I Want to LOSE My Muscle
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Reduce your bf% and you will reduce your calves.. 7 lbs is a drop in the bucket.0
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Did I somehow miss the part where she mentioned caring about what most guys like? I know that's what I base all my fitness/performance goals around... :huh:Most guys I know like a pair of athletic legs.
No, but you did miss the part where I was trying to encourage her by giving her a man's opinion, which I am, and you're an idiot.0 -
Hi everyone!
I am new here. I am on a fitness journey and every time I googled a question, this website came up. So I joined!
My qualm is that I have massive calves. They are most likely genetic, and also a result of always being in sports as a child and a teen--specifically tennis. I am 152 lbs at 5'3, but appear extremely small and I HAVE to guess that's because of my muscle mass (my BMI says I'm overweight--ugh). I've always had strong legs (and a rather lean upper body), but according to others my calves have gotten bigger. Not in a "that's gross" way but in a "you've been working out I see" way. I can't wear high knee boots ever, and since I'm so short, I sometimes look wonky in skinny jeans, flat shoes, etc. etc. (although I will admit to looking KILLER in heels--too bad I don't wear heels). These comments discouraged me and I have always had a hate/kinda like relationship to my legs.
I started out at 156lbs about 3 weeks ago. I've radically changed my diet to cleaner eating and have been working out 5 or 6 days of the week for at least 40 minutes, strength training and cardio.
I REALLLLLY want to catabolize or at least lean out my calve muscles but am having no luck. I've read stretching, yoga/Pilates, and low impact, flat ground cardio (running, elliptical) can help--but I've been running since March and no results. Now I'm afraid my calves will forever be big. There is no fat around them, and they aren't retaining fluid--they are just big and disproportionate to my upper body. Moreover, since they are so big, I feel like even though I look trimmer, that number on the scale wont budge.
Can anyone relate?? I eat a more high protein diet to feed my muscles (I'm ALWAYS hungry) but while I want to promote strength and growth in some areas (my abs!) I want to lean out and get rid of other areas (my calves!) I'm also afraid of losing weight everywhere else and my calves staying the same. I'm no circus freak, but they make me upset.
For reference I'm a 27" waist (is that small? idk? I can see my ribs though) and my calves...I cannot believe I'm saying this...are 17" around the bigger part. ISN'T THAT MESSED UP?!
I'm 5'2" tall, currently 190lbs...and I have 17" calves. I am not worried about them in the least bit.
As for your BMI saying you are obese...don't worry about it! I know 2 men who have single digit body fat percentages, yet have been told that their BMI says they are obese. I can tell you, they are NOT anywhere NEAR obese.0 -
Guess what? It's probably not all muscle.
You'd be surprised at what fat you could be carrying in places that "appear" to only be muscle/primarily muscle simply because they're firm and/or can be flexed. You might have some great muscle underneath, but until you've lost weight, it's a good bet to focus on reducing body fat % (which HAVING muscle helps accomplish) instead of shooting yourself in the calf.
If you're truly a great deal of muscle at 153~ at 5'3", I'd... call it into question. If you're THAT well-muscled, then yeah, go ahead and eat at a deficit while laying on a couch doing nothing. Afterall, your self-esteem is more important than your health as you age (bone density, for one).
Actually, how about just therapy to start. If you're legitimately thinking of catabolizing a necessary part of your human health because "isn't that messed up," it might be time to talk to someone to deal with how you see yourself.
On board with this calling some ??? on too muscular. My bestie is 5'5 and PURE muscle at 125.
I weigh 10 lbs more and I'm pretty solid.
sounds like some balancing is in order.
I would rather work around my large body part than try to shrink it by losing very valuable muscle mass....
oh wait. I already do that.0 -
For reference I'm a 27" waist (is that small? idk? I can see my ribs though) and my calves...I cannot believe I'm saying this...are 17" around the bigger part. ISN'T THAT MESSED UP?!
I have a 24" waist and 14" calves. I think my calves are d*mned sexy.
