Understanding Muscle Growth and Shape Change During Cardio

Question
I am 42 and weigh a 170ish lbs. I work out hard and faithfully 3-4 times a week doing cardio and weight training to lose weight. When I use the Arc trainer machine, which is sort of like an Elliptical but with less stress on the knees, my hips and thighs get larger. Am I using the wrong machine for my shape, because I'm not getting any smaller?

Answer
Hi Toni,

Your hips and thighs really aren't getting larger exactly. The way they could get larger would be from building muscle, and cardiovascular exercise really doesn't build muscle. However, you are stressing your muscles doing this exercise and causing damage to them (that's not a bad thing, it's just what happens to our muscles when we work them). That can cause swelling. The more you do the exercise the less this will happen because your muscles will become accustomed to it, and it will be routine for them.
Hang in there. Keep in mind also that how you eat is more important for weight loss than the exercise you are doing. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Sarah
www.sarahpersonaltraining.com