Vein-y legs (arms, etc) after weight loss/excess exercise?

Anyone else experiencing this? I noticed yesterday when putting (self tanning) lotion on my calves that the veins, while not being varicose (not twisted or swelling, etc.) are now VERY apparent - big, blue and look pretty close to the surface of my skin. Esp. down the outsides of my calves (you can see this in my thighs but not to the same extent, also in my arms but it doesn't look as bad). I'm guessing it's from working out (weights, hard cardio) as I do work out hard 6 days a week. Unsure if it will go away? Is there something I can do (e.g. cut down on certain exercises, do yoga, anything - not necessarily cosmetic??). I still have 5 lbs to go and I'm trying to get there quickly, but I don't want to end up looking scary-but-thin!

Please help!

Tue. Aug 7, 11:32am

sometimes that is a sign of dehydration. are you drinking enough water?

Also, if you're pretty muscular, sometimes the muscles tighten/increase in size after you work out and they can push the veins towards the surface a bit.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 12:07 PM

How old are you? And did/does your mother also have veiney legs?

I say this because I too have notice I have lots of big veins on my legs-my feet, my calves etc. Not quite varicose (yet!! ha!) but super apparent (at least to me). I thought it was because I was more active and had lost a lot of weight. Then I went to a bbq with family recently and I was looking at my sister's legs/feet ( I have 4 sisters) and none of them have had a weight problem and they ALL have the same veins going on!!!

Age, genetics, the color/thickness of your skin, the type of work you do (are you at a desk or on your feet all day?) all play a roll!

There is a lot of stuff derms can do now with lasers to hide the appearance of these veins. I would talk to your doctor about it.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 2:36 PM

OP here. I'm 34. Mom passed away a long time ago so don't know (I remember she had spider veins from pregnancy (I don't have kids, nor do I plan to), but don't think she had the issues I'm having). I think my dad's vein-y though, but he has leg hair to cover. We're both pretty muscular (my veins on my forearms are about always out, I noticed this looking down as I type this!). I sit at a desk but do walk around a fair bit, so I think this is okay - here's a dumb question, could crossing legs while sitting be playing a factor? Is that just an old wives tale? I don't think the veins would be treatable cosmetically (w/ injections, etc.) nor am I interested in that path at this stage in my life.

Thanks for the advice!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 3:34 PM

crossing your legs...

it is bad for circulation. it's better for you if you don't do it. I'm extra sensitive because I have bad circulation anyway, but all my doctors have advised against it.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 3:40 PM

I've read a bunch of times that crossing your legs can increase your risk for varicose veins . . .I try so hard not to-and then I forget. As a woman, we're conditioned for years to cross our legs (especially if wearing a skirt or a dress!) that it's really hard to stop doing that!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007, 9:44 PM

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