My calves are 14" too. I am the same height as the OP and I have muscular calves too due to genetics. They were big when I weighed 90 lbs and are big now that I weight 146 lbs. The more I work out, they bigger they get. It's not pretty but it is what it is. I understand the OP and yes calves are sexy but at 5.3" with shorter legs, they can be quite un-sexy also
But hey at least I have legs and calves so I accept them as they are.
^
Yes, this is exactly where my disdain for them comes from. On a short frame, it's very easy to look like a tree stump. Calves on taller women are beautiful. Mine? Not so much =/
But you're right, this is what I have. I'm learning to love it, but it wont happen in a day, week, or even a year.
I really couldn't tell you what my waist is at the moment. Last time I actually measured, I know I was in the 30s (no hourglass figure for this 5'3" girl!), but I've always thought I had large calves.
...until I decided to embrace them and stopped caring. You know what? It's a part of who I am. I have my dad's strong, muscular legs instead of my mother's chicken legs. I think I would look even stranger with my mother's genetics! My legs look damn good in heels, and even without heels, I've learned to love them.
Looking through your pictures, you really don't look disproportionate. Your legs look great on your frame, you just need to get out of the mindset that your mother is always right.0 -
I've posted this link a few times:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
The point to take away from this is that she looked better when she weighed more. Embrace your calves. Keep up with the strength training. Make your body into a fat burning machine by packing on the muscles. You will look leaner for it.0 -
I don't really have advice about trimming calves but about the knee high boots...they make boots with "extended calf sizes" to help with this issue, have you tried looking into those? A lot of them give the calf circumference, so if you know yours go online and search for boots that way. They also make zip in extenders that you can zip into the boots with the zipper up the back. I have never used them so I can't comment on their functionality but I have a friend who struggled with finding boots that fit and she rocked them all the time.
It is not the 1950's when there were limited options. Rather than trying to lose muscle, dress for the body you have!0 -
Uhh, what HUGE calves? I don't see them.0
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You are overweight. Your calves need to be big because they need to carry you around all day. If you lose weight, your calves will get smaller. Do you wear a lot of high heels? This will contribute to larger calf muscle.
Trying to lose calf muscle on purpose will result in you losing muscle all over, which is very bad for your health.
^wtf? Even at 5'3" and 27 inch waist is AWESOME. You must be very muscular (and sexy!!!) to be that small and still weigh 156. Which is NOT that heavy, btw. I'm 3 inches taller but 156 is a very healthy weight for me (I'm currently 165 with a 31" waist).
But I do agree with not trying to lose muscle, Definitely. Muscle is healthy and sexy. And who wears high heels? Crazy.0 -
Learn to love them. They are a part of you.
If the ankle is in proportion with the calf then I doubt you will see much of a size reduction. Mine are 16.5 inches around, but I am significantly taller at 5'8"- they still look big and I have a hard time with boots and skinny jeans too. I just buy another style that flatters me. You can create your own style- thats the beauty of fashion. Trends come and go, but classic style lasts.
People rarely notice the flaws we see in ourselves.0 -
If you are sure that it's muscle and not fluid retension there isn't much you can do.
They make a limited selection of calf boots for plus sized women. plus size would normally mean women who are larger all over but these are boots so get in the right frame of mind and go take a look at plus sized clothing sites that also have shoes. There isn't a large selection but there are some.
My calves are 18. I'm also 5'10 and a little overweight. When I'm at a perfect weight my calves are around 17. I still can't wear regular boots without them being tight.0 -
I've posted this link a few times:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
The point to take away from this is that she looked better when she weighed more. Embrace your calves. Keep up with the strength training. Make your body into a fat burning machine by packing on the muscles. You will look leaner for it.
oh wow that story actually motivated me a lot! thanks for sharing0 -
I'm 5'2" and have 16" calves. Since joining MFP, I've gone from 190 lbs to 140 lbs, and I haven't lost any inches off my calves at all (despite losing 8 inches off my waist). My calves have always been huge… Even my mom, who I think I inherited them from, has smaller calves than I do. When I was a teenager, I would cry because I couldn't find knee-high boots that would fit me (and in Canada, it's a bit more of a big deal) until I found some that laced up the front. I've just learned to accept them. I'm pretty happy with my muscular legs these days.0
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If you lose weight you can lose inches BUT trying to lose your calf muscles..I am not sure that's gonna be possible.
