The Dr. Shannon Show Fitness Rewired Capsule #8: The 3 Reasons You May Feel Bulky
Apr 6, 2026
Clear definitions of what "feeling bulky" can mean and why those feelings arise. A look at how true bodybuilding physiques develop and why they take time. Practical reasons you might feel bigger, including calorie surplus and inflammation. Simple tests and training adjustments to tell fat gain from puffiness and to pursue a toned look without drastic changes.
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Why The Fear Of Getting Bulky Exists
- The fear of women getting bulky is historical and often driven by 80s female bodybuilding media attention.
- That led to a pendulum swing toward light weights and 'tone without the bulk' messaging like Jane Fonda workouts.
Bodybuilder Physique Requires High Volume And Time
- Developing a bodybuilder physique requires very high training volume and long-term commitment over months to years.
- Many people can't recover from that volume and anabolic steroids are sometimes used in bodybuilding to enable that recovery.
Track Calories To Prevent Unintentional Bulking
- To avoid unintentionally 'bulking', track calories and avoid a sustained calorie surplus while strength training.
- Aim for maintenance or a slight deficit for fat loss; visible muscle definition typically takes ~3 months to appear.