Why do my legs look fatter after exercise?

As you workout, you gain more muscle that will ultimately replace your fat. There will be a period of time where your body has both this newly formed muscle AND fat. This is basically like a transition period for your body. Hence, your thighs are a little bigger until the fat is burned away.

Can exercise cause swollen legs?

You are most likely suffering from a very common side effect – edema – that afflicts many a newcomer to running. What has happened is that your muscles, as yet unused to such vigorous exercise, have been overexerted, resulting in an abnormal fluid build-up.

How do I stop my legs from getting bigger when I exercise?

Increase resistance training Participating in total-body, muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week may help you burn calories, reduce fat mass , and strengthen your thighs. Include lower-body exercises such as lunges, wall sits, inner/outer thigh lifts, and step-ups with just your body weight.

How do you reduce swelling after working out?

Ice to help reduce inflammation. Heat to help increase blood flow to your muscles. Even a warm bath or shower can help. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (brand name: Advil).

Can too much exercise cause swelling?

Exercise increases blood flow to your heart and lungs, as well as to the muscles you’re working. This can reduce blood flow to your hands, making them cooler. In turn, the blood vessels in your hands may react by opening wider — which could lead to hand swelling.

How long does water retention last after exercise?

Calabrese says. “Thus, your water retention becomes less, so your weight will start to go down.” You will start to lose that initial water weight gain (of roughly one to three pounds) a few weeks or a month after starting an exercise program, he says.

Why are my thighs getting bigger from running?

Running uses your glutes, quadriceps, hamstring and calves constantly, meaning that your leg muscles are working and this will cause them to develop and get bigger in size. Any form of exercise that engages your muscles will cause them to grow in size.

What are the causes of leg swelling after exercise?

Leg swelling after exercise can be alarming. Venous insufficiency, water retention as a result of kidney or heart disease, and hormonal issues are possible reasons for leg swelling after exercise.

Should you worry about swelling in your legs?

If you have any of these conditions and notice new or persistent swelling in your legs, mention it to your doctor. Plenty of other conditions can also make legs swell, including infections, injuries and diseases such as arthritis. If the puffiness isn’t too dramatic and resolves within a day or so, it’s probably nothing to lose sleep over.

What causes fluid to build up in the legs?

You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans. Factors related to fluid buildup include: Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve)

Why do my feet swell when I sit all day?

If you’ve been on your feet all day, it’s not uncommon to have some puffiness in your feet or legs. Same if you’ve been sitting for hours in the car or on a plane. That swelling, called edema, strikes when fluid builds up in the feet and legs.