Big calf muscles ?

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Tina1970s
Tina1970s Posts: 62
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been going to the gym 5 days a week for several months now. I go on the arc for 40 min. then rotate every other day 30 mins " hills " on the treadmill or 30 min express ( circuit training ). I have lost 40 lbs. Now the problem I have developed large calf muscles !!! Will my legs get thinner eventually ? Or am I stuck with big legs because of the muscle ?:grumble:

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  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
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    If you've lost 40 pounds, then you're not consuming enough calories to be building up huge calf muscles. Your calf muscles are probably becoming more visible as the extra fat over them gets burned off. As you burn more fat your legs will continue to get slimmer (and your leg muscles will become more visible, which is a good thing).
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
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    If you've lost 40 pounds, then you're not consuming enough calories to be building up huge calf muscles. Your calf muscles are probably becoming more visible as the extra fat over them gets burned off. As you burn more fat your legs will continue to get slimmer (and your leg muscles will become more visible, which is a good thing).

    ^^^^^This.
  • asaw00
    asaw00 Posts: 1,904 Member
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    you may just have big calf muscles. i do no matter what i weigh! :grumble:
  • piesbd
    piesbd Posts: 196 Member
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    I am a runner and a biker..... I have HUGE caves and quads from that. Just something I have learned to deal with.... :(
  • Tina1970s
    Tina1970s Posts: 62
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    I guess I should have been more detailed in my question. The 40 lbs has been lost over about 6 months, not just in the several months I've been going to the gym.:happy:
  • runner2runner
    runner2runner Posts: 1,937 Member
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    If you've lost 40 pounds, then you're not consuming enough calories to be building up huge calf muscles. Your calf muscles are probably becoming more visible as the extra fat over them gets burned off. As you burn more fat your legs will continue to get slimmer (and your leg muscles will become more visible, which is a good thing).

    Couldn't have said it better.
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
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    If you've lost 40 pounds, then you're not consuming enough calories to be building up huge calf muscles. Your calf muscles are probably becoming more visible as the extra fat over them gets burned off. As you burn more fat your legs will continue to get slimmer (and your leg muscles will become more visible, which is a good thing).
    Third time for emphasis.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,680 Member
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    Calf muscles are more genetic then "built". You can define them, but getting them to actually grow takes a lot of effort and progressive overload training.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
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    Calf muscles are more genetic then "built". You can define them, but getting them to actually grow takes a lot of effort and progressive overload training.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    This. Calf muscles support your entire body weight every minute you're standing. It takes a ton of calories, and a ton of heavy weight training for actually overload them to the point of growing. Arc trainers and treadmills aren't going to do it.
  • MarlinWil
    MarlinWil Posts: 119 Member
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    Hi. I was instantly drawn to your post, as I have had very muscular calves for my whole life. I do a lot of cycling and running, and at different times in my life I have found myself doing a fair bit of concentrated hill, mountain and distance cycling.

    Running doesn't seem to affect my calves very much, but as soon as I start climbing hills on my bike, my calves almost instantly start to swell. When I was younger, I really didn't give diet or exercise much thought at all, as my metabolism was great, and I was pretty active and didn't have to think about what I ate. At one point, I ditched my car for a few months so I could ride to work each day. This involved a lengthy 10km ascent in the mornings, and a lovely downhill in the afternoons. I had to stop doing this when my calves grew so big that I couldn't pull my jeans on over them.

    Another time I took my 2 year old daughter on an organised 550km ride, which took place over 8 days (one rest day with 4 days ride on either side). When I got back, a dear friend of mine got a glimpse of my calves and asked me (in a very concerned voice) how long it would take for the swelling to go down.

    I totally agree that there are general rules for normal people insofar as muscle development and size increase, but for sure there are exceptions to the rule. I am most definitely one of the exceptions when it comes to calves. Maybe you are, too. I am pretty proud of them, especially since I have definite definition in my legs, and I prefer that to legs that are skinny top to bottom. Plus, they are really strong for backcountry skiing, or endurance work.

