Big calf muscles ?

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.

I am a runner and a biker..... I have HUGE caves and quads from that. Just something I have learned to deal with....

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.

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

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

the 1st answer says it all ... are your calves lean?

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!!!

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!

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.

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.