Can cardio make you look fatter?
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. Why do I look fatter after cardio? Muscle tissue and extra fluidTo reduce any permanent and severe damage, the body automatically generates extra fluid to those muscles, and thus your body can start looking fatter after a month's workout.