someone has some advice.

I do a fair amount of exercise - about 30mins - a hour 5/6 days a week and have done for about the last year. I mix it up - swimming, running (mixed options), biking, Caroline Girvan's weights sessions for legs/arms (use 9kg), lots of walking and the occasional HIIT/yoga sesh. Diet not amazing, but generally okay - lowish carbs, lots of vegs, small portions. Not enough water, but getting better! I am also obsessed with stretching post cardio to try and combat the usual running injuries..

The problem I have is that my thighs seem to have (almost overnight!) expanded to enormous proportions. I've never (and never will be!) thin - am an endomorph, I carry weight in thighs/stomach so am used to having fairly chunky thighs. However, in the last few weeks, they seem to have expanded (no thigh gap to speak of!) to the point where I can't wear some of my trousers. They are also pretty firm and muscly - I feel that I am missing my forte as a rugby player.. I can't actually cross my legs without a lot of effort!

Anyone experienced similar? I am 54 so possibly meno related, but could this be related to the exercise? The only recent addition is sprint swims and getting in sprint/hill drills to try and sort out my (awful!) running times. I'm starting to wonder if it might be medical, but just wondered if I just need to possibly mix up the exercise a bit more..? Any advice duly appreciated!

That sounds quite extreme for the amount of exercise you're doing, particularly if it's come on quite suddenly. It's hard for women to build a significant amount of muscle without lifting a lot of seriously heavy weights. It sounds like you're doing a decent mix of exercise already, I wonder if some of it could be fluid retention?

Building muscle isn’t easy, if you were squatting and weights etc

But even females on the track have to build their muscles with weights as exercise alone isn’t going to build the thighs up

I can't believe such a quick expansion can possibly be due to muscle growth, especially given the amount you say you do. I agree with the PP who suggested water retention and I think you should get seen by a GP. Water retention can fluctuate drastically when going by your weight, which is normal, but a fast and visibly noticeable increase in size sounds as if it should be investigated, and sooner rather than later.

Thanks all for the feedback and for confirming what I suspected - that it isn't likely to be muscle growth. Am now going to pursue the water retention theory, which does make a lot of sense.