Running and weight loss (leg muscle weight gain)?

12.17.08

24 yo male, 6′. I started running frequently again a few months ago and my weight is around 180lbs down from ~192lbs. This doesn’t seem like much of a decrease however my waist has gone from about 37″ to 33″ (a substantial difference).

Could this be due to muscle weight gain in my legs?? Usually a loss of 4″ is indicative a larger weight loss than about 10lbs.

Any similar anecdotes or ideas?

Hey, I was a runner for 7 years and but because of my genes I gained muscular legs with definition quicker than anyone else did. Running does make you lose body fat and/or weight but this is not caused by your muscle weight gain in your legs. Look at your family genetics. If family members have big legs or muscular legs, we’ll you’re stuck with them. Running shapes & defines your entire leg and melts off body fat and shrinks your upper body.

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4 Responses to “Running and weight loss (leg muscle weight gain)?”

  1. Dao says on December 17th, 2008 at 3:27 pm :

    muscle weighs more than fat.you may have gained muscle.the real question is do you feel better than before you started.
    References :

  2. Gem says on December 17th, 2008 at 3:37 pm :

    Hey, I was a runner for 7 years and but because of my genes I gained muscular legs with definition quicker than anyone else did. Running does make you lose body fat and/or weight but this is not caused by your muscle weight gain in your legs. Look at your family genetics. If family members have big legs or muscular legs, we’ll you’re stuck with them. Running shapes & defines your entire leg and melts off body fat and shrinks your upper body.
    References :

  3. Canadian Snow Bunny says on December 17th, 2008 at 4:00 pm :

    I have lost 20 lbs since starting in March and you're right, not much weight but the waist and the rest of my body shows different.

    I try not to look at the scale but look at how much I'm toning up and you're right, building muscles which of course will weigh more than the fat.

    Keep it going, concentrate on the good stuff not what numbers on a scale says..eventually it'll go down.

    I have found that marathon runners have the skinny skinny legs but the ones like myself who keep it to the 15 miles and below stay muscular–I like that look better anyway.
    References :

  4. RealFast says on December 17th, 2008 at 4:23 pm :

    Running will strengthen your muscles, but it will not add the mass like weightlifting would. Ever see marathon runners? They can run forever, have good strength and endurance, but they have skinny little legs.
    12 is a good amount of weight loss for only a few months.
    Could be that you eat more too, as exercising requires more calorie intake. Remember, it is better to loose the weight slowly…2-3 pounds a month is what many nutritionists say. So you are right on track for healthy weight loss.
    References :

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