Bulky Calves!!!!!!!

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Replies

  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    <<<<proud owner of bulky calves (and thighs). Thankfully, I have no desire to have my legs look like sausage links in skinny jeans. I would like to rock a pair of high boots someday. Oh well, I'll keep losing fat and maybe I could pull it off...
  • Mimisam45
    Mimisam45 Posts: 132 Member
    I have always had great, muscular calves and I am proud of them!! Probably the most fit part of my body!! I have worn 3" heels my entire adult life (I am pushing 57) which has contributed to the shape of my calves as much of my work has required standing/walking most of the day. Before working out a lot, wearing flat soled shoes caused discomfort.

    I suspect I will lose some as I lose fat, although my calves are not fatty. I happily sacrifice the tall boots and skinny jeans (too darn old anyway) for the way my legs look - strong and fit. Getting better every day now that we are "heavy" lifting three times a week.

    I wouldn't trade my fuller calves for those scrawny ones!!! :bigsmile:
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    Bulk calves? Why no worries, SUPERSKINNYME has your answers:

    "How to Slim Calves

    8. Pilates is an excellent tool to shape and elongate your calves, legs and body.

    OHHH. EMMMM. GEEEE i've been trying to get to my goal of being 5'7" but i just can't get past 5'5". Pilates might be the thing i need to break my 15 year plateau! Thank you superskinnyme.com for giving me the answers!
  • mjterp
    mjterp Posts: 650 Member
    its just genetics...can't mess with mother nature.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Yeah. If you lie in bed for a few years. They will get smaller.

    It happened to me several years back when I had an excruciatingly painful injury and couldn't walk for 2 years. The pain made it impossible. I couldn't stand, or sit. I'd crawl to the bathroom to go potty. I'd eat quickly and leaning to the side. Then back to horizontal trying to find a position that didn't make me want to cry or jump out the window.

    I finally had surgery to fix my back but my legs were smaller by then. My calves and thighs were both thinner than usual.
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    I hate my giant calves too... I know that there's no spot reducing... I guess the only solution is to get as much fat off as possible.:grumble:

    Or the solution is to embrace your calves and find the multitudes of men and women (whichever way you swing) that do as well.

    My calves have always been huge. I've actually been approached by trainers in the gym asking what type of calf work I did. When I replied "walking" they tended to slide away muttering to themselves about genetics.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Yeah. If you lie in bed for a few years. They will get smaller.

    It happened to me several years back when I had an excruciatingly painful injury and couldn't walk for 2 years. The pain made it impossible. I couldn't stand, or sit. I'd crawl to the bathroom to go potty. I'd eat quickly and leaning to the side. Then back to horizontal trying to find a position that didn't make me want to cry or jump out the window.

    I finally had surgery to fix my back but my legs were smaller by then. My calves and thighs were both thinner than usual.

    But if you are genetically predisposed to big calves, they will come back very quickly once you are on your feet again. I had a foot injury that required me to put no weight on one leg for a month several years ago. By the end of that month, one calf was almost 4 inches smaller in circumference than the other. In < 2 weeks of walking again they were back to the same size. You can fight Mother Nature, but she always wins.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    A. Eat at a deficit to lose fat and avoid muscle gains.
    B. Just stop walking until the muscle atrophies.

    Whatever is more convenient.

    This!
  • Oriole15
    Oriole15 Posts: 58
    I have the genetics for big calves... I try to just love 'em and not think about all the knee-high boots I'm not wearing :sad:

    This ^^ I used to always joke that I needed to marry a cowboy because they like big calves. I've never been able to find knee high boots that fit right. :ohwell:

    I often drool at the boots there, they do several circumferences (for a fee) http://www.duoboots.com/

    I have the bulky calf gene, I like it, it means I'll never get cankles.

    The only time it's an issue is for ski boots. The combination of small foot (22 cm) and big calf makes it hard to find a ski boot which is not made of pure pain.
  • rainbows1994
    rainbows1994 Posts: 30
    I am a female and I like to wear skinny jeans. Its not hipster clothing... very trendy actually..
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Does anyone know how to prevent getting that large, bulky look in the lower legs?

    I put on a pair of skinny jeans yesterday and couldn't believe how AWFUL they looked. My calves are as wide as my thighs from the back.

    Any tips on reducing and preventing them from bulking up even more??

    EDIT: I have only began noticing my bulky calves when I started to lose weight and going to the gym!

    start squatting heavier. i don't know about anybody else, but it sounds like the thighs are the problem to me.
  • cleotherio
    cleotherio Posts: 712 Member
    I have the bulky calf gene, I like it, it means I'll never get cankles.

