OK so 9 months ago, I quit smoking ciggarettes and I started eating healthier. I also started going to the gym and working out. In doing this, my thighs and butt got bigger... but its muscly now. I started going to the gym to lose the extra weight and possibly drop a pants size and I gained a pants size! Everything that I wanted to happen, backfired on me and now I'm bigger and unhappier. A part of me is asking "why dont i start smoking again, i was smaller then!!" I really just want to know how to get rid of all of this extra muscle. I'm not over weight. I am 5'2 and I weigh 125 but like I said a lot of it is muscle.

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Originally Posted by starreyees

ok so 9 months ago, i quit smoking ciggarettes and i started eating healthier. I also started going to the gym and working out. In doing this, my thighs and butt got bigger...but its muscly now. I started going to the gym to lose the extra weight and possibly drop a pants size and i gained a pants size!! everything that i wanted to happen, backfired on me and now im bigger and unhappier. a part of me is asking "why dont i start smoking again, i was smaller then!!" i really just want to know how to get rid of all of this extra muscle. im not over weight. i am 5'2 and i weigh 125 but like i said a lot of it is muscle.

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Maybe you need to change the type of exercise you are doing. It sounds like you have been doing things to build muscles. You need to be doing endurance exercises, like just plain walking or yoga. Personally I like a girl with a muscular behind and it may not be as big as you think, (Only to you). Check around and get some opinions from some of the guys in the fitness center, You might be pleasantly surprised.

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Originally Posted by starreyees

ok so 9 months ago, i quit smoking ciggarettes and i started eating healthier. I also started going to the gym and working out. In doing this, my thighs and butt got bigger...but its muscly now. I started going to the gym to lose the extra weight and possibly drop a pants size and i gained a pants size!! everything that i wanted to happen, backfired on me and now im bigger and unhappier. a part of me is asking "why dont i start smoking again, i was smaller then!!" i really just want to know how to get rid of all of this extra muscle. im not over weight. i am 5'2 and i weigh 125 but like i said a lot of it is muscle.

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Don't get discouraged. Even if you are gaining muscle, you can still eventually lose fat. If you want to be thin, you could drop 10 pounds. Whatever you do, do not smoke again. It is a horrible habit and keep going to the gym. They say it is really great to replace a bad habit with a healthy one.

Congrats on the new life style!
First, don't get discurraged... Like wagner explained, you are probably doing muscle building exercises when you should be doing endurance. Get your heart rate up... Walking is actually really great for this. It will slim your stomach, thighs, and buttocks;) .
Kae

3 rules: 1. don't run fast... do a slow jog for a longer period
2. don't life heavy weights... lift light weights (enough so that after 15 reps it only burns a little bit)
3. don't do lunges... there might be a machine that allows you to lean on your pelvis and lock in your feet... and you bend down at your waist and lift with your butt... it shirnks it better than lunges, which just build muscle.


Hope that helps

Try Pilates... It heips to develop longer, leaner muscles, burn calories, improve core strength, posture, balance, and flexibility.

I have had three kids, and pilates has gotten my body back in shape and better than ever, every time. I walk and ride my bike a few times a week, eat healthy, and do an hour of pilates two times a week.

It's worth a try!