Big Calves. HELP

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Replies

  • rainghirl
    rainghirl Posts: 203 Member
    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
    daydream_believer Posts: 332
    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
    kimmianne89 Posts: 428 Member
    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
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    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
    ctalimenti Posts: 865 Member
    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
    Markguns Posts: 554 Member
    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
    Vailara Posts: 2,466 Member
    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
    Nutella91 Posts: 624 Member
    i have cankels... my biggest insecurity :(
  • Nutella91
    Nutella91 Posts: 624 Member
    cankles*
  • cheshire1865
    cheshire1865 Posts: 71
    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
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Holy necro bump. Why bring up a post from 2011?
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    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
    dukanukem Posts: 23
    Just so you know - a lot of guys love muscular legs/calves on women :)
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    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
    agggie550 Posts: 281 Member
    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
    pickledginger Posts: 172
    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
    rainghirl Posts: 203 Member
    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.:wink:
  • ctalimenti
    ctalimenti Posts: 865 Member
    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.:wink:

    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
    mili5726 Posts: 116 Member
    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
    faboysmiles Posts: 9
    I love women with muscular calves :)
  • faboysmiles
    faboysmiles Posts: 9
    you have a photo of your muscular calves? ;)
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Seriously?
    Nothing better to do with your time, than resurrecting all the topics on calves?
  • faboysmiles
    faboysmiles Posts: 9
    I said something wrong?
  • runner2runner
    runner2runner Posts: 1,937 Member
    I said something wrong?

    I don't think she was responding to you. I think her comment was aimed at OP.
  • fatsnacker
    fatsnacker Posts: 209 Member
    running but I would prefer a power walk.
  • GeorgeMT1
    GeorgeMT1 Posts: 2 Member
    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 :p
  • Karlbarbell
    Karlbarbell Posts: 31
    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!!!!! :smile:
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