Why do I look flabby after running?

Author: Rigoberto Howe  |  Last update: Sunday, January 18, 2026

The combination of your pumped up muscles, dehydration and overworked muscles might make you feel well toned then, a few hours later, you appear flabbier despite the exercise you know should be making you lean. Your muscles have pumped up but your excess body fat has remained.

Why does running make me flabby?

As you dehydrate during your workout you fat cells get soft and sag more under the skin. For guys this often manifests as a slightly saggy stomach since that is where we store a lot of our fat, for women it will often make their hips and butt feel saggy and loose. Those are generalisations, fat deposits vary a bit.

Why do I look more flabby after working out?

Water Retention: Exercise, especially intense workouts, can lead to temporary water retention. Your muscles may retain more water as they recover, which can make you feel puffier.

Why do runners look flabby?

Some runners may appear more emaciated if they are dehydrated, while well-hydrated athletes may have a fuller appearance. Psychological Factors: Some athletes may have psychological issues related to body image, leading to unhealthy eating habits and excessive training. This can contribute to an emaciated appearance.

Is it normal to look fatter after running?

Posture and Appearance: After working out, your body may be more pumped with blood, which can temporarily change your appearance, making you feel fuller or larger. It's important to remember that weight fluctuations are normal, especially when starting a new fitness routine.

Running Changes Your Brain, let me explain.

Why does my belly look bigger after running?

“The GI tract tends to slow down, and it's not going to move that air through as well,” says Freedburg. That's going to cause it to build up in your lower abdomen; hence, bloating. To combat this, rather than gasping for air when you run, which can lead to more stress, you'll want to focus on belly breathing.

Why does my weight go up after running?

When you start to exercise more regularly, your body keeps reserves of glucose (in the form of glycogen) in your muscles to answer the call the next time you work out. Glycogen binds with water as part of the process, which can add 1 to 3 pounds of initial water weight gain.

Why do I look puffy after running?

Every runner bloats. You bring lots of air into your body each time you inhale while running, but not all of it gets exhaled—especially if you're “gulping” air during a hard workout. Some of it can get trapped in your intestines, especially your colon, which can inflate like a balloon with all that air.

Why do runners look so frail?

Runner's face is a term used to describe changes in the facial appearance that some runners may experience over time, including leathery, saggy, aging, lean, and tired-looking skin. This cosmetic condition may occur more in distance runners due to increased weight loss and the effects of sun exposure.

Why are runners so flat chested?

Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play crucial roles in how our bodies store fat and develop breast tissue. For many female runners, higher levels of physical activity and specific exercise habits can lead to lower body fat percentages, which often results in less breast tissue development.

Why is my fat jiggly after working out?

When you are in a caloric deficit your body takes the fatty acids that are in your fat cells, and replaces it with water. This stage is what you are experiencing , causing your body fat to be more jiggly & droopy than before. But this too will pass, if you atay course.

Why am I not losing weight when I run everyday?

A: There could be several reasons why you're not losing weight despite running. It may be due to consuming more calories than you burn, not running enough, not having an effective running regime or other health issues discussed in this article.

Why have I gained 10 pounds since working out?

Gaining weight after working out is likely due to muscle fiber inflammation, muscle glycogen and water weight gain, and over time, muscle mass gain. If weight loss is your goal, seeing an increase on the scale when you've been making an effort to exercise can be frustrating.

Can too much cardio make you flabby?

“Prolonged overtraining can keep cortisol levels elevated, which can contribute to the risk of developing chronic diseases, impair the production of other hormones like testosterone, and promote inflammation and excess fat storage,” she says.

Why does my body look worse after running?

The combination of your pumped up muscles, dehydration and overworked muscles might make you feel well toned then, a few hours later, you appear flabbier despite the exercise you know should be making you lean. Your muscles have pumped up but your excess body fat has remained.

Can I lose weight by running 30 minutes a day?

Running can burn up to 671 calories in 30 minutes if the right conditions are met. Aerobic cardiovascular exercises, like running, have many physical and mental advantages. One of them is weight control. There's scientific evidence that less than three hours of cardio a week can help you maintain your weight.

What physique does running give you?

You will have stronger legs from running

When we run, we use all the muscles in our legs, big and small. If you are new to running, you might be surprised by how quickly you start to develop lean muscle in your legs and the speed at which you build endurance.

Do runners age faster?

There's no evidence that long-distance running, on its own, speeds up the skin aging process, causing runner's face. However, some exercise-related skin health saboteurs, such as increased sun exposure, can play a role.

Why are some runners still fat?

A: Runners might gain weight because they overestimate the number of calories burned during a run and end up consuming more calories than they actually burn. Additionally, some new runners may experience increased hunger levels and end up eating more than necessary.

How do I debloat my stomach?

How to reduce bloating
  1. exercise regularly to improve your digestion and help prevent bloating – exercise can also help when you're feeling bloated.
  2. chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing air.
  3. drink plenty of water.
  4. eat foods high in fibre if constipated.
  5. eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals.

Why do I look fatter in pictures than in the mirror?

Cameras can alter subject size depending on a multitude of factors like lens, camera settings, angles and lighting conditions. Wider-angle lenses, thick lenses and lenses with a short focal length cause more distortions and make the subject look bigger, while direct and harsh light has a similar result.

Why do runners have belly fat?

Jensen says a person who runs but also eats a poor diet “could indeed keep their paunch” if their genes predispose them to carry excess fat in their midsection, and Church agrees. “In general, if you eat poorly, you tend to put weight on in your belly,” he says. (Ditto if you drink a lot of alcohol, he adds.)

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

Why is my body fat increasing with exercise as a female?

Working out can cause short-term weight gain as your muscle mass increases. Post-workout inflammation may cause temporary weight fluctuations. Workout plateaus, supplement use, and dietary changes can also stall your weight-loss efforts. Try not to obsess over the number on the scale.

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