Whether I gain weight or lose weight my calves are always tremendously huge! it's the number one thing I am complemented on (besides my arms)..
They aren't going anywhere. I have had them since I was a kid.0 -
Bump for interesting thread 0
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For reference I'm a 27" waist (is that small? idk? I can see my ribs though) and my calves...I cannot believe I'm saying this...are 17" around the bigger part. ISN'T THAT MESSED UP?!
I have a 24" waist and 14" calves. I think my calves are d*mned sexy.
26" waist & 14.5" calves.
I'll take your 17" calves, I WANT epic calves
ETA: I just looked at your profile pics. Your calves are lovely and very well proportioned to the size of your thighs. I'm completely jealous of that.0 -
:noway:0
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Yeah if I had huge calf muscles I'd want to lose them too...
Oh wait... no I wouldn't.0 -
Yeah if I had huge calf muscles I'd want to lose them too...
Oh wait... no I wouldn't.
Drool0 -
you actually have very nice legs....
If they were mine, I'd keep the calves.0 -
I am sorry to cause such a fury with this post. Perhaps I do have body image issues. But once my mom told me she was worried my calves were getting to big (and wanted me to go to the doc to see if I had hormone issues), I got hypervigilant about my legs.
I've posted pictures in my profile of my legs. One is from Jan and other from Feb of this year. Since then I've lost like 7lbs, but the calves are the same.
Really, your mom is crazy. You have nice legs, normal proportions, so that's that. You can stop worrying now :flowerforyou:
Edit: And you're black?? Really?? That just makes it work eeeeven MORE for you
Beautiful girl, stop worrying.
None of your profile pictures show any ladies with large calves.0 -
to lose muscle, eat below your TEE0
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I'm in the same boat. 5'2", 140 lbs with about 16" calves. I don't fit in most knee high boots, can't get into skinny jeans. My weight and measurements have fluctuated for years, and my calves have only ever changed by 1/4 - 1/2". I believe calves are mostly muscle so it is very hard to make them any smaller.
My advice (whether you want it or not :laugh: ) is to learn to love them. Or at least learn to live with them. I bet you're the only that notices and has a problem with them. I am working on accepting mine and seeing that they are strong and help me accomplish many things (like improving my mile run time, biking 100 km of trails in 2 days and so on).
As for knee high boots - justfab.ca (I don't know if there's an American version though) has "wide-calf" boots. I actually found a pair that fits! I still can't wear jeans under them, but leggings do fit.0 -
It baffles me what women worry about sometimes.
It's the big picture that counts... We are not walking around going OH MY GOD, look at her calves....don't think I could date her.
TRUST me.0 -
Probably OP just stores fat in lower body. I'd guess there's not a lot of definition in the legs. Losing muscle isn't appropriate. Lifting, protein, calorie deficit should achieve her objectives.0
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They look to be in proportion with the rest of you. This is a good thing, because as you lose weight, they will probably get smaller.
IMO, large calves are attractive - I wish mine were bigger. The grass is always greener OP. I'm sorry your mom made you self conscious, but I doubt she meant any harm.0 -
It baffles me what women worry about sometimes.
It's the big picture that counts... We are not walking around going OH MY GOD, look at her calves....don't think I could date her.
TRUST me.
Maybe our goals aren't all about what would make YOU want to date us?0 -
You have gorgeous legs! Forget about skinny jeans and rock those dresses and skirts which show them off. Not all clothing flatters all shapes. I can't pull off the skinny jeans boots look either even with 14" calves, I have short legs for my height and big quads.0
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Yeah if I had huge calf muscles I'd want to lose them too...
Oh wait... no I wouldn't.
hawt0 -
Your legs look perfectly proportional to me. I grew up thinking I had abnormally small eyes because my Mom, brother and sister have these huge, somewhat protruding eyes. It's funny the ideas we can get in our heads. I say embrace your beautiful muscular legs!0
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