fat calves

betsyreynolds54
betsyreynolds54 Posts: 11 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
No not the fatted cow either. Well.... :0/.... Anyway, I have always had large (or muscular) calves no matter how healthy or fit I've been in my life. Now that I'm older the fat seems to accumulate there even more. They measure almost the same as my thigh! It's like it's the first place it goes and then my butt. I need an exercise to make my calves smaller and get rid of the fat accumulation. Any ideas? I don't want a muscle builder. The muscle is large enough already.

Replies

  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    You can't spot reduce, the only thing you can do is reduce your body fat.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    You can't spot reduce, the only thing you can do is reduce your body fat.

    ^This^
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    Embrace them.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Chef_Barbell wrote: »
    Embrace them.

    This^^
  • lauraesh0384
    lauraesh0384 Posts: 463 Member
    I have larger muscular calves as well with some fat on them. As much walking as I do you'd think they'd be slim, but no such luck. I've just come to accept I will never have small calves. They have gotten smaller with weight loss, though.
  • shandy4487
    shandy4487 Posts: 72 Member
    I have large calves as well, even at my slimmest they were definitely the biggest part of my body. I have been doing Pilates for awhile now and that seems to help tone them but not make them bigger. Don't get me wrong, they're still big. But now my legs look longer and defined, instead of just bulky lol :) hope this helps!
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Don't have any advice, but I have big calves too. Finally was able to get into my size 8 jeans, but they are too tight in the lower legs.
  • betsyreynolds54
    betsyreynolds54 Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you all for replying. I wish upon a star that you could spot reduce! Muscles.... never oh never will a pic ever be posted, lol.... I guess I will just keep trying to lose weight. My legs are the ugliest part of my body. No embracing here.
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    betsyreynolds54 wrote: »
    Thank you all for replying. I wish upon a star that you could spot reduce! Muscles.... never oh never will a pic ever be posted, lol.... I guess I will just keep trying to lose weight. My legs are the ugliest part of my body. No embracing here.

    Once you embrace them, they wont be.
  • YaGirlMaddi
    YaGirlMaddi Posts: 88 Member
    I would love to have bigger calves. No matter how hard I try they don't get bigger !!!
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    I'm also in the big calf club! Just my body structure so have learned to be OK with it. Unfortunately can't spot reduce.
  • betsyreynolds54
    betsyreynolds54 Posts: 11 Member
    Maybe I should sculpt them then. Maybe that'll make them easier to embrace. :0)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,970 Member
    Calves are genetic. Some have high insertion (making them look skinnier) and some have low insertion. Progressive weight gain over the years can make them grow due to the legs having to hold up the extra poundage combined with a calorie surplus.
    The muscle doesn't atrophy unless you stop using them altogether (and that includes walking).
    As for fat around it, lose weight overall.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt
    IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt Posts: 695 Member
    Your're not alone! I'll never wear shorts or skirts because of my calves, but the women in my family all have the same legs, so genetics for the win. On the plus side, they're naturally strong; and after lots of walking in the last 1.5 years + losing weight, I can actually see 2-3 different lines of muscles in my calves when I flex them, which I haven't seen in years. I have plenty of weight left to lose, so perhaps they'll improve a bit with more weight loss, but it's just the way it is. No point in getting down on yourself! We only have one vessel to carry us through this life. :)
  • owen1826
    owen1826 Posts: 53 Member
    Chef_Barbell wrote: »
    betsyreynolds54 wrote: »
    Thank you all for replying. I wish upon a star that you could spot reduce! Muscles.... never oh never will a pic ever be posted, lol.... I guess I will just keep trying to lose weight. My legs are the ugliest part of my body. No embracing here.

    Once you embrace them, they wont be.

    Yessss!!! This. I have large calves and you really have to just change your mindset.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    Yup....start embracing them because chances are good that they aren't going anywhere. Mine are also large, and despite having lost a lot of weight...working out regular, ect... My calves have only reduced by 1/4-1/2". They're here to stay apparently, so I'm just letting it go.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,582 Member
    betsyreynolds54 wrote: »
    Maybe I should sculpt them then. Maybe that'll make them easier to embrace. :0)

    You could try walking in sand (along a beach) or snow, or walking up stairs or uphill. Doing those things might help shape them a bit.
  • ItsyBitsy246
    ItsyBitsy246 Posts: 307 Member
    I have muscular calves, but also unfortunately, that is also the last place I lose body fat. I was 103 once at 5'4" and still had noticeable fat there. Makes it hard to find knee high boots. Chaps my *kitten*.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    My calves are pretty fat. Other than never being able to wear boots I don't mind them at all. It is what it is. Short of losing more body fat there is nothing you can do about them. You're like me, fat goes to my calves and butt too! That's a good thing though, because it's not as dangerous as visceral fat.

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