Leg problems, any help please?:)

katelfh18
katelfh18 Posts: 3
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been a dancer for around 10 years, I go to the gym daily and I'm 18. But I have an issue with my legs, I'm a size 10 (UK) up top, but a 12 on my legs, my waist is 30", but my calves are just over 15.5" with thighs of 20". It really gets me down and I'm very self-conscious about it, especially as I look out of proportion. I know you can't sport reduce and you have to loose weight over all, but my calves, which are my biggest confidence issue are muscular, but seem to have an inch or two of fat on them; which I'm struggling to get rid of. Ideally, I'd like to have 13" calves, would that be possible for me to do so, as I'm still dancing, I do a lot of cardiovascular exercises at the gym, I run 5K at each time, use the cross trainer and try to burn over 500 calories each time. I'm also on a calorie deficient diet, so I'm hoping to see results soon, as I just feel so awful and it's getting me down, especially as I'm the more athletic and muscular looking friends. Just wondering if anyone could give me any tips or advice? :)

Replies

  • Strongandscrappy
    Strongandscrappy Posts: 1,735 Member
    I have always had bigger legs too and remember feeling uncomfortable with them at your age. Unfortunately, most likely it's the way you are built. You will find on MFP it is good to be muscular. I know it is easier said then done but continue with what you are doing with diet and exercise and try to love yourself the way you are. Don't compare yourself to others. I'm in my thirties and it is much easier now. I'm am proud of my muscular legs now. It gets easier. Also, your measurements don't sound too big especially if it's mostly muscle. Goo luck and be proud of your muscle. You worked hard for it!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Oy, there's a lot going on here. First off, a mix of size 10 and size 12 is not disproportionate. Maybe if you were 10 and 18 but one size difference is very very common. Second, 15.5" calves are not big at all. Mine are 15.625 and nobody looking at my avatar would consider them overly large.

    I think that you have a really skewed sense of your appearance and expectations. Stop being so hard on yourself. You go to the gym daily. You are a dancer. You are doing fantastic things with your body and it is working hard for you. Work on appreciating all of that.
  • Jim_Barteck
    Jim_Barteck Posts: 274 Member
    You don't mention current height or weight, so I'll just go by the fact that your profile says you're looking to lose 37 lbs.

    If that's actually a realistic number for you, then you can bet that at least some of that weight is being carried in your calves. Because they are relatively small to begin with, even a pound or two of weight loss in your calves will make a big difference in their overall circumference.

    Since you already know that you can't spot reduce, then the advice is actually pretty simple: get your overall bodyfat down and then see what your calves look like when you're at your target weight. Personally, a nicely toned and shaped calf muscle - especially of the kind that dancers often have - is incredibly attractive. Don't get down on yourself: what you are regarding as a bad thing could turn out to be a very good thing indeed :)
  • katelfh18
    katelfh18 Posts: 3
    Thanks very much, appreciated! Yeah I think a lot of it is genetics, but you're right I should try to, I just use to have the mick taken when I was young, so ever since I've been paranoid. I've already lost 2 and a bit inches, so I'm just going to try to get two and a bit more, nothing to loose if it doesn't work! But thank you, I get what you mean about not comparing, just so hard when all these models look perfect haha! Thanks very much, I was hoping it wasn't too unrealistic, but thanks, rather they were muscular than fatty I guess
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    My calves are 15.5 inches too and they are fabulous! Nothing wrong with that measurement. Fat loss will come from all over - continue dancing and doing what you love. Concentrate on how strong you are rather than a number or measurement.
  • Airportchick
    Airportchick Posts: 31 Member
    I had a massive blood clot in one leg. That leg has been an inch bigger than the other leg. At least yours are both the same size. :-)
  • binglebandit
    binglebandit Posts: 531 Member
    I had a massive blood clot in one leg. That leg has been an inch bigger than the other leg. At least yours are both the same size. :-)

    Ditto, only my leg is about two inches bigger than the other; talk about a pain in the butt to find pants that fit. I actually thought this post would be something more like that.

    OP, with all the activity you do, it sounds to me like you just have a very muscular build. My husband is very muscular and has proportionately larger thighs and calves than his waist. He has found that avoiding weights and sticking to cardio has been enough for him to lean down a little over time. My only concern with suggesting that is, would you really want to lose muscle with your fat? I think you should consider looking into figuring out your body fat percentage and use that as a guide. That can also help you figure out if your legs really do have as much fat on them as you think they do. Best of luck.
  • katelfh18
    katelfh18 Posts: 3
    I was going to say should I post a photo of the 'problematic' parts of my legs to show you what I mean, but I have no idea how to do so. They're muscly, but its not defined, just looks like a big bulk of a leg, with a few inches of fat on top.

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