    Embrace your calves, my dear. You are obviously one of the few who are blessed with calves that respond quickly and strongly to exercise. I did go through point in life where I was a little self-conscious of them, but no longer.

    Not sure if I helped, but wanted to put my 2c in.

    xx
  • Bardane
    Bardane Posts: 60 Member
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    I have always had big calves which makes skinny leg jeans and off the shelf boots a no go area. When I was younger I went to the doctor with some knee pain, he took one look at my calves and told my mum I had some unusual autoimmune disease and stuck me in hospital for a few days. Took me a few days to convince the specialist they were always this size and it was nothing to do with my knees :tongue:
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
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    the 1st answer says it all ... are your calves lean?
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
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    the 1st answer says it all ... are your calves lean?
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
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    If you've lost 40 pounds, then you're not consuming enough calories to be building up huge calf muscles. Your calf muscles are probably becoming more visible as the extra fat over them gets burned off. As you burn more fat your legs will continue to get slimmer (and your leg muscles will become more visible, which is a good thing).

    ^^^^^^^ In case you missed it the first few times, this...I have big strong calves and I love them, so do men in general...embrace the curvy calves....they are attractive!!!
  • tripzydeezy
    tripzydeezy Posts: 2 Member
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    Do you really consider that a bad thing. I'm a artist and anytime a draw a woman(no reference) they has very noticeable calves.
  • AmandaW01
    AmandaW01 Posts: 138
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    I have big calf muscles, I used to swim competitively as a teenager and developed a very muscular body with well defined calves, quads and shoulders - fortunately I moved in circles which admired them rather than suggesting it wasn't 'girlie' so I've always embraced them. Even when I'm overweight my calves are big and when I work out they quickly become rock solid and defined and get bigger. The thing is though, that (I think) this is how a fit female body should look - those little stick legs that models aren't attractive - nicely defined and curvy legs with good muscle definition look great and also do the job that nature intended - ie carry you far and fast. BUT, unless we totally go at it in a big way and alter our diets its very very hard for a woman to bulk up her calves - they rarely seem to go above simply defined and shaped and you'd have to work at it like a thing possessed to get big, bulky calves so I really wouldn't worry - embrace your curves!
  • nguk123
    nguk123 Posts: 223
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    I recommend putting effort on growing muscle everywhere else.
  • runner2runner
    runner2runner Posts: 1,937 Member
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    Calf muscles are more genetic then "built". You can define them, but getting them to actually grow takes a lot of effort and progressive overload training.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    This. Calf muscles support your entire body weight every minute you're standing. It takes a ton of calories, and a ton of heavy weight training for actually overload them to the point of growing. Arc trainers and treadmills aren't going to do it.

    That's right. That's why people with a heavy build (at least most of them) tend to develop naturally large calf muscles. Their calves need all the strength they can master to support all that weight above them. The most effective way to grow calf muscles is through intensive weight training. As one of the respondents said, your calf muscles are probably more visible now that the layer of fat that surrounded them has been burnt off. As long as you're not doing any intense weight training (in the form of calf raises, standing or seated, with heavy weights and low repetitions) you don't have to worry about them getting bigger. Circuit training and treadmills are cardio exercises so they won't make them bigger either. They'll simply tone and define them, which I suppose is what you looking for.
  • kirzz92
    kirzz92 Posts: 61 Member
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    I was approached at gym last week asking "How can I get calves like yours"
    I have built, well defined calves..

    I used to dislike them, but have come to accept them.. they give me shape and happen to look killer in a pair of heels ;)
  • ejwme
    ejwme Posts: 318
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    sigh. I wish I had that problem. In off-the-shelf boots I look like a little girl playing dress up. I have learned to hide my scrawny calves in plain sight by wearing heels and using fluffy thick socks folded over the edges of my boots. I've always envied girls with lovely curvy calves.

    I'd say don't worry, don't try to "spot-reduce" (doesn't work), just keep doing what you're doing, and rock those beautiful calves the way your DNA intended.

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