Calves getting bigger!!!! Help
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livingleanlivingclean wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »steffie113 wrote: »Am I right in thinking that you loose muscle whilst running?
No. Running uses your legs, it does not burn muscle.
Long distance steady state will. Sprinting will likely build it. Marathon runner vs sprinter. I know which physique I'd prefer!
I wish this myth would go away.
Elite marathon runners look as thin as they are because they are trying to be as absolutely light as possible for race day. Yes that means wasting away some muscle, but that is NOT caused by all the marathon training. That is caused by purposeful calorie deprivation.
There is a correlation/causation issue at work here with this. Long distance steady state burns a TON of calories, and if you do it at a high level it can be nearly impossible to eat back enough. That doesn't mean long distance necessarily wastes muscle.
*ALL* I do is long-distance steady state type work. My quads and calves are enormous. I have a hard time finding jeans that fit over my legs that also fit my waist.
Bodybuilders purposefully deprive themselves of calories to get comp lean. But don't look like marathon runners.
Strawman argument. Bodybuilders already have "built" a larger "body" so that when they need to cut the last couple % of fat for a competition, they still look big. Elite marathon runners don't specifically bulk their muscles before a race.
If I were an elite marathon runner, I, too, would be looking to cut down another 20lbs from where I am. However I am not, I am just an amateur Ironman triathlete who spends 18+ hours a week doing "steady state cardio". I also eat to compensate for it. I don't look like an elite marathoner because I purposely don't deprive myself to get as light as humanly possible and still be able to run. Thus my calves and quads are huge in comparison to the rest of me.
You are confounding nutrition with exercise.
So you ride a bike as well as running?
Did you not look at his profile pic??
OP, I can lend you the walking boot I had to wear for a month after I broke my fibula.
There was a noticeable size difference in my calves after just one month.
I'm very happy that my calves are now about equal after one month out of that boot.0 -
Just chiming in to tell you that those legs are NOT to big. I would embrace them...but... If you want them to be smaller, there are a few options. The ones I can think of is of course the obvious...lose some fat on them (they are pretty lean so not sure this will knock off too much size) or stop using them...0
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Count your blessings. Your legs look great. Buy a different style jean. Those skinny jeans are a travesty.0
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Your calves are not bulky OP.0
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[quote="cheshirecatastrophe;32762279"]Basically the only way to reduce calf muscle is not to use it AT ALL--that means to sit on your butt until it wastes away over a period of YEARS.
[/quote]
No, it does not take years. Been there, done that, after a serious accident not allowing me to move or even stand on one leg for about 6 months. I can reassure you by the time I could move this leg again, it looked basically like a bone covered with a thin layer of jello. Not sure that this is exactly the look OP is going for, but only 6 months of not putting weight at all on her legs will get her there
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Your legs look fab!0
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lishie_rebooted wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »livingleanlivingclean wrote: »steffie113 wrote: »Am I right in thinking that you loose muscle whilst running?
No. Running uses your legs, it does not burn muscle.
Long distance steady state will. Sprinting will likely build it. Marathon runner vs sprinter. I know which physique I'd prefer!
I wish this myth would go away.
Elite marathon runners look as thin as they are because they are trying to be as absolutely light as possible for race day. Yes that means wasting away some muscle, but that is NOT caused by all the marathon training. That is caused by purposeful calorie deprivation.
There is a correlation/causation issue at work here with this. Long distance steady state burns a TON of calories, and if you do it at a high level it can be nearly impossible to eat back enough. That doesn't mean long distance necessarily wastes muscle.
*ALL* I do is long-distance steady state type work. My quads and calves are enormous. I have a hard time finding jeans that fit over my legs that also fit my waist.
Bodybuilders purposefully deprive themselves of calories to get comp lean. But don't look like marathon runners.
Strawman argument. Bodybuilders already have "built" a larger "body" so that when they need to cut the last couple % of fat for a competition, they still look big. Elite marathon runners don't specifically bulk their muscles before a race.
If I were an elite marathon runner, I, too, would be looking to cut down another 20lbs from where I am. However I am not, I am just an amateur Ironman triathlete who spends 18+ hours a week doing "steady state cardio". I also eat to compensate for it. I don't look like an elite marathoner because I purposely don't deprive myself to get as light as humanly possible and still be able to run. Thus my calves and quads are huge in comparison to the rest of me.
You are confounding nutrition with exercise.
So you ride a bike as well as running?
Did you not look at his profile pic??
OP, I can lend you the walking boot I had to wear for a month after I broke my fibula.
There was a noticeable size difference in my calves after just one month.
I'm very happy that my calves are now about equal after one month out of that boot.
