Mesomorph's lament (how can I look leaner)?

fivefootfitness
fivefootfitness Posts: 60
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm only 5'0" and LOVE to run. I've always been terrible at it though, so I still run a pretty slow pace, but that's okay. I used to go balls to the wall when I ran, and would do spurts of running way too hard (completely anaerobic) and then walking, but I've been doing low heart rate runs and now can run consistently aerobic!

I've been stepping up my running, though, from around only 2.5-3 mi, 3x a week, to 4-6 mi 5/6 times per week. I love it, but my muscles are changing in ways I'm not a huge fan of.

I used to have really sturdy fencer's thighs, but since I've been running this summer, my quads have gone almost completely flat (despite running a somewhat hilly terrain). Also, my calves have gotten so...chunky. Being so short, my calves are pretty short themselves, but they no longer taper much in size thanks to the muscle gain. I visually lack ankles now.

The same thing happened with my sister's body when she ran in highschool, so I know we're good old mesomorphs. I don't want to cut down on running just because I'm not a fan of how I'm looking, so how can I change up my workout routines to...slenderize my lower body? Yoga? I hate it but, if I must....or should I take to slower distance running? I suppose that wouldn't be so awful....

I admit I never do "leg days" when I work out. It's just so boring. I do lift/do strength 2 or 3 times a week (to little effect, though).
Help??

Replies

  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    I'm guess you're not a mesomorph but rather an endomorph. Mesomorph's have the more ideal / muscular body type. Follow a structured full-body strength training regimen (StrongLifts / StartingStrength) do some HIIT cardio, and get your nutrition on-point. For the nutrition aspect, I'd suggest determining your TDEE and then multiply that by 0.90 (10% deficit) and start from there. Get about 1gm protein / lb of bodyweight, about 25% of your calories from fat, the rest are carbs. On days you don't do strength training, you can even drop your carbs down to 100gm's total, keep your protein and 1gm / lb, and make up the difference with fat calories. Basically that's a type of carb-cycling.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    wow.. people still believe in somatypes.. it's kind of like asking about the humours :ohwell:
  • rogerOb1
    rogerOb1 Posts: 318 Member
    wow.. people still believe in somatypes.. it's kind of like asking about the humours :ohwell:
    I think my yellow bile might be out of whack.


    OP, would you happen to have a before and after picture?
  • fivefootfitness
    fivefootfitness Posts: 60
    No befores! I never had an issue with them in the past.

    You know, you can answer my question, you can educate me on what you know to be true about bodies, or you can be a useless jerk who just criticizes people trying to find answers about their fitness.

    Your choice.
  • rogerOb1
    rogerOb1 Posts: 318 Member
    No befores! I never had an issue with them in the past.

    How about an after picture?

    Calves are awkward - extremely difficult to grow unless (like you) youre genetically predisposed to do so down there. Id assume that adding a little muscle down there wouldn't hurt the shape so Im curious as to if its a muscle issue or a fat issue? Though the main reason I asked for pics is because sometimes its a perception issue - people sometimes obsess over their body parts and turn a non-issue into a concern.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    Yeesh, nice comments... I don't have access to any research at this moment but there is some relevance to Somatotypes. I do know Dr. John Berardi's "Precision Nutrition" site discusses differences between each and there is some relevance between the three. Check it out...
  • Stripeness
    Stripeness Posts: 511 Member
    If your calves are bulking, then your ankles should look *smaller*. Seriously. They're not encased in muscle. If your *ankles* have "disappeared" you need to seriously consider having your doc check you for edema or other cause of swelling.

    If your quads are getting smaller, your knee area might look less defined. Personally, I've had nice success with leg extensions. Obviously a whole weightlifting routine, preferably with the compound moves (squats leap to mind) would take care of that too, but if you just wanted to hit that one area, you could do it at home using bands or even a bag of pet food over the top of your shoe :-D

    Last, to echo another commenter re: perception - unless you have incredibly developed calves and no fat on your lower leg (which also makes swelling ankles more alarming)...your lower leg is now shapelier, with a more pronounced curve. How is that not more attractive?

    Is this really what you want your legs to look like?
    http://bit.ly/1sOsw4y

    If it is, bless your heart, we're all different...but maybe this is a little healthier looking?
    http://content7.flixster.com/question/51/92/88/5192889_std.jpg

    Totally YMMV, but my main point is that your ankles should NOT be disappearing. Just, no.

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