Big Calves. HELP

rainghirl

You should be able to lose the fat off them, but not the muscle. I have big calves and they did get smaller when I lost weight, they are still pretty big though and I think you just have to accept that it's the way you're made. There was another discussion about this a while back and someone pointed out that it's down to genetics as well as exercise.

daydream_believer

i have always had big calves (i did ballet for many years when i was younger) and now that i have been working out they are only increasing in size as my muscle mass increases. its annoying to buy skinny jeans because none of them fit around my hips/waist and thighs as they are too big... and too small around my calves. ohh the joy! lol

kimmianne89

I have chunky muscular calves, I'v given up worrying about it though deep down wish they would shrink! I'm short (5ft4) and feel that they make me appear even smaller. But meh, they aren't flabby so guess I have to put up with it!

sunlover89

I do too, and have the problem that I can't wear cute boots. After -50lbs, they DO get smaller, because of fat loss and my health has increased so I don't get swollen ankles as much or water retention. I now have 2 pairs of boots that just about fit them :-) Persevere and it will pay off!!

ctalimenti

Here's how you shrink them. Worked for me and I wasn't intending for it to.

Stand with your feet pointing outward. Go up and down on your tippy toes as many times as you can daily.

Stand with your feet pointing inward. Go up and down on your tippy toes....

Your calves will be so sore you can hardly walk but it'll improve and your calves will shrink. Let me know how it works. It should take a couple months.

Markguns

They will shrink as you lose weight. Do cardio. Also watch your sodium, water is retained in the lower extremities easily, and sodium just works against that. If you have large muscular calves not much you can do about that unless you over train them, which is not recommended.
Search how to reduce / get rid of fat / large calves

Vailara

i have always had big calves (i did ballet for many years when i was younger) and now that i have been working out they are only increasing in size as my muscle mass increases. its annoying to buy skinny jeans because none of them fit around my hips/waist and thighs as they are too big... and too small around my calves. ohh the joy! lol

Exactly! It was ballet that made mine big in the first place too, which I suppose is proof that the "tip-toe" type of exercises don't work for reducing the size! You just have to learn to love them, I suppose .

Nutella91

i have cankels... my biggest insecurity

Nutella91

cankles*

cheshire1865

I was always able to fit in knee high boots (my weakness in the fashion department), since I've put the weight on, I can't fit a single pair. Am hoping that general weight loss and walking will help. I have also started throwing in a few of my old ballet moves such as calf raises and plies whilst standing around, eg cooking, hanging out the washing, waiting for the bath to run etc lol. The last set work the inner thigh as well (added bonus lol).

tigersword

Holy necro bump. Why bring up a post from 2011?

contingencyplan

You can not spot reduce. It is simply not possible. Lose fat and the size will come off gradually. A lot more of it is fat than you think it is.

dukanukem

Just so you know - a lot of guys love muscular legs/calves on women

mfpcopine

You probably are, but avoid exercises like calf raises. Walking and general exercise should keep them firm. They probably won't get smaller, but at least they won't get bigger.

I do calf raises with dumbbells because my calves are small. But I avoid using direct weight resistance on the rest of my lower body.

agggie550

Embrace the Calves, you know how hard some people work to get muscular calves, as the weight comes off so will whatever is not muscle, but you cant shrink yoru calves, i mean I have big calves (yes im a man so its a little differnt) but when you spend a good bit of your life carrying around extra weight everything you do is a leg exercise, every step, ever reach on your toes, so of course you would develop muscular calves, its not something you should worry about it, it will just be a testiment to all your work. Sorry if that wasnt the answer you were looking for, but good luck none the less.

pickledginger

Most of the calf muscle is located higher on the leg. Even with good sized muscles you can have nice, shapely legs.

My legs (including feet and ankles) have slimmed down more quickly that other parts of my body. I think this is because I do a lot of spin classes, but it could just be where my body wants to take fat from first.

Spinning is terrific for building calf muscle ...
Glad it's helping you, and it is a good cardio workout, but.it won't make legs less muscular, which I think.is the OP's goal.

Then again, not much will.

rainghirl

Holy necro bump. Why bring up a post from 2011?

Maybe someone had the same question and actually, for once, searched the lists for other posters asking the same question! A miracle a I know, but I feel we should encourage this.

ctalimenti

Holy necro bump. Why bring up a post from 2011?

Maybe someone had the same question and actually, for once, searched the lists for other posters asking the same question! A miracle a I know, but I feel we should encourage this.

Yeah I noticed that too....after I replied.

Then I thought that I suppose we could all search the boards for our answers but maybe some of this is just communicating in the present with others.....just a thought.

mili5726

I have big muscular calves and I love them. I work them out hard. Nothing looks better in high heels than some nice calves

faboysmiles

I love women with muscular calves

faboysmiles

you have a photo of your muscular calves?

Graelwyn75

Seriously?
Nothing better to do with your time, than resurrecting all the topics on calves?

faboysmiles

I said something wrong?

runner2runner

I said something wrong?

I don't think she was responding to you. I think her comment was aimed at OP.

fatsnacker

running but I would prefer a power walk.

GeorgeMT1

If you start off overweight you've got to realize that your calves have been put under a lot of work from lifting your weight around, you've basically been strapping 40-100 pounds of weight to them, obviously they'll be bigger and more muscular

Karlbarbell

Have you seen Barbell Apparel Jeans?! They make jeans for those with muscular legs/butts and they're extremely functional so you never have to worry about ripping your jeans in the crotch ever again. www.BarbellApparel.com!!!!!