I have always had muscular legs that I was proud of!! But during my first pregnancy I gained 65 lbs despite going into it very fit and healthy. It took about 8 months to feel back to "normal" and I remember one day around the 8 month mark I noticed my legs lost the fat/fluid-retention look and were back to muscular and toned. It felt like it happened suddenly but who knows. Obviously I was eating well and working out to drop the weight.

Now I am 2 years postpartum after my second baby (gained another 65 from pregnancy) and I am having so much trouble losing the last 20 lbs. It feels like the majority of it is in my legs!! My thighs are so much bigger than they used to be and also just not muscular looking anymore even though I still strength train and eat so well!

I can't tell if it's actual fat, water retention, inflammation... maybe a lymph issue?

I am working with a functional medicine doctor who said I have estrogen dominance, hence 2 very sick pregnancies, sickness when I ovulate, and sickness when I weaned my daughter.