What Am I Doing Wrong?!

Emnie

Hi, I'd just like some of your opinions on my current workout/diet, as while it seemed to be working in the beginning, I'm now getting the exact results that I did not want.
I'm 5ft 7in, and not sure of my exact weight, as one scale in the house says I'm 8st 10, and another says 9st 4!
Anyway, my aim was basically to reduce my body fat percentage, and especially get smaller, "tighter" (?) toned thighs, though I know you cannot spot reduce fat.
I have previously lost about 1.5 stone over the course of a year, and my workouts during this time consisted of hour-long sessions in the gym on one or two machines (usually cross-trainer and recumbent bike).
I decided that this wasn't the way to go anymore and so talked to a trainer in my gym, and he recommended 20 mins of interval training, which I started off doing on the cross trainer for now, as my knee is a little weak.
This seemed to have a good effect in a short period of time, as I started doing this 3/4 times a week, and there was a visible difference around my hips and thighs, as I carry most of my weight there.
However, two weeks later the trainer recommended I start a "toning" routine with this, which is a circuit training format. It consists of doing side step ups on a diagonal step, split squats on a level step, bench pressing 3kgs weights, doing a "one-arm row" lift with 4kgs, and shoulder pressing 3kgs in each hand. I do 12-15 reps of each exercise and repeat this twice, building up to 3 reps after four weeks.
After the first two visits incorporating the circuit training before the cardio, I liked the results, and could see some muscle becoming more defined, but my overall weight was still going down.
However, it's been about two weeks since I've been doing this, and my legs and arms are both noticeably bigger, and it's not my imagination! Where there used to be a small hint of muscle, there's now much bigger muscles, which I think are pushing the fat out. This is not what I wanted at all, and is really getting me down, and so I want to know if there is anything I should do/stop doing in order to reverse this? I read somewhere that when muscles suddenly start being used more that they retain water, and am wondering if this could also have something to do with it?
I'm basically unsure whether I should stop the circuit training or not, as while I would love for the remaining fat to burn away and leave the muscles, I don't think I even like the shape of the muscles forming in my legs if this makes sense?!
I should also add that I really don't think it is a question of diet, as I have to try very hard to eat enough calories a day as it is, but have an absolute min of 1600 per day.
This usually consists of the following:
Oatmeal with 3/4s water, 1/4 rice milk, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds,goji berries
200
Natural yoghurt, banana, brazil nuts
200
3xoat cakes with smoked salmon/cottage cheese
200
Apple
50
Yoghurt and hazlenuts
80
Prawns/Tuna, chickpeas, tomatoes,cucumber,
300
Oatmeal with 3/4s water, 1/4 rice milk, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds,goji berries
200
Sweet potato, spinach, salmon fillet, kidney beans
450

I should mention with the exception of fish, I don't eat any other meat!

Anyway, I would really appreciate if I could get any input as to what I should do to achieve a slimmer but more toned look, without getting the larger muscles that seem to be forming now.
Thanks!

d'Oracle

Emnie wrote: »

After the first two visits incorporating the circuit training before the cardio, I liked the results, and could see some muscle becoming more defined, but my overall weight was still going down.

You can't see results that quickly. After two sessions in the gym you wont see muscles growing or fat loss.

Emnie wrote: »

However, it's been about two weeks since I've been doing this, and my legs and arms are both noticeably bigger, and it's not my imagination!

Given that you feel you noticed results after two sessions I suspect that you are spending too much time scrutinising yourself, no offence but its is
you imagination.

Emnie wrote: »

Where there used to be a small hint of muscle, there's now much bigger muscles, which I think are pushing the fat out.

This does not happen.
Its a fitness myth which is born out of misunderstanding.
It takes a while of regular hard training to actually build muscle.
What will probably happen is the fat will burn off long before the muscles get bigger.

Emnie wrote: »

I read somewhere that when muscles suddenly start being used more that they retain water, and am wondering if this could also have something to do with it?
I'm basically unsure whether I should stop the circuit training or not, as while I would love for the remaining fat to burn away and leave the muscles, I don't think I even like the shape of the muscles forming in my legs if this makes sense?!

I went to the gym for 3 months solid, trained hard lifted weight that was for me eventually Very Heavy. I only noticed a very small amount of muscle growth after a month or so. And I'm a bloke so therefore it is a lot easier for me to put on weight than you.

I think you are looking and thinking too hard. You are in no danger of becoming a big muscular freak. Particularly not the way you are training now.
Read the sticky thread on Fitness basics.

aye

Emnie wrote: »

However, two weeks later the trainer recommended I start a "toning" routine with this, which is a circuit training format. It consists of doing side step ups on a diagonal step, split squats on a level step, bench pressing 3kgs weights, doing a "one-arm row" lift with 4kgs, and shoulder pressing 3kgs in each hand. I do 12-15 reps of each exercise and repeat this twice, building up to 3 reps after four weeks.
After the first two visits incorporating the circuit training before the cardio, I liked the results, and could see some muscle becoming more defined, but my overall weight was still going down.
However, it's been about two weeks since I've been doing this, and my legs and arms are both noticeably bigger, and it's not my imagination!

You arent getting larger muscles, not in two weeks with light weight on a high rep range.
Think about how much effort is put into muscle building, results arent seen in two weeks.

Circuit training is a good way to burn fat and achieve a more "toned" look, so it should suit your goals for the moment.

I think you should ask your trainer your concerns.