Profile pics don't show on my phone. No idea what it is.0 -
Not seeing an issue here - those legs look great. Very athletic and amazing. Be proud of them as there are tons of people who would kill for legs like that! Would boot cut jeans give you enough room?0
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steffie113 wrote: »So I need to exercise less then to get legs like say for example Taylor Swift? And drop my calories right down?
I want them to be smaller as I don't think they look attractive on me, when I actually change out of my gym gear and try to wear a pretty dress.
This attitude makes me so very sad.0 -
Nice legs! Seriously, IMO your legs look great. Nothing else to add that others haven't said.0
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Check out Yoga Jeans. I think they are made in Canada in Montreal. I bought a pair in a second hand store, and now I want a hundred pairs. You can have nice skinny jeans and nice calves in these jeans. And they make your butt look yummy.
They are basically yoga pant jeans. Seriously google them. You won't be sorry. They are stretchy and comfy and your calves will thank you!0 -
As a guy I personally don't find the female "twiggy little girl legs" to be at all attractive. OP's calves are awesome.0
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You have GREAT looking legs, I would not try and loose any of that definition!0
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I have very lean, muscular calves or I should say legs in general... from running, tennis, elliptical trainers and all the other sports I play including weight training. I have the same exact issue with boots - so I buy the wide shaft, skinny jeans - some fit, some don't. However, my personal style solution - wear a dress, skirt, shorts and show off your assets. Not my goal... but I get complements daily from male and female.0
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hollydubs85 wrote: »steffie113 wrote: »So I need to exercise less then to get legs like say for example Taylor Swift? And drop my calories right down?
I want them to be smaller as I don't think they look attractive on me, when I actually change out of my gym gear and try to wear a pretty dress.
This attitude makes me so very sad.
I know...my legs are finally almost where I want them and I love them like that...muscled, firm...one of my best features (or so I've been told)...not sure where people come up with stuff like this...0 -
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OP, just work on embracing your body's natural shape and appreciating what your legs do for you. I'm not saying that working on physique goals is a bad thing but we all need to accept that our bodies each have a tendency to build/lose in varied ways. Some women end up with bigger calves or curvier hips or smaller calves or less curvy hips even when doing the same workouts at the same intensity. Your natural build is your natural build. You appear to be strong and healthy. Enjoy that.0
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steffie113 wrote: »So I need to exercise less then to get legs like say for example Taylor Swift? And drop my calories right down?
I want them to be smaller as I don't think they look attractive on me, when I actually change out of my gym gear and try to wear a pretty dress.
No, if you want to have Taylor Swift's body, you need to have a chat with your parents, cause it is obviously there fault that you have your own DNA.....0 -
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Your legs look great!! The only bad thing (for me anyways) bout having bigger calfs is its hard to find a good pair of boots that fit right.0
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Your legs look great!! The only bad thing (for me anyways) bout having bigger calfs is its hard to find a good pair of boots that fit right.
I don't get this..I have fairly muscled calves...I have a hard time finding boots to fit not due to being too small they are all loose and my calves are just under 15 inches..(just measured them)...
Prior to losing 56lbs yes I had that issue but not now.0 -
This is a joke right? Please tell me this post is a joke.0
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hollydubs85 wrote: »steffie113 wrote: »So I need to exercise less then to get legs like say for example Taylor Swift? And drop my calories right down?
I want them to be smaller as I don't think they look attractive on me, when I actually change out of my gym gear and try to wear a pretty dress.
This attitude makes me so very sad.
ditto on the SAD0 -
I doubt they're getting significantly bigger. Calves are a hard area to build up0
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Capt_Apollo wrote: »I doubt they're getting significantly bigger. Calves are a hard area to build up
That fact makes me very sad lol
I want epic calves0 -
Want to tone? High repetition, low weight. However you are going to just have to enjoy those. And you should.0
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Your legs look great!! The only bad thing (for me anyways) bout having bigger calfs is its hard to find a good pair of boots that fit right.
I don't get this..I have fairly muscled calves...I have a hard time finding boots to fit not due to being too small they are all loose and my calves are just under 15 inches..(just measured them)...
Prior to losing 56lbs yes I had that issue but not now.
I love my calves but I do I have trouble finding boots even now, though when I last went to a running store, they measured about 15.5" maybe its just different boot styles/designers?0 -
Nice. I will gladly take your gains if you don't want them. My legs are the WORST part of my body. Way undermuscled. Working on it and would kill for a set like yours.
To solve your problem, buy jeans with a higher percentage of lycra or spandex in them.
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I see beautiful muscles! Buy a different fit of jeans for your strong, healthy legs! 0
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