    Here are mine. I'm 5'5" and the rest of me is about a size 6/8. I have the big calf gene, plus I've been exercising and training off and on for over 20 years. Currently doing stronglifts and squatting my bodyweight 3x a week. I have a hard time buying boots, but so what. I'll keep the muskles.

    calf1.jpg
    calf2.jpg
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    < proud of bulky calves, AND I look great in skinny jeans (maybe because I'm tall with a long inseam?) I don't know but I rock 'em :drinker:
  • Jred36
    Jred36 Posts: 63 Member
    I can relate, my husband says I have popeye legs.....not the look I'm going for. Guess I have to live with them. Runners legs would have sounded better than popeye legs. He needs to work on his sucking up to wife skills, lol.
  • ElizMurphy69
    ElizMurphy69 Posts: 61 Member
    Even when I was thinner (gymnastics and cheerleading days) I use to call 'em my "baby cows". And, as I lose weight they are still there :-) I have grown to love my muscular legs and just wear what I can that is flattering to my body as it is :-)
  • johnglenn1973
    johnglenn1973 Posts: 274
    My bulky calves pic....embrace them!!!

    2013_06_18_23_59_35.jpg


    On my toes...


    2013_06_19_00_00_01.jpg

    And NO, I do not shave my legs...I'm pretty hairless, except for maybe my ears. Damn you old age!!!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    My bulky calves pic....embrace them!!!

    2013_06_18_23_59_35.jpg


    On my toes...


    2013_06_19_00_00_01.jpg

    And NO, I do not shave my legs...I'm pretty hairless, except for maybe my ears. Damn you old age!!!

    Not quite the same on a woman. :ohwell:
  • erikkmcvay
    erikkmcvay Posts: 238 Member
    IMG_0672601x8002_zps3a4aa0d1.jpg

    IMG_0675600x800_zps8877d34a.jpg

    IMG_0678640x480_zpsb3f3f025.jpg

    For men we used to say that the calf should be the same size as the bicep to be symmetrical -- I used to work my calves pretty hard because I thought they were too small and whimpy looking. Today they are bigger then my upper arm but I suspect that has to do with the 505 miles of walking (starting when I was 280+) and nearly as many miles cycling.

    Of course I doubt many women would want these calves! LOL
  • RyvreTam
    RyvreTam Posts: 45 Member
    Necro bumping so I don't start a new thread for a topic that has been discussed ALMOST to death.

    I am 5',120lbs,22% body fat, calves are 15 1/2" around, measure this morning. I HATE IT. They're not proportionate, especially since I've lost weight and my thighs have slimmed down. I want to cry reading that there's nothing I can do and I should just love them. No way. It's not graceful, or dainty, or any of the tiny, delicate feelings I wanted to feel by losing weight. I can look at the rest of me and feel that way, and I wear skirts and dresses and waltz around like I feel great, as long as the mirror is knee up. I still cross my legs and see this horrible giant BALL shoved to the side by my knee.

    I have started running, as long and far as I can, with the sole purpose to try to do something about this, and I feel like they've just gotten bigger, which is specifically why I measured this morning, and have this on my mind today.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member

    I have started running, as long and far as I can, with the sole purpose to try to do something about this, and I feel like they've just gotten bigger, which is specifically why I measured this morning, and have this on my mind today.

    What kind of leg/calf did you do before. If you just started running, and haven't before, of course they will get bigger. When you add an exercise or change a routine your body isn't used to, the muscles will retain water for repair and swell.

    Running specifically won't slim your legs. If it's still fat on your legs, caloric deficit will help them get smaller and running will contribute to the deficit.

    The exercise itself won't reduce the size of your legs.
  • RyvreTam
    RyvreTam Posts: 45 Member
    So, the first part of my post is invisible? I am 22% body fat. Maybe if I get down to 15%, that will take, at most, an inch off? This is assuming there's still that much fat there to get rid of.

    They've always been this way. I started running, again, because I want to do SOMETHING about it, and running is the only thing people think MIGHT help. I am so frustrated.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    So, the first part of my post is invisible? I am 22% body fat. Maybe if I get down to 15%, that will take, at most, an inch off? This is assuming there's still that much fat there to get rid of.

    They've always been this way. I started running, again, because I want to do SOMETHING about it, and running is the only thing people think MIGHT help. I am so frustrated.

    Fine, if you want to snip at me for helping, then I'll quit.

    FYI, people telling you running is the only thing that might help are completely off, that would be spot reduction.
  • rowanwood
    rowanwood Posts: 509 Member
    nvm

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